03/20/2023 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB69 | |
| HB9 | |
| HB10 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 71 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 69 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 20, 2023
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jamie Allard, Co-Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Co-Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative CJ McCormick
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Andi Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Robert Myers
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 69
"An Act relating to the reclassification of first class cities
as second class cities; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 69 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 9
"An Act relating to the Board of Regents of the University of
Alaska."
- MOVED CSHB 9(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 10
"An Act relating to costs of and charges for textbooks and other
course materials required for University of Alaska courses; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 71
"An Act relating to education; and relating to a school district
online checkbook."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 69
SHORT TITLE: RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRST CLASS CITIES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CRONK
02/10/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/10/23 (H) EDC, CRA
03/01/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/01/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/01/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/13/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/13/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/20/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 9
SHORT TITLE: ADD FACULTY MEMBER UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CARRICK
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) EDC, JUD
02/20/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/20/23 (H) Heard & Held
02/20/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/08/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/08/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/08/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/20/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 10
SHORT TITLE: UNIVERSITY: TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS COST
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CARRICK
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) EDC
03/20/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
MIKE CRONK
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 69.
DAVE STANCLIFF, Staff
Representative Mike Cronk
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing of HB
69, on behalf of Representative Cronk, prime sponsor.
ASHLEY CARRICK
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 9; as prime
sponsor, presented HB 10.
STUART RELAY, Staff
Representative Ashley Carrick
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information related to HB 9 on
behalf of Representative Carrick, prime sponsor; provided the
sectional analysis for HB 10 on behalf of Representative
Carrick, prime sponsor.
KATIE SCOGGIN, President
United Students of the University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 10.
ASHLYN BROOKS, President
The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 10.
PAUL LAYER, Vice President
Academics, Students & Research
University of Alaska System
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
10.
SARA PERMAN, Government Relations Manager
University of Alaska System
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
10.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:13 AM
CO-CHAIR JUSTIN RUFFRIDGE called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. Representatives Prax,
McCormick, McKay, Story, Allard, and Ruffridge were present at
the call to order. Representative Himschoot arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HB 69-RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRST CLASS CITIES
8:02:40 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 69, "An Act relating to the
reclassification of first class cities as second class cities;
and providing for an effective date."
8:02:55 AM
MIKE CRONK, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor,
explained HB 69 would allow a first class city to reclassify to
a second class city if the community chooses so. The purpose
would be to allow the transfer of Tanana into the Yukon-Koyukuk
School District.
8:03:33 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on HB 69. After
ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, he closed
public testimony.
8:04:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed appreciation for hearing from the
superintendent "in that area," and knowing there have been
thorough discussions on working around the parameters. She
stated the bill is "the right thing to do."
8:04:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX pointed out that he did not see the fiscal
note from the Department of Education.
8:05:03 AM
DAVE STANCLIFF, Staff, Representative Mike Cronk, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Cronk, prime sponsor of
HB 69, responded to Representative Prax, and explained the sheet
from the Yukon-Koyukuk School District notes the savings that
would be achieved by combining the school districts; there would
be a negative fiscal impact.
8:07:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT commented she is troubled by the lack
of input and would prefer to hear from more than just the
superintendent, and since this is about "absorbing one district
into another," she would like to hear from the local community.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK responded that two years ago, the community
of Tanana reached out. He explained the majority of the people
of Tanana feel that [combining the school districts] is the best
path forward. He further explained the school boards have been
working together on a contract, and the Yukon-Koyukuk School
District had already been functioning as a lead the past few
years.
8:09:21 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked for clarification that this legislation is
an option, and at the end of the day, the city gets to make the
decision.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK confirmed that is correct, the people of
Tanana decide whether they want to be reclassified. If that
happened, then they would have the option through the Local
Boundary Commission.
MR. STANCLIFF noted there is a letter from the mayor and a
resolution from the council in the committee packet.
8:10:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked if reclassification may lead to
future communities having the same pathway - and if so - which
communities might be next.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK replied that the bill is specifically for
Tanana.
MR. STANCLIFF expanded on the answer and explained four other
communities had been identified that are under the 400 limit,
and if they got into "some sort of a bind," the option would be
available for those communities. He noted they would also have
to work with the Local Boundary Commission, as Tanana would do.
8:11:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX brought up the city of Nenana going through
bankruptcy, which required other agencies to "pick up the tab."
He reiterated we [the legislature] need to think about this very
carefully.
8:12:20 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD moved to report HB 69 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note.
8:12:56 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:12 a.m. to 8:13 a.m.
8:13:59 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced there being no objection, HB 69 was
reported out of the House Education Standing Committee.
8:14:08 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:14 a.m. to 8:18 a.m.
HB 9-ADD FACULTY MEMBER UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS
8:19:09 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 9, "An Act relating to the Board of
Regents of the University of Alaska."
8:19:45 AM
ASHLEY CARRICK, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor,
provided a brief introduction to HB 9 and said the bill would
add a full-time tenured faculty member to the University of
Alaska Board of Regents.
8:20:05 AM
STUART RELAY, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Carrick, prime sponsor
of HB 9, noted that there is a document [included in the
committee packet] that addresses previous questions.
8:20:42 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked if there were any comments or questions
for the bill sponsor, and confirmed there were none.
8:20:49 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced there is a conceptual amendment.
8:21:11 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:21 a.m. to 8:23 a.m.
8:23:46 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to HB 9,
labeled 33-LS0197\A.2, Bergerud, 3/17/23, which read as follows:
Page 1, line 13:
Delete "faculty member nominees"
Insert "interested faculty members"
Page 2, line 9:
Delete "nominees"
Insert "all interested faculty members compiled
by the University of Alaska and"
Page 2, lines 11 - 14:
Delete "The list must consist of the names of two
faculty members selected by each of the three faculty
senates of the University of Alaska, for a total of
six nominees, after an election is held by each
faculty senate. Elections shall be conducted under
rules established by the Office of the Governor."
Page 2, lines 25 - 26:
Delete "hold elections for nominees and submit
the list of nominees"
Insert "submit the list of interested faculty members"
8:23:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY objected for the purpose of discussion.
8:24:01 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD explained Conceptual Amendment 1 opens equal
opportunity for all. There are individuals affiliated with
campuses, and any of these individuals from any location could
apply to become a faculty board member.
8:24:54 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE invited comments or questions on Conceptual
Amendment 1.
8:25:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY addressed the bill sponsor and expressed
she thought [faculty board membership] currently was open to all
faculty.
8:25:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK noted that the bill is not limited to
faculty senate members from the University of Alaska Anchorage
(UAA), the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), and the
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS); the faculty senate just
makes the selections for the two nominees for the cycle.
8:27:30 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD reemphasized that Conceptual Amendment 1 removes
"nominee" to read "all interested parties."
8:27:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked who is eligible to serve and
whether it is anyone employed in a professor position, or
tenured only.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK responded that the bill is limited to
tenured faculty, and adjuncts are not eligible to be nominees.
With this amendment she presumed it would open up potentially to
all faculty, including adjuncts.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT questioned how many tenured professors
there are in the university system.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied there are 490 tenured faculty in
the University of Alaska system currently, and 162 are eligible
for tenure. She noted the process of obtaining tenure typically
takes about a year and it is a vigorous process.
8:30:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT pointed out there are 652 people who
could be interested, and asked what the purpose was for
narrowing it down to six.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied that the value of narrowing it to
six makes it a transparent process in consultation with faculty
and still allows the governor the full purview to choose a
nominee from that list.
8:31:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if the faculty senate is open to any
tenured faculty members or if it is open to all faculty members
regardless of tenure.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied that her understanding is if you
are teaching at the University of Alaska you are allowed to
participate in the faculty senate in a meaningful way. In
response to a follow-up question, she explained the faculty
senate can be thought of as a parallel entity to the student
government. One can participate in student government meetings
but in order to be student senator at one of the campuses you
have to run and be elected by the student body/your peers.
8:33:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked what is looked for in a nominee.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied a major component would be
looking for people with time and energy to commit; being on the
Board of Regents is a "very hefty commitment."
8:36:03 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD offered closing comments and wanted to stress
that the body and the public knows that removing "nominee" and
inserting "interested faculty" opens it to all Alaskans.
8:37:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY removed his objection to the motion to
adopt Conceptual Amendment 1.
8:37:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected. She expressed appreciation for
the sentiment of the amendment maker, in making sure everyone
can take part; however, she commented that it is important that
peers have looked at the nominees.
8:38:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX noted there are currently Alaskans upset by
a provision in the constitution that gives a non-governmental
organization preferred dominance in selecting judges. He agreed
with the amendment - as it is currently written - to have things
"more open."
8:40:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT made a comparison on the process she
went through to sit on the legislature in having to convince
people she would advocate for them. She said she likes the idea
that people are vetted and selected as nominees by the faculty
senate. She stated that she liked the spirit of the amendment,
but does not support it.
8:41:05 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD reiterated that under HB 9, the process is
defined as an election to be held; it is not a selection.
8:41:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK expressed appreciation of the bill's
inclusion of as many people as possible and brought up possible
residency requirements.
8:42:02 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE directed a question to the bill sponsor
whether it is accurate to state that the current process to
become a Board of Regents member is to apply, and, if selected,
go through the confirmation process.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied that currently, on the 8-year
term serving regents, a conversation takes place between the
Office of Boards and Commissions, the Office of the Governor,
and interested individuals. Generally, she explained, the
Office of Boards and Commissions will work with the interested
individuals, and the governor will choose those individuals
directly for the legislature to confirm.
8:43:14 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD offered clarity that the bill, as written, would
limit who the governor gets to pick instead of the governor
getting to pick amongst all who would be qualified.
8:43:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY directed her comment to the maker of the
amendment, and asked what the faculty thinks about the proposed
change.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD replied that she had spoken to different faculty
members and Board of Regents members, and they wanted the
opportunity to be open to all Alaskans from any community and
not limited to just six nominees through an election process.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK expanded on Co-Chair Allard's comment
that this amendment opens up to all interested faculty in a way
that is more "broad," and noted that through the current process
outlined in the proposed legislation, faculty from rural Alaska
are able to become a faculty regent; it is not limited to the
three main campuses.
8:45:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY maintained her objection to Conceptual
Amendment 1.
8:45:16 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives McKay, Prax,
Allard, and Ruffridge voted in favor of Conceptual Amendment 1.
Representatives Story, Himschoot, and McCormick voted against
it. Therefore, Conceptual Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of
4-3.
8:46:21 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD moved to report HB 9, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes, and to authorize Legislative Legal Services to
make conforming and technical changes, as needed. There being
no objection, CSHB 9(EDC) was reported out of the House
Education Standing Committee.
8:46:52 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:46 a.m. to 8:51 a.m.
HB 10-UNIVERSITY: TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS COST
[Contains discussion of SB 13.]
8:51:10 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 10, "An Act relating to costs of and
charges for textbooks and other course materials required for
University of Alaska courses; and providing for an effective
date."
8:51:36 AM
ASHLEY CARRICK, Alaska State Legislature, began presenting the
second piece of legislation, HB 10, also known as the "textbook
cost transparency act." She pointed out that HB 10 is the only
minority to minority companion bill in the legislature currently
and it is the House companion bill to SB 13. She paraphrased
the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet], which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
For many years, the cost of higher education has been
increasing well above the rate of inflation, making a
college education difficult or even unrealistic to
obtain for many students and working families. As
costs have increased, higher education seekers have
taken out crippling loans or gone to other
extraordinary means to pay for school. As students
work to balance the many costs of attending college
classes, including tuition, room and board, and other
expenses it is beneficial that transparency exists in
the costs of textbooks.
House Bill 10, the Textbook Cost Transparency Act
provides important information about the costs of
textbooks and course materials for classes while
students are registering for classes, thus allowing
them to make informed choices and financially plan for
school. The goal of this bill is to provide students
with as much information regarding costs as early as
possible in the registration process with clearly
defined definitions integrated into the University of
Alaska's shared online course catalog (UAOnline). By
allowing students to see which classes come at "zero-
cost" or "low-cost" they will be able to make more
informed financial decisions more easily.
While the faculty are the deciders of course materials
and are often keen to ensure an affordable class
experience for students, this bill simply lets
students know the cost of their classes before
completing the registration process. Please join me in
supporting House Bill 10, the Textbook Cost
Transparency Act and supporting University of Alaska
Students.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK noted a projected effective date of July
1, 2026, which would allow the university's administration to
make changes. She thanked Senator Myers, [prime sponsor of SB
13], and his staff for their diligence and for allowing her to
work on the bill with them.
8:56:02 AM
STUART RELAY, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Carrick, prime sponsor,
gave the sectional analysis for HB 10 [included in committee
packets] which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Section 1. (Page 1). This section establishes that
this act may be known as the "Textbook Cost
Transparency Act".
Section 2. (Page 1-2) Amends AS 14.40 by adding a new
section outlining the information that the University
of Alaska must provide in the University systems
online course schedule relating to class materials and
automatic fees required for the materials. This
section provides statute definitions for "course
materials", "online course schedule", "zero-cost
resources", and "low-cost resources".
This section also directs that the universities'
online course schedule must include search functions
to identify courses with only zero-cost materials
required.
Section 3. (Page 2) establishes an effective date for
the bill of July 1st, 2026
8:58:11 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced the committee would now hear
invited testimony on HB 10.
8:58:41 AM
KATIE SCOGGIN, President, United Students of the University of
Alaska Anchorage, gave invited testimony in support of HB 10.
She began by explaining the need for affordability of higher
education is true for every high school student [after being
admitted to a university] and gave examples of cost comparisons
she experienced personally. Because of the additional cost of
course materials not being made available prior to registration,
it is hard to budget accordingly. She noted some students must
borrow money to cover the costs of materials due to not having
an idea beforehand and this is a story she has heard multiple
times. She stressed that it is crucial and necessary that the
online course schedule identifies required course materials in
the description. She urged the committee to support HB 10.
9:03:00 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE invited questions from the committee.
9:03:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY expressed surprise that a state law must be
passed "to do this." He asked if required textbooks would be on
Amazon for the purpose of a cost reference.
MS. SCOGGIN responded yes, while students may likely find the
materials on Amazon, the issue would be not knowing which
version of the textbook would need to be purchased, and the
likelihood of it not correlating with the rest of the course
materials.
9:05:18 AM
ASHLYN BROOKS, President, The Associated Students of the
University of Alaska Fairbanks, gave invited testimony in
support of HB 10 and acknowledged the frustration of signing up
for an already expensive course only to find out weeks later
that sometimes several hundreds of dollars more are required to
buy textbooks and course materials. She noted it is a severe
problem for many of the lower income students on campus and they
may have to take out last minute loans to cover the costs. She
echoed Ms. Scoggin's testimony on the inability to budget
accordingly due to not knowing the costs beforehand.
9:06:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT, regarding reference materials from
Sara Perman, [Government Relations Manager, University of
Alaska], pointed out a letter [included in the committee
packet], which included materials regarding no-cost/low-cost
transparency efforts. Representative Himschoot read a line, as
follows: "It is important to note that each of our
universities, UAA, UAF, UAS, are subject to federal regulations
that require us to provide accurate and timely information about
the cost of books or required materials." She asked whether the
bill drills down deeper, and how it improves things beyond the
federal regulations.
MR. RELAY responded that he cannot speak specifically about
federal regulations, but the bill provides an in-state statute
that must disclose whether materials are low-cost or no-cost
options for a course when it is available online.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK added that the bill expands on the
efforts the university is currently undergoing to enact more
measures.
9:08:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY observed that HB 10 does not state anything
about the step of educating students about the span of the cost
of textbooks, and on page 1, line 10 it states, "required course
materials." She asked where on the website she could find the
costs of materials.
MR. RELAY replied that the bill does not provide the exact cost
because it would be a burden to the faculty to find exact,
current prices. He explained the university has online search
functions that state a course has low-cost materials. He gave a
brief explanation of what currently constitutes as low cost.
9:10:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Representative Carrick if she knew
how the university currently lets students or local school
districts know what the costs of textbooks are.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied that one of the documents given
from the university system [in the committee packet] outlines
how each of the campuses has worked to advertise low and no cost
materials. She stated what struck her is that there is not
uniformity across the system right now; students do not know the
cost of materials until close to the start date of the course or
not until the first day of class.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked what the deadline is for a faculty
member to have their materials posted for the upcoming semester.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK noted some classes do not require any
materials, but a few weeks before semester begins faculty will
produce a syllabus and create a course platform to share with
students.
9:15:20 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Representative Carrick if she had checked
with any of the representatives from UAA on how much manpower
this would take.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied the university would take on some
of the administrative legwork to make this happen, and that is
part of why the effective date is pushed out to 2026. In terms
of how many hours it would take, she explained the university
may better speak to that. She offered her understanding that
the university could absorb taking on the administrative work of
putting this together with current staffing, which is why, up to
this point, there has not been a fiscal note received from the
university.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD questioned if there had been any conversation
with any representatives from UAA.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied that her staff have spoken with
the university administration, which has relayed it would be an
extra administrative burden to put this together.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked if there had been any conversation with
the Board of Regents about implementing this; she stated concern
on making a state law allowing the university to "do something
simply" or continue what they are doing now.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied she had not spoken with regent
members but noted the value in having uniformity across the
system. She gave examples of students finding out about
textbook costs and having to drop classes; working families
struggle to afford higher education in general, and left to the
universities' own devices, they may implement a uniform system,
but it may take a very long time. Putting it in state law would
ensure that the process is working with the university
administration by giving them time to implement it, while also
making sure it happens.
9:17:43 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD reiterated she has a problem with it being state
law instead of allowing UAA to make these decisions and go
through their chain of command.
9:17:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX reflected on the conversation stating that
students select courses based on cost of curriculum; he thought
courses should be selected based on the need for the degree
being pursued, or the reputation of the instructor.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK responded there are a lot of factors that
go into decision making for which course a student takes. She
gave an example wherein if there are four sections of the same
course and if one had a low-cost option, that may factor into
the decision. She also noted there are people online from the
university system available to answer questions.
9:21:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX observed that there was a zero fiscal note,
but "within the text" there are going to be costs; he asked what
it might cost the university, and why that wasn't stated in the
fiscal note.
9:22:29 AM
PAUL LAYER, Vice President, Academics, Students & Research,
University of Alaska System, explained that as many committee
members are aware, the university was allocated funding last
year to improve the Student Information System (SIS) and UAA
online is a piece of that. As SIS is being upgraded, the spirit
in the letter of requirements in this legislation will be part
of that new system brought online to improve the student
experience. He pointed out that in the committee packet, there
are three different approaches from the three universities
regarding low-cost/zero-cost or textbook transparency.
Regarding the fiscal note, it will be a cost, but it will be
incorporated into the improved SIS.
9:24:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented on not knowing the cost of
textbooks until the day of, the day before, and in some cases,
the day after a class begins. A good practice is to let a
customer know what the cost is before they commit to the sale.
He stated he is puzzled about the university not implementing
this practice on its own; why would this need the legislature to
put into law to do something that makes "perfectly good business
sense."
MR. LAYER replied that there are some exceptions to why textbook
costs are not known until later for certain courses, but the
university is moving to the point where the cost is known at the
time of registration, and flags for zero-cost/low-cost are
available as well.
9:26:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX noted his hesitation to have the legislature
dictate something that is "common sense." First, he questioned
whether the university needs this legislation, and second, he
asked if the legislature could be giving the university a
responsibility that it can't meet.
MR. LAYER replied that to implement this will require effort,
and he stated that he does not have the exact cost. He agreed
that it is the right thing to do, something to work towards, and
as the SIS is implemented it would be a part of the student
interface. He expressed the university would work very hard
withing its scope, and in a timely manner.
9:30:28 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Mr. Layer if he had spoken to [University
of Alaska System] President Pitney on her opinion on this
matter, or the Board of Regents. She expressed concern that UA
would be in a position for a lawsuit.
MR. LAYER confirmed he had spoken to President Pitney but not
the board members yet. He noted he had not "touched base" with
President Pitney on the actual bill at this time, but she is
aware of improving student experience and the issue is high on
her mind.
9:32:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY gave an example of when the university may
not be able to comply, which would be when a textbook may
suddenly become unavailable [out of print] and an alternative
must be found immediately to take its place; the book may end up
costing much more than what was originally posted.
9:34:25 AM
SARA PERMAN, Government Relations Manager, University of Alaska
System, pointed out Representative McKay's example of non-
compliance being accurate. She noted in internal conversations
there are challenges recognized, and she gave an example of fall
semester: the course schedule is required to be uploaded to the
UA system by April, but faculty is not selected yet.
9:36:44 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD reiterated her concern about making a state law
and asked if Ms. Perman had any other opinion as to why the
university does not have the resources and time if they thought
it was the right thing to do.
MS. PERMAN responded this is an active measure to "get there
faster."
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked how the university would address a
potential lawsuit.
MS. PERMAN replied she is not legal counsel for the university,
but she acknowledged that is a concern.
9:39:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked if there is support from the
faculty senate.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied the faculty senate had not taken
a position on this legislation, and again, it does pose a burden
administratively. She stated that the goal is not to create an
inflexible situation, but to give students clearer expectations
when they register. If there are legal challenges with this
legislation then the university would encounter them as they
work to implement "something similar regardless," she said.
9:43:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK further commented on why the legislature
should weigh in, in reference to defining something as a low-
cost resource, that the perception of that is different from
that of the administration to that of students.
9:44:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked if there are any other university
systems doing this.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK replied there are 5 university systems in
other states which have adopted similar legislation.
9:45:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Ms. Perman about getting an estimate
of costs.
MS. PERMAN replied that she could pull numbers that can be
provided at a later date. She gave examples of previous
contractor costs.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented on pulling numbers having an
interference with their contracting and bidding process, and if
so, the university should wait.
MS. PERMAN agreed that is appropriate.
9:48:33 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE gave personal examples of how some of his
previous students did not have an idea what the textbook was
going to be, as well as the cost, until the class began. He
commented that the bigger issue may be just that.
MS. PERMAN replied that it could be because it is a multiple
step process.
9:51:00 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced HB 10 was held over.
9:51:49 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:52 a.m.