LEGISLATIVE NARRATIVE February 29–March 4, 2016

Overview This coming Monday, March 7, marks the 55th day of session, leaving only 65 days remaining before adjournment on May 11. Last week, a number of long-awaited bills and drafts were released, including measures to increase student data security, modify charter school funding and authorization procedure, and numerous initiatives related to workforce development issues. Also released was a rewrite of Representative ’s (R, El Paso) HB15-1128, which parsed down the originally-proposed cost increase for concurrent enrollment courses. The fiscal year 2015–2016 supplemental bill package has been signed by legislative leadership and now awaits Governor Hickenlooper’s signature. For several weeks, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) has been conducting department figure setting hearings for fiscal year 2016–2017. The K–12 education figure setting hearing is scheduled for this Monday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m., and the higher education hearing is scheduled for this Wednesday, March 9, upon adjournment of the morning floor work. The Long Bill is expected to be introduced in late March in the House. Ideally, the School Finance Act will run concurrently with the Long Bill and the final passage deadline for School Finance is April 22 (101st day of session).

New Bills HB16-1305 Educator Training To Assist Students in Crisis (Rep. (D)/Sen. Linda Newell (D)) - After circulating a draft for several months, Representative Rhonda Fields (Aurora) has finally introduced her bill to address training for teachers to identify students with possible mental health issues. Initially, the bill would have created an optional course within the teacher licensure and recertification processes dealing with student social and emotional distress. - The introduced version of the bill carries a heavier mandate. HB16-1305 requires each school district board of education to provide training for teachers to explain the school district procedures for assisting students who are experiencing emotional distress or are otherwise in crisis and may need referral for behavioral health services.

HB16-1343 Waivers for Charter Schools (Rep. (D)) - Representative Dominick Moreno (Adams Co.) introduced his measure to bring charter school reporting requirements more in-line with existing public school reporting requirements. Under current law, the State Board of Education may, by rule, automatically waive certain statutes and rules for all charter schools. A charter school may request additional waivers of statutes and state board rules by submitting a specific request, the rationale for the request, and a statement explaining the manner in which the charter school plans to meet the intent of the waived statute or rule. - HB16-1343 repeals the authority of the State Board to automatically waive state statutes or state board rules by adopting a rule. The provisions of the bill apply to charter school contracts that are entered into or renewed on or after August 10, 2016. For a charter contract that is renewed on or after August 10, 2016, a charter school must submit a request for a waiver, including the statement of rationale and plan for compliance, for any statute or state board rule that was previously automatically waived and for which the charter school seeks a continued waiver.

Anticipated Legislation Measures Affecting Charter Schools (Reps. Rhonda Fields (D) and Lang Sias (R)/Sen. Owen Hill (R)) - The Charter School Institute and charter school allies released their much-anticipated bill draft adjusting charter revenues, modifying the appeals process, and increasing waiver flexibilities. Strong opposition from school districts is anticipated. 1 - The significant components of the bill include a requirement that school districts distribute ongoing mill levy override dollars equally between all schools in the district starting in fiscal year 2017–2018. The bill allows a single charter school network to meet the statutory requirements for charter school finance audits by completing a single network-wide audit that includes each of the schools in the network. Furthermore, the bill modifies the procedures around district authorization and State Board appeals. The proposal also makes a variety of changes to low performing charter school regulations, capital construction funding, and requires school districts to provide notification of vacant facilities.

Committee Hearings Next Week Live audio streaming - http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/cslFrontPages.nsf/Audio?OpenPage

Monday, March 7 - Joint Budget Committee, 1:30 p.m., JBC Hearing Room o Figure Setting Recommendations for the Department of Education - House Education Committee, 1:30 p.m., HCR0112 o HB16-1131 Public Education Standards and Assessments (Rep. Carver) o HB16-1222 Supplemental Online Education and Blended Learning Resources (Reps. Rankin and Tyler) o HB16-1003 Middle Class College Savings Act (Reps. Pettersen and Young) o HB16-1234 State Assessment Selection and Local Flexibility (Rep. Klingenschmitt) - House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, 1:30 p.m., Room271 o HB16-1204 Allow Concealed Carry on Public School Grounds (Rep. P. Neville) o SB16-017 Concealed Handgun Carry Without Permit (Rep. P. Neville) o HB16-1179 Concealed Carry For Military Personnel (Rep. Buck) Wednesday, March 9 - Joint Budget Committee, Upon Adjournment, JBC Hearing Room o Figure Setting Recommendations for the Department of Higher Education - Joint Education Committee and Joint Budget Committee, Upon Adjournment, Room 271 o Presentation on federal Every Student Succeeds Act - House Education Committee, Upon Adjournment of Joint Education, Room 271 o HB16-1198 Computer Courses Fulfill Graduation Requirements (Reps. Pabon and Wilson) o HB16-1225 School Districts Must Post Director Candidate Information (Rep. Priola) - Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, 1:30 p.m., SCR356 o HB16-1002 Employee Leave Attend Child's Academic Activities (Sen. Kerr)

Prepared by Colorado Consulting 2016

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