04/05/2013 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB82 | |
| HB87 | |
| SB6 | |
| SB91 | |
| HB180 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 82 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 91 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 180 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | HB 87 | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 5, 2013
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Gary Stevens, Chair
Senator Mike Dunleavy, Vice Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins
Senator Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Bert Stedman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 82
"An Act providing for public school funding for
telecommunications or Internet services."
- MOVED CSSB 82(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 87(FIN)
"An Act relating to the governing board and duties of the
special education service agency; relating to allocations to the
special education service agency; extending the special
education service agency; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SCS CSHB 87(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 6
"An Act providing for funding for school lunch and breakfast;
and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SB 6 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 91
"An Act relating to hazing."
- HEARD AND HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 180
"An Act relating to the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 82
SHORT TITLE: BROADBAND DISCOUNTS FOR SCHOOLS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) OLSON
03/19/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/19/13 (S) EDC, FIN
03/25/13 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/25/13 (S) Heard & Held
03/25/13 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/03/13 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/03/13 (S) Heard & Held
04/03/13 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/05/13 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 87
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HIGGINS
01/28/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/28/13 (H) EDC, FIN
02/15/13 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
02/15/13 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard
02/18/13 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
02/18/13 (H) Moved CSHB 87(EDC) Out of Committee
02/18/13 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
02/22/13 (H) EDC RPT CS(EDC) NT 5DP
02/22/13 (H) DP: SEATON, P.WILSON, LEDOUX, SADDLER,
GATTIS
02/22/13 (H) LETTER OF INTENT WITH EDC REPORT
03/14/13 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/14/13 (H) Heard & Held
03/14/13 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
03/19/13 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/19/13 (H) Moved CSHB 87(FIN) Out of Committee
03/19/13 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
03/20/13 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) NT 8DP 2AM
03/20/13 (H) DP: HOLMES, MUNOZ, NEUMAN, THOMPSON,
T.WILSON, COSTELLO, STOLTZE, AUSTERMAN
03/20/13 (H) AM: KAWASAKI, GARA
04/02/13 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/02/13 (H) VERSION: CSHB 87(FIN)
04/02/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/02/13 (S) EDC, FIN
04/03/13 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/03/13 (S) Heard & Held
04/03/13 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
BILL: SB 6
SHORT TITLE: FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WIELECHOWSKI
01/16/13 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/13
01/16/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/13 (S) EDC, FIN
04/01/13 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/01/13 (S) Heard & Held
04/01/13 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/05/13 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 91
SHORT TITLE: HAZING
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) FAIRCLOUGH
03/29/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/29/13 (S) EDC, JUD
04/05/13 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 180
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY YOUTH ACADEMY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) T.WILSON
03/20/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/20/13 (H) MLV
03/26/13 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/26/13 (H) Moved Out of Committee
03/26/13 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/27/13 (H) MLV RPT 7DP
03/27/13 (H) DP: REINBOLD, HUGHES, HIGGINS,
GRUENBERG, SADDLER, LEDOUX, FOSTER
04/01/13 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/01/13 (H) VERSION: HB 180
04/02/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/02/13 (S) STA
04/03/13 (S) STA REFERRAL WAIVED
04/03/13 (S) EDC REFERRAL ADDED
04/05/13 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
DAVID SCOTT, Staff
Senator Donny Olson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes in version O of SB 82
on behalf of the sponsor.
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to SB 82, HB 87,
and SB 91.
LINDA THIBODEAU, Director
Division of Libraries Archives, and Museums
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to SB 82.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff
Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about three changes
made by the SCS for HB 87.
PATRICK PILLAI, Executive Director
Special Education Service Agency (SESA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information related to HB 87.
ERIC GEBHART, Chair
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education
Nenana, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the discussion of HB 87.
REPRESENTATIVE PETE HIGGINS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 87.
MIKE COONS, representing himself
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 6.
DEAN HAMBURG, Chair
Alaska School Nutrition Association
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 6.
LEDONNE DRUCE, Vice President
NEA Alaska
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 6.
SENATOR ANNA FAIRCLOUGH
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 91.
GARY MATHEWS, Director
Alaska School Activities Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 91.
RYAN ULSEP, Principal
Juneau Douglas High School
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 91.
NORM POLLARD, Dean of Students
Alfred University
Alfred, New York
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information related to SB 91.
REPRESENTATIVE TAMMIE WILSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 180.
MCHUGH PIERRE, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Addressed changes to the fiscal note for HB
180.
ADJUTANT GENERAL THOMAS KATKUS, Commissioner
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to HB 180.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:00:30 AM
CHAIR GARY STEVENS called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Gardner, Huggins, Dunleavy, and Chair
Stevens.
SB 82-BROADBAND DISCOUNTS FOR SCHOOLS
8:00:49 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of SB 82. He noted
that CSSB 82, version O, was before the committee. He said the
fiscal note was updated and is now about $11 million.
8:01:06 AM
DAVID SCOTT, Staff, Senator Donny Olson, explained the changes
in version O of SB 82 on behalf of the sponsor. He stated that
one-third of all schools in Alaska are below 10 mega-bits per
second, roughly 170 schools. The fiscal note reflects the
expense of roughly $7.3 million to bring those schools up to the
minimum of 10 mega-bits per second. Under the current E-rate
Program, for every dollar spent in Alaska, the Universal Service
Fund pays $4. That totals about $29 million leveraged for
additional internet services for schools.
He stated that the increase in broadband is necessary to assist
with distance delivery courses and on-line state assessments. He
concluded that SB 82 would bring all schools in Alaska to a
minimum level of internet service and allow them to better
educate Alaska's children.
8:03:47 AM
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), answered questions related to SB 82.
LINDA THIBODEAU, Director, Division of Libraries, Archives, and
Museums, Department of Education and Early Development (DEED),
answered questions related to SB 82.
MR. MORSE requested that Ms. Thibodeau explain the federal
funding component of the bill.
MS. THIBODEAU explained that the E-rate Program provides a
percentage discount for internet services.
MR. MORSE noted that federal dollars are not subject to
sequestration.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked what percentage E-rate provides.
MS. THIBODEAU replied that the Alaska discount ranges from 60
percent to 90 percent with an average of 75 percent.
CHAIR STEVENS removed his objection.
8:05:59 AM
SENATOR DUNLEAVY SENATOR moved to report CSSB 82, version 28-
LS0637\O from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note.
CHAIR STEVENS announced that without objection, CSSB 82(EDC) was
reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
8:06:14 AM
At ease
HB 87-EXTEND SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY
8:10:39 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of HB 87 and noted the
new Senate Committee Substitute (CS), version Y, in the packets.
[CSHB 87(FIN) was before the committee.]
SENATOR DUNLEAVY moved to adopt the Senate CS for CSHB 87,
labeled 28-LS0392\Y, as the working document.
CHAIR STEVENS objected for discussion purposes.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, provided information
about three changes in version Y. He said Senate CS restores the
governance of the Special Education Service Agency (SESA) to the
Governor's Council on Disabilities. Section 2 modestly increases
SESA's funding, a change made in the Senate Finance Committee.
The sunset date is changed to four years instead of eight years.
8:13:08 AM
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), addressed the fiscal note for HB 87.
He said he did not know the exact amount of the Senate Finance
Committee fiscal note, which would now apply to version Y.
CHAIR STEVENS understood that there would no longer be the need
for additional staff, now that the governance is returned to the
Governor's Council.
MR. MORSE said that was correct.
MR. MORSE explained the Commissioner's preference for leaving
SESA under the Governor's Council program. There is an emphasis
on strong communication between DEED and SESA. All stakeholders
are heavily involved with the Governor's Council on Special
Education and Disabilities and are organized as a non-profit
under that structure with a board that costs $30,000, currently.
He related he regularly communicates with SESA's executive
director and DEED's school finance director. Also, the special
education administrator attends and participates in every SESA
governance meeting. He concluded that SESA works well as it is
currently set up.
8:16:46 AM
CHAIR STEVENS requested that Mr. Pillai address the differences
between the House and Senate versions of the bill.
PATRICK PILLAI, Executive Director, Special Education Service
Agency (SESA), presented information related to HB 87. He said
he concurs with the previous speakers. He voiced appreciation
for the increase in funding for SESA, after 15 years of flat
funding. It enables SESA to continue its work. He said he
sincerely appreciates the legislature's work on behalf of SESA.
8:18:19 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked if there were any representatives from the
Governor's Council on Disabilities.
ERIC GEBHART, Chair, Governor's Council on Disabilities and
Special Education, testified during the discussion of HB 87. He
agreed that the current governance is working well since the
last audit. He said there has been good communication with DEED.
He commented that the special education administrator attends
Council meetings and is a voting member of the SESA Board.
CHAIR STEVENS thanked Mr. Gebhart for his service on the
Council. He asked if the sponsor wished to comment.
8:20:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETE HIGGINS, Sponsor, encouraged the committee
to move HB 87.
CHAIR STEVENS closed public testimony.
CHAIR STEVENS removed his objection.
8:22:03 AM
SENATOR DUNLEAVY moved to report Senate CS for [CSHB 87],
labeled 28-LS0392\Y, from committee with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note.
CHAIR STEVENS announced that without objection, SCS CSSB 87(EDC)
was reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
8:22:21 AM
At ease
SB 6-FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS
8:23:59 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of SB 6, version A.
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, sponsor of SB 6, noted that the
fiscal note for SB 6 was inaccurate. There is a sunset date of
2015, therefore the fiscal cost after that date is zero.
SENATOR GARDNER inquired if there are students on the military
base that qualify for free and reduced lunches.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI replied that are.
8:25:43 AM
MIKE COONS, representing himself, testified in opposition to SB
6. He said the program receives no federal funding. He protested
against entitlement programs.
8:29:44 AM
DEAN HAMBURG, Chair, Alaska School Nutrition Association,
testified in support of SB 6. He described the legislation as
having meaningful support for Alaska's school children. He
shared statistics about the number of families that qualify for
free or reduced meals. He listed the educational benefits of
nutritious meals provided by SB 6.
8:33:13 AM
LEDONNE DRUCE, Vice President, NEA Alaska, testified in support
of SB 6. She related that a similar bill was before the
legislature last year. She shared a story about parents who
cannot or do not provide appropriate nutrition for their
children. She said that data from Florida shows that the higher
the poverty rate, the lower the test scores in school districts.
8:36:05 AM
CHAIR STEVENS closed public testimony.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked Senator Wielechowski to address the
fiscal note.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI answered that the current fiscal note is
$2.3 million. He noted the bill has a sunset date of 2015, so
there would be no cost after that date.
CHAIR STEVENS clarified that the fiscal note currently shows a
sunset date of 2019. The fiscal note is for $2.334 million.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI addressed the issue of federal support for
the free and reduced price school breakfast and lunch program.
He corrected that is was passed by Congress in 1946 and was
introduced by President Truman. The purpose was stated as being
for national security because kids were not receiving proper
nourishment. He said that the state contributes nothing to the
program currently and the federal government contributes $35
million. Local contributions total $15 million. The state
contributes nothing.
He agreed that parents should feed their kids. Unfortunately,
many children are not fed adequately. He noted there are many
Title I schools in his district. He recalled many stories about
children who only received good nutrition in school.
He stated that studies clearly show that kids who are hungry do
worse in school, are less likely to attend school, graduate, and
get a job, and are more likely to commit crime.
8:40:13 AM
At ease
8:41:43 AM
CHAIR STEVENS called the meeting back to order.
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to strike the dates 2016-2019 from the
fiscal note. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
SENATOR GARDNER commented that the program could be simply
extended within the language of the bill.
CHAIR STEVENS agreed. He said it was his intention to move the
bill from committee and on to the Senate Finance Committee.
8:43:09 AM
SENATOR DUNLEAVY moved to report SB 6, version A, from committee
with individual recommendations and the attached [amended]
fiscal note.
CHAIR STEVENS announced that without objection, SB 6 was
reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
8:43:30 AM
At ease
SB 91-HAZING
8:44:36 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of SB 91.
8:44:52 AM
SENATOR ANNA FAIRCLOUGH, sponsor of SB 91, related that the bill
raises the issue of hazing in Alaska. She noted in 2007 she
requested school districts and Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) to provide numbers about bullying and
harassment in schools. She emphasized that the numbers are
large. She said she wished to see hazing defined as a crime and
as an option for kids to report to their teachers. She said
hazing creates physical and emotional harm.
She spoke of the connection between suicide and bullying and
hazing. She said the bill attempts to say hazing is wrong and
hurtful and people will be held accountable.
8:47:26 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked where the line is drawn between hazing
versus normal actions.
SENATOR FAIRCLOUGH replied that initiations are ways people are
accepted into groups or teams. Hazing is an initiation gone
wrong.
She explained Section 1 of SB 91 outlines the definition of
hazing. She said you commit a crime if you "knowingly engage in
an act or it causes a situation that subjects a student to risk
of physical injury for the purposes of initiation into an
affiliation or organization operating in connection with an
elementary, junior high, secondary, or post-secondary school."
She said it does not apply to things in the military that makes
one a better team member. She added that people are "at risk"
when they experience emotional harm or degrading or
disrespectful behavior.
8:49:11 AM
SENATOR GARDNER said she wished to co-sponsor the bill. She also
addressed the difficulty of determining where the line should be
drawn. She noted that hazing might also take place within
athletic teams, clubs, and private leagues.
SENATOR FAIRCLOUGH agreed and offered to work with the
committee, as well as with the Senate Judiciary Committee about
those concerns. She emphasized that hazing depends on whether a
student is willingly participating in an action. She noted the
need for regulations to be written to protect students from not
being labeled as criminals if their actions do not constitute
hazing.
8:51:08 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked for examples of hazing.
SENATOR FAIRCLOUGH replied that public testimony will provide
examples. She recalled a personal experience.
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), testified in support of SB 91. He said
the bill adds to a definition around work that the department
already does. He noted the department submitted a zero fiscal
note. He related that the department currently provides training
and e-modules to train staff on the issue of bullying. He said
information about hazing could be added.
8:53:22 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked if the department would provide training for
districts.
MR. MORSE said the department currently provides training tools
and assistance with policies.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked about the difference between bullying and
hazing.
MR. MORSE replied that hazing is a form of bullying. He opined
that the statute would provide a clear definition which would
assist the department with training materials.
8:55:25 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS agreed that hazing was a subset of bullying. He
wondered if educators really need additional training. He
questioned how bullying crimes could be expunged later on.
8:57:23 AM
MR. MORSE said there are rules for juveniles who have committed
criminal offenses. He said he could not speak to the issue.
SENATOR GARDNER also agreed that hazing is a subset of bullying.
She asked if hazing is generally a part of an initiation by a
team.
MR. MORSE replied that was a good way of characterizing it. He
stressed the importance of staff having the training to deal
with these issues. He said more important is how to train
students in what is right and wrong.
SENATOR HUGGINS suggested that hazing could happen on the school
bus or in other informal environments.
9:00:53 AM
GARY MATHEWS, Director, Alaska School Activities Association,
testified in support of SB 91. He addressed hazing issues
related to school activities, most of which are never exposed to
the public. He said hazing is a national problem.
He noted he was concerned at first about the definition of
hazing found on page 4. The terms "normal and customary" are not
clear. He suggested the first two lines of Section 4 provide
some clarification.
He opined that an educational campaign would be in order to
instruct students about the implications of hazing.
9:04:24 AM
RYAN ULSEP, Principal, Juneau Douglas High School, testified in
support of SB 91. He agreed that hazing is a national issue. He
applauded the sponsor and the committee for addressing the issue
of hazing because it will help schools stop it. He said Juneau's
policy specifically mentions hazing. He pointed out that hazing
is significantly underreported and difficult to enforce. He said
many initiation behaviors can be considered as hazing.
He concluded that SB 91 provides schools with additional support
to deal with hazing.
9:07:25 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked what Mr. Ulsep would do as a principal to
help students understand the definition and consequences of
hazing.
MR. ULSEP replied that the school needs to education students
about why hazing is wrong. He said any time a person is making
another person do something they do not want to do, it is
hazing. He stressed that the community must be educated, also.
SENATOR GARDNER agreed. She said it is difficult for one person
to go against a group's behavior. She recalled one of her
children's coaches who encouraged members of the team to choose
three things that they would give up for the entirety of the
season. This gave the team a support system and a chance to
practice "going against the grain."
MR. ULSEP agreed.
9:10:05 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS said he supports the ideas behind SB 91. He
asked Mr. Ulsep how long he has been a principal.
MR. ULSEP said he has been an administrator for eight years and
a teacher prior to that, as well as a football and track coach.
He pointed out that hazing is not done just by teams and is
often not reported.
SENATOR HUGGINS requested examples of hazing.
MR. ULSEP replied that paddling is an example of hazing.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked if paddling is a crime.
MR. ULSEP specified that paddling by a group of students on one
kid is a crime and a form of bullying. He hoped SB 91 helps
schools send a message that hazing is wrong. He said any action
of a sexual nature is hazing, as well as forcing kids to shave
their heads if they don't want to have it done.
9:14:54 AM
NORM POLLARD, Dean of Students, Alfred University, Alfred, New
York, presented information related to SB 91. He spoke of his
experience as a counselor and a researcher of national studies
on hazing of NCAA athletes and high school students. He spoke of
his involvement in hazing prevention and working with victims of
hazing.
9:16:24 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked for comments about the differences in
thinking of today's generation versus yesterday's regarding
initiation and hazing.
MR. POLLARD noted the fundamental difference between bullying
and hazing is that bullying is where individuals are targeted to
be picked on and humiliated, whereas with hazing, the individual
wishes to join a group. When that person is subjected to hazing,
the issue is about power and control and ends up having tragic
consequences. He agreed it is difficult to draw the line between
what is and is not a crime. He said hazing is typically done in
private.
9:19:51 AM
SENATOR GARDNER said she visited Mr. Pollard's website,
hazingprevention.com., which provided guidelines to determine
what hazing is and is not. She called them good guidelines.
MR. POLLARD agreed. He noted previous testimony by Mr. Matthews
from Alaska School Activities Association and said that
organization is an excellent source for information related to
hazing, as is the national organization.
9:21:01 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS asked about school jurisdiction as it relates to
hazing.
MR. POLLARD explained that hazing occurs outside of school and
athletics. He listed places it can occur. He said he hoped by
schools adopting some of these measures, students can be
educated about hazing, even when it takes place outside of the
school's authority.
9:23:20 AM
CHAIR STEVENS held SB 91 in committee.
SENATOR FAIRCLOUGH thanked the committee for hearing the bill.
She gave an example of hazing in Southeast Alaska.
9:24:14 AM
CHAIR STEVENS said that public testimony would continue at a
later date.
HB 180-MILITARY YOUTH ACADEMY
9:24:26 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of HB 180.
REPRESENTATIVE TAMMIE WILSON, sponsor, described the two changes
in HB 180. She said the name changes to the Alaska Military
Youth Academy and removes the word "Challenge". It also provides
that students no longer receive base student allocation, but now
receive funding suggested by the budget sub-committee for
Military and Veterans Affairs.
CHAIR STEVENS noted that the committee has previously heard the
bill.
MCHUGH PIERRE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs, addressed changes to the fiscal note for HB
180. He related that he worked with Legislative Finance to
correct an error, which did not include the Governor's request
in the budget that has been passed in both bodies. He said it is
a zero fiscal note. The fiscal note now shows the general fund
match.
9:26:40 AM
ADJUTANT GENERAL THOMAS KATKUS, Commissioner, Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs, provided information related to
HB 180. He related that two days ago the department started a
new academy of 200 students with an intended graduation rate of
over 75 percent.
SENATOR HUGGINS noted that several legislators have children
that graduated from the Academy. He asked if the current funding
is right for the Academy.
MR. PIERRE replied that the current funding is "the maturation
of the process" and is "getting it right." It is a match program
with the National Guard Bureau and is budgeted for the goal of
the program.
9:28:45 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked if the funding is comparable to the way it
is done in other places.
MR. PIERRE said yes.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON said she was proud to be carrying the
bill. She thanked the committee for its time.
9:30:06 AM
CHAIR STEVENS held HB 180 in committee.
9:30:34 AM
There being no further business to come before the Senate
Education Standing Committee, Chair Stevens adjourned the
hearing at 9:30 a.m.