Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-04-28 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0974 HB 57 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 57(FIN) "An Act relating to education reports; relating to charter schools; relating to student transportation funding; relating to the base student allocation; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; relating to the duties of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. Senator Tobin moved the bill be returned to second reading for all amendments offered today. Without objection, the bill was returned to second reading. 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0975 Senators Tobin, Yundt, Wielechowski, Hughes, Kaufman, Cronk, Kawasaki offered Amendment No. 1 : Page 2, following line 10: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 3. AS 14.03.253(b) is amended to read: (b) In an appeal to the state Board of Education and Early Development of a denial of a charter school application under (a)(3) of this section, the state board shall determine, based on the record, whether the commissioner's findings are supported by substantial evidence and whether the decision is contrary to law. The state board shall issue a written decision within 45 [90] days after the state board receives an appeal. * Sec. 4. AS 14.03.255(c) is amended to read: (c) A charter school shall operate under a contract between the charter school and the local school board. A contract must contain the following provisions: (1) a description of the educational program; (2) specific levels of achievement for the education program; (3) admission policies and procedures; (4) administrative policies; (5) a statement of the charter school's funding allocation from the local school board and costs assignable to the charter school program budget; (6) the method by which the charter school will account for receipts and expenditures; (7) the location and description of the facility; (8) the name of the teacher, or teachers, who, by agreement between the charter school and the teacher, will teach in the charter school; (9) the teacher-to-student ratio; (10) the number of students served; (11) the term of the contract, not to exceed a term of 10 years; (12) a termination clause providing that the contract may be terminated by the local school board for the failure of the charter school to meet educational achievement goals or fiscal management standards, or for other good cause; (13) a clause providing that the local school board may only terminate a contract under the standards and procedures established in AS 14.03.256; 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0976 (14) a statement that the charter school will comply with all state and federal requirements for receipt and use of public money; (15) [(14)] other requirements or exemptions agreed on [UPON] by the charter school and the local school board." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 2, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 6. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.256. Charter school termination. (a) A local school board may terminate a contract between the local school board and a charter school only if the charter school has (1) failed to comply with a condition or material term of the contract or AS 14.03.250 - 14.03.290; or (2) intentionally or fraudulently misrepresented, in whole or in part, material facts or circumstances upon which the contract was made. (b) Before termination of a contract under this section, the local school board shall give the charter school written notice of the local school board's intent to terminate the contract. The local school board may also provide the charter school with a reasonable opportunity, as determined by the local school board, to cure any deficiency that is the basis for the termination if the local school board determines that curing the deficiency is appropriate under the circumstances. (c) A charter school whose contract is terminated under this section may file an appeal with the superior court under the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 6, following line 2: Insert a new paragraph to read: "(2) analyze and recommend statewide policy on interdistrict open enrollment, including evaluating the effects on military families, subsidization of student transportation costs, and appeal processes;" Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly. 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0977 Page 7, line 8: Delete "Section 3 of this Act applies" Insert "Sections 4 - 6 of this Act apply" Senator Tobin moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 1. Senator Kawasaki objected, then withdrew his objection. Senator Hughes objected, then withdrew her objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 1 was adopted. Senators Yundt, Wielechowski, Hughes, Tobin, Kaufman, Cronk, Shower offered Amendment No. 2 : Page 1, line 1, following "Act": Insert "relating to maximum classroom sizes in public schools;" Page 1, following line 6: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Section 1. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.065. Maximum classroom size. Each school district shall establish and make available to the public a target average class size policy for each grade level. The target average class size for pre-kindergarten through grade six may not exceed 23 and the target average class size for grades seven through 12 may not exceed 30. The policy may exclude mixed grade classes and courses in art, library, music, computer science, vocational-technical, and physical education. The policy must include procedures to reduce class sizes when the school district determines a reduction is appropriate. * Sec. 2. AS 14.03.120(g) is amended to read: (g) To the extent allowable under state and federal privacy laws, each district shall annually report to the department information from the previous school year regarding (1) the number of students and teaching staff assigned to each classroom in grades kindergarten through 12 [THREE]; (2) the number and percentage of students (A) in grades kindergarten through three who demonstrated improvement on expected grade-level skills on the statewide screening tool; (B) in grades kindergarten through three who performed below expected grade-level skills on the statewide screening tool, by grade; 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0978 (C) in grades kindergarten through three who did not progress to the next grade and the reasons the students did not progress; (D) in grade three who demonstrated sufficient reading skills to progress to grade four based on the statewide screening tool; (E) in grade three who progressed to grade four based on a waiver under AS 14.30.765(f); (F) in grade three who demonstrated sufficient reading skills to progress to grade four based on an alternative standardized reading screening; (G) in grade three who demonstrated sufficient reading skills to progress to grade four based on a student reading portfolio; (3) the performance on the statewide screening tool of students in a grade above grade three who did not progress to grade four or who progressed to grade four based on a waiver under AS 14.30.765(f)." Page 1, line 7: Delete "Section 1" Insert "Sec. 3" Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, line 26, following "purposes.": Insert "A school in a district that has not adopted a policy under this section may not allow a student to use an electronic telecommunications device during regular school hours, including lunch and passing periods." Page 7, line 8: Delete "Section 3" Insert "Section 5" Page 7, following line 9: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 12. Section 1 of this Act takes effect July 1, 2026." Renumber the following bill section accordingly. Page 7, line 10: 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0979 Delete "This" Insert "Except as provided in sec. 12 of this Act, this" Senator Yundt moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 2. Objections were heard, then withdrawn. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 2 was adopted. Senator Yundt moved and asked unanimous consent Amendment No. 3 be moved to the bottom of amendments considered today. Without objection, Amendment No. 3 was moved to the bottom of amendments. Senator Yundt offered Amendment No. 4 : Page 6, following line 8: Insert a new paragraph to read: "(5) make recommendations on how to best implement a program of universal school breakfast and lunch for students in grades kindergarten through 12;" Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly. Senator Yundt moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 4. Senator Tobin objected. Senator Yundt moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 4. Without objection, Amendment No. 4 was withdrawn. Senator Cronk offered Amendment No. 5 : Page 1, line 1, following "schools;": Insert "relating to substitute teaching;" Page 2, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 4. AS 14.08.041 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (g) Notwithstanding AS 14.14.140, a member of a regional school board may be a substitute teacher at a school." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0980 Page 4, following line 11: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 6. AS 14.14.140 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (d) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, a member of a school board may be a substitute teacher at a school." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Senator Cronk moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 5. Senator Tobin objected. Senator Cronk moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 5. Without objection, Amendment No. 5 was withdrawn. Amendment No. 6 was not offered. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 7 : Page 6, following line 8: Insert a new paragraph to read: "(5) analyze and make recommendations for a comprehensive and effective mathematics teaching strategy for grades kindergarten through eight that includes high quality content, instructional materials, support for teachers, assessments, parental notifications, interventions, and resources for families;" Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly. Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 7. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 7 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 7? 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0981 YEAS: 7 NAYS: 13 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Merrick, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Olson changed from "YEA" to "NAY" and so, Amendment No. 7 failed. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 8 : Page 1, line 12: Delete "every five years for 20" Insert "for three" Page 5, line 23: Delete "every five years for 20" Insert "for three" Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 8. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 8 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 8? YEAS: 6 NAYS: 14 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 8 failed. Senator Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent Amendment No. 9 be moved to the bottom of amendments considered today. Without objection, Amendment No. 9 was moved to the bottom of amendments. 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0982 Senator Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent Amendment No. 10 be moved to the bottom of amendments considered today. Without objection, Amendment No. 10 was moved to the bottom of amendments. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 11 : Page 1, line 1, following "schools;": Insert "relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance coverage for school district employees and employees of the University of Alaska;" Page 2, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 4. AS 14.08.101 is amended to read: Sec. 14.08.101. Powers. A regional school board may (1) sue and be sued; (2) contract with the department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or any other school district, agency, or regional board for the provision of services, facilities, supplies, or utilities; (3) determine its own fiscal procedures, including policies and procedures for the purchase of supplies and equipment; the regional school boards are exempt from AS 37.05 (Fiscal Procedures Act) and AS 36.30 (State Procurement Code); (4) appoint, compensate, and otherwise control all school employees in accordance with this title; these employees are not subject to AS 39.25 (State Personnel Act); (5) adopt regulations governing organization, policies, and procedures for the operation of the schools; (6) establish, maintain, operate, discontinue, and combine schools subject to the approval of the commissioner; (7) recommend to the department projects for construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of schools and education-related facilities as specified in AS 14.11.011(b), and plan, design, and construct the project when the responsibility for it is assumed under AS 14.11.020; (8) by resolution adopted by a majority of all the members of the board and provided to the commissioner of the department, assume ownership of all land and buildings used in relation to the schools in the regional educational attendance area, as 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0983 provided for in AS 14.08.151(b); (9) provide housing for rental to teachers, by leasing existing housing from a local agency or individual, by entering into contractual arrangements with a local agency or individual to lease housing that will be constructed by the local agency or individual for that purpose, or, without using for the purpose that portion of public school funding that consists of state aid provided under AS 14.17, by constructing or otherwise acquiring housing that is owned and managed by the regional educational attendance area for rental to teachers; (10) employ a chief school administrator; (11) apply for and use the proceeds of a loan from the Alaska energy efficiency revolving loan fund (AS 18.56.855); (12) establish and maintain participation in a policy of insurance as authorized by AS 14.27.010; (13) exercise those other functions that may be necessary for the proper performance of its responsibilities." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, following line 11: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 6. AS 14.14.090 is amended to read: Sec. 14.14.090. Duties of school boards. In addition to other duties, a school board shall (1) determine and disburse the total amount to be made available for compensation of all school employees and administrative officers, including, when applicable, the amount necessary to pay for the district's participation in a policy of insurance under AS 14.27.010; (2) provide for, during the school term of each year, an educational program for each school age child who is enrolled in or a resident of the district; (3) withhold the salary for the last month of service of a teacher or administrator until the teacher or administrator has submitted all summaries, statistics, and reports that the school board may require by bylaws; (4) transmit, when required by the assembly or council but not more often than once a month, a summary report and statement of money expended; 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0984 (5) keep the minutes of meetings and a record of all proceedings of the school board in a pertinent form; (6) keep the records and files of the school board open to inspection by the public at the principal administrative office of the district during reasonable business hours; (7) establish procedures for the review and selection of all textbooks and instructional materials at least once every 10 years, including textbooks and curriculum materials for statewide correspondence programs, before they are introduced into the school curriculum; the review includes a review for violations of AS 14.18.060; nothing in this paragraph precludes a correspondence study student, or the parent or guardian of a correspondence study student, from privately obtaining or using textbooks or curriculum material not provided by the school district; (8) provide prospective employees with information relating to the availability and cost of housing in rural areas to which they might be assigned [,] and, when possible, assist them in locating housing; however, nothing in this paragraph requires a school district to provide teacher housing, whether district owned, leased, rented, or through other means, nor does it require a school board to engage in a subsidy program of any kind regarding teacher housing; (9) train persons required to report under AS 47.17.020 [,] in the recognition and reporting of child abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse of a minor; (10) provide for the development and implementation of a preventive maintenance program for school facilities; in this paragraph, "preventive maintenance" means scheduled maintenance actions that prevent the premature failure or extend the useful life of a facility, or a facility's systems and components, and that are cost- effective on a life-cycle basis; (11) establish procedures for providing the training under AS 14.18.060, AS 14.20.149, 14.20.680, AS 14.30.355, 14.30.356, 14.30.362, AS 14.33.100, AS 18.66.310, and AS 47.17.022; the procedures established under this paragraph must include a training schedule that ensures that not less than 50 percent of the total certificated staff employed by the district receive all of the training not less than every two years and that all of the certificated staff employed by the district receive all of the training not less than every four years. * Sec. 7. AS 14.17.300 is amended by adding new subsections to read: 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0985 (c) Notwithstanding (a) and (b) of this section, the commissioner of administration (1) may expend from the public education fund to the group health and life benefits fund under AS 39.30.095 amounts necessary for the commissioner of administration to pay claims submitted by district employees who are covered by a policy of self- insurance that is provided by the Department of Administration under AS 39.30.091; (2) shall, over a period of 10 years from the date the first expenditure authorized under this subsection occurs, reimburse the public education fund for money expended under this section from the public education fund using appropriations for that purpose. (d) Total expenditures from the public education fund under (c) of this section may not exceed $100,000,000." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 9. AS 14 is amended by adding a new chapter to read: Chapter 27. University and School District Employee Health Insurance. Sec. 14.27.010. University and school district employee group health insurance. (a) A school employer may elect to participate in a policy of insurance selected by the commissioner of administration that includes health insurance coverage of school employees. If a school employer makes that election, the commissioner of administration shall select either a policy of group insurance under AS 39.30.090 that covers state employees and school employees or a policy of self-insurance provided by the Department of Administration under AS 39.30.091 that provides insurance coverage to state employees and school employees. (b) Subject to (e) of this section, a participating school employer shall contribute to the group health and life benefits fund established under AS 39.30.095 an amount equal to the combined employer and employee contribution rates set by the commissioner of administration under AS 39.30.095(b). (c) In addition to the contribution required under (b) of this section and the reimbursement required under (d) of this section, a participating school employer shall reimburse the Department of 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0986 Administration an amount equal to the state's cost, if any, of procuring necessary excess loss insurance in connection with coverage of the school employees under AS 39.30.091. (d) In addition to the contribution required under (b) of this section and the reimbursement required under (c) of this section, a participating school employer shall reimburse the Department of Administration the cost of paying insurance claims for the first four months school employees are covered by a policy of self-insurance under AS 39.30.091. The commissioner of administration shall allow the reimbursement to be made in equal installments over a period not to exceed 10 years from the date the school employer's participation in the policy begins. (e) Subject to AS 23.40.070 - 23.40.260 (Public Employment Relations Act), a participating school employer may require school employees to pay some or all of the school employer's contribution under (b) of this section and reimbursement under (c) and (d) of this section. (f) In this section, (1) "school employee" means a person employed by a municipal school district, a regional educational attendance area, or the University of Alaska; (2) "school employer" means a municipal school district, a regional educational attendance area, or the University of Alaska." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, following line 31: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 11. AS 14.40.170(b) is amended to read: (b) The Board of Regents may (1) adopt reasonable rules, orders, and plans with reasonable penalties for the good government of the university and for the regulation of the Board of Regents; (2) determine and regulate the course of instruction in the university with the advice of the president; (3) set student tuition and fees; (4) receive university receipts and, subject to legislative appropriation, expend university receipts in accordance with AS 37.07 (Executive Budget Act); (5) apply for and use the proceeds of a loan from the 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0987 Alaska energy efficiency revolving loan fund (AS 18.56.855); (6) establish and maintain participation in an insurance policy that includes health insurance, as authorized under AS 14.27.010, to cover persons employed by the university. * Sec. 12. AS 39.30.090(a) is amended to read: (a) The Department of Administration may obtain a policy or policies of group insurance covering state employees, school employees, persons entitled to coverage under AS 14.25.168, 14.25.480, AS 22.25.090, AS 39.35.535, 39.35.880, or former AS 39.37.145, employees of other participating governmental units, or persons entitled to coverage under AS 23.15.136, subject to the following conditions: (1) a group insurance policy shall provide one or more of the following benefits: life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, weekly indemnity insurance, hospital expense insurance, surgical expense insurance, dental expense insurance, audiovisual insurance, or other medical care insurance; (2) each eligible state employee or school employee [OF THE STATE], the spouse and the unmarried children chiefly dependent on the eligible employee for support, and each eligible employee of another participating governmental unit shall be covered by the group policy, unless exempt under regulations adopted by the commissioner of administration; (3) a governmental unit may participate under a group policy if (A) its governing body adopts a resolution authorizing participation and payment of required premiums; (B) a certified copy of the resolution is filed with the Department of Administration; and (C) the commissioner of administration approves the participation in writing; (4) in procuring a policy of group health or group life insurance as provided under this section or excess loss insurance as provided in AS 39.30.091, the Department of Administration shall comply with the dual choice requirements of AS 21.86.310 [,] and shall obtain the insurance policy from an insurer authorized to transact business in the state under AS 21.09, a hospital or medical service corporation authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.87, or a health maintenance organization authorized to operate in this state under AS 21.86; an excess loss insurance policy may be 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0988 obtained from a life or health insurer authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.09 or from a hospital or medical service corporation authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.87; (5) the Department of Administration shall make available bid specifications for desired insurance benefits or for administration of benefit claims and payments to (A) all insurance carriers authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.09 and all hospital or medical service corporations authorized to transact business under AS 21.87 who are qualified to provide the desired benefits; and (B) insurance carriers authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.09, hospital or medical service corporations authorized to transact business under AS 21.87, and third-party administrators licensed to transact business in this state and qualified to provide administrative services; the specifications shall be made available at least once every five years; the lowest responsible bid submitted by an insurance carrier, hospital or medical service corporation, or third-party administrator with adequate servicing facilities shall govern selection of a carrier, hospital or medical service corporation, or third-party administrator under this section or the selection of an insurance carrier or a hospital or medical service corporation to provide excess loss insurance as provided in AS 39.30.091; (6) if the aggregate of dividends payable under the group insurance policy exceeds the governmental unit's share of the premium, the excess shall be applied by the governmental unit for the sole benefit of the employees; (7) a person receiving benefits under AS 14.25.110, AS 22.25, AS 39.35, or former AS 39.37 may continue the life insurance coverage that was in effect under this section at the time of termination of employment with the state or participating governmental unit; (8) a person electing to have insurance under (7) of this subsection shall pay the cost of this insurance; (9) for each permanent part-time employee electing coverage under this section, the state shall contribute one-half the state contribution rate for permanent full-time state employees, and the permanent part-time employee shall contribute the other one-half; (10) a person receiving benefits under AS 14.25, AS 22.25, AS 39.35, or former AS 39.37 may obtain auditory, visual, 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0989 and dental insurance for that person and eligible dependents under this section; the level of coverage for persons over 65 shall be the same as that available before reaching age 65 except that the benefits payable shall be supplemental to any benefits provided under the federal old age, survivors, and disability insurance program; a person electing to have insurance under this paragraph shall pay the cost of the insurance; the commissioner of administration shall adopt regulations implementing this paragraph; (11) a person receiving benefits under AS 14.25, AS 22.25, AS 39.35, or former AS 39.37 may obtain long-term care insurance for that person and eligible dependents under this section; a person who elects insurance under this paragraph shall pay the cost of the insurance premium; the commissioner of administration shall adopt regulations to implement this paragraph; (12) each licensee holding a current operating agreement for a vending facility under AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210 shall be covered by the group policy that applies to governmental units other than the state. * Sec. 13. AS 39.30.090(b)(2) is amended to read: (2) "governmental unit" means the state, a municipality, a school district, the University of Alaska, or other political subdivision of the state, and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council; * Sec. 14. AS 39.30.090(b) is amended by adding new paragraphs to read: (4) "school district" means a municipal school district or regional educational attendance area; (5) "school employee" has the meaning given under AS 14.27.010(f). * Sec. 15. AS 39.30.091 is amended to read: Sec. 39.30.091. Authorization for self-insurance and excess loss insurance. Notwithstanding AS 21.86.310 or AS 39.30.090, the Department of Administration may provide, by means of self- insurance, one or more of the benefits listed in AS 39.30.090(a)(1) for state employees or school employees eligible for the benefits by law or under a collective bargaining agreement and for persons receiving benefits under AS 14.25, AS 22.25, AS 39.35, or former AS 39.37 [,] and their dependents. The department shall procure any necessary excess loss insurance under AS 39.30.090. * Sec. 16. AS 39.30.091 is amended by adding new subsections to 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0990 read: (b) If the Department of Administration is required by (a) of this section to procure excess loss insurance in connection with coverage of school employees, the department may allocate the cost of that insurance across all school employers that participate in self- insurance provided by the department under this section. (c) In this section, "school employee" and "school employer" have the meanings given in AS 14.27.010(f)." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, lines 6 - 10: Delete all material and insert: "* Sec. 19. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: APPLICABILITY. Sections 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11 - 16 of this Act apply to a contract or collective bargaining agreement that becomes legally binding on or after the effective date of secs. 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11 - 16 of this Act. * Sec. 20. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: TRANSITION. Not later than 30 days after enrolling in a health care plan administered by the state under AS 39.30.090 or 39.30.091, a school employer that, before the effective date of this section, maintains a self-funded insurance reserve for the purpose of paying employee health insurance claims shall transfer the closing balance of that reserve to the group health and life benefits fund under AS 39.30.095. An amount transferred under this section by a school employer shall be applied to offset reimbursement owed by that school employer under AS 14.27.010(d), enacted by sec. 9 of this Act. In this section, "school employer" has the meaning given in AS 14.27.010(f). * Sec. 21. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: REGULATIONS. The commissioner of administration shall adopt regulations necessary to implement the changes made by this Act. The regulations may not take effect before the effective date of the law implemented by the regulation. * Sec. 22. Sections 20 and 21 of this Act take effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). * Sec. 23. Sections 1 - 3, 5, 8, 10, 17, and 18 of this Act take effect 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0991 July 1, 2025. * Sec. 24. Except as provided in secs. 22 and 23 of this Act, this Act takes effect July 1, 2026." Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 11. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 11 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 11? YEAS: 6 NAYS: 14 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 11 failed. Senator Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent Amendment No. 12 be moved to the bottom of amendments considered today. Without objection, Amendment No. 12 was moved to the bottom of amendments. Senator Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent Amendment No. 13 be moved to the bottom of amendments considered today. Without objection, Amendment No. 13 was moved to the bottom of amendments. Senator Myers offered Amendment No. 14 : Page 2, following line 10: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 3. AS 14.03.250(b) is amended to read: (b) A decision of a local school board approving or denying an application for a charter school must be in writing, must be issued within 60 days after the application, and must include all relevant 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0992 findings of fact and conclusions of law. The failure of a local school board to either approve or deny the application within 60 days shall be considered a denial for purposes of this section." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8: Delete "Section 3" Insert "Section 4" Senator Myers moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 14. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 14 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 14? YEAS: 8 NAYS: 12 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 14 failed. Senator Myers offered Amendment No. 15 : Page 1, line 2, following "allocation;": Insert "relating to teacher and administrator exit interviews conducted by school districts;" Page 1, following line 6: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Section 1. AS 14.03.120(a) is amended to read: (a) A district shall annually file with the department, and make available to the public, a report that (1) establishes district goals and priorities for improving 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0993 education in the district; (2) includes a plan for achieving district goals and priorities; and (3) includes a means of measuring the achievement of district goals and priorities; (4) includes the information compiled through teacher and administrator exit interviews conducted under AS 14.20.183." Page 1, line 7: Delete "Section 1" Insert "Sec. 2" Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 7. AS 14.20 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.20.183. Exit interviews. A school district shall conduct an exit interview with a teacher or administrator when the teacher or administrator terminates employment with the school district." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8: Delete "Section 3" Insert "Section 4" Senator Myers moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 15. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 15 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 15? YEAS: 6 NAYS: 14 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0994 Yeas: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 15 failed. Senator Myers offered Amendment No. 16 : Page 1, line 1, following "Act": Insert "relating to excused absences;" Page 1, following line 6: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Section 1. AS 14.03.016 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (e) A school or school district may not adopt a policy that excludes a student from participating in a school activity because of the student's absence from all or part of a school day that has been excused by the student's parent or guardian." Page 1, line 7: Delete "Section 1" Insert "Sec. 2" Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8: Delete "Section 3" Insert "Section 4" Senator Myers moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 16. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 16 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 16? 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0995 YEAS: 7 NAYS: 13 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Kiehl, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 16 failed. Senator Myers offered Amendment No. 17 : Page 1, line 2, following "funding;": Insert "relating to intensive services funding;" Page 4, following line 11: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 5. AS 14.17.420 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (d) Each fiscal year, a district shall budget for and spend on intensive services an amount equal to the funds generated for the district by the intensive services funding factor under (a)(2) of this section." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Senator Myers moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 17. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 17 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 17? YEAS: 5 NAYS: 15 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 17 failed. 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0996 Amendment No. 18 was not offered. Senators Myers, Hughes offered Amendment No. 19 : Page 1, line 1, following "schools;": Insert "relating to education funding;" Page 2, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 4. AS 14.03.410(e) is amended to read: (e) A student in an early education program may not be counted in a district's ADM under AS 14.17.600 [AS 14.17.500] unless the department has approved the program." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, following line 11: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 6. AS 14.11.100(o) is amended to read: (o) The total amount of school construction projects approved for reimbursement by the department under (a)(10) of this section (1) may not exceed $190,644,901; and (2) after June 30, 1998, and until July 1, 2006, shall be allocated as follows: (A) $77,897,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of 25,000 or more students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (B) $14,571,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 15,000 but less than 25,000 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (C) $14,143,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 10,000 but less than 15,000 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (D) $7,429,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 7,500 but less than 10,000 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (E) $20,712,912 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 5,000 but less than 7,500 students 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0997 in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (F) $2,660,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 2,750 but less than 3,000 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (G) $454,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 2,400 but less than 2,750 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (H) $46,869,989 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 2,050 but less than 2,400 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (I) $329,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 1,700 but less than 1,750 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (J) $286,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 650 but less than 725 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (K) $519,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 500 but less than 525 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (L) $2,224,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 425 but less than 482 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (M) $2,550,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 290 but less than 305 students in fiscal year 2000, as determined under former AS 14.17.500. * Sec. 7. AS 14.11.100(p) is amended to read: (p) The total amount of school construction projects approved for reimbursement by the department under (a)(13) and (a)(14) of this section (1) may not exceed $177,256,000; (2) after June 30, 1999, and until October 31, 2006, shall be allocated as follows: (A) $61,925,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of 45,000 or more students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (B) $40,570,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 14,600 but less than 20,000 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (C) $20,000,000 to projects in a municipality with a 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0998 public school enrollment of at least 10,000 but less than 14,600 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (D) $2,588,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 7,500 but less than 10,000 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (E) $5,995,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 4,000 but less than 6,000 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (F) $1,237,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 2,400 but less than 2,800 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (G) $1,100,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 2,200 but less than 2,400 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (H) $7,164,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 1,300 but less than 1,500 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (I) $1,260,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 740 but less than 757 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (J) $608,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 650 but less than 700 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (K) $32,000,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 500 but less than 600 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (L) $2,809,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 370 but less than 390 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500. * Sec. 8. AS 14.11.100(q) is amended to read: (q) The total amount of school construction projects approved for reimbursement by the department under (a)(15) of this section (1) may not exceed $14,644,000; (2) after June 30, 1999, and until October 31, 2006, shall be allocated as follows: (A) $6,522,000 to projects in a municipality with a public school enrollment of at least 1,925 but less than 2,025 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500; (B) $8,122,000 to projects in a municipality with a 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 0999 public school enrollment of at least 398 but less than 400 students in fiscal year 2005, as determined under former AS 14.17.500. * Sec. 9. AS 14.16.050(a) is amended to read: (a) The following provisions apply with respect to the operation and management of a state boarding school as if it were a school district: (1) requirements relating to school district operations: (A) AS 14.03.030 - 14.03.050 (defining the school term, day in session, and school holidays); (B) AS 14.03.083 - 14.03.140 (miscellaneous provisions applicable to school district operations); (C) regulations adopted by the board under authority of AS 14.07.020(a) that are applicable to school districts and their schools, unless the board specifically exempts state boarding schools from compliance with a regulation; (D) AS 14.12.150 (authorizing school districts to establish and participate in the services of a regional resource center); (E) AS 14.14.050 (imposing the requirement of an annual audit); (F) AS 14.14.110 (authorizing cooperation with other school districts); (G) AS 14.14.140(b) (establishing a prohibition on employment of a relative of the chief school administrator); (H) AS 14.18 (prohibiting discrimination based on sex in public education); (2) requirements relating to the public school funding program and the receipt and expenditure of that funding: (A) [AS 14.17.500 (RELATING TO STUDENT COUNT ESTIMATES); (B)] AS 14.17.505 (relating to school operating fund balances); (B) AS 14.17.505 - 14.17.910 [(C) AS 14.17.500 - 14.17.910] (setting out the procedure for payment of public school funding and imposing general requirements and limits on money paid); (3) requirements relating to teacher employment and retirement: (A) AS 14.14.105 and 14.14.107 (relating to sick leave); (B) AS 14.20.095 - 14.20.215 (relating to the 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1000 employment and tenure of teachers); (C) AS 14.20.280 - 14.20.350 (relating to sabbatical leave provisions for teachers); (D) AS 23.40.070 - 23.40.260 (authorizing collective bargaining by certificated employees), except with regard to teachers who are administrators and except that the board may delegate some or all of its responsibilities under those statutes; (E) AS 14.25 (provisions regarding the teachers' retirement system); (4) requirements relating to students and educational programs: (A) AS 14.30.180 - 14.30.350 (relating to educational services for children with disabilities); (B) AS 14.30.360 - 14.30.370 (establishing health education program standards); (C) AS 14.30.400 - 14.30.410 (relating to bilingual and bicultural education). * Sec. 10. AS 14.17.450(d) is amended to read: (d) If a charter school has a student count of at least 75 but less than 150 in a fiscal quarter [FOR THE CURRENT YEAR] and is in the first three years of operation or had a student count of at least 75 in the previous fiscal quarter [YEAR] of operation, (1) the adjusted student count for the school shall be calculated by multiplying the student count by the student rate for a school that has a student count of 150; and (2) not later than February 15, the charter school shall submit for approval of the governing board of the district a plan for the following school year that includes a statement about whether the school will continue to operate if the student count remains at least 75 but less than 150 [THE SAME THAT YEAR] and, if so, a projection of the funding anticipated from the state and other sources, a proposed budget, and a description of anticipated changes to the school staff, program, and curriculum; if the school intends to close if the student count remains at least 75 but less than 150 [THE SAME THE FOLLOWING YEAR], the plan must describe transfer plans for students, staff, facilities, and materials. * Sec. 11. AS 14.17.450(e) is amended to read: (e) If an alternative school has a student count of more than 120 but less than 175 in a fiscal quarter [FOR THE CURRENT YEAR] and is in the first year of operation or had a student count of 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1001 175 or more in the previous fiscal quarter [YEAR] of operation, the adjusted student count for the school shall be calculated by multiplying the student count by 95 percent of the student rate for a school that has a student count of 175." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, following line 14: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 13. AS 14.17.600(a) is amended to read: (a) Once a quarter each fiscal year [WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE END OF THE 20-SCHOOL-DAY PERIOD ENDING THE FOURTH FRIDAY IN OCTOBER], each district shall calculate its ADM using a seven-school-day period that occurs during the quarter and transmit a report to the department that, under regulations adopted by the department, reports its ADM for that count period and other student count information that will aid the department in making a determination of its state aid under the public school funding program. [FOR CENTRALIZED CORRESPONDENCE STUDY, THE OCTOBER REPORT SHALL BE BASED ON THE PERIOD FROM JULY 1 THROUGH THE FOURTH FRIDAY IN OCTOBER.] The department may make necessary corrections in the report submitted and shall notify the district of changes made. The district and the department shall, by mutual agreement, specify the dates included in the seven-school- day count period for each quarter and the date in the quarter by which the district's report must be transmitted to the department. The commissioner shall notify the governor of additional appropriations the commissioner estimates to be necessary to fully finance the public school funding program for the current fiscal year. * Sec. 14. AS 14.17.600 is amended by adding new subsections to read: (c) Part-time students shall be included in the student count data in accordance with regulations adopted by the department. (d) When reporting a district's ADM, a part-time student who is a correspondence student may not be counted as more than one full- time equivalent student. (e) Except as provided in (f) - (h) of this section, a student in a district-wide early education program provided by a district and approved by the department under AS 14.07.020(a)(8) is counted as 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1002 one-half of a full-time equivalent student. (f) A district may not include in a school's ADM students who are four and five years of age if the students are enrolled in an early education program that receives state or federal funding other than funding under this chapter. (g) A district may not include in a school's ADM students who are four and five years of age if inclusion of the students would result in an increase of total state aid attributable to district-wide early education programs approved under AS 14.03.410 of more than $3,000,000 from the previous fiscal year. The department shall prioritize the funding of district-wide early education programs, giving priority to districts with lower performance, based on the department's ranking of districts under AS 14.03.410(c). When the number of students in a district-wide early education program will result in an increase of total state aid attributable to district-wide early education programs approved under AS 14.03.410 of more than $3,000,000 from the previous fiscal year, the department may identify the amount, up to $3,000,000, available for the district's district-wide early education program. (h) For purposes of AS 14.09.010, a student in a district-wide early education program provided by a district and approved by the department under AS 14.07.020(a)(8) is counted as a full-time equivalent student. * Sec. 15. AS 14.17.600(e), enacted by sec. 14 of this Act, is amended to read: (e) A district may not include in the district's ADM [EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN (f) - (h) OF THIS SECTION,] a student in a district-wide early education program provided by the [A] district [AND APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER AS 14.07.020(a)(8) IS COUNTED AS ONE-HALF OF A FULL- TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENT]. * Sec. 16. AS 14.17.610(a) is amended to read: (a) The department shall determine the state aid for each school district in a fiscal year on the basis of the district's student count data reported under AS 14.17.600. On or before the 15th day of each quarter [OF THE FIRST NINE MONTHS] of each fiscal year, one-quarter [ONE-TWELFTH] of each district's state aid shall be distributed on the basis of the data reported for the preceding quarter [FISCAL YEAR. ON OR BEFORE THE 15TH DAY OF EACH OF THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF EACH FISCAL YEAR, ONE- 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1003 THIRD OF THE BALANCE OF EACH DISTRICT'S STATE AID SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED, AFTER THE BALANCE HAS BEEN RECOMPUTED ON THE BASIS OF STUDENT COUNT AND OTHER DATA REPORTED FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR]. * Sec. 17. AS 14.17.905(a) is amended to read: (a) For purposes of this chapter, the determination of the number of schools in a district is subject to the following: (1) a community with an ADM of at least 10, but not more than 100, shall be counted as one school; (2) a community with an ADM of at least 101, but not more than 425, shall be counted as (A) one elementary school, which includes those students in grades kindergarten through six and, except as provided in AS 14.17.600 [AS 14.17.500], in an early education program provided by a school district and approved by the department under AS 14.07.020(a)(8); and (B) one secondary school, which includes students in grades seven through 12; (3) in a community with an ADM of greater than 425, each facility that is administered as a separate school shall be counted as one school, except that each alternative school with an ADM of less than 175 shall be counted as a part of the school in the district with the highest ADM. * Sec. 18. AS 14.20.150(b) is amended to read: (b) In this section, a full school year of employment means employment that begins on or before the first student count day required by the department under AS 14.17.600 in a school year or October 15, whichever occurs first, and continues through the remainder of the school year. * Sec. 19. AS 14.30.650 is amended to read: Sec. 14.30.650. Funding. Each fiscal year, the department shall allocate to the agency not less than $23.13 times the number of students in the state in average daily membership based on the highest student count period conducted in the preceding fiscal year as determined under AS 14.17.600. Money to carry out the provisions of this section may be appropriated annually by the legislature. If amounts are insufficient to meet the allocation authorized under this section for a fiscal year, the allocation shall be reduced pro rata." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1004 Page 5, following line 26: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 22. Section 47, ch. 40, SLA 2022, is amended to read: Sec. 47. AS 14.03.120(h), 14.03.410, 14.03.420; [AS 14.17.500(e), 14.17.500(f), 14.17.500(g);] AS 14.20.020(l); AS 14.30.760, 14.30.765, 14.30.770, 14.30.775, 14.30.780, and 14.30.800 are repealed. * Sec. 23. AS 14.17.500 and 14.17.600(b) are repealed. * Sec. 24. AS 14.17.600(f), 14.17.600(g), and 14.17.600(h) are repealed." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8: Delete "Section 3 of this Act applies" Insert "Sections 3, 4, 6 - 11, 13, 14, 16 - 19, and 23 of this Act apply" Page 7, line 9, following "date": Insert "of secs. 3, 4, 6 - 11, 13, 14, 16 - 19, and 23" Page 7, line 10: Delete all material and insert: "* Sec. 27. Sections 15 and 24 of this Act take effect on the effective date of sec. 47, ch. 40, SLA 2022. * Sec. 28. Except as provided in sec. 27 of this Act, this Act takes effect July 1, 2025." Senator Myers moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 19. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 19 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 19? YEAS: 7 NAYS: 13 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1005 Yeas: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Kiehl, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 19 failed. Senator Myers offered Amendment No. 20 : Page 1, line 2, following "funding;": Insert "relating to funding for school construction and major maintenance; relating to school bond debt reimbursement;" Page 4, following line 11: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 5. AS 14.11.011(b) is amended to read: (b) For a municipality that is a school district or a regional educational attendance area to be eligible for a grant under this chapter, the district shall submit (1) a six-year capital improvement plan that includes a description of the district's fixed asset inventory system and preventive maintenance program not [NO] later than July [SEPTEMBER] 1 of the fiscal year before the fiscal year for which the request is made; the six-year plan must contain for each proposed project a detailed scope of work, a project budget, and documentation of conditions justifying the project; (2) evidence that the district has secured and will maintain adequate property loss insurance for the replacement cost of all facilities for which state funds are available under AS 14.11.005 or 14.11.007 or has a program of insurance acceptable to the department; (3) evidence acceptable to the department that the proposed project should be a capital improvement project and not part of a preventive maintenance program or regular custodial care program; and (4) evidence acceptable to the department that the district (A) has a preventive maintenance plan that (i) includes a computerized maintenance management program, cardex system, or other formal systematic means of tracking the timing and costs associated with planned and completed maintenance activities, including scheduled 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1006 preventive maintenance; (ii) addresses energy management for buildings owned or operated by the district; (iii) includes a regular custodial care program for buildings owned or operated by the district; (iv) includes preventive maintenance training for facility managers and maintenance employees; (v) includes renewal and replacement schedules for electrical, mechanical, structural, and other components of facilities owned or operated by the district; and (B) is adequately adhering to the preventive maintenance plan. * Sec. 6. AS 14.11.014(d) is amended to read: (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the committee may not recommend for approval an application for bond debt reimbursement made by a municipality (1) for more than one school construction project listed on the department's ranking of school construction project priorities under AS 14.11.013(b); and (2) for more than the top two major maintenance projects for each district listed on the department's ranking of major maintenance project priorities under AS 14.11.013(b), except that the committee may recommend for approval an application for bond debt reimbursement made by a municipality for all the major maintenance projects of the municipality that are ranked within the top 20 projects, exclusive of projects funded by grants, on the department's list of major maintenance project priorities [OR MAJOR MAINTENANCE FOR INDEBTEDNESS AUTHORIZED BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2015, BUT BEFORE JULY 1, 2025]. * Sec. 7. AS 14.11.100(h) is amended to read: (h) An allocation under (a)(4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), [OR] (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), or (18) of this section for school construction begun after July 1, 1982, shall be reduced by the amount of money used for the construction of residential space, hockey rinks, planetariums, saunas, and other facilities for single purpose sporting or recreational uses that are not suitable for other activities and by the money used for construction that exceeds the amount needed for construction of a facility of 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1007 efficient design as determined by the department. An allocation under (a)(4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), [OR] (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), or (18) of this section may not be reduced by the amount of money used for construction of a small swimming pool, tank, or water storage facility used for water sports. However, an allocation shall be reduced by the difference between the amount of money used to construct a swimming pool that exceeds the standards adopted by the department and the amount of money that would have been used to construct a small swimming pool, tank, or water storage facility, as determined by the commissioner. * Sec. 8. AS 14.11.100(i) is amended to read: (i) For the purposes of (a)(4) - (18) [(a)(4) - (10)] of this section, (1) an indebtedness for bonds is incurred after the bonds are sold; (2) reimbursement for a cash payment may only be made after the payment is made to a vendor; and (3) payments may not be made for costs that are incurred under a contract after the contract has been released. * Sec. 9. AS 14.11.100(s) is amended to read: (s) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner may not approve an application for bond debt reimbursement made by a municipality (1) for more than one school construction project listed on the department's ranking of school construction project priorities under AS 14.11.013(b); and (2) for more than the top two major maintenance projects for each district listed on the department's ranking of major maintenance project priorities under AS 14.11.013(b), except that the commissioner may approve an application for bond debt reimbursement made by a municipality for all the major maintenance projects of the municipality that are ranked within the top 20 projects, exclusive of projects funded by grants, on the department's list of major maintenance project priorities [OR MAJOR MAINTENANCE FOR INDEBTEDNESS AUTHORIZED BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2015, BUT BEFORE JULY 1, 2025]. * Sec. 10. AS 14.11.102(c) is amended to read: (c) The commissioner may not allocate funds to a municipality under AS 14.11.100 for the retirement of the principal of and 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1008 interest on outstanding tax-exempt bonds, notes, or other indebtedness (1) for more than one school construction project listed on the department's ranking of school construction project priorities under AS 14.11.013(b); and (2) for more than the top two major maintenance projects for each district listed on the department's ranking of major maintenance project priorities under AS 14.11.013(b), except that the commissioner may allocate funds to a municipality for the retirement of the principal of and interest on outstanding tax-exempt bonds, notes, or other indebtedness for all the major maintenance projects of the municipality that are ranked within the top 20 projects, exclusive of projects funded by grants, on the department's list of major maintenance project priorities [AUTHORIZED BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2015, BUT BEFORE JULY 1, 2025]." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 5, following line 26: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 14. AS 14.11.100(a)(19) is repealed. * Sec. 15. Section 6, ch. 3, SLA 2015, as amended by sec. 5, ch. 6, SLA 2020, is repealed." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8, following "APPLICABILITY.": Insert "(a)" Page 7, following line 9: Insert a new subsection to read: "(b) AS 14.11.011(b), as amended by sec. 5 of this Act, AS 14.11.014(d), as amended by sec. 6 of this Act, AS 14.11.100(h), as amended by sec. 7 of this Act, AS 14.11.100(i), as amended by sec. 8 of this Act, AS 14.11.100(s), as amended by sec. 9 of this Act, AS 14.11.102(c), as amended by sec. 10 of this Act, and the repeal of AS 14.11.100(a)(19) by sec. 14 of this Act, apply to an application for bond debt reimbursement made by a municipality for school 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1009 construction or major maintenance for indebtedness authorized by the qualified voters of the municipality on or after July 1, 2025." Senator Myers moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 20. Senator Tobin objected. Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 20. Without objection, Amendment No. 20 was withdrawn. Senator Myers offered Amendment No. 21 : Page 1, line 1, following "schools;": Insert "relating to demonstration state-tribal education compacts; relating to demonstration state-tribal education compact schools;" Page 2, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 4. AS 14.03 is amended by adding new sections to read: Article 5. Demonstration State-Tribal Education Compacts. Sec. 14.03.450. Authorization of demonstration state-tribal education compacts. (a) The commissioner may enter into demonstration state-tribal education compacts with participating tribes. (b) A demonstration state-tribal education compact must follow a template that contains substantially similar or equivalent terms applicable to each participating tribe and must include provisions regarding (1) the five-year term of the compact; (2) roles and responsibilities of the parties; (3) legal, funding, and accounting compliance requirements; (4) recordkeeping and auditing; (5) notices of violation; (6) compact termination; (7) dispute resolution; (8) express limited waiver of tribal sovereign immunity for the services provided under the compact; (9) limitation of liability; (10) insurance; and 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1010 (11) mandatory participation in the teachers' retirement system (AS 14.25), the public employees' retirement system (AS 39.35), or both. (c) A demonstration state-tribal education compact authorized by this section must take effect on or before June 30, 2028. (d) In this section, "participating tribe" means the federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations that participated in negotiations under sec. 1, ch. 43, SLA 2022. Sec. 14.03.460. Operation of demonstration state-tribal education compact schools. (a) A demonstration state-tribal education compact school must operate in accordance with the terms of the compact entered into under AS 14.03.450. (b) A demonstration state-tribal education compact school is exempt from all state statutes and regulations applicable to school districts and school district boards of directors, except those statutes and regulations made applicable under AS 14.03.450 - 14.03.500, in a demonstration state-tribal education compact entered into under AS 14.03.450, or in legislation enacted or regulations adopted after the effective date of sec. 4 of this Act. (c) The following provisions apply to the operation and management of a demonstration state-tribal education compact school as if the school were a school district: (1) requirements relating to school district operations: (A) AS 14.03.016 - 14.03.050 (regarding parental rights and compulsory attendance, and defining the school term, day in session, and school holidays); (B) AS 14.03.072 (regarding literacy and early reading information); (C) AS 14.03.083, 14.03.090 - 14.03.127, 14.03.135, and 14.03.140 (miscellaneous provisions applicable to school district operations); (D) AS 14.09.010 - 14.09.030 (relating to transportation of students); (E) AS 14.14.050 (imposing the requirement of an annual audit); (F) AS 14.14.110 (authorizing cooperation with other school districts); (G) AS 14.18 (prohibiting discrimination based on sex in public education); (H) AS 14.33 (relating to school safety and 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1011 discipline); (I) regulations adopted by the state board to implement this paragraph that are applicable to a school district and the district's schools; (2) requirements relating to the public school funding program and the receipt and expenditure of that funding: AS 14.17.500 - 14.17.910 (relating to student count estimates, relating to school operating fund balances, and setting out the procedure for payment of public school funding and imposing general requirements and limits on money paid); (3) requirements relating to teacher employment and retirement: (A) AS 14.14.105 and 14.14.107 (relating to sick leave); (B) AS 14.20.010 - 14.20.040 (relating to teacher certification), except as provided in (d) of this section; (C) AS 14.20.095 - 14.20.215 (relating to the employment and tenure of teachers); (D) AS 14.25 (provisions regarding the teachers' retirement system); (E) AS 23.40.070 - 23.40.260 (authorizing collective bargaining by certificated employees), except with regard to teachers who are administrators; (4) requirements relating to students and educational programs: (A) AS 14.30.180 - 14.30.350 (relating to educational services for children with disabilities); (B) AS 14.30.355 and 14.30.356 (relating to sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness and prevention); (C) AS 14.30.360 - 14.30.370 (establishing health education program standards); (D) AS 14.30.400 (relating to bilingual-bicultural education). (d) Upon receiving a request from a representative of a demonstration state-tribal education compact school in which an applicant for a teacher certificate will be teaching, (1) the state board may waive the requirements of AS 14.20.020(b) or 14.20.022(b) to allow an individual with specialized knowledge relevant to the tribe to obtain a teacher certificate or subject-matter expert limited teacher certificate; and 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1012 (2) the department may issue a teacher certificate to a person qualified under AS 14.20.023(b) or 14.20.025; a teacher certificate issued under this paragraph does not require a request from the school board of the district or regional educational attendance area in which a demonstration state-tribal education compact school is located. (e) A demonstration state-tribal education compact school may not (1) engage in sectarian practices in the school's educational program, admissions, employment policies, or operations; (2) charge tuition; or (3) restrict enrollment or school choice options available under state law. (f) Unless a demonstration state-tribal education compact school is established as a correspondence school, the physical location of the school must be within the boundary of a school district with whom the state board has consulted under sec. 1(c), ch. 43, SLA 2022. (g) For purposes of AS 14.25 and participation in the teachers' retirement system, (1) a demonstration state-tribal education compact school is an employer as defined in AS 14.25.220; and (2) a certificated teacher employed by a demonstration state-tribal education compact school is a member of the plan. (h) Unless the context requires otherwise, the provisions of this title made applicable to a federally recognized tribe or tribal organization under AS 14.03.450 - 14.03.500 or a demonstration state- tribal education compact school apply to (1) the tribe or tribal organization as a school district as defined in AS 14.30.350; (2) a governing body established by the tribe or tribal organization to operate a demonstration state-tribal education compact school as a governing body or school board; and (3) a demonstration state-tribal education compact school as a public school or public educational institution as used in this title and art. VII, sec. 1, Constitution of the State of Alaska. Sec. 14.03.470. Facilities. A facility of a demonstration state- tribal education compact school must conform to applicable law concerning public facility access, health, safety, and fire code requirements. Sec. 14.03.480. Funding. (a) The legislature may appropriate 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1013 funds in any manner permitted under this title to a demonstration state- tribal education compact school as if the school were a regional educational attendance area. (b) Subject to appropriation, the department may provide state aid and grant funding in any manner permitted under this title to a demonstration state-tribal education compact school as if the school were a regional educational attendance area. (c) For purposes of application for and receipt of federal aid to education, a demonstration state-tribal education compact school constitutes a local educational agency. (d) The department may withhold funds from a demonstration state-tribal education compact school for violation of (1) state law made applicable by AS 14.03.450 - 14.03.500; or (2) a provision of the school's compact entered into under AS 14.03.450. Sec. 14.03.490. Reports. (a) For the duration of a demonstration state-tribal education compact, a participating federally recognized tribe or tribal organization shall report to the commissioner (1) student data and enrollment using the same definitions and procedures required under AS 14.17.600; and (2) by November 15 of the year after the data is collected, school performance data and the performance of the school's students required under AS 14.03.120(d). (b) The department shall include data obtained under (a) of this section in the department's report to the legislature under AS 14.03.078. (c) On or before January 31, 2033, the department shall provide a written report to the legislature concerning demonstration state-tribal education compacts. The department shall deliver the report to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of the house of representatives and notify the legislature that the report is available. The report must include a summary of the data compiled for each demonstration state-tribal education compact school from the reports made under (a) of this section from the effective date of sec. 4 of this Act through November 15, 2032. Sec. 14.03.500. Regulations. The department and the state board may adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of AS 14.03.450 - 14.03.490." 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1014 Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, following line 5: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 10. AS 14.03.450, 14.03.460, 14.03.470, 14.03.480, 14.03.490, and 14.03.500 are repealed July 1, 2036." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 10: Delete all material and insert: "* Sec. 12. Section 4 of this Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). * Sec. 13. Except as provided in sec. 12 of this Act, this Act takes effect July 1, 2025." Senator Myers moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 21. Senator Tobin objected. Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 21. Without objection, Amendment No. 21 was withdrawn. Senator Myers offered Amendment No. 22 : Page 1, line 1, following "reports;": Insert "relating to student academic performance incentive funding;" Page 1, following line 13: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 2. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.128. Student academic performance incentive funding. Subject to appropriation, the department shall provide student academic performance incentive funding to a school at which 70 percent or more of the school's students scored proficient or above on a statewide assessment required under AS 14.03.123(f). The amount of the funding is an amount equal to the ADM of the school multiplied by $50. If insufficient funding is appropriated to provide all funding authorized under this section, the funding shall be distributed pro rata to eligible schools. A school may use the funding for extracurricular activities as defined in the compact 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1015 established under AS 14.34.010 and for secondary school vocational and technical instruction. In this section, "ADM" means the aggregate number of full-time equivalent students enrolled in a school during the student count period for which a determination is being made divided by the actual number of days that school is in session for the student count period for which the determination is being made." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8: Delete "Section 3" Insert "Section 4" Senator Myers moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 22. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 22 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 22? YEAS: 6 NAYS: 14 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 22 failed. Senator Myers offered Amendment No. 23 : Page 1, line 2, following "funding;": Insert "relating to achievement incentive funding;" Page 1, line 4, following "Development;": Insert "relating to the fund for the improvement of school performance;" 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1016 Page 2, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 4. AS 14.07.020(a) is amended to read: (a) The department shall (1) exercise general supervision over the public schools of the state except the University of Alaska; (2) study the conditions and needs of the public schools of the state, adopt or recommend plans, [ADMINISTER AND EVALUATE GRANTS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE AWARDED UNDER AS 14.03.125,] and adopt regulations for the improvement of the public schools; the department may consult with the University of Alaska to develop secondary education requirements to improve student achievement in college preparatory courses; (3) provide advisory and consultative services to all public school governing bodies and personnel; (4) prescribe by regulation a minimum course of study for the public schools; the regulations must provide that, if a course in American Sign Language is given, the course shall be given credit as a course in a foreign language; (5) establish, in coordination with the Department of Family and Community Services, a program for the continuing education of children who are held in juvenile detention facilities or juvenile treatment facilities, as those terms are defined in AS 47.12.990, in the state during the period of detention or treatment; (6) accredit those public schools that meet accreditation standards prescribed by regulation by the department; these regulations shall be adopted by the department and presented to the legislature during the first 10 days of any regular session, and become effective 45 days after presentation or at the end of the session, whichever is earlier, unless disapproved by a resolution concurred in by a majority of the members of each house; (7) prescribe by regulation, after consultation with the state fire marshal and the state sanitarian, standards that will ensure healthful and safe conditions in the public and private schools of the state, including a requirement of physical examinations and immunizations in pre-elementary schools; the standards for private schools may not be more stringent than those for public schools; (8) exercise general supervision over early education programs that receive direct state or federal funding, including early 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1017 education programs provided by a school district for students four and five years of age, approve an early education program provided by a school district that complies with the standards adopted by the board under AS 14.07.165(a)(5), and revoke approval of an early education program if the program does not comply with the standards adopted by the board under AS 14.07.165(a)(5); (9) exercise general supervision over elementary and secondary correspondence study programs offered by municipal school districts or regional educational attendance areas; the department may also offer and make available to any Alaskan through a centralized office a correspondence study program; (10) accredit private schools that request accreditation and that meet accreditation standards prescribed by regulation by the department; nothing in this paragraph authorizes the department to require religious or other private schools to be licensed; (11) review plans for construction of new public elementary and secondary schools and for additions to and major rehabilitation of existing public elementary and secondary schools and, in accordance with regulations adopted by the department, determine and approve the extent of eligibility for state aid of a school construction or major maintenance project; for the purposes of this paragraph, "plans" include educational specifications, schematic designs, projected energy consumption and costs, and final contract documents; (12) provide educational opportunities in the areas of vocational education and training, and basic education to individuals over 16 years of age who are no longer attending school; the department may consult with businesses and labor unions to develop a program to prepare students for apprenticeships or internships that will lead to employment opportunities; (13) administer the grants awarded under AS 14.11; (14) establish, in coordination with the Department of Public Safety, a school bus driver training course; (15) require the reporting of information relating to school disciplinary and safety programs under AS 14.33.120 and of incidents of disruptive or violent behavior; (16) establish by regulation criteria, based on low student performance, under which the department may intervene in a school district to improve instructional practices, as described in AS 14.07.030(a)(14) or (15); the regulations must include 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1018 (A) a notice provision that alerts the district to the deficiencies and the instructional practice changes proposed by the department; (B) an end date for departmental intervention, as described in AS 14.07.030(a)(14)(A) and (B) and (15), after the district demonstrates three consecutive years of improvement consisting of not less than two percent increases in student proficiency on standards-based assessments in language arts and mathematics, as provided in AS 14.03.123(f)(1)(A); and (C) a process for districts to petition the department for continuing or discontinuing the department's intervention; (17) notify the legislative committees having jurisdiction over education before intervening in a school district under AS 14.07.030(a)(14) or redirecting public school funding under AS 14.07.030(a)(15); (18) establish a reading program to provide direct support for and intervention in the reading intervention programs of participating schools as described in AS 14.30.765 and 14.30.770; (19) annually convene, either in person or electronically, a panel to review and comment on the effectiveness of the programs created by the department and the regulations adopted by the board to implement AS 14.03.410, 14.03.420, AS 14.30.760 - 14.30.770, and 14.30.800; the panel (A) shall provide recommendations and guidance to the board, the department, and the legislature on how to integrate early education and reading programs created under this title with tribal compacting or programs focused on cultural education within the department; (B) shall discuss support for reading in Alaska Native languages and other non-English languages; (C) must collectively represent the regions of the state and include teachers of grades kindergarten through three, school administrators, parents of students in grades kindergarten through three, stakeholders from Indigenous language immersion programs, representatives from early education stakeholder groups, and researchers of best practices for improving literacy performance, including best practices for instruction of Indigenous students and students whose first language is not English." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1019 Page 4, following line 11: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 6. AS 14.17.410(b) is amended to read: (b) Public school funding consists of state aid, a required local contribution, and eligible federal impact aid determined as follows: (1) state aid equals basic need minus a required local contribution and 90 percent of eligible federal impact aid for that fiscal year; basic need equals the sum obtained under (D) of this paragraph, multiplied by the base student allocation set out in AS 14.17.470; district adjusted ADM is calculated as follows: (A) the ADM of each school in the district is calculated by applying the school size factor to the student count as set out in AS 14.17.450; (B) the number obtained under (A) of this paragraph is multiplied by the district cost factor described in AS 14.17.460; (C) the ADMs of each school in a district, as adjusted according to (A) and (B) of this paragraph, are added; the sum is then multiplied by the special needs factor set out in AS 14.17.420(a)(1), [AND] the secondary school vocational and technical instruction funding factor set out in AS 14.17.420(a)(3), and the achievement incentive funding factor calculated under AS 14.17.422; (D) the number obtained for intensive services under AS 14.17.420(a)(2) and the number obtained for correspondence study under AS 14.17.430 are added to the number obtained under (C) of this paragraph or under (H) and (I) of this paragraph; (E) notwithstanding (A) - (C) of this paragraph, if a school district's ADM adjusted for school size under (A) of this paragraph decreases by five percent or more from one fiscal year to the next fiscal year, the school district may use the last fiscal year before the decrease as a base fiscal year to offset the decrease, according to the following method: (i) for the first fiscal year after the base fiscal year determined under this subparagraph, the school district's ADM adjusted for school size determined under (A) of this paragraph is calculated as the district's ADM adjusted for school size, plus 75 percent of the difference in the district's ADM adjusted for school size between the base fiscal year and the first fiscal year after the base 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1020 fiscal year; (ii) for the second fiscal year after the base fiscal year determined under this subparagraph, the school district's ADM adjusted for school size determined under (A) of this paragraph is calculated as the district's ADM adjusted for school size, plus 50 percent of the difference in the district's ADM adjusted for school size between the base fiscal year and the second fiscal year after the base fiscal year; (iii) for the third fiscal year after the base fiscal year determined under this subparagraph, the school district's ADM adjusted for school size determined under (A) of this paragraph is calculated as the district's ADM adjusted for school size, plus 25 percent of the difference in the district's ADM adjusted for school size between the base fiscal year and the third fiscal year after the base fiscal year; (F) the method established in (E) of this paragraph is available to a school district for the three fiscal years following the base fiscal year determined under (E) of this paragraph only if the district's ADM adjusted for school size determined under (A) of this paragraph for each fiscal year is less than the district's ADM adjusted for school size in the base fiscal year; (G) the method established in (E) of this paragraph does not apply to a decrease in the district's ADM adjusted for school size resulting from a loss of enrollment that occurs as a result of a boundary change under AS 29; (H) notwithstanding (A) - (C) of this paragraph, if one or more schools close and consolidate with one or more other schools in the same community and district and, as a result of the consolidation, basic need generated by the district's ADM of the consolidated schools as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph decreases, the district may use the last fiscal year before the consolidation as the base fiscal year to offset that decrease for the first four fiscal years following consolidation according to the following method: (i) for the first two fiscal years after the base fiscal year, the district's ADM of the consolidated schools as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph is calculated by dividing the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph for the base fiscal year by the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the base fiscal year without 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1021 adjustment, and subtracting the quotient obtained by dividing the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph by the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year without adjustment, multiplying that number by the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year without adjustment, and adding that number to the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph; (ii) for the third fiscal year after the base fiscal year, the district's ADM of the consolidated schools as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph is calculated by dividing the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph for the base fiscal year by the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the base fiscal year without adjustment, and subtracting the quotient obtained by dividing the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph by the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year, multiplying that number by the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year without adjustment, multiplying that number by 66 percent, and adding that number to the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph; (iii) for the fourth fiscal year after the base fiscal year, the district's ADM of the consolidated schools as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph is calculated by dividing the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph for the base fiscal year by the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the base fiscal year without adjustment, and subtracting the quotient obtained by dividing the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph by the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year, multiplying that number by the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year without adjustment, multiplying that number by 33 percent, and adding that number to the sum of the district's ADM of the consolidated schools for the current fiscal year as adjusted under (A) - (C) of this paragraph; (iv) to calculate the district's basic need for each 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1022 fiscal year, the number obtained through the calculation in (i), (ii), or (iii) of this subparagraph is added to the number obtained under (C) of this paragraph for the remainder of the district; (I) if the basic need calculated under (H)(i) - (iii) of this paragraph for one of the first four fiscal years after consolidation is less than the basic need calculated under (A) - (C) of this paragraph for that fiscal year, the basic need may not be adjusted under (H) of this paragraph for that fiscal year; (J) a district may not offset a decrease under (H) of this paragraph if (i) a new facility is constructed in the district for the consolidation; or (ii) the district offset a decrease under (E) of this paragraph in the same fiscal year; (K) a district that offsets a decrease under (H) of this paragraph may not reopen a school that was closed for consolidation in the district until (i) seven or more years have passed since the school closure; and (ii) the district provides evidence satisfactory to the department that the schools affected by the consolidation are over capacity; (L) a district may not reopen and reconsolidate a school that was consolidated in the district more than once every seven years for purposes of the calculations made under (H) of this paragraph; (M) a district offsetting a decrease under (H) of this paragraph shall provide the department with the list of schools participating in the consolidation and the corresponding ADM; (2) the required local contribution of a city or borough school district is the equivalent of a 2.65 mill tax levy on the full and true value of the taxable real and personal property in the district as of January 1 of the second preceding fiscal year, as determined by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development under AS 14.17.510 and AS 29.45.110, not to exceed 45 percent of a district's basic need for the preceding fiscal year as determined under (1) of this subsection. * Sec. 7. AS 14.17 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.17.422. Achievement incentive funding. (a) As a component of public school funding, a district or state boarding school 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1023 is eligible to receive achievement incentive funding based on an achievement incentive funding factor calculated as described in (b) of this section and applied as described in AS 14.17.410(b)(1) and 14.17.440(a)(2). (b) The achievement funding factor may not exceed 1.2 and is calculated by adding 1.0 to the sum of the following components: (1) math proficiency; the math proficiency component is calculated by multiplying .017 by the percentage of students in the district enrolled in kindergarten through grade 10 who, in the previous school year, scored proficient or above on the spring math assessment; (2) math proficiency growth; the math proficiency growth component is calculated by multiplying .033 by the percentage of students in the district enrolled in kindergarten through grade 10 who, in the previous school year, showed growth between the math assessments taken in the fall and the spring; (3) reading proficiency; the reading proficiency component is calculated by multiplying .017 by the percentage of students in the district enrolled in kindergarten through grade 10 who, in the previous school year, scored proficient or above on the spring reading assessment; (4) reading proficiency growth; the reading proficiency growth component is calculated by multiplying .033 by the percentage of students in the district enrolled in kindergarten through grade 10 who, in the previous school year, showed growth between the reading assessments taken in the fall and the spring; (5) graduation rate; if the graduation rate for the previous school year is (A) at least 70 percent but less than 80 percent, the component is .017; (B) at least 80 percent but less than 90 percent, the component is .033; (C) 90 percent or higher, the component is .05; and (6) postgraduation achievement rate; if the postgraduation achievement rate for the previous school year is (A) at least 70 percent but less than 80 percent, the component is .017; (B) at least 80 percent but less than 90 percent, the component is .033; (C) 90 percent or higher, the component is .05. (c) The department shall select the math assessments and 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1024 reading assessments used for the purposes of calculating a component under (b) of this section. (d) The department shall annually prepare a report containing information relating to the components and achievement incentive funding factor applied for each district and state boarding school in the previous school year, including the data relating to each component and factor. The department shall, not later than the seventh day of each regular legislative session, submit the report to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of the house of representatives and notify the legislature that the report is available. (e) In this section, (1) "graduation rate" has the meaning given by the department by regulation; (2) "math assessment" means a national, norm-referenced assessment that measures student performance in math; (3) "postgraduation achievement rate" means a quotient, expressed as a percentage, obtained by dividing the number of students who, within six months after graduating from a high school in the district, were accepted into a postsecondary educational institution or an apprenticeship program, enlisted in the military service of a state or the United States, or accepted full-time employment, by the number of students who graduated from high schools in the district; (4) "postsecondary educational institution" has the meaning given in AS 14.48.210; (5) "reading assessment" means a national, norm- referenced assessment that measures student performance in reading; (6) "state boarding school" means a state boarding school established under AS 14.16.010. * Sec. 8. AS 14.17.430 is amended to read: Sec. 14.17.430. State funding for correspondence study. Except as provided in AS 14.17.400(b), funding for the state centralized correspondence study program or a district correspondence program, including a district that offers a statewide correspondence study program, includes an allocation from the public education fund in an amount calculated by (1) multiplying the ADM of the correspondence program by 90 percent; (2) multiplying the ADM of the correspondence program by the sum of the district's achievement incentive funding factor components under AS 14.17.422(b)(1) - (6); and 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1025 (3) adding the number obtained in (1) of this section to the number obtained in (2) of this section. * Sec. 9. AS 14.17.440(a) is amended to read: (a) Except as provided in AS 14.17.400(b), funding for state boarding schools established under AS 14.16.010 includes an allocation from the public education fund in an amount calculated by (1) determining the ADM of state boarding schools by applying the school size factor to the student count as described in AS 14.17.450; (2) multiplying the number obtained under (1) of this subsection by the special needs factor in AS 14.17.420(a)(1), [AND] the secondary school vocational and technical instruction funding factor set out in AS 14.17.420(a)(3), and the achievement incentive funding factor for each state boarding school calculated under AS 14.17.422, and multiplying that product by the base student allocation; and (3) multiplying the product determined under (2) of this subsection by the district cost factor that is applicable to calculation of the state aid for the adjacent school district under AS 14.17.460." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 5, following line 26: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 13. AS 14.03.125 and AS 14.07.165(a)(2) are repealed." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Senator Myers moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 23. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 23 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 23? YEAS: 6 NAYS: 14 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1026 Yeas: Cronk, Hughes, Kawasaki, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 23 failed. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 24 : Page 1, line 2, following "funding;": Insert "relating to secondary school vocational and technical instruction;" Page 4, following line 11: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 5. AS 14.17.420 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (d) Each fiscal year, a district shall budget for and spend on secondary school vocational and technical instruction an amount equal to the funds generated for the district by the secondary school vocational and technical instruction funding factor under (a)(3) of this section." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 9, following "date": Insert "of sec. 3" Page 7, following line 9: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 11. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: TRANSITION: SECONDARY SCHOOL VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION FUNDING. A district shall budget for and spend on secondary school vocational and technical instruction in the following fiscal years an amount equal to the following percentages of the funds generated for the district by the secondary school vocational and technical instruction funding factor under AS 14.17.420(a)(3): (1) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2028, and June 30, 2029, 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1027 25 percent; (2) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2030, 50 percent. * Sec. 12. Section 5 of this Act takes effect July 1, 2030." Page 7, line 10: Delete "This" Insert "Except as provided in sec. 12 of this Act, this" Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 24. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 24 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 24? YEAS: 8 NAYS: 11 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bjorkman, Cronk, Dunbar, Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Claman, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Absent: Merrick and so, Amendment No. 24 failed. Senator Yundt moved and asked unanimous consent Amendment No. 25 be moved to the bottom of amendments considered today. Without objection, Amendment No. 25 was moved to the bottom of amendments. Amendment No. 3, which had been moved to the bottom of amendments offered today, was not offered. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 9 , which had been moved to the bottom of amendments offered today: Page 1, line 1, following "schools;": Insert "relating to education funding;" 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1028 Page 4, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 6. AS 14.17 is amended by adding a new section to article 2 to read: Sec. 14.17.530. Funding resulting from base student allocation increase. If the legislature increases the base student allocation in AS 14.17.470, a district shall spend in each subsequent fiscal year an amount equal to at least 70 percent of the district's increase in state aid resulting from the increase to the base student allocation on teachers and classroom instruction." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8, following "APPLICABILITY.": Insert "(a)" Page 7, following line 9: Insert a new subsection to read: "(b) AS 14.17.530, enacted by sec. 6 of this Act, applies to an increase to the base student allocation in AS 14.17.470 that takes effect on or after the effective date of sec. 6 of this Act." Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 9. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 9 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 9? YEAS: 7 NAYS: 13 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 9 failed. 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1029 Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 10 , which had been moved to the bottom of amendments offered today: Page 1, line 1, following "schools;": Insert "relating to education funding;" Page 4, following line 14: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 6. AS 14.17 is amended by adding a new section to article 2 to read: Sec. 14.17.530. Funding following base student allocation increase. If the legislature increases the base student allocation in AS 14.17.470, a district shall spend in each subsequent fiscal year on teachers and classroom instruction an amount equal to at least 75 percent of the difference between the state aid received by the district for the fiscal year and the budgeted district utility costs for the fiscal year." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8, following "APPLICABILITY.": Insert "(a)" Page 7, following line 9: Insert a new subsection to read: "(b) AS 14.17.530, enacted by sec. 6 of this Act, applies to an increase to the base student allocation in AS 14.17.470 that takes effect on or after the effective date of sec. 6 of this Act." Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 10. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 10 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 10? YEAS: 5 NAYS: 15 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1030 Yeas: Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 10 failed. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 12 , which had been moved to the bottom of amendments offered today: Page 1, line 1, following "reports;": Insert "relating to performance incentive awards for teachers of students;" Page 1, following line 13: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 2. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.124. Performance incentive awards. (a) Each school district shall, using the district's own funds, provide a performance incentive award to the teachers of a student in the school district who shows improvement in learning outcomes. The award must be based on a four-level performance improvement scale. The amount of the award is (1) $50 for each teacher of a student who shows improvement from level one to level two; (2) $25 for each teacher of a student who shows improvement from level two to level three; (3) $25 for each teacher of a student who shows improvement from level three to level four. (b) The department shall establish by regulation the criteria for awarding a performance incentive award at each level of improvement. (c) In this section, "school district" has the meaning given in AS 14.30.350." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8: Delete "Section 3" Insert "Section 4" 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1031 Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 12. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 12 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 12? YEAS: 5 NAYS: 15 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 12 failed. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 13 , which had been moved to the bottom of amendments offered today: Page 1, line 1, following "reports;": Insert "relating to teacher spending accounts;" Page 1, following line 13: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 2. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.128. Teacher spending accounts. (a) Each school district shall establish a teacher spending account for each certificated teacher in the school district. On July 1 of each year, the department shall provide to each school district a grant of $750 for each teacher spending account in the school district. A school district may expend money from a teacher spending account only for the teacher for whom the account was established and only to support student learning. (b) A school district that receives a grant under this section may not spend on educational supplies and material in a fiscal year an amount that, excluding the amount received under (a) of this section, is less than the amount the school district spent on educational 2025-04-28 Senate Journal Page 1032 supplies and material in the previous fiscal year. (c) A school district may carry forward not more than 20 percent of the unexpended and unobligated portion of the teacher spending account for each fiscal year. Money carried forward under this subsection is reserved and excluded from the unreserved portion of a district's year-end fund balance in the school operating fund under AS 14.17.505. (d) In this section, "school district" has the meaning given in AS 14.30.350." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 8: Delete "Section 3" Insert "Section 4" Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 13. Senator Tobin objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 13 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 13? YEAS: 5 NAYS: 15 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt Nays: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski and so, Amendment No. 13 failed.