SB19-003 (Zenzinger & Coram/McLachlan & Wilson) Educator Loan Forgiveness Program
Summary
The bill would establish an opportunity to repay up to $5,000 of education loans for up to five years for 100 teachers and other educators that qualify through the program and that are employed in hard-to-fill positions. It would direct the Commission on Higher Education to approve participants in the program each year through criteria they create. The Commission would be required to prepare an annual report regarding the progress of the program participants.
Position
The Children’s Campaign supports this bill as one of many strategies that will be considered this session to address educator shortage challenges. Every child deserves the benefit of high-quality teachers, and it is important that we cultivate a pipeline between institutions of higher education and local school districts for educator talent.
Current Status
Signed by the governor on May 28
Previous Statuses
January 18, 2019
Assigned to the Senate Education Committee where it is scheduled to be heard on Thursday, January 24th at 1:30 pm in SCR 354. Vice President of Education Initiatives Leslie Colwell will testify in support.
January 25, 2019
Passed the Senate Education Committee on a vote of 3-2 and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Leslie Colwell, our VP of Education Initiatives testified in support.
March 22, 2019
Passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on a bipartisan vote of 7-3 and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.
March 29, 2019
Passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 25-5 and now heads to the House Education Committee where it is scheduled to be heard on Tues., Apr. 2 at 1:30pm in Room 0107
April 5, 2019
Passed the House Education Committee on a vote of 8-3 and now heads to the House Appropriations Committee. Leslie Colwell, VP of Education Initiatives, testified in support of the bill.
April 19, 2019
Passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 47-17-1 and now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature!
