Committee approves introduction of LLS 983 to expand data collection on online and supplemental education programs

The Joint Budget Committee voted unanimously to introduce LLS 983, "Administration of Publicly Funded Ed Programs," a bill intended to improve data collection and oversight of online education and supplemental programs.

A presenter identified in the transcript as Ms. Bickel summarized the bill’s purpose: "the collection of information is really where the heart of this thing is," including student counts and percentages receiving online instruction, common delivery methods, contract terms, academic quality measures, and a fiscal analysis comparing state payments to actual costs. The presenter told members the bill would also allow the department to designate a BOCES to provide supplemental online courses statewide and collect individual student identifying numbers to enable program evaluation.

Why it matters: supporters said better data will allow lawmakers and the department to compare online program outcomes to in‑person outcomes, identify funding disparities and oversight needs, and make evidence‑based decisions about program design and payments.

Key elements discussed included a referenced approximate $2,200,000 appropriation that has supported Colorado River BOCES in offering supplemental online courses, and a roll‑forward of $125,000 in the long bill that staff said would cover implementation costs. Representative Taggart asked that the language explicitly require comparisons between online and in‑person student outcomes; the presenter agreed that intent already includes comparative analysis and offered to add explicit wording.

The committee moved to introduce LLS 983 and approved the motion 6‑0. The transcript identifies sponsors for the bill in the House and Senate (text in the transcript appears garbled for some sponsor names) and the bill is expected to be drafted for introduction and handled in the House as the initiating chamber.

Next steps: staff will prepare a draft bill reflecting the committee’s clarifications (including explicit comparison language if requested) and return it for formal introduction. The committee recorded no additional funding beyond noted roll‑forward for initial setup.