03/13/2023 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB69 | |
| HB106 | |
| HB105 | |
| HB21 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 106 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 69 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 13, 2023
8:01 a.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jamie Allard, Co-Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Co-Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative CJ McCormick
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Andi Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Alyse Galvin
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 69
"An Act relating to the reclassification of first class cities
as second class cities; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 106
"An Act authorizing lump sum payments for certain teachers as
retention and recruitment incentives; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 105
"An Act relating to parental rights in a child's education;
relating to access to school records; relating to sex education,
human reproduction education, and human sexuality education;
relating to school disciplinary and safety programs; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 21
"An Act relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance
coverage for school district employees, employees of the
University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units
in the state; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 69
SHORT TITLE: RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRST CLASS CITIES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CRONK
02/10/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/10/23 (H) EDC, CRA
03/01/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/01/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/01/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/13/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 106
SHORT TITLE: TEACHER RECRUITMENT; LUMP SUM PAYMENT
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
03/08/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/08/23 (H) EDC, FIN
03/13/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 105
SHORT TITLE: SEX/REPRODUCTION EDUCATION; SCHOOLS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
03/08/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/08/23 (H) EDC, JUD
03/13/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 21
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSUR
SPONSOR(s): VANCE
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) CRA, EDC, L&C
01/27/23 (H) CRA REFERRAL REMOVED
01/27/23 (H) BILL REPRINTED
03/13/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CRONK
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 69.
DAVE STANCLIFF, Staff
Representative Mike Cronk
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
69 on behalf of Representative Cronk, prime sponsor.
SUSIE MCKENZIE, Director
Division of Innovation and Education Excellence
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 106 on behalf of the bill
sponsor, House Rules by request of the governor.
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Operations Manager
Division of Innovation and Educational Excellence
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the sectional analysis for HB 106.
SUSAN MCKENZIE, Director
Division of Innovation and Education Excellence
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 105 on behalf of the bill
sponsor, House Rules by request of the governor.
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Operations Manager
Division of Innovation and Education Excellence
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the sectional analysis for HB 105.
LISA STEWART, Retired Teacher
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in favor of HB 105.
KRISTINE GUGEL, Parent
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB
105.
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 21.
RANDY TRANI, Superintendent
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 21.
BETSY WOOD, Acting Chief Health Administrator
Division of Retirement and Benefits
Department of Administration
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing of HB
21.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:10 AM
CO-CHAIR JAMIE ALLARD called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. Representatives Prax,
McCormick, McKay, Himschoot, Allard, and Ruffridge were present
at the call to order. Representative Story arrived as the
meeting was in progress. Also present was Representative
Galvin.
HB 69-RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRST CLASS CITIES
8:02:04 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 69, "An Act relating to the reclassification
of first class cities as second class cities; and providing for
an effective date."
8:02:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CRONK, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented the second hearing on HB 69, and explained
the bill would allow a community to reclassify from a one-city
community to a two-city community for the purpose of combining a
school district with another school district.
8:03:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked which communities this would
apply to right now, and if there are other cities forthcoming.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK replied that currently, the City of Tanana
would be affected.
DAVE STANCLIFF, Staff, Representative Mike Cronk, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Cronk, prime sponsor,
replied to a follow-up question from Representative Himschoot,
and explained there are four cities present in the state that
fall below the 400-person minimum that you must have to become a
first-class city. He stated this bill is not mandatory, it
simply allows Tanana the ability to make the change if it wishes
to do so.
8:04:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked why Tanana wants this.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK replied because the school is not supported
well enough by the local government; the government is under
stress because the population of the City of Tanana has fallen
from 241 people from a high of over 2,000 at one time. The
district is working with a larger school district, but
ultimately the community has to decide.
8:05:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked, "if this reclassifies Tanana to a
second-class city, would they not still be required for the
local tax contribution?"
MR. STANCLIFF replied that changes when a city changes from
first- to second-class, which is why Tanana looks to this
opportunity to consider.
8:06:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated her understanding was that "this
could be changed through statute."
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK replied the caveat here is that Tanana is a
class one city, and that stops that process [being changed
through statute] from happening.
8:07:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented that there are other services
provided by first-class cities, and asked if these services
would be affected by a change in class.
MR. STANCLIFF replied the local community would have to decide
and they would do that under the bill by a majority vote.
8:08:39 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:08 a.m.
8:08:52 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD opened public testimony on HB 69. After
ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, she closed
public testimony.
8:09:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked if there had been anything heard from
the school district.
8:09:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK replied the Tanana City School District is
under contract with the Yukon-Koyukuk School District (YKSD),
and Tanana is basically functioning under YKSD. He stated that
both school districts are "in agreeance."
8:10:25 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced HB 69 was held over.
8:10:52 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:10 a.m. to 8:11 a.m.
HB 106-TEACHER RECRUITMENT; LUMP SUM PAYMENT
8:11:29 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 106, "An Act authorizing lump sum payments for
certain teachers as retention and recruitment incentives; and
providing for an effective date."
8:11:58 AM
SUSIE MCKENZIE, Director, Division of Innovation and Education
Excellence, Department of Education and Early Development,
presented HB 105 on behalf of the bill sponsor, House Rules by
request of the governor. She stated the bill addresses Alaska's
Education Challenge priority number four, which is "to prepare,
attract, and retain effective education professionals." She
stated the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
acknowledges that teachers have a tremendous impact on student
achievement, and notes there are approximately 7,300 teachers
working in Alaska public schools, and teacher stability and
effectiveness are essential components of student achievement.
She gave examples of teacher turnovers and the number of
teachers coming from out of state. She reminded the committee
that the governor ordered a task force to examine teacher
retention and recruitment back in 2020. Reported from a
previous survey, she explained, the highest-ranking issue with
teacher retention is salary, and HB 106 proposes to address the
highest ranked finding of the report. She noted the bill
discusses three tiers that Ms. Riddle will go over in the
sectional analysis.
8:16:09 AM
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Operations Manager, Division of Innovation and
Educational Excellence, Department of Education and Early
Development, presented the sectional analysis for HB 106
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Section 1: Amends uncodified law by adding a new
section that establishes a program that would pay
certificated full-time teachers with a lump sum
payment on, or around, July 1, 2024, July 1, 2025, and
July 1, 2026. The payment of the lump sum
appropriation is contingent on appropriations made for
this purpose in the relevant fiscal years (FY2025,
FY2026, and FY2027). The bill limits the payment to
full-time teachers assigned to a classroom teaching
assignment and specifically excludes temporary,
substitute, or assistant teachers. To be eligible for
payment, a teacher must occupy a teaching position for
the entire school year immediately preceding the date
of payment.
In addition, to be eligible for payment, teachers
would be required to submit an application and school
districts would be responsible for certifying the
applications. The Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) would develop the application and
it would be due no later than the last day of school
for the eligible school year. Once the application and
certification requirements are met, DEED would grant
school districts funding to pay the retention and
recruitment incentive as a lump sum payment to
eligible teachers.
The bill also considers all lump sum payments
compensation for the purposes of the Teachers'
Retirement System (TRS).
Finally, DEED may adopt regulations necessary to carry
out the purposes of this bill.
Section 2: This bill is effective on July 1, 2023
8:18:35 AM
MS. MCKENZIE further synopsized the tiers and proceeded to
briefly go over the fiscal note [included in the committee
packet.]
8:21:44 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced HB 106 was held over.
HB 105-SEX/REPRODUCTION EDUCATION; SCHOOLS
8:21:53 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 105, "An Act relating to parental rights in a
child's education; relating to access to school records;
relating to sex education, human reproduction education, and
human sexuality education; relating to school disciplinary and
safety programs; and providing for an effective date."
8:22:19 AM
SUSAN MCKENZIE, Director, Division of Innovation and Education
Excellence, Department of Education and Early Development,
presented HB 105 on behalf of the bill sponsor, House Rules by
request of the governor. She stated, "The fifth priority of
Alaska's Education Challenge is to improve the safety and
wellbeing of students through school partnerships with families,
communities, and tribes." She listed ways in which this is done
through: key learning courses; an initiative for positive
behavior, intervention, and support; a trauma-engaged framework;
and family input throughout.
MS. MCKENZIE related that research states that students whose
parents stay involved in school do better overall. Parent
engagement is required in many ways related to: parent
permission to assess and engage a child in special education;
attendance of field trips; pertaining to the Alaska READS Act;
and handing out medication at school. She said that "the
importance of parent rights" was established under the Parents
Rights and Responsibilities Act of 1995 by the One Hundred and
Fourth U.S. Congress and prohibits federal, state, or local
government or any official of such government from interfering
with or usurping the right of parents to govern the upbringing
of their children. She said in 2016, the Parent Rights Bill was
passed, which adopted school board policies to promote the
involvement of parents in the school districts' education
programming, including the recognition of the authority of
parents to object and withdraw children from an activity, class,
or program.
MS. MCKENZIE said HB 105 would "affirm and expand Alaska
parental rights" and strengthens "the partnership between
parents and school by meaningful notice and consent requests."
8:25:26 AM
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Operations Manager, Division of Innovation and
Education Excellence, Department of Education and Early
Development, presented the sectional analysis for HB 105
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Section 1:
Amends AS 14.03.016, A parent's right to direct the
education of the parent's child, (a)(3) by adding to
the list of parental rights regarding student's
participation in activities and classes that include
content involving gender. This subsection also adds an
"opt-in" provision stating that parents need to
provide written permission for their student(s) to
participate in the activity or class. Additional
language is added under (a)(7) that a parent must
provide written permission before a name or pronoun
may be changed in student records and under (a)(8)
that parents must also be notified in writing of legal
remedies available to them.
Section 2:
Amends AS 14.03.016(d) by adding the definition of
"gender identity" as the internal sense of being
either male, female, or something else, which may or
may not correspond with an individual's biological
sex.
Section 3:
Amends AS 14.03.016 by adding two new subsections.
Subsection (e) states that a parent may file civil
action against a school district who violates a policy
or procedure adopted under (a) of this section
(Section 1 of this bill). Subsection (f) states that a
school district that knowingly or recklessly violates
a policy or procedure under (a) of this section
(Section 1 of this bill) is liable for not less than
$5,000 in civil penalties and may be liable for treble
damages upon a showing of a violation established by
clear and convincing evidence.
Section 4:
Amends AS 14.03.115, Access to school records by
parent, foster parent, or guardian, by adding language
that prohibits school districts or regional
educational attendance areas from selectively
withholding information regarding a child's physical,
medical, or mental health from a parent, foster
parent, or guardian unless the information may result
in child abuse or neglect.
Section 5:
Amends AS 14.30.361, Sex education, human reproductive
education, and human sexuality education, by adding
two new subsections. Subsection (e) states that a
class or program involving sex education, human
reproduction education, and human sexuality education
requires parental notice and permission. Subsection
(f) states that these topics may not be attended by a
child before grade four (4) except as provided by AS
14.30.355, Sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness
and prevention.
Section 6: Amends AS 14.33.120, A parent's right to
direct the education of the parent's child, (a) adding
to the list of procedures required by school districts
and regional educational attendance areas on
addressing the physical safety and privacy of students
in locker rooms and restrooms. The separation of
students by biological sex, access to single occupant
facilities, or other safety and privacy protocols is
required.
Section 7:
Repeals AS 14.03.016, A parent's right to direct the
education of the parent's child, subsection (d)(2),
which further defines "human reproduction or sexual
matters" to not include sexual assault awareness and
prevention training required under AS 14.30.355,
Sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness and
prevention, nor dating violence and abuse awareness
and prevention training required under AS 14.30.356,
Teen dating violence and abuse awareness and
prevention program.
Section 8:
This bill is effective on July 1, 2023.
MS. MCKENZIE noted there is a $6,000 fiscal note for the purpose
of getting regulations in place.
8:29:49 AM
LISA STEWART, Retired Teacher, gave invited testimony in favor
of HB 105. She emphasized the influence of family experiences
in shaping people, including their life choices. She shared a
personal story of her upbringing, education, and work experience
to help illustrate her stance on HB 105.
8:35:03 AM
MS. STEWART stated that working with parents is crucial, and
that parents are a student's first teacher. She gave examples
of how she worked with teachers to "lean in" and listen to
parents' concerns. Parental involvement initiatives are
increasing nationwide and are required for student success.
8:38:59 AM
MS. STEWART surmised that providing separation of restroom and
locker rooms shows support for student safety. She explained
that given her diverse experience in education, she can confirm
a student's success is the result of parental involvement. In
closing, she provided her belief that children should be able to
count on educators and stated she thought it would be
counterproductive for educators to not be on the same page with
parents and students.
8:42:07 AM
KRISTINE GUGEL, Parent, gave invited testimony in support of HB
105, and began by commending Ms. Stewart [previous testifier]
and underscoring her testimony. Ms. Gugel provided her
background in relation to family, education, and community. She
highlighted her role working in a correctional facility for 12
years as highly impactful in regard to relationships and trust.
She stated parental involvement in children's lives is
immeasurably important, and part of the "education team."
8:48:40 AM
MS. GUGEL noted how critical family involvement in education is
not only for the child's well-being, but for the school
district. She explained being involved in her own children's
classrooms and her own children are now involved in classroom
activities. She stated she strenuously urges the passing of HB
105.
8:52:51 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD invited questions from the committee.
8:53:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked Ms. Gugel if she had ever been
stopped from going into a public school to assist in a
classroom.
8:53:19 AM
MS. GUGEL replied she had never had that experience; the
classroom was open, available, and she received encouragement
from teachers as well as the principal.
8:54:03 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced HB 105 was held over.
8:54:22 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:54 a.m. to 8:55 a.m.
HB 21-SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSUR
8:55:48 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 21, "An Act relating to group insurance
coverage and self-insurance coverage for school district
employees, employees of the University of Alaska, and employees
of other governmental units in the state; and providing for an
effective date."
8:56:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, summarized HB 21 per the sponsor statement [included in
the committee packet], which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
House Bill 21 amends current statute to create
the opportunity for school districts, the University
of Alaska, and governmental units such as cities and
boroughs to optionally participate in AlaskaCare: our
state healthcare program. These entities would have
the choice to opt into the pool as an entire entity,
enabling Alaska's Department of Administration to
negotiate a better cost of healthcare.
Research conducted by the Institute of Social and
Economic Research of the University of Alaska
Anchorage suggests that Alaskans spend the most per
resident, face the highest insurance premiums, and
have seen overall spending grow much faster than the
rest of the country. Alaskans spent more out-of-pocket
dollars on health care costs than residents in any
other state in 2019, according to a recent Health
Affairs study. In fact, in less than 25 years Alaska's
spending for health care increased more than 5 times
over, growing an average 7.8% per year compared to the
U.S. average of 6.0%. On average, 45% of our state
educational budget funds healthcare and benefits,
leaving only 54% to go towards the classroom.
Specifically, school districts across Alaska are
facing increasing costs of healthcare that is
impacting recruitment and retention of teachers. If
passed, House Bill 21 could ease the financial burden
of school districts and give the State of Alaska more
leverage to negotiate with healthcare providers,
improving services for Alaskans with the potential of
saving millions of dollars.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE noted the bill supports local control and
is 100 percent optional. She pointed out that Alaska has the
highest cost per capita of health care in the U.S. and this
negatively effects private and public sectors of Alaska's
economy because health care costs are part of teacher
compensation.
9:00:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE explained the bill provides the option for
school districts, the University of Alaska, and governmental
units to participate in AlaskaCare, which is the state
healthcare program. The benefits of consolidation consist of
three areas: saves money, expands healthcare options, and
reduces staff burden.
9:02:33 AM
RANDY TRANI, Superintendent, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School
District, gave invited testimony via teleconference, and stated
the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School Distract supports HB 21,
and it has been one of the priorities of the school board for
the last three years. He noted he sees no negative downside -
it can only provide potential for savings.
9:04:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE summarized the sectional analysis [included
in the committee packet], which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Section 1. Adds to powers of regional school boards
the power to establish and maintain school district
participation in a policy of group insurance, selected
by the State of Alaska, that provides medical
insurance.
Section 2. Adds to the duties of a regional school
board the duty, when the board's school district
participates in a policy of group insurance elected by
the State of Alaska that provides medical insurance,
to determine and disperse to district employees and
administrative officers the amounts necessary to cover
the district's portion of the cost of that
participation.
Section 3. Allows the Commissioner of Administration
to expend from the public education fund (AS
14.17.300) to the group health and life benefits fund
(AS 39.30.095) a total of $100,000,000 or less as
needed to pay claims submitted by school district
employees who are covered by a policy of self-
insurance provided by the state; and, requires the
Commissioner of Administration to repay the public
education fund, over a period of 10 years, the full
amount of the commissioner's expenditures from the
public education fund.
Section 4. (a) Allows school districts to participate
in a policy of insurance that provides medical
insurance coverage to state employees and to school
district employees. (b) Requires participating school
districts to contribute to the group health and life
benefits fund (AS 39.30.095) based on rates set by the
commissioner of administration. (c) Requires
participating school districts to reimburse the state
for procuring excess loss insurance if the state
provides insurance benefits to school district
employees under a policy of self-insurance. (d)
Requires participating school districts to reimburse,
over a period not to exceed 10 years, the department
of administration's cost of paying insurance claims by
school district employees for the first four months
school district employees are covered by a policy of
self-insurance provided by the state of Alaska. (e)
Allows a participating school district to require its
employees to pay some or all of the money that this
bill section would require the school district to pay
to the state. (f) Defines "school employee" and
"school employer" for purposes of the bill section.
Section 5. Allows the Board of Regents of the
University of Alaska to establish and maintain
university participation in a policy of group
insurance, selected by the State of Alaska, that
provides medical insurance for university employees.
Section 6. Clarifies that when an employee of a
participating governmental unit is covered by a group
insurance policy obtained by the Department of
Administration the employee spouse and dependent
children are also covered.
Section 7. Adds to the University of Alaska to the
definition of governmental unit applicable to section
6 of the bill.
Section 8. Add the definition of school district to AS
39.30.090, which is amended by section 6 and 7 of the
bill.
Section 9. Authorizes the Department of Administration
to provide group medical care insurance coverage to
school district employees and employees of other
governmental unit by means of self-insurance.
Section 10. Requires the Department of Administration
to procure excess loss insurance in connection with
providing group medical insurance coverage to
employees of governmental units other than the state,
and allows the department to allocate the cost with
the excess loss insurance across all of those
governmental units.
Section 11. Make sections 1- 8 and section 10 of the
bill applicable to collective bargaining agreements
and other contracts that become legally binding on or
after the effective date of those bill sections.
Section 12. Require certain self-insured school
districts to transfer the closing balance of their
self-funded insurance reserve account soon after they
enroll in a health care plan administered by the
state, and requires that when transferred by a school
district these amounts will be applied to offset
reimbursements owed by that school district under AS
14.20.127(d), a provision proposed in section 4 the
bill.
Section 13. Authorizes the commissioner of
administration to adopt regulations necessary to
implement the changes made by the bill, to take effect
on or after the effective date of the changes made by
the bill.
Section 14. Make sections 12 and 13 of the bill
effective immediately, subject to the restrictions set
forth in those bill sections.
Section 15. Makes the bill's provisions effective date
July 1, 2024, except as provided in bill section 14.
9:08:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Representative Vance if she had
assessed how many districts would be interested in this option.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE replied that her office had emailed every
school district, but she does not have a definitive number at
this point.
9:10:11 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE noticed there weren't any fiscal notes, and
asked if they are forthcoming.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE replied she just received the fiscal notes
[over the weekend] and will forward them soon.
9:11:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if currently governmental units other
than state are not allowed to participate in state employees'
health plans.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE confirmed that is correct.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX observed that it is a "one-sided agreement";
there was no mention of underwriting standards, so the state's
employee insurance plan would have to accept other groups and
not have any other option.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE replied that invited testifier Ms. Wood may
better speak to the question.
9:12:36 AM
BETSY WOOD, Acting Chief Health Administrator, Division of
Retirement and Benefits, Department of Administration, explained
that as the bill is written, the Department of Administration
would be required to accept any governmental unit or school
district that wanted to participate.
9:15:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked [Mr. Trani] how the $7 million is
calculated.
MR. TRANI explained the calculation is the premium paid, plus
the premium of AlaskaCare, multiplied times the number of
employees. This number was based off a calculation from several
years ago and premiums change frequently; therefore, he stated
he is not sure what the savings are currently. He noted the
average premium is currently between 28 and 30 thousand dollars
per year per employee.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT requested that the current numbers be
forwarded to the committee.
9:16:24 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE said he was surprised by the number stated in
reference to the cost of premiums and asked whether the cost
included the employee's family.
MR. TRANI confirmed the number is for family coverage, and there
are several different plans for employees to choose from.
9:18:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX questioned if anyone has done iterations on
what happens when working with big insurance companies, and if
actuarial standards change. He referenced [the Affordable Care
Act] in relation to offering incentives.
MS. WOOD responded that the type of actuarial analysis is
something that is done when a bill approaches the finance
committee to get a better sense of longer-range impacts.
9:20:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Ms. Wood about a study in 2021
regarding the university system joining AlaskaCare, and if costs
were affected by much.
MS. WOOD replied that the division looked into the possibility,
and she recalled there were minor but not significant savings.
She stated she can research the exact numbers and provide them
at a later date.
9:22:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented that the legislature needs to look
at this very carefully. He provided an example of a personal
experience with insurance policies and the costs involved.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated to Representative Prax that the bill
would allow the option for universities and schools to choose
and what works for individual units and if it would be
beneficial to join the healthcare plan, or not. The overall
goal is to ease the financial strain on school districts, so
that schools can focus on what matters most.
9:24:29 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced HB 21 was held over.
9:24:59 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB69 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 69 |
| HB69 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 69 |
| HB0069A.PDF |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 69 |
| HB69 Hearing Request.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 69 |
| HB106-Fiscal Note.PDF |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 106 |
| HB106A.PDF |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 106 |
| HB106 - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 106 |
| HB106 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 106 |
| HB106- House Education Hearing Request.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 106 |
| HB0105A.PDF |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 105 |
| HB105 - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 105 |
| HB105- House Education Hearing Request 3-8-2023.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 105 |
| HB105 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 105 |
| HB105-Fiscal Note.PDF |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 105 |
| HB 21 - Letter of Support from KPBSD.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |
| HB 21 - Presentation.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |
| HB21A.PDF |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |
| HB 21 - School Healthcare Consolidation Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |
| HB 21 - Healthcare Consolidation Bill Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |