It was another busy week under the gold dome where almost 250 bills have been introduced. The Senate Education Committee heard two bills on Thursday, January 25th. The first, SB-008 Reward Access to Arts Education In Public Schools by Senator M. Merrifield (D- Colorado Springs) which would have created an additional arts-related performance indicator for public schools (charters included), was killed.

The second, SB-013, sponsored by Senator R. Fields, D- Aurora and Senator B. Gardner, R- Colorado Springs would extend the age of eligibility for receiving a free school lunch to eighth graders in state-subsidized early education programs (the age limit is currently capped at fifth grade). This bill was passed on, unamended, to Appropriations.

Coming up next week, there are quite a few things to keep an eye on: The House Education Committee will hear several bills on Monday afternoon including  one related to teaching fellowships in rural schools (HB-1002 by Representative M. Hamner D- Dillon, Representative B. Rankin R- Carbondale/Senator N. Todd D- Aurora, Senator D. Coram R- Montrose) and HB-1005, Notice to Students of Postsecondary Courses (Representative J. Becker D- Fort Morgan, Representative B. Pettersen D-Lakewood).

On Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee will hear SB-004, Funding For Full-Day Kindergarten (Senator A. Kerr, D-Lakewood) while the House Education Committee discusses HB-1037, Concealed Handguns on School Grounds (Senator P. Neville R-Castle Rock, Senator T. Neville R-Littleton).

Check back next week to hear our updates as we keep a close eye on what’s happening at the Capitol!