Legislature(2001 - 2002)
02/13/2002 08:04 AM House EDU
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HCR 23-LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES:SPLIT HOUSE HESS Number 0200 CHAIR BUNDE announced the first order of business to be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 23, Proposing amendments to Uniform Rule 20 of the Alaska State Legislature; and providing for an effective date for the amendments. [This was the first hearing for HCR 23, which was sponsored by the House Special Committee on Education; however, there was considerable related committee discussion under HCR 11 on February 6, prior to the introduction of HCR 23.] Number 0231 REPRESENTATIVE GUESS explained that Section 1 removes the current [House and Senate] Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committees [from the list of committees in both houses]. Section 2 replaces the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee; it also lists the House standing committees to include Health and Social Services, to address programs and activities of the Department of Health and Social Services; and Education, to address programs and activities of the Department of Education and Early Development and the University of Alaska. She reported that Tamara Cook, Director, Legislative Legal and Research Services, had proposed this language. Representative Guess concluded, "I believe it does what this committee wanted." Number 0302 CHAIR BUNDE offered that the committee could seek answers to legal questions from Ms. Cook. Number 0330 BRUCE JOHNSON, Director, Quality Schools/Quality Students, Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB), indicated AASB had submitted written testimony. He said AASB supports HCR 23; [education] issues are complex and deserve the full attention of committee. He encouraged passage of HCR 23. Number 0369 CHAIR BUNDE stated that his experience in chairing both committees has evidenced for him the privilege of the focus afforded by the House Special Committee on Education (HEDU). He recounted the full calendar in the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee (HHES). Number 0439 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN acknowledged his support for [HCR 23], but raised the question of establishing a standing committee for education, as opposed to the subject's remaining in a special committee such as the House Special Committee on Oil and Gas. Oil and gas has been a major issue in the state, and yet it remains a special House committee. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN suggested HEDU has many more things to do than members can accomplish this session. He speculated that perhaps in several years, much of the major work will be accomplished and the subject of education might not warrant a standing committee's status. The legislature always has the freedom to designate special committees; he said he'd brought this up for discussion. Number 0522 REPRESENTATIVE WILSON emphasized her belief that a standing education committee should be established. She offered that North Carolina separates the two committees; in the years she served there, a shortage of issues was never a problem. She remarked, "Children are our most important ... product." Number 0566 REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS noted that he serves with Representatives Joule and Wilson on HHES, which he believes has a full plate. The state has a constitutional responsibility to education; a standing education committee would recognize the subject's importance to the legislature and the state. He expressed his support for the establishment of a standing education committee. Number 0643 REPRESENTATIVE GUESS pointed out redundancy in HHES and HEDU - the policy discussion occurs twice. She offered that HCR 23 helps the subjects of both education and health and social services. [Education] represents a large part of the state's budget. She acknowledged that the issues addressed in HHES are complicated. She expressed her belief that many years of struggle are ahead to determine "how to do this right." She said she doesn't foresee a decreased workload for HEDU in the next ten years. She added that another benefit is that some proactive measures have been taken to address education issues. Number 0737 CHAIR BUNDE expressed his belief that the interim meetings to address teacher shortage issues would not have been possible if education issues fell only into HHES. He pointed out that education spending ranks second behind permanent fund dividend (PFD) funding - the state spends $4.7 million per school day to pay for schools. Number 0830 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN at first said he is in favor of continuing the House Special Committee on Education. He pointed out that 80 percent of the state's income is from oil and gas revenues, and yet oil and gas doesn't have a standing committee. The discussion of finances "rings hollow" with him, he noted. He indicated that if enough education issues continue in the years ahead, then education might warrant a standing committee. He concluded, however, "The concept of what we need to do, unbridled from other issues, ... that sells me." Number 0960 REPRESENTATIVE JOULE said the House has the luxury of more members [than the Senate], which prevents members from being spread too thin. He highlighted the matter of time that can be devoted to issues [of education]. He continued, "I think we're ... embarking on a ... time in reform of education." He offered that this [reform] would evolve in the future; members need to devote time to address the future the state is building for its children. "This is the right thing to do," he concluded. Number 1034 REPRESENTATIVE WILSON suggested the ultimate question is, "Is it good for kids?" She added, "That tells it all, right there." REPRESENTATIVE WILSON moved to report HCR 23 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HCR 23 was reported out of the House Special Committee on Education.
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