Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106

03/29/2023 08:00 AM House EDUCATION

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= HB 71 SCHOOL DISTRICT ONLINE CHECKBOOK TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony --
+= HB 105 SEX/REPRODUCTION EDUCATION; SCHOOLS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
               HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                             
                         March 29, 2023                                                                                         
                           8:01 a.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Jamie Allard, Co-Chair                                                                                           
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Co-Chair                                                                                       
Representative Mike Prax                                                                                                        
Representative Tom McKay                                                                                                        
Representative Rebecca Himschoot                                                                                                
Representative Andi Story                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative CJ McCormick                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 71                                                                                                               
"An Act relating to education; and relating to a school district                                                                
online checkbook."                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     - 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                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB  71                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL DISTRICT ONLINE CHECKBOOK                                                                                   
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RAUSCHER                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
02/13/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/13/23       (H)       EDC                                                                                                    
03/06/23       (H)       EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106                                                                               
03/06/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/06/23       (H)       MINUTE(EDC)                                                                                            
03/20/23       (H)       EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106                                                                               
03/20/23       (H)       <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                
03/29/23       (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                                                                               
03/13/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/13/23       (H)       MINUTE(EDC)                                                                                            
03/29/23       (H)       EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER                                                                                                  
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As prime sponsor, presented HB 71.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SARAH MONTALBANO, Education Policy Analyst                                                                                      
Alaska Policy Forum                                                                                                             
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 71.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HERMAN MORGAN, Representing Self                                                                                                
Aniak, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified during the hearing on HB 71.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CASSEE OLIN, Administrative Services Director                                                                                   
Juneau School District                                                                                                          
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified during the hearing on HB 71.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HEIDI TESHNER, Acting Commissioner                                                                                              
Department of Education and Early Development                                                                                   
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Summarized HB 105 on behalf of the House                                                                 
Rules Standing Committee, sponsor, by request of the governor.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
DEENA BISHOP, representing self                                                                                                 
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Gave invited testimony in support of HB
105.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
KENDAL KRUSE, representing self                                                                                                 
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Gave invited  testimony in  support of  HB
105.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
TAMMY BUNKER, representing self                                                                                                 
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Gave invited  testimony in  support of  HB
105.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
TERRI LYONS, representing self                                                                                                  
Wasilla, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Gave invited  testimony in  support of  HB
105.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
LYNN HALFORD, representing self                                                                                                 
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Gave invited  testimony in  support of  HB
105.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
8:01:25 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  JAMIE  ALLARD  called   the  House  Education  Standing                                                             
Committee meeting  to order at  8:01 a.m.   Representatives Prax,                                                               
McKay, Himschoot,  Story, Ruffridge,  and Allard were  present at                                                               
the call to order.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
            HB  71-SCHOOL DISTRICT ONLINE CHECKBOOK                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
8:02:26 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the  first order of business would                                                               
be  HOUSE  BILL  NO.  71,  "An Act  relating  to  education;  and                                                               
relating to a school district online checkbook."                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
8:03:00 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GEORGE RAUSCHER,  Alaska State  Legislature, read                                                               
the sponsor statement  for HB 71 [included  in committee packet],                                                               
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
      The School Districts around Alaska spend millions of                                                                      
       dollars each year without a clear understanding of                                                                       
     where the money goes. We  believe it goes to everything                                                                    
     from    office   supplies,    to   teacher    salaries,                                                                    
     administrative workers  and hopefully  the kids  in the                                                                    
     classroom. A  tool like an  online checkbook  will help                                                                    
     the  Governor  and  Legislature  understand  where  the                                                                    
     deficit  is,  and  where   funding  is  needed.  Public                                                                    
     accountability  helps  ensure   that  funds  are  spent                                                                    
     wisely, and the public  is entitled to understand where                                                                    
     the funding goes also.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     The  intent of  the  online checkbook  is  to create  a                                                                    
     free,  searchable website  that provides  Alaskans with                                                                    
     easy access  to detailed and  comprehensive information                                                                    
     on  School  District   spending.  This  will  encourage                                                                    
     better   understanding    of   district    needs   and,                                                                    
     ultimately,  help ensure  that funding  is directed  to                                                                    
     where it should be.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER noted the  sectional analysis had already                                                               
been presented at a prior hearing.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
8:05:08 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Representative  Rauscher whether he had                                                               
checked  with the  school  districts  to find  out  if they  have                                                               
expectations of  how much they  will have to spend  to accomplish                                                               
this proposal,  and whether  the districts think  it would  be an                                                               
improvement.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER  confirmed that  he had.   He  also noted                                                               
that  the public  would like  to  understand where  the money  is                                                               
specifically spent so they can ask the right questions.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
8:09:10 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HIMSCHOOT asked  Representative Rauscher  whether                                                               
he had checked with single  sight districts that dont  maintain a                                                               
website or considered the financial burden of this proposal.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER replied  he had  not. He  noted that  he                                                               
could not distinguish  specific districts within the  54 where it                                                               
might be a financial burden.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
8:10:22 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE  noted that  larger school  districts  budgets                                                               
were  available  to  the  public  on  an  online  platform.    He                                                               
questioned who may  be seeking detailed "line  by line" checkbook                                                               
data.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER  explained   that  for  some  interested                                                               
people, it  is very  hard to get  the information,  and sometimes                                                               
schools can be  evasive in providing the  exact information being                                                               
sought.   He  said  the  public may  receive  a more  generalized                                                               
number.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
8:14:27 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE  asked Representative Rauscher whether  he had                                                               
personal  experiences  with  people   that  struggled  to  obtain                                                               
particular information.   He stated that he wanted  to be certain                                                               
that people could use the  checkbook to find information they are                                                               
"missing out on."                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER offered  to forward  an email,  blacking                                                               
out  the person's  name, so  Representative  Ruffridge could  see                                                               
"what their problem was."                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE indicated that he was interested.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
8:16:00 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   STORY    addressed   cybersecurity,    and   the                                                               
possibility of names on the  checkbook being a security threat to                                                               
vendors.    She also  noted  the  "tremendous expense"  for  some                                                               
districts that do not even have an online presence.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
8:17:45 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY  opined that people  should be able  to see,                                                               
in detail,  where money is going  without having to go  through a                                                               
lot of hassle  to get the information.  He  expressed his support                                                               
for HB 71.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
8:19:13 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD  stated that she supported  transparency and gave                                                               
a  personal  example  of  being  a  parent  having  a  hard  time                                                               
obtaining information.  She shared  her belief that any member of                                                               
the public  should see how public  dollars are being spent.   She                                                               
confirmed her support for HB 71.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
8:20:31 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER explained  that he  sponsored an  online                                                               
checkbook bill  two years ago, and  during that time, no  one was                                                               
worried about  any kind of  security issues regarding  the checks                                                               
that were  written.  He stated  that it should not  be thought of                                                               
as a security breach.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
8:22:28 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 71,                                                                   
labeled 33-LS0435/A.2\Marx 3/23/23, which read:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 1:                                                                                                            
          Delete "and"                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 1, following "checkbook":                                                                                   
          Insert "; and relating to the review of a school                                                                    
     district budget by a legislator"                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, following line 10:                                                                                                 
     Insert new bill sections to read:                                                                                          
        "*  Sec. 2.  AS 14.17  is amended  by  adding a  new                                                                
     section to read:                                                                                                           
          Sec. 14.17.925. Legislator review of school                                                                         
     district  budget. (a)  The superintendent  of a  school                                                                  
     district shall  meet with  a legislator  who represents                                                                    
     the  house  or  senate  district in  which  the  school                                                                    
     district is located to review  the budget of the school                                                                    
     district if  requested by  the legislator.  The meeting                                                                    
     must  be  held  at  a   place  located  in  the  school                                                                    
     district, unless the  superintendent and the legislator                                                                    
     agree otherwise.                                                                                                           
          (b)  In this section, "school district" has the                                                                       
     meaning given to "district" in AS 14.17.990.                                                                               
        *  Sec.  3. AS 24.05  is  amended  by adding  a  new                                                                  
     section to read:                                                                                                           
          Article 6. Review of School District Budget.                                                                      
          Sec. 24.05.220. Duty to review school district                                                                      
     budget.  (a)  At least  once  a  year, each  legislator                                                                  
     shall  meet   with  the  superintendent  of   a  school                                                                    
     district   located   within  the   legislator's   house                                                                    
     district  or  senate  district  to  review  the  school                                                                    
     district budget.  The meeting must  be held at  a place                                                                    
     located   in   the    school   district,   unless   the                                                                    
     superintendent and the legislator agree otherwise.                                                                         
          (b)  In this section, "school district" has the                                                                       
     meaning given to "district" in AS 14.17.990."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HIMSCHOOT spoke  to Amendment  1.   She explained                                                               
that since school districts are  funded publicly, the information                                                               
about how  the money is  spent is  publicly available.   She said                                                               
the proposed amendment would put  an obligation on legislators to                                                               
spend  one day  in  their  home school  district  to explore  the                                                               
budget with the districts superintendent.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
8:23:58 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  ALLARD  asked  whether   the  bill  sponsor  considered                                                               
Amendment 1 to be a friendly amendment.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER opined that Amendment  1 would be a heavy                                                               
burden  on some  legislators,  which,  compounded with  senators                                                                
districts, would become  even bigger.  He stated that  he did not                                                               
find Amendment 1 to be a "friendly amendment."                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
8:26:15 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT  drew attention  to page  1, line  21 of                                                               
Amendment 1,  which stated  "a" school  district.   She explained                                                               
she has  22 communities in 12  school districts and did  not want                                                               
to put  a burden on anyone;  however, she stressed that  it would                                                               
be  "a" school  district,  meaning one  district.   Further,  she                                                               
pointed out  that every legislator is  in a community that  has a                                                               
district office.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
8:26:46 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STORY asked  for clarification  about line  14 of                                                               
Amendment  1, which  stated, "unless  the superintendent  and the                                                               
legislator agree otherwise".   She asked whether  that meant that                                                               
they could agree to have a phone conversation.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT  confirmed that is correct,  it does not                                                               
have to be in person.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
8:27:21 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MCKAY  opined that  he  would  rule the  proposed                                                               
amendment  as out  of order,  as it  has nothing  to do  with the                                                               
bill.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
8:27:57 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 8:27 a.m. to 8:44 a.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
8:44:13 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD  asked Representative Prax whether  he maintained                                                               
his objection.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX maintained  his  objection.   He shared  his                                                               
belief that  it is a good  idea for legislators to  pay attention                                                               
to their  districts; however, he  disagreed with  the requirement                                                               
that a superintendent must meet  with a legislator.  He explained                                                               
that  it is  not [the  legislature's]  primary responsibility  to                                                               
look at each school district, and said  it was not a good idea to                                                               
put it in statute.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
8:46:43 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY questioned the  penalty for not meeting with                                                               
the superintendent.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
8:46:56 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT replied it would  be the same penalty as                                                               
the legislature not finishing session in 90 days.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
8:47:09 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD  observed that the proposed  amendment requires a                                                               
legislator to  review the  budget, which has  nothing to  do with                                                               
the  online  checkbook;  therefore,  she  stated  she  would  not                                                               
support Amendment 1.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
8:47:54 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 8:47 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
8:50:35 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
A  roll call  vote  was taken.    Representatives Himschoot,  and                                                               
Story  voted in  favor  of Amendment  1.   Representatives  Prax,                                                               
McKay,  Allard,  and  Ruffridge voted  against  it.    Therefore,                                                               
Amendment 1 failed by a vote of 2-4.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
8:51:21 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:51 a.m.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
8:51:53 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD opened public testimony on HB 71.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
8:52:36 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SARAH MONTALBANO, Education Policy  Analyst, Alaska Policy Forum,                                                               
testified in  support of HB 71,  and gave a brief  description of                                                               
the  forum.    She  stated   that  transparency  helps  residents                                                               
understand  their   government  and  hold  it   accountable,  and                                                               
explained  that  it is  often  difficult  and expensive  for  the                                                               
public to  obtain financial  information about  their government.                                                               
Transparency  requirements  do  not  have  to  be  burdensome  to                                                               
districts, she  said, but  the statute  should list  minimum data                                                               
requirements  that must  be provided.   Other  states and  school                                                               
districts  nationwide  have  recognized the  value  of  providing                                                               
checkbooks online,  she said.   She opined  that Alaska  would do                                                               
well to follow suit.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
8:54:48, AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HERMAN MORGAN,  representing self,  testified during  the hearing                                                               
on HB 71.   He opined that rural districts  were being failed and                                                               
urged the legislature to fix the education system.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
8:58:13 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CASSEE  OLIN,  Administrative  Services Director,  Juneau  School                                                               
District, testified during  the hearing on HB 71.   She expressed                                                               
concern  that the  const for  school districts  would be  hard to                                                               
estimate;  additionally,  she   expressed  concern  that  smaller                                                               
school  districts  with  only  one   business  manager  would  be                                                               
affected.   Lastly,  she expressed  concern about  cybersecurity.                                                               
She stated that she lacked clarity  as to how the checkbook would                                                               
be set up.  She offered to remain available for any questions.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:00:59 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD closed public testimony on HB 71.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
9:01:11 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Representative  Rauscher what level of                                                               
detail is in  the checkbook and requested an example  of one that                                                               
had been done for school districts.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER gave  examples  of the  type of  entries                                                               
that might be shown in the checkbook.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
9:02:08 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that HB 71 was held over.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
9:02:17 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:02 a.m.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
           HB 105-SEX/REPRODUCTION EDUCATION; SCHOOLS                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:02:40 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the  final 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."                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
9:03:14 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HEIDI TESHNER,  Acting Commissioner, Department of  Education and                                                               
Early Development  (DEED), stated  that she  wished to  address a                                                               
few  misconceptions  about  HB   105  before  invited  testifiers                                                               
joined.     She  began  by  summarizing   the  sponsor  statement                                                               
[included  in  the  committee  packet],  which  read  as  follows                                                               
[original punctuation provided]:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     The bill  requires school  districts to  allow parental                                                                    
     access  to  school  records  and  to  develop  policies                                                                    
     requiring   written   consent    prior   to   providing                                                                    
     instruction  related to  human reproduction  and sexual                                                                    
     matters.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Parental  involvement initiatives  in public  education                                                                    
     have  been increasing  nationwide.  In Alaska,  parents                                                                    
     are becoming more actively involved  in the content and                                                                    
     quality  of  instruction  provided in  public  schools.                                                                    
     This involvement has resulted  in an increased focus on                                                                    
     the presentation of content and  materials that may not                                                                    
     be   age-appropriate  for   all  children.   This  bill                                                                    
     addresses   these  concerns   by  placing   matters  of                                                                    
     personal identification  and sexual  education directly                                                                    
     in the hands of parents at the local level.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Under  the terms  of the  bill,  school districts  must                                                                    
     adopt  rules that  provide for  notice and  affirmative                                                                    
     written  consent  prior  to  any  activity,  class,  or                                                                    
     program  that includes  sensitive and  personal content                                                                    
     involving  gender  identity,   human  reproduction,  or                                                                    
     sexual  matters, and  a class  involving sex  education                                                                    
     may  not be  attended by  a child  enrolled in  a grade                                                                    
     below fourth  grade. In  addition, the  bill recognizes                                                                    
     the rights  of parents  to designate the  official name                                                                    
     used  by  schools  when   addressing  or  referring  to                                                                    
     enrolled students. The  bill authorizes the enforcement                                                                    
     of these  policies through the use  of civil litigation                                                                    
     by parents  against school districts that  knowingly or                                                                    
     recklessly refuse to comply with the statute.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     A  parent's  right  to information  about  a  student's                                                                    
     physical,  medical,  and  mental health  is  absolutely                                                                    
     critical  to ensure  the safety  and  privacy of  their                                                                    
     children. Given  the complex and dynamic  nature of the                                                                    
     modem  school environment,  it is  counterproductive to                                                                    
     create  situations where  a child's  various caregivers                                                                    
     are not  all operating on  the same page. To  that end,                                                                    
     this bill also prevents  school districts from refusing                                                                    
     to release  sensitive and  personal student  records to                                                                    
     the child's legal parent or guardian.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Finally,  the bill  recognizes every  child's right  to                                                                    
     privacy   by  requiring   school  districts   to  adopt                                                                    
     procedures addressing  the physical safety  and privacy                                                                    
     of  students in  locker rooms  and restrooms  in public                                                                    
     schools.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
9:06:04 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. TESHNER  clarified that  the bill  would not  change anything                                                               
related to  the requirements  of Bree's Law;  those remain  as an                                                               
opt-out.   The bill would  not prevent sexual abuse  awareness or                                                               
prevention  classes  from  being  taught.   The  bill  would  not                                                               
contribute to child abuse by forcing  a teacher to "out" a gender                                                               
conforming  child  to  their parents,  and  the  bill  explicitly                                                               
permits  school personnel  from withholding  this information  if                                                               
they knowingly  believe it  would result in  abuse or  neglect of                                                               
that child.   The bill would not  aim to take away  the rights of                                                               
any student demographic.   In closing, she  explained, the rights                                                               
of parents  to be involved  and informed about what  children are                                                               
being taught  in school  should not be  controversial.   The bill                                                               
would make  a key change,  she said, by changing  the requirement                                                               
from the right  to opt-out, to the requirement  that parents must                                                               
opt-in.    She shared  her  observation  that parent  involvement                                                               
often results in more successful, well-rounded children.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:08:50 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD  thanked Ms. Teshner  for her  clarifications and                                                               
welcomed invited testimony.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:09:05 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DEENA BISHOP, retired, representing  self, informed the committee                                                               
that she had retired from working  in the Office of the Governor.                                                               
She summarized her years of  service and background, and gave her                                                               
testimony in  support of HB  105, supporting parents'  rights and                                                               
transparency  in Alaska  schools.   She  stated that  one of  her                                                               
goals today  was to share what  the bill would not  do, which she                                                               
believed would be useful in  combatting disinformation.  Parental                                                               
rights are not new in  education, and parental involvement is key                                                               
to a child's  educational success, she said,  adding that parents                                                               
are  the first  and  primary  teachers of  their  children.   The                                                               
governor's education  bill empowers the  people who are  asked to                                                               
be partners  to engage in  schools and choose for  their children                                                               
to educate them of personal matters, she conveyed.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:15:17 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. BISHOP, explained that Alaska  has laws that protect children                                                               
and  teachers, noting  that teachers  are mandatory  reporters by                                                               
way  of their  professional certification.   She  said HB  105, a                                                               
bill that guarantees the rights  of parents to be involved, would                                                               
not remove duties  to keep children safe nor would  it remove the                                                               
instruction in  personal safety  or sexual  abuse training.   She                                                               
reiterated that  it would not  remove Bree's  Law.  All  of these                                                               
[statements] have  been false assertions,  she said,  adding that                                                               
the  bill  supports  what  the  federal  government  already  has                                                               
ensured.  She  emphasized that the bill is not  a prohibition, it                                                               
is  about  parental  permission.   She  urged  the  committee  to                                                               
support  HB 105  for  what  it does,  and  opined  that it  would                                                               
empower Alaska's parents and strengthen Alaska schools.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:19:00 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KENDAL  KRUSE,  representing  self,   stated  that  she  strongly                                                               
supported HB 105  for many reasons, and echoed  the sentiments of                                                               
the  previous  testifier.    She   expressed  concern  about  the                                                               
negative view of  parents within school systems,  and pointed out                                                               
that  parental involvement  increases the  outcomes for  children                                                               
academically and economically  later in life.   She mentioned the                                                               
declining  state of  mental health  throughout Alaska,  and asked                                                               
how  children can  be helped  if [parents  and teachers]  are not                                                               
united.   Pitting  parents  against teachers,  she  said, is  not                                                               
going to unite or increase  mental health statistics or result in                                                               
happy and healthy children.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:23:28 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  KRUSE reflected  on her  work  in healthcare  the past  nine                                                               
years and confirmed  that she is also a mandatory  reporter.  She                                                               
stated that  it is  important to  acknowledge that  some children                                                               
are abused, some  parents are involved, and there  are systems in                                                               
place to help  these children, which is critical.   She noted the                                                               
diversity that  exists in  Alaska, and  respected that  there are                                                               
parents that  object to  certain things, as  well as  parents who                                                               
would like  "those things" to be  taught.  She stressed  that she                                                               
wanted both  sets of parents to  be able to make  those decisions                                                               
for themselves.  She thanked the committee for their service.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
9:26:32 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TAMMY BUNKER, representing self,  informed the committee that she                                                               
was a retired  teacher, and gave invited testimony  in support of                                                               
HB 105.  She  explained that she came from a  long line of public                                                               
educators, and most  of her life she had been  invested in public                                                               
education.  She added that  she currently volunteers twice a week                                                               
at an elementary school.  She  stated that she is specifically in                                                               
support of the  portion [of the bill] that  would require written                                                               
permission for a  child to participate in an  activity, class, or                                                               
program that  pertains to human reproduction,  sexual matters, or                                                               
gender  identity.    She  applauded   the  governor's  desire  to                                                               
increase  transparency between  schools and  parents, and  opined                                                               
that  the bill  would allow  parents to  make informed  decisions                                                               
that  are best  for  their child  as well  as  allow parents  and                                                               
educators  to work  together to  help students  reach their  full                                                               
potential.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:30:14 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TERRI LYONS, representing self, gave  invited testimony on HB 105                                                               
and expressed  her belief that  parents have all the  rights from                                                               
birth  to  be  their  child's  moral,  emotional,  and  financial                                                               
center.   She  stated  her  support for  HB  105  except for  the                                                               
provision indicating  that sex education  would start in  the 4th                                                               
                                       th                                                                                       
grade.   She said  she believed that  4  grade  is far  too young                                                               
with or without approval from  a parent, and that children should                                                               
have a bit more maturity to be able to handle that information.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
9:33:12 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LYNN HALFORD, representing self,  provided a brief background and                                                               
began her  testimony in support  of HB 105.   She noted  that she                                                               
currently  spends   her  retirement  helping  to   care  for  six                                                               
grandchildren, which added to the  reason why she cared about the                                                               
bill  and  wanted it  passed  into  law.    She stated  that  she                                                               
appreciated  the grade  level  guidelines and  did  not want  the                                                               
innocence  of children  violated  by subjects  that  are not  age                                                               
appropriate.   She agreed with  the testifiers that  preceded her                                                               
and thanked the governor and the committee.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:36:09 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD invited questions from the committee.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
9:36:30 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   PRAX  requested   that  the   testifiers  submit                                                               
transcripts of their testimony.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
9:36:50 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE referred to the  statement that the bill would                                                               
not change  Bree's Law; however,  he noted  that he did  not hear                                                               
any reference  to the "children's  safety act" [Erin's Law].   He                                                               
asked whether there would be  any effect on that particular piece                                                               
of legislation.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS. BISHOP confirmed that it would not alter that legislation.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE  asked how to  teach a  child how to  spot and                                                               
report signs of abuse without  being in violation of the proposed                                                               
legislation, should it become law.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MS.  BISHOP replied  that teaching  materials are  quite complex.                                                               
She  explained that  there are  age-appropriate books  and videos                                                               
used in regard to "good touch bad touch."                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:40:09 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  RUFFRIDGE expressed  concern that,  as drafted,  HB 105                                                               
would  prevent conversations  about  good  touch bad  touch  with                                                               
                 th                                                                                                             
children under  4   grade because  it would  imply that  there is                                                               
such a thing as a "bad touch."   If HB 105 were to pass, he asked                                                               
whether teachers  and parents  would still be  able to  have that                                                               
conversation.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MS. BISHOP  replied that  the bill was  about sexual  matters and                                                               
personal  maturation,   two  things  that  are   present  in  the                                                               
education system  and would  require parent's  permission instead                                                               
of  opting  out.   It  is  not  about abolishing  or  prohibiting                                                               
anything, she  said, it  is about  parents understanding  what is                                                               
being taught.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE  referred to the  statement that there  was no                                                               
prohibition in  the bill; however, Section  5 prohibited children                                                               
under grade  four from participation  in a class or  program that                                                               
involves  sex education,  human reproduction  or human  sexuality                                                               
education.   He opined  that "good touch  bad touch"  still falls                                                               
under the  realm that there are  dangers that exist in  regard to                                                               
sexual  matters.   He  stated  that he  was  having  a hard  time                                                               
reading the  bill and not  thinking that it would  prohibit those                                                               
conversations.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MS. BISHOP  explained that for  children under the  fourth grade,                                                               
educators teach them  about safety and focusing on  the basics of                                                               
[reading, writing, arithmetic].  She  stated that as an educator,                                                               
personal safety  and instruction on  sexual matters are  two very                                                               
different constructs.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
9:44:27 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STORY  emphasized the  importance of  teaching age                                                               
appropriate  personal safety  information  and  sough to  confirm                                                               
that  there would  still be  an  opt-out option  for child  abuse                                                               
prevention and Brees Law.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:46:23 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. TESHNER confirmed that is correct.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
9:46:31 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT  asked Ms.  Tesher to  speak to  a legal                                                               
memo regarding the constitutionality of the proposed bill.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS. TESHNER replied that she had not looked at the memo yet.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
9:47:27 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   PRAX  expressed   concern  that   the  mandatory                                                               
reporting requirements had not been totally successful.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:50:17 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  BISHOP responded  that many  reports  are investigated  that                                                               
turn  out to  be  unfounded;  however, the  law  was designed  to                                                               
benefit children's  safety first.   She added  that if  a teacher                                                               
had information about endangerment, they were to report it.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:55:04 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX offered a personal  anecdote about a homeless                                                               
teenager who  needed a dad.   He explained  that he chose  not to                                                               
foster  the  teen  because  he  didn't want  the  hassle  of  the                                                               
government looking into his [family].   He shared his belief that                                                               
this concern required further conversation.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:56:27 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   MCKAY    offered   final    comments   regarding                                                               
organization and rules for the upcoming public testimony.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:58:25 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD [announced that HB 105 was held over.]                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
9:58:47 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:59 a.m.                                                                 

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
Amendment #1.pdf HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
Amendment #1 - HB71
HB0071A.PDF HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
HB 71
HB 71 Sponsor Statement.pdf HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
HB 71
HB 71 Sectional Analysis.pdf HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
HB 71
HB 71 Fiscal Note.pdf HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
HB 71
HB105- House Education Hearing Request 3-8-2023.pdf HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
HB 105
HB105 Sponsor Statement.pdf HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
HB 105
HB105-Fiscal Note.PDF HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
HB 105
HB0105A.PDF HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
HB 105
HB105 - Sectional Analysis.pdf HEDC 3/29/2023 8:00:00 AM
HB 105