February 2009 Update
CoAHPERD lobbyist report February 16, 2009 Rick Metz lobbyist
This is a quick update on a few important bills at the capitol. SB 46 (an attempt to set minimum nutritional levels for snack food in schools) was “postponed indefinitely” by the Senate education committee last week. We will have to try again next year. The legislature did not support the detailed language of the bill. The AHA and supportive groups, including CoAHPERD, worked hard to promote this idea but will try a new strategy during the next session.
Senator Williams and Representative Todd’s SB 123 (a grant program encouraging “high risk” schools to develop after school programs to help with attendance) passed the Senate education committee by a vote of 6 - 2. I testified about the fact that CoAHPERD supports the language and spirit of the bill. I mentioned our desire to develop the physical activity portion of the program around life long experiences for the students. I will ask CoAHPERD’s executive council to support the legislation with a financial gift, reinforcing our commitment to healthier students in Colorado. We gained another advocate for quality physical education/physical activity programs with our involvement in SB 123. The Denver Junior league joined the network of the PA “team”. The bill goes to the Senate floor for debate, soon.
Senator Romer’s SB 131 (asking schools to have 150 minutes of physical activity for all students each week) goes before the Senate education committee on Thursday afternoon. I will join CCC, the Health foundation and AHA in the effort to secure votes on the education committee. Most members of the committee are not excited about the bill but hopefully can be convinced that the bill has merit and deserves to be passed on to the whole Senate. We do have bi-partisan support if and when the bill goes to the House of Representatives. Representative Massey will introduce the bill in the House.
A few other bills are being tracked ( bicycle safety, reduced lunch for pre school students, athletic trainers’ certification and educator identification bills) and I will give you an update in the near future. Thanks for your support of the efforts at the capitol.
February 2009
Legislative Report February 2009 Rick Metz, CoAHPERD lobbyist
Thank you all for sending e-mails to your senators in support of SB 46. SB 46 (asking for minimum requirements in school snack food) was debated in the Senate education committee last Thursday afternoon. The main opposition is with the specific language in the bill setting limits for fats, etc). Several people testified for the bill and a few spoke against the bill. The vote will take place on Wednesday, February 4th. An amendment to send the bill to the state school board for implementation may get the bill out of committee. I'll let you know, Wednesday.
The physical activity bill has been sent to the Senate education committee. The number is SB 131. The bill asks school districts to insure that students have 150 minutes of physical activity (PE, recess, exercise breaks, intramurals) each day. Physical education time may be included in the total minutes and may not be eliminated for other forms of physical activity. I am meeting this week (with AHA, CCC, MDHWC, Co. Health Foundation and Kaiser Permanente to set a strategy to promote this bill. The “ALERT” system will be used for this bill, prior to the committee testimony. Senator Romer will carry the bill.
Bills being tracked are: SB 26 (athletic trainers act), SB 33 (“early childhood ed. services” kids get free lunch), SB 46, SB 90 (parental involvement in education), SB 123 (healthy choices for “drop out” prevention), SB 131 and HB 1065 (educator identifier pilot program). More detailed information will follow as the bills go through the legislative process. Thanks, again, for your constant support.
June 2008
This 2008 general session was very productive with many health/wellness related legislation being debated and passed. Governor Ritter supported the efforts of wellness advocates by signing many important bills into law this year. The following is the final update on legislative news.
•Legislative General Session ended on Tuesday evening May 6, 2008
•CDE update-Terry Jones receives an extension of the 5 year grant covering his salary – It’s great
to have his expertise and support in the future, Karen Connell’s (health) position was defined as an FTE at CDE.
•Our Governor examined many bills in May. Normally, he would have to decide to sign or veto bills within 10 days. Bills delivered to his desk on the last day of the session extend the decision process until May 31st.
Legislative bills = June 2008 update:
•HB 1224 (Comprehensive school health grant program includes coordinated school health components) was signed by our Governor. CONGRATULATIONS to Representative Benefield with assistance in the Senate by Senator Tupa.
•SB 129-minimum nutritional drink requirements in school: was signed by our Governor.
•SB 88-(illegal possession of tobacco penalties increased) was signed by the Governor.
•SB 123-(free lunch for some kids with reduced lunch fee) was signed by the Governor.
•SB 173-grant program for (PE, PA and food requirement) PI (postponed indefinitely), I will work with CCC, AHA, the Junior league and Senator Williams this summer to rewrite the bill.
•HB 1335-(BEST- facility improvement money) was signed by the Governor
Other bills of interest
•HB 1021-(early kindergarten for gifted kids) was signed by the Governor
•HB 1384-(teacher recruitment, stipend for national board certified teachers) was signed by the Governor
•HB 1386-(school leadership training) was signed by the Governor.
•HB 1388-(financing for public schools- keeping up with inflation) was signed by the Governor.
•SB 65-(teacher incentive- merit pay) PI
•SB 73-(college textbook evaluation) was signed by Governor
•SB 130-(innovations in schools- financing, staffing, curriculum) was signed by the Governor.
SB 208-(background checks charter schools staff) was signed by the Governor
ALL BILLS can be examined by "googling": Colorado legislature, House or Senate bills, use the "drop down" for specific number. Call if you need help or want more information.
Summer meetings for CoAHPERD lobbyist: AHA, CCC, CDE, MDHWC, SPI, town hall meeting re: high graduation requirements (Representative Todd’s HB 1118-07) and summer meetings will include SB173 rewrite and a meeting for legislators to be informed about the coordinated school health model and the impact of HB 1224.
Thanks for our support and involvement this year and I look forward to working for you at the capitol.
Rick Metz, CoAHPERD lobbyist
PO Box 7004 Golden 80403
303-642-2802
rickmetz@mric.net