Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/22/2011 10:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB1 | |
| SB3 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 22, 2011
10:04 a.m.
10:04:37 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 10:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Lesil McGuire, Vice-Chair
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Dennis Egan
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Darwin Peterson, Staff, Co-Chair Stedman; Senator Bill
Wielechowski.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Ester Cox, Chair Alaska State Department of Education and
Early Development.
SUMMARY
SB 1 BD OF ED./EARLY DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT
SB 1 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a previously
published zero fiscal note: FN1, (EED).
SB 3 FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS
SB 3 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal impact
note from the Senate Finance Committee.
Co-Chair Stedman discussed the two bills on the agenda. He
discussed HB 16, which was postponed from today's meeting.
He expected the bill to return to committee in short order.
SENATE BILL NO. 1
"An Act requiring the state Board of Education and
Early Development to provide an annual report to the
legislature."
10:07:06 AM
Senator Bettye Davis offered to answer questions. She
pointed out the bill's zero fiscal note.
Co-Chair Stedman commented on the zero fiscal note from the
Department of Education and Early Development. He mentioned
that public testimony was delivered in the previous Senate
Finance Committee meeting.
ESTER COX, CHAIR ALASKA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference), spoke in support of
SB 1. She applauded the commitment of the previous
committees. She offered to prepare an annual report with the
help of the department for the benefit of the legislature.
Senator Davis stated that she wanted the annual report in
statute to ensure ongoing reports.
10:10:55 AM
Senator Thomas commented that a report from the Board of
Education would prove helpful. He explained that as a member
of the education committee, he required varied perspectives.
He opined that the report requirement will prove helpful for
the education committee as they move forward on initiatives.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report CSSB 1 (EDC) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
SB 1 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a previously published zero fiscal
note: FN1, (EED).
SENATE BILL NO. 3
"An Act providing for funding for school lunch and
breakfast."
10:12:47 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee
substitute, work draft #27-LS0020\D. Co-Chair Stedman
OBJECTED.
DARWIN PETERSON, STAFF, CO-CHAIR STEDMAN, discussed changes
in the Committee Substitute (CS). He explained the four
changes. The initial change listed on Page 2 removed
previous language stating the requirement for the annual
adjustment to the base amount according to the Consumer
Price Index (CPI) in Anchorage. The language was removed
because of the change made on Page 2, Line 4 listing a
sunset date of June 30, 2014. The act is temporary and will
last three years. The issue will come back before the
legislature for review of the annual adjustment to the CPI.
Mr. Peterson discussed the third change on Page 2, Line 5
where the committee added an immediate effective date with
the intent that the legislation will go into effect prior to
the next school year. He pointed out the final change on
Page 1, Line 4. With the three year sunset date, the law is
in effect for less than five years. The legislative legal
attorney drafted the legislation as uncodified law.
Mr. Peterson introduced the new fiscal note drafted by the
Senate Finance Committee reflecting the three fiscal years
that the program will be in effect. Without the CPI
adjustment, the fiscal note details a static cost of
$2,143,000 for the following three fiscal years.
Co-Chair Stedman removed his OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Senator McGuire removed both Amendments 1 and 2. She noted
that amendments attempted to highlight agriculture and
seafood from the Alaska marketplace. She realized that some
outlying school districts are unable to satisfy the
requirements as stated in the amendment. She intended to
work further with the bill sponsor.
Co-Chair Stedman highlighted the new documents including
responses to committee member questions from the previous
meeting. He noted an eight page spreadsheet illustrating the
percentage of students who consumed free and reduced price
lunches.
10:16:09 AM
Co-Chair Stedman mentioned the new fiscal note from the
Senate Finance Committee replacing the previous fiscal note
and reflecting a $2,143,000 general fund appropriation in FY
12 through FY 14. He explained that the governor's budget
currently has no funding for the program.
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI thanked the committee for hearing
the bill. He supported the changes made in the CS.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report CSSB 3 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
SB 3 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a new fiscal impact note from the
Senate Finance Committee.
10:18:29 AM
Co-Chair Stedman encouraged a thorough review.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:19 AM.