The act creates the Colorado school transportation modernization task force (task force) in the department of education (department) to create a report containing findings and recommendations to improve school transportation services for students. The department is required to provide relevant data to the task force to inform its duties. The report must be publicly published and submitted to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives, the board of education, and the governor by December 1, 2024. The act specifies task force membership, including the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee, and members appointed by the commissioner. For the 2023-24 budget year, $95,313 is appropriated from the general fund to the department to implement the act. APPROVED by Governor May 16, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 16, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Sponsored bills
As an alternative route to teacher licensure, the act creates a teacher degree apprenticeship program (apprenticeship program). The apprenticeship program builds on elements of current alternative teacher licensure programs, including a bachelor's degree requirement, training programs approved by the state department of education (CDE), and structured on-the-job training. The apprenticeship program is run collaboratively with the United States department of labor office of apprenticeship (DOL office) and the state apprenticeship office (state office) and utilizes apprentice mentor teachers and teacher apprenticeship program sponsors (sponsor). The act allows CDE to issue a teacher apprenticeship authorization (authorization) to a person (apprentice) who is employed by a school district, board of cooperative services, charter school, or institute charter school (school) who is actively registered in an apprenticeship program, and who is actively enrolled in an affiliated bachelor's degree program from an accredited institution. The authorization is valid for 4 years while the apprentice completes the bachelor's degree requirement of the program. CDE may renew the authorization for up to 2 successive terms, in increments of 2 years, as necessary for the apprentice to fulfill the apprenticeship requirements. An authorization is invalid if the apprentice withdraws from any part of the apprenticeship program or fails to make satisfactory progress. Upon application from an entity with expertise in apprenticeship or teacher preparation, CDE shall authorize the entity to serve as a sponsor. Applications to serve as a sponsor must include a proposed work process schedule and related instruction plan required by the DOL office and state office. CDE shall review each application and approve or disapprove the sponsor. If approved, the sponsor may apply to CDE for approval of an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program must meet the following criteria: Be registered with the DOL office or state office; Incorporate a bachelor's degree program from an accredited institution in a related field of study relative to the licensure type; and Incorporate on-the-job training in meaningful and time-saving ways. Every 5 years after apprenticeship program approval, CDE shall consult with the DOL office or state office concerning the federally required audit of the apprenticeship program to ensure the apprenticeship program continues to meet requirements. The state board of education is authorized to promulgate rules for the implementation of the apprenticeship program. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $116,134 is appropriated from the general fund to the department of education. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $26,435 is appropriated to the department of law from reappropriated funds received from the department of education. The department of law may use this appropriation to provide legal services for the department of education. APPROVED by Governor May 15, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Current law allows a state income tax deduction for payments made under a qualified state tuition program equal to a maximum of $20,000 for a taxpayer who files an individual income tax return and $30,000 for 2 married taxpayers who file a joint income tax return. The bill increases to $40,000 the maximum deduction for married taxpayers who file a joint income tax return.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Public notice for bids on special district construction contracts is currently required when the contract cost is $60,000 or more. The act increases the notice threshold to $120,000 or more and requires the amount to be adjusted for inflation every 5 years. APPROVED by Governor March 17, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Current law allows only specified employees to participate in the public employees' retirement association's (PERA) defined contribution plan. Employer and member contribution rates for PERA's defined contribution plan are fixed in statute and vary per division. Members of the school division or the Denver public schools (DPS) division of PERA are not able to enroll in the defined contribution plan and are enrolled in the defined benefit plan administered by PERA. The bill requires the PERA board to establish and administer a flexible defined contribution plan and gives PERA members who are hired on or after January 1, 2024, and who are members of the school division or DPS division (eligible employees), the option to participate in the flexible defined contribution plan. If an eligible employee opts to participate in the flexible defined contribution plan, the eligible employee may determine the employee's contribution rate. Employers of eligible employees who opt into the flexible defined contribution plan are required to contribute an amount equal to 6.5% of the member's salary toward the member's account, and contribute an amount equal to 15% of the member's salary to the defined benefit plan. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Currently, the department of revenue may issue a qualified individual either 2 military license plates with identifying figures that authorize the individual to use reserved parking, or one military license plate with the identifying figure that authorizes the use of reserved parking and a parking placard authorizing the use of reserved parking. The bill allows a qualified person the option to be issued 2 military license plates and a parking placard.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)