Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
01/30/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB9 | |
| SB137 | |
| SCR2 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SCR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
January 30, 2012
9:02 a.m.
9:02:58 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Dennis Egan
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lesil McGuire, Vice-Chair
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Johnny Ellis
ALSO PRESENT
Thomas Obermeyer, Staff, Senator Bettye Davis; Senator
Bettye Davis; Kate Burkhart, Executive Director, Statewide
Suicide Prevention Council; Les Morse, Deputy Commissioner,
Department of Education and Early Development; Katya
Wassillie, Intern, Senator Bettye Davis
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Anne Kilkenny, Matsu; James Biela, American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention, Bethel; Carol Waters, Alaska
Association of Student Governments, Anchorage; Sonnie
Anderson, Klawok Schools; Clark Flatt, President and CEO of
the Jason Foundation, Nashville, Tennessee; Sharin
Strutznorton, American Society of Suicide Prevention,
Homer; Donna Bartman, Alaska Association of Student
Governments, Manokotak; Ann Schaack, North Star, Anchorage;
Madison Manning, Alaska Association of Student Governments,
Port Heiden; Byron Charles, Tribal Member of Tlingit and
Haida, Ketchikan
SUMMARY
SB 9 RAISE COMP. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AGE/TRUANCY
SB 9 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 137 SUICIDE AWARENESS & PREVENTION TRAINING
SB 137 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SCR 2 UNIFORM RULES: PRESIDING OFFICER PRO TEM
SCR 2 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 9
"An Act relating to compulsory school attendance; and
relating to the crime of contributing to the
delinquency of a minor."
9:04:13 AM
THOMAS OBERMEYER, STAFF, SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, explained SB
9. He referred to the Sponsor Statement (copy on file). He
stated that SB 9 would change the Alaska compulsory school
attendance ages from 7-16 to 6-18. At the same time, it
necessarily amends the criminal statute of contributing to
the delinquency of a minor from the maximum age of 16 to
18. The legislative intent of the bill was to require all
students to start school earlier when their brains are
growing and developing at a dramatic rate from birth to age
seven, and to stay in school long enough to graduate. The
bill allowed earlier identification of children with
learning disabilities and more time to take successful
corrective action. The bill would not preclude parents from
homeschooling children, using charter or alternative
school, or any other of the twelve enumerated exceptions to
compulsory education under AS 14.30.010(b), including
completion of grade 12 or graduation from a secondary
school before age 18.
Mr. Obermeyer explained that the Alaska compulsory school
age statute was out of date with modern educational
practice and thinking. The law had not changed since
territorial days when few children attended school beyond
eighth grade or bothered to graduate, because most jobs did
not require much education. The majority of Alaskan
students were currently in school by age six and many by
the minimum age five. Head Start and prekindergarten
programs were growing in popularity. The state already
funded a pilot prekindergarten program and SB 6 proposed
funding such a program statewide.
9:09:56 AM
Mr. Obermeyer explained the Sectional Summary (copy on
file). He stated that Section 1 would raise the age from 16
to 18 for the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a
minor for repeated absences from school. He explained that
Section 2 would raise the compulsory school age from 16 to
18. He noted that Section 3 would amend an exception to the
compulsory school attendance age to provide for graduation
for a secondary school. He also referred to the high
dropout rates in Alaska.
SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, stressed the importance of students
to attend school, and receive a high school diploma. She
pointed out that students would not be required to stay in
school until the age of eighteen.
Senator Thomas noted that there was a shift in the age of
the workforce. He appreciated the change from 16 to 18. He
queried the perspective of communities that have a focus on
farming. Senator Davis could not comment on the farming
communities.
Co-Chair Stedman noted the fiscal impact note from the
Department of Education and Early Development.
9:15:43 AM
ANNE KILKENNY, MATSU (via teleconference), spoke in support
of SB 9. She pointed out that her son had the desire to
stop attending school at age 16. She felt that the bill was
unenforceable without truancy officers, but would rather
focus the money on teachers. She requested a tying the
receipt of the Permanent Fund Dividend with school
Senator Olson queried the bill sponsor's perspective on
tying the receipt of the Permanent Fund Dividend with
school attendance. Senator Davis stated that she was open
to discussion. She pointed out that the state had not had
truancy officers in many years. She noted that the bill
would allow students to stay in school and encourage
students to focus on graduation.
Senator Olson queried the recent success of the truancy
officers in Juneau. Senator Davis stated that the district
felt the truancy officer enforcement was beneficial,
although employing truancy officers was ultimately too
expensive.
Senator Bettye Davis thanked the committee for hearing the
bill.
SB 9 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 137
"An Act requiring suicide awareness and prevention
training for certain school personnel."
9:22:28 AM
Senator Davis stated that SB 137 would allow teachers and
school employees to obtain suicide prevention training.
Mr. Obermeyer explained the bill, and quoted the Sponsor
Statement (copy on file). He stated that SB 137, short
titled the Jason Flatt Act, required mandatory youth
suicide awareness and prevention training approved by the
Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development
to each teacher, administrator, counselor, and specialist
who was employed by a school district, regional educational
attendance area, or department each year for services to
students in grades 7 to 12. Training was important because
suicide was the third leading cause of death for ages 10-24
and the number one cause of death for Alaskans under the
age 50 years.
Mr. Obermeyer stated that awareness and education were the
keys to prevention, and tying suicide prevention efforts
into teacher training had proved very helpful in other
states for reducing teen suicides. Most young people
contemplating suicide showed clear warning signs prior to
the attempt. It was imperative that educators know how to
recognize signs of at-risk youth and were prepared to
intervene when they identified a problem.
Mr. Obermeyer explained that recognizing that Alaska had by
far the highest rate of suicide per capita in the country,
particularly among teens, young men, and Alaska Natives.
The Alaska Mental Health Board and Advisory Board on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, in partnership with the
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, the Alaska
Association of Student Governments, the University of
Alaska, and the Jason Foundation had established goals,
training programs, and resources for teachers, coaches and
staff in suicide prevention.
Mr. Obermeyer noted that the bill would create the needed
hope, promise, and optimism to build healthy and
appropriate relationships and behaviors. By requiring
suicide prevention training for educators and school staff,
the state of Alaska can ensure the youth at risk of suicide
were more likely to be identified and receive help.
Mr. Obermeyer noted the fiscal note, and felt that some
member fees could be eliminated through donations from
foundations.
9:28:39 AM
Co-Chair Stedman noted the fiscal impact note from the
Department of Education and Early Development. He requested
a look at whether the fiscal note could be adjusted, per
Mr. Obermeyer's observation.
Senator Davis remarked that there was some money in the
governor's proposed budget that could possibly be used for
the program.
JAMES BIELA, AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION,
BETHEL (via teleconference), testified in support of SB
137. He stressed that teachers and school employees were
the main contact for most students in Alaska.
9:33:09 AM
CAROL WATERS, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB 137.
She felt that suicide prevention should be a focus when
training educators and school employees. She shared an
anecdote regarding an associate who had numerous family
members, friends, and acquaintances who had committed
suicide.
SONNIE ANDERSON, KLAWOK SCHOOLS (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 137. She explained a resolution
that had passed among the Alaska Association of Student
Governments.
9:37:54 AM
AT EASE
9:38:31 AM
RECONVENED
Ms. Anderson continued with her testimony. She furthered
with her explanation of the resolution.
9:40:23 AM
CLARK FLATT, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE JASON FOUNDATION,
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (via teleconference), testified in
support of SB 137. He noted that a similar bill had been
passed in six other states. He pointed out that five states
had passed the bill without a fiscal note. He stressed that
educators could reduce the number of suicides. Education
was a key to the foundation of preventing suicide.
SHARIN STRUTZNORTON, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SUICIDE
PREVENTION, HOMER (via teleconference), testified in
support of SB 137. She stated that she had a history of
suicide in her family.
9:46:21 AM
DONNA BARTMAN, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS,
MANOKOTAK (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB 137.
She referred to the resolution for the Association of
Student Governments, and stressed that it had passed with
unanimous consent. She felt that the bill should focus on
ages younger than seventh grade. She stressed that some
elders in her Yupik culture were lacking in leadership, and
even taking their own lives.
9:50:42 AM
ANN SCHAACK, NORTH STAR, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 137.
MADISON MANNING, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS,
PORT HEIDEN (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB
137.
BYRON CHARLES, TRIBAL MEMBER OF TLINGIT AND HAIDA,
KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified in support of SB
137. He explained that the tourism industry provided jobs,
and that jobs were the key to preventing suicide.
KATE BURKHART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STATEWIDE SUICIDE
PREVENTION COUNCIL, testified in support of SB 137. She
noted a letter of formal support from the Suicide Awareness
and Prevention Training (copy on file).
9:58:50 AM
LES MORSE, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY DEVELOPMENT, explained the fiscal note and cost of
the implementing the bill. He pointed out that the funding
behind the fiscal note would be the e-learning model and
expertise. He stated that the fees would contribute to the
e-learning module. He explained that there were some no-
cost modules available from the Jason Foundation. He noted
that there would be some updates required from year to
year. He stressed that Department of Education and Early
Development modules could track usage and effectiveness.
Co-Chair Stedman felt that the bill sponsor should focus on
the issues that Mr. Morse addressed.
Senator Olson wondered if there were plans to focus on
school districts with higher rates of suicide. Mr. Morse
replied that the fiscal note from the Department of
Education and Early Development would provide money for
training for everyone, however there was money available in
the Governor's budget from the Suicide Prevention Council.
The funds needed to be examined to determine exactly how
and where they would be distributed, without excluding any
school district.
Senator Egan wondered if it was up to the individual school
boards to make the training mandatory in the school
districts. Mr. Morse replied that the districts would be
required to implement the training based on a list of
trainings that would be approved by the Commissioner of the
Department of Education and Early Development.
In response to a question from Senator Thomas, Mr. Morse
stated that there would be money from the governor's
proposed budget that could be used for suicide prevention
training. He pointed out that students had expressed
concern and interest in piloting a program called Cognito,
which was a suicide prevention tool.
10:05:27 AM
KATYA WASSILLIE, INTERN, SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, stressed
that the bill would particularly impact rural Alaska. She
shared personal experiences with suicide.
Senator Olson felt that suicides were often committed
because an older person commits suicide, so younger people
were copying the older people. Ms. Wassillie felt that if
there was more awareness at the school level, the indicator
awareness could spread out throughout the community.
Senator Bettye Davis thanked the committee.
SB 137 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2
Proposing amendments to the Uniform Rules of the
Alaska State Legislature relating to the presiding
officer pro tempore.
10:10:57 AM
Senator Bettye Davis explained that SCR 2 would create a
permanent third position known as "Pro Tem" in leadership
for temporary presiding officers who heretofore only
presided over the first floor session of a legislature.
Mr. Obermeyer stated that the committee was looking at the
Committee Substitute Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 (STA).
He explained the Sponsor Statement (copy on file). He
stated that the purpose of SCR 2 was to amend the uniform
rules to increase the duties and responsibilities of
temporary presiding officers and to allow more legislators
to function in leadership positions. He furthered that CS
SCR 2 (STA) created a permanent third position in
leadership for temporary presiding officers who heretofore
only presided over the first floor session of a legislature
until the chambers were organized and the permanent or
regular presiding officers were seated. He noted that
Sections 1-3 changed the nomenclature in titles to be
consistent throughout the Uniform Rules. He stated that
Section 4 amended Uniform Rule 4 by establishing that in
the absence of both the regular presiding officer (Speaker
of the House) and the absence of the majority leader, the
presiding officer pro tempore previously elected in Uniform
Rule 1(b) served as the presiding officer pro tempore. The
result of the language amending Section 4 of SCR 2 was that
the presiding officer pro tempore elected at the start of
the first session of the legislature, in addition to the
presiding officer pro tempore's duties set out in Uniform
Rule 1(b), would continue for both sessions to serve as a
"backup" in the absence of the regular presiding officer
(Speaker of the House) and majority leader. Presiding
officers pro tempore might also be assigned other duties
consistent with the Uniform Rules. As presently provided in
Rule 4, the regular presiding officers, majority leaders,
and so the presiding officers pro tempore may relinquish
the chair to any member.
Co-Chair Stedman noted an updated zero fiscal note from the
Senate Finance Committee.
Senator Bettye Davis thanked the committee, and felt that
the subject only pertained to the legislature.
SCR 2 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
10:16:29 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 AM.