Governor Polis signed a list of bipartisan legislation into law Friday, to support Colorado’s National Guard servicemembers, cut red tape, and reduce interstate barriers to strengthen Colorado’s workforce. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact makes it easier for people, including eligible military spouses, to transfer their teaching certificates when moving to Colorado.

 

Representative Meghan Lukens of House District 26 (representing Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Eagle counties) was one of four sponsors on the bill.

 

“With our bill that Governor Polis signed into law, we are taking important steps to address Colorado’s dire teacher shortage. The number one determining factor to students’ success in the classroom is the teacher in the classroom. This law works to get more high quality teachers in classrooms by streamlining the process for teachers who are licensed in another state to obtain a teaching license in Colorado. I’m proud to support educators, our families, and most importantly, our students.”

 

It is the first bill signed into law for Lukens, who is a graduate of and former teacher at Steamboat Springs High School. The bill creates an agreement between Colorado and ten other states where licensed teachers can transfer their teaching license to Colorado. HB23-1064 makes it easier for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state, and the compact was initiated by the Department of Defense with the Council of State Governments and National Council of Teacher Accreditation.

 

Also on Friday, Governor Polis signed the following bills into law in ceremony:

• HB23-1034 Measures To Expand Postconviction DNA Testing – Representatives Lindsey Daugherty & Matt Soper, Senators Julie Gonzales & Cleave Simpson
• HB23-1053 Veterans’ Cemetery Department of Public Safety Gifts Grants Donations – Representatives Anthony Hartsook & David Ortiz, Senators Rachel Zenzinger & Janice Rich
• HB23-1045 Employee Leave For Colorado National Guard Service – Representative Gabe Evans, Senators Byron Pelton & Nick Hinrichsen
• HB23-1064 Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact – Representatives Meghan Lukens & Mary Young, Senators Janice Marchman & Chris Kolker

 

Governor Polis also signed the following bills into law administratively:

• SB23-010 Water Resources And Agriculture Review Committee – Representative Barbara McLachlan, Senators Jeff Bridges & Cleave Simpson
• SB23-040 Staffing Agency CAPS Checks – Representative Mary Young, Senator Rhonda Fields