Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/29/1999 01:35 PM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
March 29,1999
1:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Miller, Chairman
Senator Pete Kelly, Vice-Chairman
Senator Gary Wilken
Senator Drue Pearce
Senator Kim Elton
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members were present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 27(HES)
"An Act relating to financial aid received for medical education
and financial aid received by students participating in the Western
Interstate Commission on Higher Education Professional Student
Exchange Program; relating to the Western Regional Higher Education
Compact; and providing for an effective date."
-MOVED CSHB 27(HES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 73
"An Act relating to assisted living homes; and providing for an
effective date."
-MOVED CSSB 73(HES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 95
"An Act relating to the combination of grades that constitute
junior high, middle, or secondary school."
-MOVED SB 95 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 98
"An Act relating to teacher tenure."
-MOVED SB 98 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
CSHB 27(HES) - See HESS minutes dated 3/22/99
CSSB 73(HES) - See HESS minutes dated 3/17/99 and 3/22/99
SB 95 - See HESS minutes dated 3/22/99
SB 98 - See HESS minutes dated 3/22/99
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 99-15, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN MILLER called the Senate Health, Education and Social
Services (HESS) Committee to order at 1:35 p.m. He thanked the
committee for hearing testimony in his absence last Monday on the
bills coming before HESS today, HB 27, SB 73, SB 95 and SB 98. He
announced the committee is now ready to take action on these bills.
SB 105 was rescheduled for Wednesday, as the prime sponsor is not
ready.
HB 27-GRADUATE STUDENT LOANS
CHAIRMAN MILLER brought up HB 27 and asked for committee
discussion. Hearing none, he asked the will of the committee.
SENATOR KELLY moved CSHB 27(HES) Draft D with accompanying zero
fiscal note from committee with individual recommendations.
Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.
SB 73-ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
Number 030
CHAIRMAN MILLER brought up SB 73, and explained the proposed CS for
SB 73 would phase in the assisted living home rates over a three-
year period. The assisted living homes desperately need a raise at
the same time the Legislature has budget problems, and he stated
the CS is his best attempt to address that situation. It needs a
Finance Committee referral, and he expected Senator Pearce would
assign it to Finance tomorrow.
He explained that the CS would phase in the increase to a $50 rate
the first year, a $75 rate the second year, and a $100 rate the
third year. He would let the Finance Committee decide if this is a
good approach.
SENATOR ELTON said he had no objection to moving the bill, but he
asked if the three-year phase-in changes the geographic
differential.
CHAIRMAN MILLER replied that it does not. This bill would continue
to allow the geo rate. He believed the geo-differential rate is a
legitimate discussion for the Finance Committee.
SENATOR ELTON agreed, and said he didn't have a problem with geo-
differential rates except that they are outdated.
Number 070
SENATOR WILKEN asked if there are any other changes from Draft A to
Draft D. CHAIRMAN MILLER replied those are the only changes.
SENATOR WILKEN moved to adopt CSSB 73(HES) Version D Lauterbach
3/20/99. Without objection, it was adopted.
SENATOR WILKEN moved CSSB 73(HES) from committee with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note. Hearing no objection, it
was so ordered.
SB 95-SCHOOL GRADE LEVELS
CHAIRMAN MILLER brought up SB 95, and asked for discussion.
Hearing none, he asked the wish of the committee.
SENATOR KELLY moved SB 95 Version A from committee with accom-
panying fiscal note and individual recommendations. Hearing no
objection, it moved from committee.
SENATOR PEARCE asked if there is a fiscal note. CHAIRMAN MILLER
replied there is, but it is headed to Finance where they can deal
with the $126 million fiscal note.
SB 98-TEACHER TENURE
CHAIRMAN MILLER brought up SB 98.
Number 117
SENATOR KELLY asked for the record to reflect that Wrangell
Public Schools had sent a letter in support of this bill. The
committee was not able to get it in under public testimony last
week.
SENATOR WILKEN also asked that the record reflect that the
Fairbanks School Board will pass a resolution on Tuesday, March
30 in support of SB 98.
CHAIRMAN MILLER asked for further discussion. Hearing none,
he asked the will of the committee.
SENATOR WILKEN moved SB 98 out of committee with individual
recommendations and no fiscal note.
SENATOR ELTON objected. CHAIRMAN MILLER asked for discussion.
There being none, he asked for a roll call vote. Senators Kelly,
Wilken, Pearce and Miller voted "yea" and Senator Elton voted
"nay." SB 98 passed out on a 4-1 motion.
Number 165
CHAIRMAN MILLER announced that the committee would take up
SB 105 on Wednesday if the bill is ready. The Board of
Regents confirmations will be taken up in April, and he asked
the committee to review the list of appointees on Wednesday.
Unless there are concerns about individuals, he felt there is no
need to schedule the time and expense for them to come before the
committee. With no further business, he adjourned at 1:47 p.m.
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