Update: The Colorado House passed HB 22-1110 on a 50-11 vote on Thursday, Feb. 24.

Responding in part to a recent court ruling in Larimer County, state lawmakers want to add an exception to Colorado’s Sunshine Law that lets school board members meet behind closed doors to interview superintendent finalists, rank them, and instruct staff to begin contract negotiations with one or more.

The new executive session authorization, approved Wednesday by the House Education Committee, would be permitted only if a school board names multiple finalists and lets the public interview the candidates at an open forum.

“We believe this process is a value add for school districts that wish to name more than one finalist,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, who introduced House Bill 22-1110 with Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs. “It also provides essential clarity that is lacking in statute at present.”