03/22/2021 09:00 AM EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB10 | |
| SB80 | |
| SB6 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 72 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
9:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Roger Holland, Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Peter Micciche
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 72
"An Act relating to civics education, civics examinations, and
secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an
effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
SENATE BILL NO. 20
"An Act relating to recognition of certificates of out-of-state
teachers."
- BILL HEARING CANCELLED
SENATE BILL NO. 10
"An Act establishing a grant program to provide to essential
workers the tuition and fees to attend a state-supported
postsecondary educational institution."
- MOVED CSSB 10(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 80
"An Act relating to mental health education."
- MOVED CSSB 80(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 6
"An Act relating to retirement incentives for members of the
defined benefit retirement plan of the teachers' retirement
system and the defined benefit retirement plan of the Public
Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 6(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 72
SHORT TITLE: SEC. SCHOOL CIVICS EDUCATION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
02/05/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/05/21 (S) EDC, CRA
03/10/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/10/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/10/21 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/19/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/19/21 (S) -- Invited & Public Testimony --
03/22/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 20
SHORT TITLE: OUT OF STATE TEACHER RECIPROCITY
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
01/22/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
01/22/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/21 (S) EDC, FIN
03/15/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/15/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/15/21 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/19/21 (S) EDC RPT CS 4DP NEW TITLE
03/19/21 (S) DP: HOLLAND, STEVENS, MICCICHE, BEGICH
03/19/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/19/21 (S) -- Invited & Public Testimony --
03/22/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 10
SHORT TITLE: FREE/REDUCED TUITION FOR ESSENTIAL WORKER
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) BEGICH
01/22/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
01/22/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/21 (S) L&C, EDC, FIN
02/08/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/08/21 (S) Moved SB 10 Out of Committee
02/08/21 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
02/10/21 (S) L&C RPT 4DP 1NR
02/10/21 (S) NR: COSTELLO
02/10/21 (S) DP: GRAY-JACKSON, STEVENS, HOLLAND,
REVAK
03/17/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/17/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/17/21 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/22/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 80
SHORT TITLE: PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GRAY-JACKSON
02/12/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/21 (S) EDC, HSS, FIN
03/10/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/10/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/10/21 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/19/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/19/21 (S) -- Invited & Public Testimony --
03/22/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 6
SHORT TITLE: RIP FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES/TEACHERS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KAWASAKI
01/22/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
01/22/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/21 (S) EDC, L&C, FIN
03/15/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/15/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/15/21 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/22/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
ED KING, Staff
Senator Roger Holland
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes in the committee
substitute for SB 10.
LOKI TOBIN, Staff
Senator Tom Begich
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes in the committee
substitute for SB 10.
SANA EFIRD, Executive Director
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Available for questions about the fiscal
note.
ED KING, Staff
Senator Roger Holland
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes in the committee
substitute for SB 80.
ED KING, Staff
Senator Roger Holland
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes in the committee
substitute for SB 6.
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, SB 6 Sponsor
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the purpose of SB 6.
JOHN HOLST, Superintendent
Sitka School District
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Described Sitka's experience with a
retirement incentive.
JOE HAYES, Staff
Senator Kawasaki
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered question about SB 6.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:03:36 AM
CHAIR ROGER HOLLAND called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Hughes, Begich, and Chair Holland.
9:04:29 AM
At ease
SB 10-FREE/REDUCED TUITION FOR ESSENTIAL WORKER
9:05:30 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 10
"An Act establishing a grant program to provide to essential
workers the tuition and fees to attend a state-supported
postsecondary educational institution." He noted there was a
committee substitute for SB 10. He asked for a motion.
9:05:42 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for SB 10, work order 32-LS0127\G, as the working document.
9:05:58 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion.
9:06:08 AM
ED KING, Staff, Senator Roger Holland, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, explained the changes in the committee
substitute for SB 10:
Change #1:
On page 1, line 8 of version A, the word "undergraduate" is
deleted to account for trade school students. Graduate
school is still disallowed by subsection (a) paragraph (8).
MR. KING said change #2 is a substantial change that expands the
eligible pool to include anyone who was laid off due to the
pandemic.
Change #2:
Subsection (a) paragraph (2) is adjusted to allow any
worker that was laid off to be eligible for a grant.
Version A:
(2) was employed as an essential worker in the state
when the federal government declared a public health
emergency on January 31, 2020, and
(A) maintains employment as an essential worker
for the duration of the public health emergency;
or
(B) was temporarily or permanently laid off;
Version G: (2) was,
(A) employed as an essential worker in the state
when the federal government declared a public
health emergency on January 31, 2020; or
(B) temporarily or permanently laid off in the
state as a direct consequence of the public
health emergency declared by the federal
government on January 31, 2020;
MR. KING deferred to the sponsor to speak to change #3.
SENATOR BEGICH asked his staff to explain the change #3.
9:07:49 AM
At ease
9:08:09 AM
LOKI TOBIN, Staff, Senator Tom Begich, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, said that this change disqualifies someone from
receiving additional funding once the person has completed a
program.
Change #3:
Inserts a paragraph (4) under subsection (b), which
disqualifies a student from additional funding once they
complete the curriculum, degree, or program for which they
received a grant for the previous term.
SENATOR BEGICH added that someone cannot use four years to get
two different degrees. It is only for one degree. One
opportunity, essentially.
MR. KING said that change #4 changes the definition of essential
workers. Instead of being an enumerated list, the definition
will be developed as described below.
Change #4: A new subsection is added under section 1
(subsection (e) of version G), which directs the commission
on Postsecondary Education to consult with HSS and use the
Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce
Infrastructure Order to define an "essential worker." The
definition of "essential worker" in version A (on page 3,
lines 6-17) was deleted.
Change #5: The words "or private" are deleted from the
definitions of "half-time" and "full-time" student (page 3,
lines 22 and 26 of version A), as only state-supported
institutions are authorized by this bill (page 1, line 8).
Change #6: Changes to a hard repeal date of December 31,
2025 (previously set to expire at the end of the federal
declaration).
9:10:08 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection. There being no further
objection, version G was before the committee.
SENATOR HUGHES pointed out with that with the student loan
program, a student could use those funds for a private
institution. She asked why that is not allowed for this program.
SENATOR BEGICH said that the primary reason is that the student
loan program is a loan program. Loans are paid back. They are
not public money to subsidize private institutions. This is a
grant program. It would violate the constitution to provide the
money with no element to pay it back. His office had to limit it
because of the difference between a loan and grant. His office
intended to apply it to all institutions but was told explicitly
by Legislative Legal that that could not be included.
SENATOR HUGHES said that does make sense. She does have a
problem with the bill. The sponsor's intent is noble. She is
grateful that now someone who was not an essential worker but
became unemployed during the public health emergency is now
eligible. She still has a problem with those essential workers
who worked the entire time during the declaration period vs. the
restaurant worker who did not get laid off. The essential
workers are eligible for the grant and the restaurant workers
who could pull themselves up to a better state are not eligible
for this. She still finds a problem with that.
SENATOR BEGICH said that his office made an error about the
report date on line 11 on page four. It should read December 31,
2026. Otherwise, the report will be produced the day after the
grant program ends. There must be time to calculate things like
whether people completed their degrees.
9:14:43 AM
At ease
9:14:51 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND solicited a motion
9:15:27 AM
SENATOR BEGICH offered a conceptual amendment to line 11 on page
4 of version G, delete "January 1, 2025" and replace it with
"December 31, 2026."
9:15:48 AM
There being no objection, the conceptual amendment was adopted.
SENATOR BEGICH thanked the chair for hearing the bill.
SENATOR HUGHES asked that since the committee substitute allows
someone who was unemployed, temporarily or permanently laid off,
who was not an essential worker to participate, should the bill
title be adjusted in the next committee of referral. She loves
critical workers, but everyone is critical and essential. She
would be more apt to vote for the bill if Section A were
removed. Someone who was employed the whole time vs. someone who
was also employed the whole time but low paid should also be
eligible. Emphasizing those who were laid off and were hit hard
makes sense, but also rewarding those who are critical workers
but didn't take the kind of hit others took is a problem for
her. She will be marking to amend to take out Section A on the
bottom of page 1.
CHAIR HOLLAND asked if Sana Efird had any comments.
9:18:00 AM
SANA EFIRD, Executive Director, Alaska Commission on
Postsecondary Education, Juneau, Alaska, said that she was
available for questions about the fiscal note.
9:18:42 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND solicited a motion.
9:18:56 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for SB 10, work order 32-LS0127\G, as amended from the
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s). There being no objection, CSSB (10) EDC as amended was
reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee
9:19:30 AM
At ease
SB 80-PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
9:21:10 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of SB 80. He noted a
committee substitute for SB 80. He solicited a motion.
9:21:24 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for SB 80, work order 32-LS0514\B, as the working document.
9:21:38 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion.
9:21:46 AM
ED KING, Staff, Senator Roger Holland, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, said the changes for the bill were recommended
by the committee members at the least hearing. The first change
is with the intent language. It removes the enumerated list of
organizations and replaces it with the more generic phrasing,
"the department of Health and Social Services, regional tribal
health organizations, and representatives of national and state
mental health organizations."
MR. KING said that within AS 14.30.360(b), Section 3 of the
bill, the added language was adjusted for clarity and
consistency with the intent language, and to address the concern
of developmentally appropriate curriculum:
On page 2, line 7 of version A, the phrase "Health
guidelines must provide standards for instruction in mental
health" is changed to "Guidelines for instruction in mental
health" to match the intent language. The words
"developmentally appropriate" are also inserted.
On page 2, line 9 of version A, the words "regional tribal
health organizations" are inserted to match the intent
language.
SENATOR BEGICH said the bulk of the suggestions were made by
staff to the Mental Health Board, the Suicide Prevention
Council, and the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council.
9:23:18 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection. There being no further
objection, version B was before the committee.
SENATOR HUGHES said that now the bill states that the Department
of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will be consulted about
ensuring developmentally appropriate curriculum. The Department
of Education and Early Development (DEED) is also involved by
providing technical assistance. She hopes that DHSS is equipped
to understand the development and the instruction of children.
She is glad that DEED is still involved for knowing what is
appropriate in a classroom setting as opposed to a clinical
setting. She is hoping that DEED will be involved with technical
assistance in what is developmentally appropriate. The way the
language is written it falls on DHSS. She asked if anyone from
DEED can speak to that.
SENATOR BEGICH said that it is spoken to in the fiscal note, on
page 2 in the last paragraph: "Transition language provides the
State Board of Education and Early Development two years to
develop mental health guidelines." DEED is the primary mover.
DEED consults with DHSS. The consultation language was in the
original bill as well. The lead on this, according to fiscal
note SB080-EED-SSA-2-16-21, is DEED.
SENATOR HUGHES said that is in the intent language, but in
Section 3, the guidelines are with DHSS. She is confident that
they will work together, but there is some disconnect because
one is intent language and the other says DHSS will establish
guidelines.
MR. KING said that in Section 3 of the bill, the first sentence
of that refers to the state board of DEED and it will work in
consultation with DHSS and the other organizations. The
transition language states that the DEED state board shall
develop the mental health guidelines, so in the bill it does
fall on DEED.
SENATOR HUGHES said that is helpful and reassuring. It is good
to get the discussion on the record so that it is clear that the
committee is expressing the importance of both departments being
involved.
9:27:43 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND solicited a motion.
9:27:50 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for SB 10, work order 32-LS0514\B. There being no
objection, CSSB 10 (EDC) was reported with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note(s)from the Senate
Education Standing Committee.
9:28:11 AM
At ease
SB 6-RIP FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES/TEACHERS
9:29:45 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of SB 6. He noted that
there was a committee substitute and solicited a motion.
9:30:07 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for SB 6, work order 32-LS0028\B, as the working document.
9:30:20 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion.
9:30:24 AM
ED KING, Staff, Senator Roger Holland, Alaska State Legislature,
noted two changes in the committee substitute.
Change #1:
To address the concern regarding losing teachers in
districts already facing teacher shortages, language was
added to direct the commissioner of administration to deny
an application by a teacher if doing so would create undue
hardship for the school district. The change is in section
2, subsection (b), which appears on page 2, lines 14-15 of
version B.
Change #2:
To acknowledge the fact that there may be financial
benefits even in situations that do not result is a
permanent reduction to positions, the last line of the
intent language was deleted.
MR. KING said Senator Micciche was concerned that allowing
teachers to retire in school districts that already have
recruitment and retention problems might be problematic, so
language was added to attempt to address that.
9:31:26 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection. There being no further
objection, version B was before the committee. He invited bill
sponsor Senator Kawasaki to address the committee.
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, SB 6 Sponsor, Alaska State Legislature,
thanked the committee for bringing this bill forward. Retirement
incentive programs have been used in '86, '89, and '96. A bill
in 2004 did something similar to what this bill does. The cost
savings are tremendous. In '86 the estimated savings was over
$25 million just in year one. The legislative audit for the '89
retirement incentive program demonstrated $23 million [in
savings], representing 1,700 employees. In '96, the fiscal note
showed a $41 million savings in year one. This is a time to find
savings and prevent layoffs. SB 6 does that.
SENATOR HOLLAND invited John Holst, the Sitka superintendent, to
testify.
9:33:40 AM
JOHN HOLST, Superintendent, Sitka School District, Sitka,
Alaska, said that he has read through the bill several times. It
is similar to bills in the past, but it seems unduly
complicated. Sitka is in the middle of doing a reduction and is
offering a bonus of $10,000 that is not connected to the Teacher
Retirement System (TRS). Four teachers are going to do that. It
is a simple and straightforward thing for Sitka. The bill could
allow for more local control if the legislators instructed TRS
to count any bonuses as earned income. Right now, a bonus the
district offers is outside of TRS and does not qualify as earned
income. That one change would help Sitka immensely. People
always want to know if a bonus will count for retirement. The
bill's intention is wonderful. It is aimed at the right target.
In the past these bills were related to a significant downturn
in population, so the bills allowed removal of positions in an
orderly fashion. The current situation is the need for pruning
budgets and making reductions in positions. In most situations,
the people taking the bonus will have to be replaced. Inside the
bill, in at least once case, it says the position cannot be
filled and must remain vacant.
CHAIR HOLLAND clarified that Mr. Holst is invited testimony.
9:37:43 AM
SENATOR BEGICH pointed out that the bill says the retirement
incentive program is not mandated, it is a "may." Sitka has the
wherewithal to go beyond this retirement program, so it is doing
so. The bill is provided as a tool to give guidance to districts
that cannot offer a substantial bonus. The bill will have no
material effect on Sitka if he chooses not to enter this
particular state retirement incentive program. Senator Begich
quoted from the bill, "RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM (a) An
employer including a state agency, a political subdivision of
the state, a public organization, and the University of Alaska
may elect to adopt a retirement incentive program under this
Act." That is the critical component. It is not designed to
negatively impact the Sitka School District. It is designed to
provide a tool for those districts that don't have the tax base
or wherewithal of Sitka. There are "shall" retirement incentive
programs that are dangerous for local jurisdictions that he
would never support. This is not one of those.
MR. HOLST said that he understands this is voluntary. Whenever
teachers want to tack on three years to their service in order
to retire and get a larger benefit, the pressure will be on the
district to participate. If it is a year of negotiation with the
teacher union, it will be on the table for discussion and may be
part of the agreement. There are significant financial impacts
on districts. The intent is wonderful, but it is unduly
complicated and going to create problems for local districts. He
understands it is a choice to participate, but the pressure will
come from teachers and their unions to force districts to
participate.
SENATOR HUGHES asked if Sitka is already doing this, why is this
bill needed if a district can choose to do it and structure it
in a way that works for them.
SENATOR KAWASAKI replied that for Sitka it seems to be a one-
time only $10,000 payment to retire. Fairbanks has a $25 million
deficit for next year and is talking about 200 layoffs in the
system, from custodial staff to certified teachers. Fairbanks
does not have the cash to pay for an incentive to retire.
SENATOR HUGHES asked if this were to become law, could the Sitka
superintendent continue to do things as he is doing or would he
have to do it in the way structured in the bill.
SENATOR KAWASAKI answered that nothing prevents a school
district to offer sign on or retirement incentives. This
codifies a retirement incentive program for school districts,
the university, and state service, everyone in the TRS or PERS
(Public Employee Retirement System).
SENATOR HUGHES said either last year or the year before, Senator
Micciche had a bill to rehire retired teachers. She asked how
that would mesh with this bill. In areas of the state it is very
difficult to replace someone who is retiring. This bill has a
two-year wait. She asked if Senator Micciche's bill had a two-
year wait period.
SENATOR KAWASAKI responded that the retiree rehire bill, which
was SB 185, passed the Senate 19-1. Its conditions are different
from SB 6. To reemploy educators, they have to be retired for at
least six months if they are 62 or younger. If older than 62,
they have to wait for 60 days. If people want to retire with the
retirement incentive program in SB 6, they would be under a
different part of law than under the retire rehire system.
9:45:02 AM
JOE HAYES, Staff, Senator Kawasaki, Alaska State Legislature,
said that with SB 6 the district can bring educators back under
contract or as substitute teachers but they cannot come back
under TRS.
SENATOR HUGHES said that under Senator Micciche's bill they are
also not coming back under TRS. There are different waiting
periods. Under the regular retirement system, they can wait six
months but under the retirement incentive program they wait two
years. She asked why they are different. She asked if it would
make more sense with a shortage to bring the early retired
teachers back sooner than in two years.
SENATOR KAWASAKI said that school districts will be required to
pay 12.56 percent of base salary to TRS if a person does come
back in the retire rehire system. Under Senator Micciche's bill
they will have to come back to TRS.
CHAIR HOLLAND noted that the next committee for the bill is
Labor and Commerce and then Finance. The committee has resolved
the education aspect of the bill. There will be time for
additional discussion.
SENATOR HUGHES said that because of the teacher shortage, she
would ask that the sponsor entertain the idea of shortening the
waiting period for teachers. Especially in rural communities, it
may make sense to bring retired educators back in a steady
position. The problem is not going to go away. It will get
worse.
9:47:56 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony, ascertained there was
none, and closed public testimony. He solicited a motion.
9:48:22 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for SB 6, work order 32-LS0028\B, from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, CSSB 6 (EDC) was reported from the Senate
Education Standing Committee.
9:49:07 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Holland adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
at 9:49 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| CSSB6 ver. B.pdf |
SEDC 3/22/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 80 version B.pdf |
SEDC 3/22/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB 10 Committee Substitute (SEDC).pdf |
SEDC 3/22/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 10 |
| SB 80 Explanation of Changes in version B.pdf |
SEDC 3/22/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB 6 Explanation of Changes in version B.pdf |
SEDC 3/22/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 10 Explanation of Changes in version G.pdf |
SEDC 3/22/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 10 |