Summary#

HB 26-1354, titled “Repeal Science Teacher Professional Development Program,” amends Colorado law and a 2024 session law; it does not create a new agency. It reduces the appropriation stated in the 2024 law and repeals the full statutory section covering the program, effective July 1, 2027. Its stated goal is to repeal the science teacher professional development program.

• The 2024 session law’s appropriation to the Department of Education for use by Student Learning changes from $3 million to $1.5 million. The Division may use that appropriation for science-teacher professional development.
• Unspent money from the program remains available for the same purpose in the 2026–27 budget year; any money still unspent or not committed at the end of that year reverts to the state education fund.
• The entire statutory section is repealed on July 1, 2027. The supplied text does not show the section’s full contents, so it is unclear whether it includes provisions beyond the program.

What it means for you#

• Department of Education and its Division of Student Learning: The department receives the stated appropriation; the division may use it for science-teacher professional development. The bill does not require the division to spend the money on that purpose.
• Science teachers: The bill reduces the appropriation stated in the 2024 session law and ends the statutory section on July 1, 2027. It does not set out new teacher duties or say how professional development is delivered.
• Taxpayers: The bill does not create a new tax, fee, or fine.
• General public: The bill does not create a new agency or a new application or review process.

Money#

The bill changes the 2024 session law’s stated appropriation from $3 million to $1.5 million, but the actual amount spent is not provided.

• The appropriation is from Colorado’s state education fund.
• Money left over may be used for the same purpose in 2026–27 without another appropriation; any amount still unspent or uncommitted at the end of that year reverts to the fund.
• No total program-cost estimate, staffing cost, or amount spent is given.

What is unclear#

• The amended statute still says the General Assembly shall appropriate $3 million for the 2024–25 budget year, while the bill changes the 2024 session law’s appropriation for that year to $1.5 million. The supplied material does not explain how those provisions fit together.
• The full text of the existing statutory section was not supplied, so its other duties, rules, or reporting requirements—and the full effect of repealing the section—could not be checked against current law.
• The materials do not say how much of the appropriation has been spent, how the program selects or serves teachers, or what happens to any work or services after the section is repealed.

Case for#

• The bill reduces the appropriation stated in the 2024 session law and sets an end date for the statutory section. That could be seen as limiting the program’s authorized funding and ending the statutory program rather than continuing it indefinitely.
• Allowing remaining money to be used for the same purpose during 2026–27 gives the department time to use eligible funds before they revert to the state education fund.

Case against#

• One concern is that reducing the stated appropriation and repealing the section could reduce or end support for science-teacher professional development. The materials do not show what effects that would have on teachers or students.
• The bill does not explain how the $1.5 million session-law appropriation relates to the statute’s stated $3 million appropriation requirement.
• The supplied text gives no information on the program’s results, so readers cannot assess whether ending it or reducing its funding is likely to improve or worsen science education.