02/05/2025 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Child Care in Alaska | |
| HB57 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 49 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
February 5, 2025
3:17 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Zack Fields, Co-Chair
Representative Carolyn Hall, Co-Chair
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Robyn Niayuq Burke (via teleconference)
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Julie Coulombe
Representative David Nelson
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): CHILD CARE IN ALASKA
- HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 57
"An Act relating to wireless telecommunications devices in
public schools; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 57(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 49
"An Act relating to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic
smoking products, nicotine, and products containing nicotine;
raising the minimum age to purchase, exchange, or possess
tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking
product; relating to the tobacco use education and cessation
fund; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products
and vapor products; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 57
SHORT TITLE: COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) FIELDS
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) L&C, EDC
01/29/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
01/29/25 (H) Heard & Held
01/29/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
01/31/25 (H) L&C AT 9:15 AM GRUENBERG 120
01/31/25 (H) Heard & Held
01/31/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
02/05/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
KATI CAPOZZI, President/CEO
Alaska Chamber of Commerce
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered the Child Care in Alaska
presentation.
DR. PEARL BOWERS, President/CEO
Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation
Utqiagvik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered the Child Care in Alaska
presentation.
RACHEL BYERS, Executive Director
Little Bears Playhouse
Girdwood, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered the Child Care in Alaska
presentation.
CHRISTINA EUBANKS OHANA, Executive Director
Hillcrest Children's Center
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered the Child Care in Alaska
presentation.
TESSA OLYMPIA, Apprenticeship Program Manager
Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered the Child Care in Alaska
presentation.
JIM MINNERY, President
Alaska Family Council
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 57.
DEENA BISHOP, Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As an invited testifier, answered questions
during the hearing on HB 57.
DAVE BOOTH, Principal
Palmer High School
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As an invited testifier, answered questions
during the hearing on HB 57.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:17:09 PM
CO-CHAIR ZACK FIELDS called the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:17 p.m.
Representatives Nelson, Saddler, Burke (via teleconference),
Hall, and Fields were present at the call to order.
Representatives Coulombe and Carrick arrived as the meeting was
in progress.
^PRESENTATION(S): Child Care in Alaska
PRESENTATION(S): Child Care in Alaska
3:17:24 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the first order of business would
be the Child Care in Alaska presentation.
3:17:53 PM
KATI CAPOZZI, President/CEO, Alaska Chamber, as an invited
testifier, began the Child Care in Alaska presentation, via a
PowerPoint, titled "How Childcare Impacts Alaska's Workforce
Productivity and the State Economy: Untapped Potential in
Alaska" [hard copy included in committee file]. She explained
that the Alaska Chamber is the state's largest business advocacy
organization, with the mission of promoting a healthy business
environment in Alaska. She asserted that the lack of affordable
and accessible child care in Alaska is one of the largest
barriers to participation in the workforce. She stated that
approximately 50,000 adults in Alaska rely on child care to
participate in the labor force. She stressed that child care
access in Alaska is at a critical level, with continuous labor
shortages and one in five licensed child care providers closing
since 2022. She stated that employers across the state report
struggles to recruit and retain employees, because child care
options are too expensive or unavailable. According to slide 6
of the presentation, which highlights the Untapped Potential
Report, child care-related absences and employee turnover cost
the Alaska economy approximately $165 million annually in lost
productivity and wages. She asserted that challenges finding
accessible and affordable child care disproportionately impact
working parents, particularly women, who often have no choice
but to reduce working hours or leave the workforce altogether to
provide child care. A survey recently conducted by the Alaska
Chamber found that 19 percent of parents missed work, and 12
percent of parents chose not to work due to a lack of affordable
or accessible child care.
MS. CAPOZZI explained that child care in Alaska is among the
most expensive in the nation. She noted that the average cost
for full-time care for an infant is approximately $21,000 a
year. In many households facing this large cost, one parent
will leave the workforce. She concluded that access to quality
child care is neither a partisan nor social issue, but a
business issue. She mentioned appreciation for efforts in past
legislatures to pass legislation adopting tax credits for child
care facilities.
3:21:55 PM
PEARL BOWERS, PhD, President/CEO, Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation
(UIC), as an invited testifier, continued the Child Care in
Alaska presentation. She explained that the UIC is the eighth
largest company by revenue in Alaska, owned by stakeholders in
Utqiagvik. Dr. Bowers reiterated the statements regarding
workforce shortages and a lack of child care making it
impossible for parents to return to work. She shared that she
had experienced the issue personally, as lack of child care in
her hometown of Utqiagvik forced Dr. Bowers to relocate to
Anchorage and currently prevents her from returning home.
Further, she noted that the few child care programs in her
hometown are full and have a long waitlist. As former president
of I?isagvik College, Dr. Bowers ran an early learning center
that doubled as a child care center. Unfortunately, the center
closed after a couple years due to staffing challenges.
Additionally, she noted that I?isagvik College received federal
funding to support the creation of child care facilities in
North Slope villages; however, due to lack of community
workforce and infrastructure, the college was unable to open any
facilities. She offered similar anecdotes from her Anchorage-
based staff struggling to find child care. She asserted that
child care shortages endanger economic security for families,
leave children at heightened risk of neglect, and make it
difficult for companies to fill labor shortages. She concluded
by urging legislators to create legislation to stabilize the
child care sector in Alaska.
3:25:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE thanked Dr. Bowers for her testimony.
3:26:08 PM
RACHEL BYERS, Executive Director, Little Bears Playhouse, as an
invited testifier, continued the Child Care in Alaska
presentation. She stated that Little Bears Playhouse ("the
Playhouse") has been operating for over 40 years and is the only
licensed child care facility in Girdwood. She noted that they
also provide care to children from the surrounding communities
of Indian, Bird, Whittier, and Portage. She stated that the
Playhouse has a daily capacity of 27 children, with 43 children
enrolled, and about 30 children currently on waitlist - which
typically takes 15-18 months. She stated that the Playhouse
lacks the capacity to provide infant care, and many families,
including hers, drive to Anchorage for infant care and back to
Girdwood for work. She offered her belief that child care
assists in creating the foundation for learning. She emphasized
that the child care industry demands constant love, dedication,
commitment, oversight, and ongoing professional development,
which is typically done on a teacher's dollar and time. She
further noted that many teachers spend countless hours
developing curriculum, activities, and experiences. She stated
that, in spite of the demanding requirements, some teachers are
paid less than fast food workers.
MS. BYERS reported that the Playhouse provides one of the
highest starting wages for child care staff, paid training hours
and credentials, paid vacation, payment for all school closures,
and free child care for staff with children. She also reported
that tuition at the Playhouse is 15-20 percent lower than the
average unsubsidized child care center in Anchorage. She said
that the Playhouse struggles to remain competitive with
Girdwood's largest employer [Alyeska Resort], which offers
similar starting wages and health and retirement benefits. She
admitted that Little Bears could not compete with that [health
and retirement benefits] without raising tuition for families.
MS. BYERS stated that many of her staff start with little
experience and knowledge of early childhood education. She
stated that the Playhouse is dedicated to continuing and higher
education for staff. She reported that about half of her staff
have earned their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential,
and the remainder of her staff are college-educated. She stated
that Little Bears Playhouse, like many child care centers across
the nation, struggles to find staff, staff struggle to find
housing, and families struggle to pay tuition.
MS. BYERS noted that the Playhouse received a generous land
donation from (indesc.) and has begun the construction of an
8,000 square foot learning center in Girdwood, that will allow
for the enrollment of 1,200 students and for afterschool care.
She concluded that without local, state, and federal assistance,
child care in Alaska could collapse.
3:31:05 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL asked how Ms. Byers is able to provide benefits to
her employees and a high-quality learning environment for the
children enrolled.
3:31:30 PM
MS. BYERS responded that Little Bears Playhouse is a nonprofit
organization. Since taking over as executive director, Ms.
Byers reported that they Little Bears Playhouse has received
over $200,000 in grants and donations totaling $50,000 over the
past two years. She noted that the Playhouse hosts fundraisers
every year. She stated that she is not able to provide health
or retirement benefits to her staff, as she is "breaking even."
3:32:18 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL asked about the range of tuition costs.
3:32:32 PM
MS. BYERS responded that tuition ranges from $1,100-1,300 a
month for "full-time preschool down to older infants." She also
added that tuition expenses could vary depending on enrollment
status, with some part-time students paying approximately $450 a
month.
3:33:15 PM
CHRISTINA EUBANKS OHANA, Executive Director, Hillcrest
Children's Center, as an invited testifier, continued the Child
Care in Alaska presentation. She reported that the child care
industry received historic financial investment from the State
of Alaska the prior year. She argued that funds for the child
care industry should be secured in the base budget to help
stabilize [child care] operations and increase the states
capacity for quality, licensed child care. Unfortunately, she
reported, child care programs in Anchorage are continuing to
close or operate at less than full capacity. She maintained
that a lack of consistent funding from both state and federal
institutions makes it difficult for local providers to train and
keep employees. She stated that many child care programs
operate on tight budgets and very few can afford to keep several
months of expenses for situations such as delayed state
reimbursements. She explained that over 90 percent of funding
for child care comes from federal sources, and that banks are
less likely to extend lines of credit to child care programs,
particularly if a substantial portion of their budget is reliant
on federal funding.
MS. EUBANKS OHANA additionally stated that child care is a low-
paying industry that relies heavily on immigrants to provide
care. She reported that in her company, one-third of the
workforce comes from unincorporated territories or are legal
immigrants. She stated that there has been a decrease in
applicants from these communities in the last two months, and
that current employees have chosen to leave the country due to
recently established U.S. immigration policies. She stated that
her program is experiencing staffing shortages for the first
time since 2022 and is unable to find qualified workers in
Alaska willing to work at the wages that they can offer them.
MS. EUBANKS OHANA noted that there has also been an increase in
children with special needs which require increased staff with
specialized education. She stated that parents of children with
increased medical needs face the greatest difficulty in
retaining employment, because most programs cannot provide the
type of specialized care that is required. Additionally, she
noted that most families do not qualify for state funding meant
to support children on child care assistance who need extra
support.
MS. EUBANKS OHANA stated, on a positive note, that there has
been an increase in businesses interested in partnering with
child care facilities to qualify for a tax credit, as passed by
during the Thirty-Third Alaska State Legislature. She
recommended that the tax credit be extended to other businesses
that support access to child care, such as builders that include
child care facilities in their project design and construction.
Finally, she noted that Hillcrest Children's Center is working
on developing an administrative apprenticeship program in
Anchorage, which will increase the number of qualified child
care administrators.
MS. EUBANKS OHANA concluded that the child care industry in
Alaska must have access to reliable, ongoing funding to ensure
the operation of current programs and to expand access to child
care statewide. Finally, she stated that operational grants and
stipends for child care educators address the high cost of child
care in Alaska.
3:36:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE stated that Anchorage licenses its own
child care centers, instead of the state, unlike other
communities in Alaska. She asked whether the City of Anchorage
had received funds from a marijuana tax that was meant to go
into the child care industry.
3:37:32 PM
MS. EUBANKS OHANA responded that the Municipality of Anchorage
(MOA) put out request for proposals (RFPs) looking for people to
manage the grants. She explained that "one part" would provide
a small operational stipend for programs and another would cover
the cost of child care for employees within the MOA. She
reported that funds would be released in July of 2025.
3:38:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE offered her belief that the marijuana
tax would be a stable source of funding for child care centers.
She asked whether the MOA has made it easier or harder to go
through red tape.
3:38:45 PM
MS. EUBANKS OHANA responded that there has been little change.
She reported that the MOA's allowance for variances for ratio
and group size in school age care to align with state
recommendations has been a positive change. Additionally, Ms.
Eubanks Ohana noted that she was working with providers to apply
for the same variances for younger aged care.
3:39:32 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked for more details regarding Ms. Eubanks
Ohana's suggestion that tax credits should apply to new
construction.
3:39:53 PM
MS. EUBANKS OHANA offered her understanding that the current tax
credit reimburses employers who directly fund their employees'
child care. She stated that the tax credit should be extended
to construction companies/builders/developers who incorporate
spaces for licensed child care in their construction.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS opined that Ms. Eubanks Ohana's suggestion is a
great idea.
3:40:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE offered her understanding that the tax
credit does currently include facilities/businesses with
licensed child care spaces. She clarified that Ms. Eubanks
Ohana was referring to extending the tax credit to the
contractors who would be constructing spaces for licensed child
care.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS confirmed that was correct.
3:41:47 PM
TESSA OLYMPIA, Apprenticeship Program Manager, Southeast Alaska
Association for the Education of Young Children (SEAAEYC), as an
invited testifier, finished the Child Care in Alaska
presentation. She stated that SEAAEYC has served as the child
care resource and referral agency for Southeast Alaska for over
40 years. She stated that child care is essential
infrastructure for working families in Alaska's economy. She
asserted that local investment drives solutions, referencing
three new child care facilities that have opened in the last 18
months due to grants provided by the City & Borough of Juneau
(CBJ). She added that wages have increased in participating
programs, with pay starting between $20 and $25 hourly.
Additionally, she noted that other Southeast communities are
looking to create similar dedicated funds to invest in their
local child care systems.
MS. OLYMPIA stated that a statewide solution requires the state
to play a role in supporting and scaling investments into child
care. She had two recommendations for state action. First, she
recommended the establishment of a state match for local child
care investments through pooled funding. She suggested that a
local, economically focused nonprofit could manage the funds,
such as the Alaska Community Foundation, the Alaska Municipal
League, or a regional economic development council. She
explained that the state would commit annual funding, while
businesses and corporations could contribute additional funding.
The fund would allow communities to invest in direct operating
grants for child care access matching state funds. She stated
that many businesses want to invest in child care, but do not
have the means to establish onsite programs. She asserted that
a pooled fund would allow businesses to contribute to a shared
solution, even if they are not able to provide child care onsite
at their facilities.
MS. OLYMPIA further recommended meaningful investment in the
child care workforce. She argued that policy change/investment
in increasing supply would not be successful without a long-term
strategy to build and retain the child care workforce. She
argued that child care must be recognized as a skilled trade and
fund pathways to reach education requirements. Apprenticeship
programs are a proven strategy that provide a structured path to
gain on the job experience, earn early childhood education
credits, and advance in the field. She maintained that the
expansion of a statewide apprenticeship program would create a
stable, skilled workforce in Alaska. She noted that SEAAEYC is
ready for expansion statewide. She concluded by stating that
the child care industry in Alaska needs a strong coordinated
partnership between businesses, state, and local governments.
3:45:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether raising standards for
professional training and qualifications for child care workers
might also increase the cost of child care.
3:45:56 PM
MS. OLYMPIA offered her belief that maintaining an educated
workforce should not change the cost of child care. She noted
that the cost of child care is already very high, with parents
already struggling to pay the cost. She noted that if workers
are more skilled, wages should be increased. She suggested
pooled funding as a means to increases wages collaboratively for
child care workers.
3:46:27 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS offered his understanding that the standards for
child care training have not increased; rather, he stated that
the SEAAEYC has created a new training pathway to reach
preexisting training requirements. Additionally, he asked Ms.
Olympia to explain the process of the apprenticeship program.
3:46:55 PM
MS. OLYMPIA explained that apprentices work 40 hours a week and
need to earn a minimum of 2,000 hours [typically 18-24 months,
working approximately 40 hours a week]. She stated that
apprentices earn an occupational endorsement certificate in
infant and toddler development through online courses at the
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). She stated that all
apprentices, while going through courses, are assigned a mentor.
She announced that the very first cohort of child care
apprentices in Juneau would be graduating in May [2025].
3:47:49 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS stated that, historically, there has been a
problematic structure in which child care providers were
required to be trained through the System for Early Education
and Development (SEED) program, in which providers were
regularly unpaid. He asked Ms. Olympia to speak to ways in
which the apprenticeship does not allow unpaid training.
3:48:21 PM
MS. OLYMPIA stated that the apprenticeship program is registered
through the Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD).
She explained that one requirement of the program is wage
increases over time, with providers receiving a raise upon
completion of coursework and continuing education.
Additionally, she noted that providers move up through SEED
levels with completion of coursework.
3:48:54 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS thanked the invited testifiers for their
presentation and advocacy work. He offered his agreement with
Ms. Capozzi and opined that the legislature should work to
quickly pass the legislation introduced by Representative
Coulombe during the Thirty-Third Alaska State Legislature to
preserve stability in the structure of the tax.
HB 57-COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
3:49:27 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 57, "An Act relating to wireless
telecommunications devices in public schools; and providing for
an effective date." [Before the committee, adopted as a working
document on 1/31/25, was the proposed committee substitute (CS)
for HB 57, Version 34-LS0064\N, Bergerud, 1/28/25 ("Version
N").]
3:49:37 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS opened public testimony on HB 57.
3:50:12 PM
JIM MINNERY, President, Alaska Family Council, testified in
support of HB 57. He stated that the Alaska Family Council is a
faith-based public policy group that addresses issues related to
"life, marriage, parental authority, gender and human design,
religious freedom, and constitutional government." He stated
that there is a lot of support for HB 57 across the political
spectrum, from pro-life groups, parental rights groups, the
National Education Association (NEA), and teacher groups. He
addressed an area of opposition regarding parents' desire to
access students during the school day via cell phone,
particularly in the event of an emergency. He stated that he
read an article that argued that cell phone use in the event of
an emergency could be dangerous. He offered his support for HB
57.
3:52:48 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 57.
3:53:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 57,
Version N, labeled 34-LS0064\N.2, Bergerud, 1/31/25, which read
as follows:
Page 1, line 10:
Following "device":
Insert "for medical purposes,"
Following "emergency":
Insert ","
Page 2, line 4:
Following "device":
Insert "for medical purposes,"
Following "emergency":
Insert ","
3:53:33 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected for the purpose of discussion.
3:53:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE offered her belief that the current
language did not appropriately address students who use their
phone for medical purposes. She explained that a diabetic
student might use their cell phone as a monitoring device for
glucose levels. She offered her belief that the language
"emergency" does not adequately support students who, for
medical purposes, may need to have their phone on their person
at all times.
3:54:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for clarification on whether the
desire was to allow exemptions for emergencies and medical needs
or to allow exemptions for emergency medical needs.
3:55:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE clarified that the intent is to allow for a
student to have their phone on their person for the purpose of
monitoring medical conditions.
3:55:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER offered an apology and stated that he had
misread the amendment.
3:56:24 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS removed his objection to the motion to adopt
Amendment 1 to HB 57, Version N.
3:56:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether there would be limitations
to the medical exemptions.
3:57:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE stated that it would need to be a
documented medical condition that required accommodations. She
supposed that the parents and students would need to identify to
the school that need for accommodation.
3:58:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON asked about the intent for the process of
declaring accommodations to be eligible for medical exceptions
under Amendment 1 to HB 57, Version N.
3:58:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE responded that the school districts would
determine the process through which a student would need to
apply for accommodations. She offered her assumption that
parents would declare medical accommodations annually during
enrollment periods. She stated that it is not her intention to
prescribe that process through the amendment.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS suggested that could be addressed in regulation,
and with guidance from the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED).
3:59:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER voiced concern that parents might falsify
their children's medical needs in order to access them via cell
phones during the school day.
4:00:31 PM
DEENA BISHOP, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early
Development, responded that a student would need an
Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), or a 504 plan, in order
to qualify for exemptions to the cell phone ban. Additionally,
she noted that current policies require documentation of such
needs and are kept by the school's recording office.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP, in response to a follow-up question from
Representative Saddler, explained that a 504 plan is for a
student that does not have a learning disability but may need
other accommodations, such as a student with cochlear implants
who needs hearing support.
4:01:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER removed his objection to the motion to
adopt Amendment 1 to HB 57, Version N. There being no further
objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
4:02:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON asked Mr. Booth how the cell phone ban at
Palmer High School is enforced. He asked whether there are
inconsistent levels of enforcement from teachers, and if so, how
that is handled by the school.
4:02:59 PM
DAVE BOOTH, Principal, Palmer High School (PHS), as an invited
testifier, responded that, after implementing the cell phone ban
at Palmer High School, he appointed enforcement to the school
administrators, not the teachers. He stated that an
administrator was appointed to check in during every class,
during every period. He offered his belief that teachers should
not become disciplinarians in the classroom, as it might affect
their relationship with their students. Further, he noted that
the expectations placed on the students were very clear
regarding cell phone usage.
4:04:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON asked what the average punishment was for
students who had phones on them for a first-time offense versus
repeated offenses.
4:04:47 PM
MR. BOOTH responded that there is a progressive punitive system.
He explained that when a phone is turned into the office for the
first time, a parent is asked to come and pick it up. On the
second offense, the phone is required to be locked in a Yonder
Phone Pouch for a period of time. He explained that for
students with repeated infractions, the phone is taken at the
beginning of the day and returned at the end of the day. He
noted that PHS currently does not have any students who fall
under the last category and reiterated that students are
responsive to clear expectations and enforcement.
4:06:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON asked whether children make excuses that
they are allowed to have their cell phones as dictated by their
parents.
4:07:04 PM
MR. BOOTH responded that PHS uses 504 plans. He noted that they
review 504 plans during the enrollment process. He noted that
parents are very understanding. He commented that PHS has no
issues with children on documented 504 plans inappropriately
using their devices.
4:08:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated that the fiscal note for bill is
zero. He acknowledged that there would be no direct cost to the
department to develop a policy regarding cell phone use. He
predicted that there will likely be costs down the road,
particularly with the implementation of a cell phone ban. He
also anticipated costs from legal implications of a cell phone
ban, noting that a parent might argue that a cell phone ban
infringes on their First Amendment rights by not allowing
parents to contact their children during the school day.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER agreed with prior testimony stating that
attention is essential to education, the value of which
outweighs the entertainment value of phones. He offered his
belief that a cell phone ban is a heavy-handed response, but the
testimony had indicated the severity of the situation. He
stated that he would likely support the proposed legislation.
4:09:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE offered her belief that there should be
no cell phones in schools. She offered her concern regarding
local control. She offered her understanding that, under HB 57,
[Version N], the state would write a model policy, and schools
have the option of adopting the model policy or writing their
own policy. She asked how much flexibility the school districts
would be allowed, should the district elect to write its own
policy. Further, she asked whether there would be consequences
for not adopting a policy.
4:11:01 PM
COMMISSIONER BISHOP responded that there are statutes that allow
for DEED to enforce law. She remarked that DEED would first
communicate with schools regarding any failure of policy
adoption to identify any barriers to the adoption of a policy.
She asserted that the adoption of a statewide policy would make
enforcement among local schools easier. Further, she noted that
local educators could [place blame] on [DEED] as the
disciplinarians and allow students to maintain positive
relationships with their teachers, should there be any
opposition locally to a cell phone ban. She opined that Mr.
Booth is doing what DEED should be doing.
4:12:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE commented that she is disappointed in
the school districts for not tackling the issue at the local
level and thanked the commissioner for her work on the subject.
4:13:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK echoed Representative Saddler in
believing that the legislation was heavy-handed but stated that
the dialogue during committee hearings helped her realize the
scale of the issue.
4:14:09 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL moved to report CSHB 57, Version 34-LS0064\N,
Bergerud, 1/28/25, as amended, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
4:14:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON objected.
4:14:25 PM
[A roll call vote was started and voided.]
4:15:04 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Carrick, Coulombe,
Saddler, Hall, and Fields voted in favor of the motion to report
CSHB 57, Version 34-LS0064\N, Bergerud, 1/28/25, as amended, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. Representative Nelson voted against
it. [Representative Burke was teleconferenced and could not
vote on the motion.] Therefore, CSHB 57(L&C) was reported out
of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee by a vote of
5-1.
4:15:43 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
4:15 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Chamber-How Childcare Impacts Alaska Workforce Productivity and the State Economy.pdf |
HL&C 2/5/2025 3:15:00 PM |
|
| HB 57 Amendment #1 (N (1).pdf |
HL&C 2/5/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 57 |
| HB 57 Public Comment Received - 2.5.25.pdf |
HL&C 2/5/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 57 |