Committee approves amendment adding JBC footnote to concurrent-enrollment funding plan

The committee considered a sponsor-led amendment (L10) to a House bill addressing concurrent-enrollment courses. Senator Marchman explained that the University of Colorado would fund courses for two years to launch the program and that L10 adds language making the Joint Budget Committee responsible for determining whether future appropriations are sufficient.

Senator Kirkmeyer moved the bill and L10; Senator Bridges opposed, saying the move represented higher-education institutions encroaching on the community-college role and voicing concern about certificate and apprenticeship pathways. Despite that objection, the committee adopted L10, placed the bill on the calendar, and passed it by a 5–2 vote.

The sponsor and proponents said the amendment addresses a technical drafting concern and identifies which budget body decides about future appropriations; dissenting senators urged broader policy discussion about which institutions should provide concurrent-enrollment opportunities.