Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
03/03/2020 09:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development | |
| HB109 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 109 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 109-MILITARY CHILDREN SCHOOL RESIDENCY WAIVER
9:39:48 AM
CHAIR STEVENS reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO.
109(EDC) AM, "An Act relating to residency requirements for
public school enrollment for certain children of active duty
military and National Guard members."
He stated his intention to hear the introduction of the bill and
hold it for further review.
9:40:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELLE LEDOUX, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, speaking as sponsor, said that HB 109 is a
residency waiver for military children. If people in the
military are given orders to transfer to Alaska, but are not
transferred before registration for school, then these students
could be registered on the basis of the transfer papers. The
Department of the Defense (DOD) is trying to get all the state
legislatures to pass this bill or something similar. It is
important to the military. If students have to wait until the
families are in the state to register, some high school classes
needed for graduation and electives are closed. Charter school
lotteries can also be closed. It makes sense to allow people who
are coming to Alaska to register their kids before the family
arrives.
CHAIR STEVENS asked if this is a problem in Alaska and whether
she had any anecdotal information that students have been denied
entrance to classes.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX replied she cannot say it has happened,
but it will be nice to make sure that it does not. She noted the
letter of support from Superintendent Deena Bishop.
9:42:46 AM
SENATOR HUGHES cited the 10-day proof of residency requirement
and noted that some students might arrive before their parents
and be staying with a relative or another military family. She
asked if that could be a problem and whether place of residency
should be the principal dwelling place of the student rather
than the parents. She acknowledged that she did not know if this
has come up.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX replied she had not heard that concern
before. Under the bill the students will be able to register
where parents are going to live, but she does not view it as a
problem. If a student came early and stays with a family in
Eagle River, but once the parents arrive the family will live in
Muldoon, the student should be able to enroll in the Muldoon
area at Bartlett High School because that is the principal
resident of the parents.
CHAIR STEVENS asked Ms. Tuck if she had a response to that.
9:45:08 AM
DENEEN TUCK, Staff, Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said that after discussion in
Military and Veterans Affairs, the term "guardian" was inserted
into the bill in case students came up early and were staying
with someone else.
SENATOR HUGHES said that would probably take care of it.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX added that proof of residence must be
provided once the family is in Alaska.
SENATOR BEGICH, after receiving confirmation from the sponsor
that there is no data on the number of students who might be
affected, said it is good policy and should be supported. He
asked if the definition of residency would qualify a student who
came early to receive a dividend check.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX answered no.
9:47:05 AM
CHAIR STEVENS commented that the committee expected testimony
from Tammie Perreault but she was not with the committee yet.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX advised that Ms. Perreault called to say
that she would not be able to call in to this meeting.
CHAIR STEVENS added that Ms. Perreault is the Northwest region
liaison for the Department of Defense. He expressed hope that
the committee would have an opportunity to hear from her. He
opened public testimony and ascertained there was none.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX shared that the committee had a letter
from Ms. Perreault.
9:47:44 AM
CHAIR STEVENS held public testimony open and noted that written
testimony could be sent to senate.education@akleg.gov. He held
HB 109 in committee.