HB 107-BD OF REGENTS REGIONAL RESIDENCY QUALIF.  3:40:24 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that the final order of business would be HB 107. He noted a zero fiscal note. 3:40:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HB 107. She related that the University of Alaska (UA) boasts approximately 32,000 students a year governed by an eleven- member Board of Regents, one of which is a full-time student. She maintained that there has been a lack of representation of the various areas of Alaska for the last century. She read the mission statement of the University of Alaska: "The University of Alaska inspires learning, advances and disseminates knowledge through teaching, research, and public service emphasizing the North and its diverse peoples." She said in accordance with the university's mission to emphasize the diversity of Alaska's residents, HB 107 calls for change to the composition of UA's Board of Regents. She noted that currently there is one seat reserved for a student and ten at-large regents who must be a citizen of the United States as well as a resident of Alaska. The bill will change the composition of the board to include geographic representation. If passed, the regents would include one board member from each of the following areas: Fairbanks North Star Borough, Municipality of Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough, City and Borough of Juneau, a resident not from the above areas and not connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks, one student, and four at-large members. This change would reflect the diversity of Alaska's population and bring more voices to the table on university policies. REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS noted a handout that provides the history of the Board of Regents. She said that the Mat-Su Valley had never been represented until the Governor recently appointed Dr. Deena Paramo to the board. She concluded that her goal is to bring diversity to the board long term. 3:44:25 PM CHRYSTAL RANDOLPH, Staff, Representative Lynn Gattis, Alaska State Legislature, presented information on SB 107. She read the sectional analysis: Section 1: AS 14.40.130(a). Repeals and Reenacts Composition of the Board of Regents Defines the Board of Regents by requiring: 1. One resident of Fairbanks North Star Borough 2. One resident of Municipality of Anchorage 3. One resident of Matanuska-Susitna Borough 4. One resident of Kenai Peninsula Borough 5. One resident of City and Borough of Juneau 6. One resident of a community that is not described in (1) through (5) of this subsection and is not connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks; 7. One student regent. 8. Four at large members that are Alaskan Residents. Section 2: AS 14.40.130. Adds new subsections Regents Qualifications and Board Membership Regents must be a resident of region for at least two years prior to appointment. A regent will complete their term if they fail to maintain residency in a region. Section 3: Uncodified law. TRANSITION Regents currently serving on the board will finish their terms and as vacancies arise the Governor shall make appointments that fulfill the residency requirements of this Act. 3:45:39 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked whether the four at-large members could also be from the Mat-Su or must be from outside of the seven other categories. REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS replied that the four at-large members can come from any region. 3:46:45 PM SENATOR GARDNER pointed out that the Court System has five judicial districts. She asked if the sponsor considered that option. REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS explained that she did not think of the court when she considered the regional areas and what they bring. She looked at where the regents came from in the past and who was left out. She said she also considered community size. 3:47:58 PM SENATOR GARDNER asked where applicants came from when the Governor was looking for appointees. REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS said during last year's public testimony, there was concern about the struggle to find representation from some areas. She opined that now is the right time to provide the opportunity to bring Alaskans together in light of this budget crisis. 3:49:08 PM SENATOR GARDNER wondered what would happen if no good, strong applicants came forth in order to meet the regional requirements. REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS said the bill does not focus on whether there were good, strong folks in areas. She maintained that each area has strong candidates. SENATOR GARDNER agreed they are everywhere, but they may not apply. REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS said that conversation did not come up in the House, but the Regents expressed concern about it. 3:51:03 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY opened public testimony. 3:51:18 PM JOHN DAVIS, Board Member, University of Alaska Board of Regents, expressed concerns about HB 107. He opined that regional regent applicants might not consider the university "one university" and that they may believe they only represent their region. He also said he is concerned that when there is a vacancy it may be difficult to find someone to fill it. He said it is important to give the Governor lee-way and not require specific regions be represented in that case. He concluded it may be hard to find an applicant from some regions. 3:54:31 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY summarized the first concern if the bill is regionalized, there might be regents who represent their area first, rather than the university. MR. DAVIS said yes. CHAIR DUNLEAVY thought that could happen now. He wondered if there have been examples of that happening, currently. He asked if the selection process was previously regionalized. MR. DAVIS said it was not regionalized previously, but people had the view that they were representing a certain region. CHAIR DUNLEAVY thought it might have been a personal view held by a regent. 3:56:07 PM JO HECKMAN, Board Member, University of Alaska Board of Regents, echoed concerns expressed by Mr. Davis. She said she has not experienced the "regionalism" mentality as a board member. It has been understood that there is a greater good over the last four years. She appreciated the goal of diversity in HB 107. She listed areas represented and noted some members work in a variety of areas. She described the diversity on the current board. She did not know what additional gains could be had by HB 107, in terms of diversity. She concluded that it is irrelevant where members come from as long as they advocate for the university as a whole. There is no need to focus on regions. She questioned who from rural areas would serve for eight years. She concluded it might be hard on the board to wait until the right person from the right region is found. 4:03:40 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked who Ms. Heckman means by "we." MS. HECKMAN said she meant a group of Alaskans; the Board does not have a choice in the matter, but would like to see the best people serve on the Board. CHAIR DUNLEAVY commended Representative Gattis for looking for people from rural Alaska, as they are often overlooked and have unique needs. He opined that the intent of the at-large members might be for that purpose. SENATOR GARDNER thanked Ms. Heckman. She referred to the current statute's language regarding student regent qualifications. She asked how a student who is enrolled for four years and remains a full-time student can serve for eight years. MS. HECKMAN corrected that the student serves a two-year term. 4:06:27 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked how long Ms. Heckman served. MS. HECKMAN said she was appointed in 2011. CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if anyone has resigned from the Board. MS. HECKMAN listed several instances where regents stepped down. 4:07:07 PM ELIZABETH RIPLEY, representing herself, testified in support of HB 107. She provided her background and reasons why diversity is important on the Board of Regents. She described the population growth in the Mat-Su Valley, including student enrollment. She voiced concern about the lack of representation by people from the Mat-Su Valley. She urged passage of the bill. 4:09:31 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY left public testimony open. He held HB 107 in committee. SENATOR GARDNER requested information on how many applicants there were last year and this year when the Governor had the opportunity to make appointments to the Board. She said she is concerned about getting a pool of applicants that are available, interested, and qualified. CHAIR DUNLEAVY thought there might be a different pool of applicants in the future due to HB 107.