Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/05/2013 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB82 | |
| HB87 | |
| SB6 | |
| SB91 | |
| HB180 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 82 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 91 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 180 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | HB 87 | ||
HB 87-EXTEND SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY
8:10:39 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of HB 87 and noted the
new Senate Committee Substitute (CS), version Y, in the packets.
[CSHB 87(FIN) was before the committee.]
SENATOR DUNLEAVY moved to adopt the Senate CS for CSHB 87,
labeled 28-LS0392\Y, as the working document.
CHAIR STEVENS objected for discussion purposes.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, provided information
about three changes in version Y. He said Senate CS restores the
governance of the Special Education Service Agency (SESA) to the
Governor's Council on Disabilities. Section 2 modestly increases
SESA's funding, a change made in the Senate Finance Committee.
The sunset date is changed to four years instead of eight years.
8:13:08 AM
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), addressed the fiscal note for HB 87.
He said he did not know the exact amount of the Senate Finance
Committee fiscal note, which would now apply to version Y.
CHAIR STEVENS understood that there would no longer be the need
for additional staff, now that the governance is returned to the
Governor's Council.
MR. MORSE said that was correct.
MR. MORSE explained the Commissioner's preference for leaving
SESA under the Governor's Council program. There is an emphasis
on strong communication between DEED and SESA. All stakeholders
are heavily involved with the Governor's Council on Special
Education and Disabilities and are organized as a non-profit
under that structure with a board that costs $30,000, currently.
He related he regularly communicates with SESA's executive
director and DEED's school finance director. Also, the special
education administrator attends and participates in every SESA
governance meeting. He concluded that SESA works well as it is
currently set up.
8:16:46 AM
CHAIR STEVENS requested that Mr. Pillai address the differences
between the House and Senate versions of the bill.
PATRICK PILLAI, Executive Director, Special Education Service
Agency (SESA), presented information related to HB 87. He said
he concurs with the previous speakers. He voiced appreciation
for the increase in funding for SESA, after 15 years of flat
funding. It enables SESA to continue its work. He said he
sincerely appreciates the legislature's work on behalf of SESA.
8:18:19 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked if there were any representatives from the
Governor's Council on Disabilities.
ERIC GEBHART, Chair, Governor's Council on Disabilities and
Special Education, testified during the discussion of HB 87. He
agreed that the current governance is working well since the
last audit. He said there has been good communication with DEED.
He commented that the special education administrator attends
Council meetings and is a voting member of the SESA Board.
CHAIR STEVENS thanked Mr. Gebhart for his service on the
Council. He asked if the sponsor wished to comment.
8:20:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETE HIGGINS, Sponsor, encouraged the committee
to move HB 87.
CHAIR STEVENS closed public testimony.
CHAIR STEVENS removed his objection.
8:22:03 AM
SENATOR DUNLEAVY moved to report Senate CS for [CSHB 87],
labeled 28-LS0392\Y, from committee with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note.
CHAIR STEVENS announced that without objection, SCS CSSB 87(EDC)
was reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee.