2010-01-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 1243
The GPS program contains a "use it or lose it" provision: students will                                                         
have a six-year window to apply the scholarship to a postsecondary                                                              
institution. This protects the State of Alaska from an extended liability.                                                      
As previously stated, the bill will provide extensions for Alaskans who                                                         
serve in the military.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The GPS will be administered by the Alaska Department of Education                                                              
and Early Development, the Department of Labor and Workforce                                                                    
Development, and the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary                                                                         
Education. Regulations will be adopted to govern the program, grade-                                                            
point average standard, eligibility criteria and an appeals process to                                                          
consider extraordinary circumstances. The Alaska Commission on                                                                  
Postsecondary Education will adopt regulations for streamlined                                                                  
application, award, and continuing eligibility standards.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Also, this bill will establish a fund whose earnings could be used to                                                           
pay for scholarships. The proposed fund is based on other funds                                                                 
established in statute, such as the Alaska Veterans' Memorial                                                                   
endowment fund, and will be managed by the Department of Revenue.                                                               
Nothing in this bill will establish a dedicated fund.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The GPS is modeled after the famous "Taylor plan," established by                                                               
private businessman, Patrick Taylor, to keep students in school and                                                             
motivate them to pursue successful postsecondary education.                                                                     
Currently, twenty-two states have "Taylor like" state-sponsored plans.                                                          
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this bill.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Sean Parnell                                                                                                                    
Governor                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                               
SB 225                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 225 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act relating to the grant of certain state land to                                                                
          the University of Alaska; relating to the duties of the                                                               
          Board of Regents; relating to deposits made to the