Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-03-10 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0366 HB 69 The following was before the House in second reading: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(RLS) am "An Act relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to charter schools; relating to an annual report for correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; relating to a report on regulation of school districts; and providing for an effective date." Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent to rescind previous action in failing to adopt Amendment No. 27 (page 353). Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 27 was before the House. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 27 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 27 YEAS: 2 NAYS: 38 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Nelson, Stapp Nays: Allard, Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, Story, Stutes, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance And so, Amendment No. 27 was not adopted. 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0367 Amendment No. 33 was offered by Representative McCabe: Page 1, line 2, following "programs;" (title amendment): Insert "relating to inoperative districts; relating to school size factor; relating to facilities constituting a school;" Page 6, following line 29: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 13. AS 14.14.120 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (e) Once each year, the department shall calculate the average birth rate for the state over the previous five calendar years using birth rate information published by the Bureau of Vital Statistics. If the five-year average birth rate for the state decreases, the department shall increase the number described in (a) of this section by the same percentage that the birth rate decreased and round the result up to the nearest whole number. * Sec. 14. AS 14.17.450 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (g) Once each year, the department shall calculate the average birth rate for the state over the previous five calendar years using birth rate information published by the Bureau of Vital Statistics. If the five-year average birth rate for the state decreases, the department shall increase the lowest student count number listed in (a) of this section and the number described in (b) of this section by the same percentage that the birth rate decreased and round the result up to the nearest whole number." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, following line 1: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 16. AS 14.17.905 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (d) Once each year, the department shall calculate the average birth rate for the state over the previous five calendar years using birth rate information published by the Bureau of Vital Statistics. If the five-year average birth rate for the state decreases, the department shall increase the minimum number described in (a)(1) of this section by the same percentage that the birth rate decreased and round the result up to the nearest whole number." 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0368 Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 13: Delete "sec. 14" Insert "sec. 17" Page 10, line 5: Delete "17" Insert "20" Page 10, line 8: Delete "Section 15" Insert "Section 18" Page 10, line 9: Delete "secs. 21 - 23" Insert "secs. 24 - 26" Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 33 be adopted. Representative Jimmie objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 33 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 33 YEAS: 9 NAYS: 31 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Allard, Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Schrage, Schwanke, Stapp, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 33 was not adopted. 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0369 Amendment No. 34 was offered by Representative Tomaszewski: Page 1, line 3, following "allocation;" (title amendment): Insert "relating to interscholastic activities;" Page 7, following line 1: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 14. AS 14.30.365(a) is amended to read: (a) A full-time student who is eligible under (b) of this section who is enrolled in grades nine through 12 in an alternative education program that is located in the state and that does not offer interscholastic activities is eligible to participate in any interscholastic activities program available in a public school [(1) THAT, BASED ON THE RESIDENCE OF THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN, THE STUDENT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND WERE THE STUDENT NOT ENROLLED IN AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM; OR (2)] at which the student requests to participate [, IF (A) THE STUDENT SHOWS GOOD CAUSE; AND (B) THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE SCHOOL APPROVES]." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 13: Delete "sec. 14" Insert "sec. 15" Page 10, line 5: Delete "17" Insert "18" Page 10, line 8: Delete "Section 15" Insert "Section 16" Page 10, line 9: Delete "secs. 21 - 23" Insert "secs. 22 - 24" 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0370 Representative Tomaszewski moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 34 be adopted. Representative Himschoot objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 34 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 34 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 34 was not adopted. Amendment Nos. 35 through 38 were not offered. Amendment No. 39 was offered by Representative Ruffridge: Page 3, line 28, following "years": Insert ", and the term of a renewal of the contract, not to exceed a term of 25 years" Page 5, line 12, following "terms.": Insert "Each successive term may not exceed 25 years." Representative Ruffridge moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 39 be adopted. Representative Himschoot objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 39 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0371 CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 39 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 39 was not adopted. Amendment No. 40 was offered by Representative Ruffridge: Page 4, following line 19: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 8. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.256. Charter school termination appeal. If a local school board terminates a contract with a charter school, the charter school may appeal the decision to the commissioner under regulations established by the commissioner. The commissioner may request written supplementation from the appellant or local school board. The commissioner shall review the decision of the local school board to determine whether the findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence and whether the decision is contrary to law. The commissioner shall issue a written decision within 90 days after the appeal is filed and may (1) remand the appeal to the local school board for further review; (2) reapprove the charter school with or without added conditions; or (3) uphold the decision terminating the charter school contract." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 5, following line 12: Insert a new bill section to read: 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0372 "* Sec. 11. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.277. Charter school coordinator. A charter school coordinator position is established in the department. This position is responsible for the development of a repository of charter school resources in the department. The charter school coordinator shall provide support to charter schools, including (1) providing charter schools with policy and regulation guidance; (2) assisting groups with preparing charter school applications; and (3) coordinating with school districts and an organization that is the representative agency of the members of the school boards of the state to support charter school academic policy committees and local school boards." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 13: Delete "sec. 14" Insert "sec. 16" Page 10, line 3: Delete "Sections 5 - 9" Insert "Sections 5 - 10" Page 10, line 4: Delete "Sections 5 - 9" Insert "Sections 5 - 10" Page 10, line 5: Delete "17" Insert "19" Page 10, line 6: Delete "Section 12" Insert "Section 14" Page 10, line 8: Delete "Section 15" Insert "Section 17" 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0373 Page 10, line 9: Delete "secs. 21 - 23" Insert "secs. 23 - 25" Representative Ruffridge moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 40 be adopted. Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 40 was adopted. Amendment No. 41 was offered by Representative Ruffridge: Page 1, line 1, following "schools;" (title amendment): Insert "relating to school and student performance reports; relating to school and district accountability;" Page 3, following line 5: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 5. 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 education in the district; (2) includes a plan for achieving district goals and priorities; and (3) includes a means of measuring student academic performance over time [THE ACHIEVEMENT OF DISTRICT GOALS AND PRIORITIES]. * Sec. 6. AS 14.03.120(d) is amended to read: (d) Annually, before the date set by the district under (e) of this section, each public school shall deliver to the department for posting on the department's Internet website and provide, in a public meeting of parents, students, and community members, a report on the school's performance and the performance of the school's students. The report shall be prepared on a form prescribed by the department and must include (1) information on accreditation; (2) results of norm-referenced achievement tests that measure student academic performance over time; (3) results of state standards-based assessments in 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0374 language arts and mathematics; (4) [A DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE MEASURES, OF STUDENT, PARENT, COMMUNITY, AND BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT IN STUDENT LEARNING; (5)] a description of the school's attendance, retention, dropout, and graduation rates as specified by the state board; (5) [(6)] the annual percent of enrollment change, regardless of reason, and the annual percent of enrollment change due to student transfers into and out of the school district; (6) [(7)] if Native language education is provided, a summary and evaluation of the curriculum described in AS 14.30.420; (7) [(8)] the performance designation assigned the school under AS 14.03.123 and the methodology used to assign the performance designation, including the measures used and their relative weights; (8) [(9)] other information concerning school performance and the performance of the school's students as required by the state board in regulation; and (9) [(10)] information on the number, attendance, and performance of students enrolled in the school whose parents or guardians are on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, the United States Coast Guard, the Alaska National Guard, the Alaska Naval Militia, or the Alaska State Defense Force. * Sec. 7. AS 14.03.123(a) is amended to read: (a) By September 1 of each year, the department shall assign a performance designation to each public school and school district and to the state public school system in accordance with (f) of this section. The performance designation must be based on measurements of student academic performance over time. * Sec. 8. AS 14.03.123(f) is amended to read: (f) In the accountability system for schools and districts required by this section, the department shall (1) implement state criteria and priorities for accountability including the use of (A) measures of student performance on standards- based assessments in language arts and mathematics; the assessments must (i) be selected with the input of teachers and 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0375 school administrators; (ii) [AND] minimize disruption to classroom instruction; and (iii) measure student academic performance over time; (B) measures of student improvement and academic achievement; and (C) other measures identified that are indicators of student success and achievement; and (2) to the extent practicable, minimize the administrative burden on districts. * Sec. 9. AS 14.03.123 is amended by adding new subsections to read: (h) Schools and districts may not use more than three hours of instructional time in a school year to conduct the assessments required under (f) of this section. (i) The department may not use the National Assessment of Educational Progress to measure student academic performance or assign a performance designation under this section." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 5, following line 29: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 16. 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 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0376 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 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; 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0377 (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 (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) [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 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0378 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. Page 7, line 13: Delete "sec. 14" Insert "sec. 20" Page 8, following line 18: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 23. AS 14.03.123(c)(2), 14.03.123(c)(3), 14.03.123(c)(5), and 14.03.123(e) are repealed." 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0379 Page 10, line 3: Delete "Sections 5 - 9" Insert "Sections 10 - 14" Page 10, line 4: Delete "secs. 5 - 9" Insert "secs. 10 - 14" Page 10, line 5: Delete "17" Insert "24" Page 10, line 6: Delete "Section 12" Insert "Section 18" Page 10, line 8: Delete "Section 15" Insert "Section 21" Page 10, line 9: Delete "secs. 21 - 23" Insert "secs. 28 - 30" Representative Ruffridge moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 41 be adopted. Representative Himschoot objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 41 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 41 YEAS: 25 NAYS: 15 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Gray, Himschoot, Holland, Johnson, Kopp, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0380 Nays: Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Hall, Hannan, Jimmie, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 41 was adopted and the new title follows: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(RLS) am "An Act relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to school and student performance reports; relating to school and district accountability; relating to charter schools; relating to an annual report for correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; relating to a report on regulation of school districts; and providing for an effective date." Representative Costello moved and asked unanimous consent to rescind previous action in failing to adopt Amendment No. 14 (page 337). There being no objection, the motion passed. Amendment No. 14 was before the House. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 14 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 14 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 14 was not adopted. The Speaker stated that, without objection, Amendment No. 42 would be moved to the bottom of the amendments. 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0381 Amendment Nos. 43 and 44 were not offered. Amendment No. 45 was offered by Representative Elam: Page 4, lines 17 - 19: Delete all material and insert: "(f) The state Board of Education and Early Development shall establish an application procedure for renewal of a contract between a local school board and a charter school. (g) A local school board or a charter school may submit a contract renewal application to the state Board of Education and Early Development under the procedures established in (f) of this section. The state board shall exercise independent judgment in evaluating the contract renewal application. The state board shall issue a written decision granting or denying renewal of a contract between a local school board and a charter school within 90 days after receipt of a renewal application." Page 5, lines 9 - 12: Delete all material and insert: "* Sec. 9. AS 14.03.275 is amended to read: Sec. 14.03.275. Contracts; duration; renewal. A contract for a charter school may be for a term of not [NO] more than 10 years. The state Board of Education and Early Development may renew the contract for successive terms in accordance with AS 14.03.255(g)." Representative Elam moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 45 be adopted. There was objection. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 45 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 45 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0382 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 45 was not adopted. Amendment No. 46 was not offered. Amendment No. 47 was offered by Representative Elam: Page 3, line 12, through page 4, line 8: Delete all material and insert: "* Sec. 6. 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 during the first two years of (A) the charter school's operation; and (B) an expansion of the range of grades the charter school serves; (6) a statement of the charter school's funding allocation from the local school board and costs assignable to the charter school program budget that applies in circumstances other than those described in (5) of this subsection; (7) [(6)] the method by which the charter school will account for receipts and expenditures; (8) [(7)] the location and description of the facility; (9) [(8)] the name of the teacher, or teachers, who, by agreement between the charter school and the teacher, will teach in the charter school; 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0383 (10) [(9)] the teacher-to-student ratio; (11) [(10)] the number of students served; (12) [(11)] the term of the contract, not to exceed a term of 10 years; (13) [(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; (14) a clause providing that, before a local school board terminates a contract, the local school board must provide the charter school with written notice and a reasonable opportunity, as determined by the local school board, to cure the problem; (15) [(13)] a statement that the charter school will comply with all state and federal requirements for receipt and use of public money; (16) [(14)] other requirements or exemptions agreed on [UPON] by the charter school and the local school board." Page 4, line 22: Delete "The" Insert "Except as provided in (e) of this section, the [THE]" Page 5, following line 8: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 9. AS 14.03.260 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (e) For the first two years that a charter school operates or expands the range of grades the charter school serves, the annual program budget of the charter school must, at a minimum, equal the greater of (1) the amount of the funding allocation stated in the contract between the charter school and the local school board for the operation or expansion, as required by AS 14.03.255(c)(5); or (2) the amount calculated under (a) of this section." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 13: Delete "sec. 14" Insert "sec. 15" 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0384 Page 10, line 3: Delete "Sections 5 - 9" Insert "Sections 5 - 10" Page 10, line 4: Delete "secs. 5 - 9" Insert "secs. 5 - 10" Page 10, line 5: Delete ""17" Insert "18" Page 10, line 6: Delete "Section 12" Insert "Section 13" Page 10, line 8: Delete "Section 15" Insert "Section 16" Page 10, line 9: Delete "secs. 21 - 23" Insert "secs. 22 - 24" Representative Elam moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 47 be adopted. There was objection. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 47 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 47 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0385 Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 47 was not adopted. Amendment Nos. 48, 49, and 50 were not offered. Amendment No. 51 was offered by Representatives Coulombe, Costello, Johnson, Ruffridge, McCabe, Saddler, Bynum, and Tomaszewski: Page 1, line 1, following "education;" (title amendment): Insert "relating to maximum classroom sizes in public schools;" Page 1, following line 12: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 2. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.065. Maximum classroom size. (a) Except for an art, library, music, computer science, vocational-technical, or physical education course, the maximum number of students a public school may place in a classroom is 18 for grades kindergarten through three, 22 for grades four through eight, and 24 for grades nine through 12. (b) A district shall, by November 30 and February 1 of each year, provide notice to each student's parent or guardian of (1) the classroom size requirements of this section; (2) the average classroom size for each grade level at each school in the district for the current school year; and (3) the number of students in the student's classroom. (c) The number of students placed in a classroom in a public school may exceed the maximum number set out in (a) of this section if the excess is caused by one or more students transferring to the school after the first day of the current school term. (d) In this section, "district" has the meaning given in AS 14.17.990." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0386 Page 2, line 8: Delete "sec. 2" Insert "sec. 3" Page 7, line 13: Delete "sec. 14" Insert "sec. 15" Page 10, line 3: Delete "Sections 5 - 9" Insert "Sections 6 - 10" Page 10, line 4: Delete "secs. 5 - 9" Insert "secs. 6 - 10" Page 10, line 5: Delete "Sections 3 and 17" Insert "Sections 4 and 18" Page 10, line 6: Delete "Section 12" Insert "Section 13" Page 10, line 8: Delete "Section 15" Insert "Section 16" Page 10, line 9: Delete "secs. 21 - 23" Insert "secs. 22 - 24" Representative Coulombe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 51 be adopted. Representative Fields objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 51 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0387 CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 51 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 51 was not adopted. Amendment No. 52 was offered by Representatives Vance, Costello, Johnson, Ruffridge, Coulombe, McCabe, Saddler, Tomaszewski, Tilton, Allard, and Rauscher: Page 2, line 8, through page 3, line 5: Delete all material and insert: "* Sec. 3. AS 14.03.080 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (i) Each school district shall, upon application by a parent of a child of school age and subject to AS 14.14.110, 14.14.120, and the enrollment capacity limitations of a selected school, allow the child to attend the school in the district selected by the parent instead of the school that is assigned to the child based on the child's residence within another school's or school district's boundary area. The district shall approve enrollment applications throughout the school year and in the order the district receives the applications, except that the district shall prioritize the enrollment of siblings in the same school. Each district shall annually report to the department and publish on the district's publicly available Internet website student enrollment data for each school in the district, including enrollment capacity and vacancies for each grade in the school, the number of enrollment applications the district received, the number of those applications the district approved, the number of those applications the district denied, and an explanation of the reason for each denial. The department shall 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0388 establish by regulation a process for appealing a school district's denial of an enrollment application." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 13: Delete "sec. 14" Insert "sec. 13" Page 8, line 19: Delete all material. Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 10, line 3: Delete "Sections 5 - 9" Insert "Sections 4 - 8" Page 10, line 4: Delete "secs. 5 - 9" Insert "secs. 4 - 8" Page 10, line 5: Delete all material. Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 10, line 6: Delete "Section 12" Insert "Section 11" Page 10, line 8: Delete "Section 15" Insert "Section 14" Page 10, line 9: Delete "secs. 21 - 23" Insert "secs. 19 and 20" 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0389 Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 52 be adopted. There was objection. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 52 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 52 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 52 was not adopted. Amendment No. 53 was offered by Representatives Ruffridge, Costello, Johnson, Coulombe, McCabe, Saddler, Bynum, Tomaszewski, Tilton, and Schwanke: Page 1, line 1, following "education;"(title amendment): Insert "relating to the justification of use of force in schools; relating to teachers; relating to school disciplinary action; relating to civil and criminal actions for enforcing the school disciplinary and safety program; relating to the base student allocation;" Page 1, following line 12: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 2. AS 11.81.430(a) is amended to read: (a) The use of force on another person that would otherwise constitute an offense is justified under any of the following circumstances: (1) When and to the extent reasonably necessary and appropriate to promote the welfare of the child or incompetent person, a parent, guardian, or other person entrusted with the care 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0390 and supervision of a child under 18 years of age or an incompetent person may use reasonable and appropriate nondeadly force on that child or incompetent person. (2) When and to the extent reasonably necessary and appropriate to maintain order and when the use of force is consistent with the welfare of the students, a teacher, teacher's assistant, principal, or other person responsible for students may, if authorized by school regulations and the principal of the school, use reasonable and appropriate nondeadly force on a student. If authorized by school regulations and the principal of the school, a teacher, teacher's assistant, principal, or other person responsible for students may use nondeadly force under this paragraph in any situation in which the teacher, teacher's assistant, principal, or other person is responsible for the supervision of students. A teacher, teacher's assistant, principal, or other person responsible for students employed by a school board, including a regional educational attendance area school board, may use nondeadly force under this paragraph only if the school regulations authorizing the use of force have been adopted by the school board. (3) When and to the extent reasonably necessary and appropriate to maintain order, a person responsible for the maintenance of order in a common carrier of passengers, or a person acting under that person's direction, may use reasonable and appropriate nondeadly force. (4) When and to the extent reasonably necessary to prevent a suicide, a person who reasonably believes that another is imminently about to commit suicide may use reasonable and appropriate nondeadly force on that person. (5) A licensed physician, licensed mobile intensive care paramedic, or registered or advanced practice registered nurse; or a person acting under the direction of a licensed physician, licensed mobile intensive care paramedic, or registered or advanced practice registered nurse; or any person who renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency, may use reasonable and appropriate nondeadly force for the purpose of administering a recognized and lawful form of treatment that is reasonably adapted to promoting the physical or mental health of the patient if (A) the treatment is administered with the consent of the patient or, if the patient is a child under 18 years of age or 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0391 an incompetent person, with the consent of the parent, guardian, or other person entrusted with care and supervision of the child or incompetent person; or (B) the treatment is administered in an emergency if the person administering the treatment reasonably believes that no one competent to consent can be consulted under the circumstances and that a reasonable person, wishing to safeguard the welfare of the patient, would consent. * Sec. 3. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.018. Rights of teachers. (a) To provide an orderly and safe learning environment for students, a teacher may (1) establish and enforce classroom rules, including recommending or imposing consequences for an infraction of those rules, in accordance with policies adopted under AS 14.33.110 - 14.33.140; (2) remove a student from a classroom in accordance with standards adopted under AS 14.33.120(a)(2); (3) direct a student whose actions are violent, abusive, uncontrollable, or disruptive to appropriate school personnel; (4) assist in enforcing school rules while on school property, while using school-sponsored transportation, or while at a school-sponsored activity; (5) use reasonable force to maintain classroom safety and discipline in accordance with standards adopted under AS 14.33.120(a)(4); and (6) direct classroom instruction. (b) A school administrator shall, upon the request of a teacher, (1) provide the teacher with information relating to the disposition of a referral the teacher has made to the school administrator regarding a violation of classroom or school rules; (2) provide immediate assistance in classroom management during an emergency or when a student becomes violent, abusive, uncontrollable, or disruptive; and (3) provide training and other assistance to help the teacher improve the teacher's skills in the classroom. (c) If, after a teacher recommends or imposes a consequence under (a)(1) of this section, a school administrator determines that (1) a student's behavior warrants the consequence (A) recommended by the teacher, the school 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0392 administrator shall impose the consequence; (B) imposed by the teacher, the school administrator shall respect the professional judgment and discretion of the teacher regarding the consequence imposed by the teacher; (2) a student's overall behavioral history warrants a more serious disciplinary action than the consequence recommended or imposed by the teacher, the school administrator may impose a more serious disciplinary action in accordance with policies adopted under AS 14.33.110 - 14.33.140; the school administrator shall consult with the teacher before taking the disciplinary action and provide to the teacher in writing the reasons for the school administrator's determination; (3) a student has not violated classroom or school rules, the school administrator or teacher may not impose a disciplinary action and shall retract a consequence imposed. (d) If a school administrator directs a teacher to violate a provision of this section, the teacher may file a complaint with the commissioner. After a hearing conducted by the office of administrative hearings (AS 44.64.010) and a finding by the commissioner that the school administrator directed the teacher to violate a provision of this section, the state may withhold funds from the school in accordance with AS 14.07.070." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 2, line 8: Delete "sec. 2" Insert "sec. 4" Page 7, line 13: Delete "sec. 14" Insert "sec. 16" Page 7, following line 22: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 18. AS 14.33.140 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (b) A teacher, teacher's assistant, principal, or other person responsible for students may receive a reimbursement of reasonable expenses for legal services from the school district of 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0393 the teacher, teacher's assistant, principal, or other person responsible for students if the teacher, teacher's assistant, principal, or other person responsible for students is charged with a civil or criminal action (1) relating to enforcement of an approved school disciplinary and safety program adopted under AS 14.33.120; and (2) arising out of and in the course of employment unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence or reckless or intentional misconduct." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 10, line 3: Delete "Sections 5 - 9" Insert "(a) Sections 2, 3, 7 - 11, and 18" Page 10, line 4: Delete "secs. 5 - 9" Insert "secs. 2, 3, 7 - 11, and 18" Page 10, following line 4: Insert a new subsection to read: "(b) Sections 2, 3, and 18 of this Act apply to conduct occurring on or after the effective date of secs. 2, 3, and 18 of this Act." Page 10, line 5: Delete "Sections 3 and 17" Insert "Sections 5 and 20" Page 10, line 6: Delete "Section 12" Insert "Section 14" Page 10, line 8: Delete "Section 15" Insert "Section 17" Page 10, line 9: Delete "secs. 21 - 23" Insert "secs. 24 - 26" 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0394 Representative Ruffridge moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 53 be adopted. Representative Jimmie objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 53 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 53 YEAS: 18 NAYS: 22 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Holland, Johnson, Kopp, McCabe, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Allard, Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Jimmie, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Moore, Nelson, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 53 was not adopted. Amendment No. 54 was offered by Representative Rauscher: Page 2, line 2, following "programs;" (title amendment): Insert "relating to school boards;" Page 6, following line 29: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 13. AS 14.08.041(b) is amended to read: (b) The qualified voters of the communities receiving educational services in each regional educational attendance area with an average daily membership of less than 25,000 shall elect a regional school board of not less than five nor more than 11 [ELEVEN] members to be elected for the same term, in the same manner, and with the same qualifications as a city or borough school district board under AS 14.12. The qualified voters of the communities receiving educational services in each regional educational attendance area with an average daily membership of 25,000 or greater shall elect a regional school 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0395 board of nine or 11 members to be elected for the same term, in the same manner, and with the same qualifications as a city or borough school district board under AS 14.12. The initial number of regional school board members shall be determined by the department in consultation with the local communities in the regional educational attendance areas. However, the qualified voters in a regional educational attendance area may increase or decrease the number of regional school board members established under this section by placing the question on the ballot at a regular school board election in the manner prescribed by law. A change in the number of school board members is not effective until the next regular school board election. * Sec. 14. AS 14.12.030 is amended by adding new subsections to read: (f) Each borough and city school district with an average daily membership of 25,000 or greater has a school board of nine or 11 members, as established by ordinance. (g) A member of a nine-member or 11-member school board may not serve more than two consecutive terms. After serving two consecutive terms, the person may not serve on the school board again until two full school board terms have passed. * Sec. 15. AS 14.12.040 is amended to read: Sec. 14.12.040. Transition to a larger board [FROM FIVE TO SEVEN MEMBER BOARD]. The transition from a five- member to a seven-member school board shall be made at the regular election following, or being held within 90 days preceding, the completion of the second regular school term during which the district maintains an average daily membership of at least [EXCEEDING] 5,000 but less than 25,000 or at the regular election following the effective date of an ordinance increasing board membership as provided in AS 14.12.030(a). [ONCE THE DISTRICT HAS A SEVEN-MEMBER SCHOOL BOARD, THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS MAY NOT BE CHANGED.] * Sec. 16. AS 14.12.040 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (b) The transition from a seven-member to a nine-member or 11-member school board shall be made at the regular election following, or being held within 90 days preceding, the completion of the second regular school term during which the district maintains an average daily membership of 25,000 or greater or at 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0396 the regular election following the effective date of an ordinance increasing the board membership as provided in AS 14.12.030(f). * Sec. 17. AS 14.12.070 is amended to read: Sec. 14.12.070. Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs on the school board, the remaining members shall, within 30 days, fill the vacancy. The person selected shall serve until the next regular election when a successor shall be elected to serve the balance of the term. A person who serves more than 18 months of an unexpired term is considered to have served a full term for the purposes of AS 14.12.030(g)." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 7, line 13: Delete "sec. 14" Insert "sec. 19" Page 8, following line 18: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 22. AS 14.08.041(c) is repealed." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 10, following line 4: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 27. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: TRANSITION: SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. A change in the number of school board members required by this Act is not effective until the next regular school board election. * Sec. 28. Sections 13 - 17 and 22 of this Act take effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c)." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 10, line 5: Delete "17" Insert "23" 2025-03-10 House Journal Page 0397 Page 10, line 8: Delete "Section 15" Insert "Section 20" Page 10, line 9: Delete "secs. 21 - 23" Insert "secs. 29 - 31" Representative Rauscher moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 54 be adopted. There was objection. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 54 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Second Reading Amendment No. 54 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 54 was not adopted. The Speaker stated that, without objection, CSHB 69(RLS) am would be held in second reading to the March 11 calendar.