SB 23-205 CO

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Became Law

The act establishes the universal high school scholarship program (program) in the office of economic development (office) to provide scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year to students who pursue an in-demand or high-priority postsecondary pathway, including degrees, certificates, and registered apprenticeships, with a provider on the eligible training provider lists disseminated by the department of labor and employment, a provider in the Colorado state apprenticeship resource directory, a public or private institution of higher education operating in Colorado, or an organization approved by the office (service providers). The office, or a vendor contracted by the office, administers the program. The office shall develop policies and procedures necessary to administer the program. A student is eligible for the program if the student graduated from a Colorado high school or was awarded a high school equivalency credential during the 2023-24 academic year; completes the free application for federal student aid or the Colorado application for state financial aid; and did not receive a grant from the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative. Scholarships are awarded in the following priority: First, to all eligible students who intend to enroll at a service provider to pursue an in-demand or high-priority postsecondary pathway, then to other eligible students who intend to enroll at a service provider. The office or vendor determines the amount of each scholarship award, up to a maximum $1,500. Scholarship money is distributed to the service provider for use by the student for tuition, fees, and books. The act requires the office to contract with vendors to provide postsecondary and career advising at schools identified by the office. The office shall make efforts to identify a diversity of schools in rural and urban areas of the state to receive postsecondary advising support. The act requires the state treasurer to transfer $25 million from the general fund to the universal high school scholarship cash fund (cash fund). The act appropriates $25 million from the cash fund to the office of the governor for the program. APPROVED by Governor May 16, 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.)

• Jeff Bridges Democratic · primary
• Paul Lundeen · primary
• Matthew Martinez Democratic · primary
• Don Wilson · primary

1. May 16, 2023 Governor Signed · executive
2. May 9, 2023 Sent to the Governor · executive
3. May 8, 2023 Signed by the Speaker of the House · lower
4. May 8, 2023 Signed by the President of the Senate · upper
5. May 3, 2023 House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments · lower
6. May 2, 2023 House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments · lower
7. Apr 29, 2023 House Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments · lower
8. Apr 28, 2023 House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole · lower
9. Apr 20, 2023 House Committee on Education Refer Unamended to Appropriations · lower
10. Apr 14, 2023 Introduced In House - Assigned to Education · lower
11. Apr 14, 2023 Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments · upper
12. Apr 13, 2023 Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor · upper
13. Apr 11, 2023 Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole · upper
14. Apr 3, 2023 Senate Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations · upper
15. Mar 20, 2023 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education · upper

The published texts of this bill as it moves through the legislature. Each links to the official document on the state legislature site. Data from OpenStates.

• Signed Act (05/16/2023) · PDF
• Final Act (05/08/2023) · PDF
• Rerevised (05/03/2023) · PDF
• Revised (05/02/2023) · PDF
• Reengrossed (04/14/2023) · PDF
• Engrossed (04/13/2023) · PDF
• Introduced (03/20/2023) · PDF
• PA2 (04/11/2023) · PDF
• PA1 (04/04/2023) · PDF
• Committee Amendment · PDF