04/30/1997 03:34 PM House HES

HB 193 - REPAY GRADUATE EDUCATION AID                                          
                                                                               
Number 0147                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN BUNDE announced the next item on the agenda was HB 193,               
"An Act relating to financial assistance for students attending                
certain graduate education programs; and providing for an effective            
date."  He referred to a committee substitute.                                 
                                                                               
Number 0159                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER made a motion to adopt the proposed                
committee substitute for HB 193, dated April 24, 1997.  There being            
no objection, CSHB 193(HES) was before the committee.                          
                                                                               
Number 0163                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN BUNDE explained that CSHB 193(HES) addressed some of the              
questions raised by the Postsecondary Education Commission                     
regarding consistency.  He referred to a companion bill which is               
winding its way through the Senate.  Two options were available to             
the committee, but he preferred to remain with the first                       
calculation.  He drew the committee's attention to page 3, which               
lists those calculations.  The first calculation requires that the             
students repay the tuition differential for all four years.  The               
second calculation would exempt them from having to pay for the                
first year and would only require that the tuition differential be             
repaid for the second, third and fourth year.  Tuition would have              
to be repaid in both cases if the individual did not return to                 
Alaska.  He reiterated that he preferred to use the first                      
calculation.                                                                   
                                                                               
Number 310                                                                     
                                                                               
DIANE BARRANS, Executive Director, Postsecondary Education,                    
Commission, Department of Education, said it was fair to say that              
the commission's concerns were addressed in CSHB 193(HES).                     
                                                                               
Number 0351                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER made a motion to move CSHB 193(HES) with                 
individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes.  There being             
no objection, CSHB 193(HES) was moved from the House Health,                   
Education and Social Services Standing Committee.