Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-04-11 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0657 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday April 11, 2025 Eighty-first Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 2:39 p.m. Roll call showed 37 members present. Representatives Moore, Prax and Stapp had been excused from a call of the House today. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Zachary Kelly, Assistant Sergeant at Arms. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With respect for the beliefs of everyone here, I offer this day’s prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Your goodness, your gentleness, and your grace are beyond measure. Lord, I ask for your presence to be here in this room and in this building today. Give us the strength we need to persevere in our tasks and strive to honor you in all that we do, in all that we say, and all that we think. Help us to not grow weary but to run towards the goal of serving you and the people of this great state with fortitude. Then help us when we grow tired, and lead us to quiet waters when we need rest. For this is the day that you have made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Your name be praised above all others, today, and in all our days. Amen. 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0658 The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Story. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 79th and 80th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Story introduced Emma Edgmon, Guest Page, from Dillingham and Natalie MacKinnon, Guest Page, from Juneau. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HB 69 A message dated April 11 was read stating the Senate passed: 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; relating to the duty of the legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; relating to a report on regulation of school districts; and providing for an effective date." with the following amendment, and it is transmitted for consideration: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(FIN) "An Act relating to the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date." (SCR 3 - title change resolution) CSHB 69(RES) am is under Unfinished Business. 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0659 A message dated April 11 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SCR 3 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3 by the Senate Finance Committee: Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 69, 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; relating to the duty of the legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; and relating to a report on regulation of school districts. was read the first time and taken up later. CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS HB 69 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House consider the Senate message (page 658) on the following: 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; relating to the duty 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0660 of the legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; relating to a report on regulation of school districts; and providing for an effective date." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(FIN) "An Act relating to the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date." (SCR 3 - title change resolution) There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Stutes rose to a point of order regarding relevance of the debate. The Speaker cautioned members to confine remarks to the motion before the House. Representative Kopp moved that the House concur in the Senate amendment and recommended that the members vote yes. The question being: "Shall the House concur in the Senate amendment?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 69(FIN) Concur YEAS: 21 NAYS: 16 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Nelson, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0661 And so, the House concurred in the Senate amendment, thus adopting SCS CSHB 69(FIN). Representative Kopp moved the effective date clause. The question being: "Shall the effective date clause be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 69(FIN) Effective Date Concur YEAS: 27 NAYS: 10 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Nelson, Ruffridge, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Coulombe, McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Schwanke, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp And so, the effective date clause was adopted. The Chief Clerk notified the Senate. The bill was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. SCR 3 The following was before the House: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 69, 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; relating to the duty 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0662 of the legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; and relating to a report on regulation of school districts. The question being: "Shall SCR 3 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCR 3 Second Reading Final Passage YEAS: 25 NAYS: 12 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Nelson, Ruffridge, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Schwanke, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp And so, lacking the required 27 votes, SCR 3 failed to pass the House. SCR 3(fld H) was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HCR 3 The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3 Establishing the Joint Legislative Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3(CRA) (same title) 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0663 The report was signed by Representative Mears, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Holland, Prax, Ruffridge, Hall, Mears The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHCR 3(CRA): 1. Indeterminate, Legislative Agency HCR 3 was referred to the State Affairs Committee. HB 10 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 10 "An Act relating to the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska." The report was signed by Representatives Foster, Josephson, and Schrage, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Hannan, Galvin, Jimmie, Foster, Josephson, Schrage Do not pass (2): Allard, Tomaszewski No recommendation (3): Bynum, Johnson, Stapp The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, University of Alaska HB 10 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 16 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 16 "An Act amending campaign contribution limits for state and local office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and local office once each 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0664 decade beginning in 2031; and relating to campaign contribution reporting requirements." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 16(STA) "An Act requiring a group supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot proposition in a state or local election to maintain an address in the state; amending campaign contribution limits for state and local office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and local office once each decade beginning in 2031; relating to campaign contribution reporting requirements; relating to administrative complaints filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission; relating to state election expenditures and contributions made by a foreign-influenced corporation or foreign national; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Holland, Himschoot, Story, Carrick Do not pass (2): Vance, McCabe No recommendation (1): Moore The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 16(STA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration HB 16 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 26 The Transportation Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 26 "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating to a statewide public and community transit plan." 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0665 and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Eischeid and Carrick, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Moore, Mina, Stutes, Eischeid, Carrick Do not pass (2): McCabe, Tilton The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 26(TRA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities HB 26 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 53 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 53 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; making reappropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 53(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Josephson, Foster, and Schrage, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0666 Do pass (1): Foster Do not pass (1): Johnson Amend (9): Hannan, Galvin, Jimmie, Bynum, Allard, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Josephson, Schrage HB 53 is on today's calendar. HB 55 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 55 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 55(FIN) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Josephson, Foster, and Schrage, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Hannan, Galvin, Stapp, Jimmie, Foster, Schrage No recommendation (3): Bynum, Johnson, Tomaszewski Amend (2): Allard, Josephson HB 55 is on today's calendar. HB 70 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 70 "An Act relating to emergency medical services for operational canines; relating to the powers, duties, and liability of emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive care paramedics; 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0667 relating to the practice of veterinary medicine; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 70(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Burke, Carrick, Nelson, Hall, Fields No recommendation (2): Coulombe, Saddler The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 70(L&C): 1. Zero, Dept. of Health HB 70 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 77 The Judiciary Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 77 "An Act making the theft of mail or an article within mail theft in the second degree." The report was signed by Representative Gray, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Vance, Eischeid, Underwood, Costello Amend (1): Gray The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Alaska Judiciary System 2. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety 3. Zero, Dept. of Law 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0668 4. Indeterminate, Dept. of Administration 5. Indeterminate, Dept. of Administration HB 77 was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 50 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 50(L&C) "An Act relating to the comprehensive plans of first and second class boroughs." The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Hall, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Burke, Fields, Hall No recommendation (4): Nelson, Saddler, Coulombe, Carrick The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development CSSB 50(L&C) was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 53 HB 55 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that a deadline of 5:00 p.m., April 14 be set for amendments to HB 53 and HB 55. There was objection. The question being: "Shall the House adopt an amendment deadline of 5:00 p.m., April 14?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 53 and HB 55 amendment deadline 5:00 p.m., April 14 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0669 YEAS: 21 NAYS: 16 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Nelson, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp And so the motion passed. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and taken up later as a Special Order of Business: In Memoriam - Sue Tauriainen By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Elam The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Dr. Brian Barnes By Representative Tomaszewski; Senator Myers Honoring - Craig Heinselman By Representative Tomaszewski; Senator Myers Honoring - Kiann Williams By Representatives Tomaszewski, Prax; Senator Myers Honoring - Joseph "Joe" Want By Representative Tomaszewski; Senator Myers Honoring - Jenny McAvoy-Anteau By Representatives Gray, Mears; Senator Wielechowski Honoring - Joe Nedland By Representative Gray; Senator Dunbar 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0670 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 19 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19 by Representative Costello: Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to voter qualification. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and Finance Committees. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation, In Memoriam - Sue Tauriainen, be taken up as a Special Order of Business. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: In Memoriam - Sue Tauriainen By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Elam INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 182 HOUSE BILL NO. 182 by Representative Holland, entitled: "An Act relating to live music and entertainment at breweries, wineries, and distilleries." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 183 HOUSE BILL NO. 183 by Representative Story, entitled: 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0671 "An Act relating to district-wide early education programs; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. HB 184 HOUSE BILL NO. 184 by Representative Story, entitled: "An Act relating to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; and relating to workforce housing development projects." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 185 HOUSE BILL NO. 185 by Representative Hall, entitled: "An Act relating to medical assistance eligibility for family planning services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Finance Committees. HB 186 HOUSE BILL NO. 186 by Representative Carrick, entitled: "An Act relating to the use of apprentice labor in public construction projects; and relating to a report on the use of apprentice labor in public construction projects." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 187 HOUSE BILL NO. 187 by Representative Costello, entitled: "An Act relating to the membership of the legislative council; and relating to the membership of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee." 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0672 was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. HB 188 HOUSE BILL NO. 188 by Representative Mina, entitled: "An Act establishing the welcoming Alaska office; establishing the welcoming Alaska center; establishing the Welcoming Alaska Advisory Committee; repealing the office of citizenship assistance; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committee. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 53 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 53 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; making reappropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page FIN RPT CS(FIN) NEW TITLE 1DP 1DNP 9AM 665 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 53(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0673 There being no objection, it was so ordered. Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Josephson: Page 60, lines 21 - 26: Delete all material and insert: "(1) $949,722,100 to the dividend fund (AS 43.23.045(a)) for the payment of permanent fund dividends and for administrative and associated costs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; (2) $2,849,166,298 to the general fund." Representative Josephson moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Representative McCabe objected. Representative Tomaszewski moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn to 10:30 a.m., April 14. There was objection. The question being: "Shall the House adjourn to 10:30 a.m., April 14?" The roll was taken with the following result: Adjourn to 10:30 a.m., April 14 YEAS: 16 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Nelson, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, 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 Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp And so, the motion failed. Representative Fields, citing Section 123 of Mason's Manual, rose to a point of order regarding the use of disorderly words. 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0674 The Speaker stated that the point was duly noted. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 53(FIN) Second Reading Amendment No. 1 YEAS: 20 NAYS: 17 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Foster, Johnson, McCabe, Nelson, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp And so, Amendment No. 1 was adopted. The Speaker stated that, without objection, CSHB 53(FIN) am would be held in second reading to the April 14 calendar. HB 55 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 55 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page FIN RPT CS(FIN) 6DP 3NR 2AM 666 The Speaker stated that, without objection, HB 55 would be held in second reading to the April 14 calendar. 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0675 HB 57 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 57 "An Act relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page L&C RPT CS(L&C) 5DP 1NR 155 FN1: ZERO(EED) 155 EDC RPT CS(EDC) 7DP 461 FN1: ZERO(EED) 461 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 57(EDC) (same title) There being no objection, it was so ordered. Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Vance: Page 1, line 1, following "Act" (title amendment): Insert "relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance coverage for school district employees, employees of the University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units in the state;" Page 1, following line 3: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Section 1. 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 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0676 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 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. * Sec. 2. 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 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0677 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; (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; 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0678 (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. 3. 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 rate of employer contribution and the rate of employee contribution set by the commissioner of administration under AS 39.30.095. (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 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. 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0679 (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 Employee 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." Page 1, line 4: Delete "Section 1" Insert "Sec. 4" Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 2, following line 14: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 5. 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 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0680 AS 37.07 (Executive Budget Act); (5) apply for and use the proceeds of a loan from the 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. 6. 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, 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 employee of the state or other participating governmental unit and [,] 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 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0681 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 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 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0682 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, 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. 7. 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. 8. AS 39.30.090(b) is amended by adding a new paragraph to read: (4) "school district" means a municipal school district or regional educational attendance area. * Sec. 9. AS 39.30.090 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (c) When the Department of Administration receives a resolution from a governmental unit authorizing participation under a state group insurance policy, before the commissioner of 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0683 administration approves the participation, the department shall investigate the potential cost of admitting the unit, including whether as a result of admitting the unit the rates of eligible employees will increase or decrease, and provide actuarial analysis to the legislature. * Sec. 10. 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 eligible under AS 39.30.090(a) [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. 11. AS 39.30.091 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (b) If the department is required by (a) of this section to procure excess loss insurance in connection with coverage of employees who are not state employees, the department may allocate the cost of that insurance across all employers, other than the state, that participate in self-insurance provided by the department under this section." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 2, line 29: Delete all material and insert: "* Sec. 13. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: APPLICABILITY. Sections 1 - 3 and 5 - 11 of this Act apply to a contract or collective bargaining agreement that becomes legally binding on or after the effective date of secs. 1 - 3 and 5 - 11 of this Act. * Sec. 14. 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 governmental unit that, before the effective date of this section, 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0684 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 governmental unit that is a school district shall be applied to offset reimbursement owed by that school district under AS 14.27.010(d), enacted by sec. 3 of this Act. In this section, "governmental unit" has the meaning given in AS 39.30.090(b). * Sec. 15. 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 secs. 1 - 3 and 5 - 11 of this Act. The regulations may not take effect before the effective date of the law implemented by the regulation. * Sec. 16. Sections 14 and 15 of this Act take effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). * Sec. 17. Except as provided in sec. 16 of this Act, this Act takes effect July 1, 2025." Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. There was objection. Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 1. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Amendment No. 2 was offered by Representative Ruffridge: Page 1, line 6, through page 2, line 28: Delete all material and insert: "Sec. 14.33.300. Wireless telecommunications device policy. (a) Each school district shall adopt a policy that regulates the possession and use of nonschool-issued wireless telecommunications devices during regular school hours, including lunch and passing periods. Each school district shall share this policy with parents or guardians, students, volunteers, and school employees. If a school district's policy prohibits the use of nonschool-issued wireless telecommunications devices, the 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0685 policy must allow exceptions for students to use a wireless telecommunications device for medical or translation purposes, in the event of an emergency, or when a teacher or administrator of the school grants permission to a student to use a wireless telecommunications device for educational purposes. (b) This section does not authorize a person to monitor, collect, or access information related to a student's use of a wireless telecommunications device. (c) In this section, "wireless telecommunications device" means any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties." Renumber the following bill section accordingly. Representative Ruffridge moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 2 be adopted. Representative Fields objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 2 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 57(EDC) Second Reading Amendment No. 2 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 18 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Galvin, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Johnson, McCabe, Mina, Nelson, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Story, Tomaszewski, Underwood Nays: Allard, Burke, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Gray, Hall, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Rauscher, Schrage, Stutes, Tilton, Vance Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp Costello changed from "NAY" to "YEA" And so, Amendment No. 2 was adopted. 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0686 Amendment No. 3 was offered by Representative Ruffridge: Page 1, line 1 (title amendment): Delete "wireless telecommunications devices in public schools" Insert "education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to education reports; relating to the collection of data on the progress of high school graduating classes in the state; relating to a student academic performance improvement recognition program; relating to charter schools; relating to the required local contribution of a city or borough school district; relating to the base student allocation; relating to the provision of special education and related services; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; relating to the duties of the Alaska Workforce Investment Board; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding" Page 1, line 4, through page 2, line 14: Delete all material and insert: "* Section 1. AS 14.03.080(a) is amended to read: (a) A child of school age is entitled to attend (1) public school without payment of tuition during the school term in the school district in which the child is a resident subject to the provisions of AS 14.14.110 and 14.14.120; and (2) upon application to the school, any other noncorrespondence public school not located on a military installation that is selected by the child's parent, subject to provisions established by the school district under an enrollment policy; the policy must (A) consider the military status of a parent or guardian of the child; (B) address school capacity; the local school board of the district shall determine the capacity of schools in the district; (C) prioritize the placement of siblings in the same school and the placement of a child in a school at which the child's parent or guardian is employed; and (D) establish a procedure for appealing a denial of an enrollment application. * Sec. 2. AS 14.03.080 is amended by adding new subsections to 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0687 read: (i) Each school district shall, for each school in the district, publish on the school district's Internet website or on the school's Internet webpage information about the school's capacity, enrollment, the number of applicants in the previous school year, the number of acceptances and denials in the previous school year, and the reasons for the denials. (j) In this section, "military installation" means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for a ship, armory, or other installation under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense or the United States Coast Guard. * Sec. 3. 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 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; (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; (7) if Native language education is provided, a summary and evaluation of the curriculum described in AS 14.30.420; (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; (9) other information concerning school performance and the performance of the school's students as required by the state 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0688 board in regulation; and (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. 4. 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; (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). * Sec. 5. AS 14.03.120 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (k) The department shall collaborate with the Department of 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0689 Labor and Workforce Development under AS 44.31.020 to gather data on the progress of each high school graduating class in a district by collecting career, postsecondary education, and residency data on each student in the graduating class. The departments shall gather the data every five years for 20 years after the high school graduation date of the class. * Sec. 6. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.03.122. Student academic performance improvement recognition program. The department shall develop a program to provide recognition to school districts, schools, school staff, and students in a school whose efforts lead to improvement of student academic performance over time for students in the school, as measured by norm-referenced achievement tests that measure student academic performance over time. As part of the program, the department shall provide special recognition to a school at which 75 percent or more of the school's students show improvement in academic performance, as measured by norm-referenced achievement tests that measure student academic performance over time. The department may, subject to appropriation, provide financial incentive payments to the school as part of the special recognition. * Sec. 7. AS 14.03.250(a) is amended to read: (a) A local school board shall prescribe an application procedure for the establishment of a charter school in that school district. The application procedure must allow an application for the following school year to be filed at any time during the school year, and must include provisions for an academic policy committee consisting of parents of students attending the school, teachers, and school employees and a proposed form for a contract between a charter school and the local school board, setting out the contract elements required under AS 14.03.255(c). * Sec. 8. 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. 9. AS 14.03.255(c) is amended to read: 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0690 (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; (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. * Sec. 10. AS 14.03.255 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (e) A local school board may establish simplified procedures and standards for a renewal of a contract in good standing, as defined by the local school board, between the local school board and a charter school. * Sec. 11. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0691 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 shall 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 local school board shall provide in writing the reasons for terminating or denying renewal of a charter school contract. (d) 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. (e) If a charter school whose contract is terminated under this section files an appeal with the superior court, the board may independently audit the finances of the charter school. * Sec. 12. AS 14.17.410(c) is amended to read: (c) In addition to the local contribution required under (b)(2) of this section, and except as provided in (g) of this section, a city or borough school district in a fiscal year may make a local contribution of not more than the greater of (1) the equivalent of a two 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; or (2) 23 percent of the total of the district's basic need for the fiscal year under (b)(1) of this section and any additional funding distributed to the district in a fiscal year according to (b) of this section. * Sec. 13. AS 14.17.410 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0692 (g) A city or borough school district may exceed the voluntary local contribution limit established in (c) of this section only if the contribution made in excess of the limit is not for current expenditures as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7713(4) or 34 C.F.R. 222.161(c). * Sec. 14. AS 14.17.470 is amended to read: Sec. 14.17.470. Base student allocation. The base student allocation is $6,657 [$5,960]. * Sec. 15. AS 14.30.010(b) is amended to read: (b) This section does not apply if a child (1) is provided an academic education comparable to that offered by the public schools in the area [, EITHER] by (A) attendance at a private school in which the teachers are certificated according to AS 14.20.020; (B) tutoring by personnel certificated according to AS 14.20.020; or (C) attendance at an educational program operated in compliance with AS 14.45.100 - 14.45.200 by a religious or other private school; (2) attends a school operated by the federal government; (3) has a physical or mental condition that a competent medical authority determines will make attendance impractical; (4) is in the custody of a court or law enforcement authorities; (5) is temporarily ill or injured; (6) has been suspended or expelled under AS 14.03.160 or suspended or denied admittance under AS 14.30.045; (7) resides more than two miles from either a public school or a route on which transportation is provided by the school authorities, except that this paragraph does not apply if the child resides within two miles of a federal or private school that the child is eligible and able to attend; (8) is excused by action of the school board of the district at a regular meeting or by the district superintendent subject to approval by the school board of the district at the next regular meeting; (9) has completed the 12th grade; (10) is enrolled in (A) a state boarding school established under AS 14.16; or 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0693 (B) a full-time program of correspondence study approved by the department; in those school districts providing an approved correspondence study program, a student may be enrolled either in the district correspondence program or in the centralized correspondence study program; (11) is equally well-served by an educational experience approved by the school board as serving the child's educational interests despite an absence from school, and the request for excuse is made in writing by the child's parents or guardian and approved by the principal or administrator of the school that the child attends; (12) is being educated in the child's home by a parent or legal guardian; (13) is enrolled in a public school in a district in which the child does not reside as permitted under AS 14.03.080(a)(2). * Sec. 16. AS 14.30.186(a) is amended to read: (a) Special education and related services shall be provided by (1) a borough or city school district for a child with a disability residing within the district or attending a school in the district under AS 14.03.080(a)(2); (2) the board of a regional educational attendance area operating a school in the area for a child with a disability residing in the area served by the school or attending a school in the area under AS 14.03.080(a)(2); (3) the borough, city school district, or regional educational attendance area in which a treatment institution, as that term is defined in AS 47.14.990, juvenile detention facility or juvenile treatment facility, as those terms are defined in AS 47.12.990, or a correctional facility is located for a child with a disability placed at the facility; (4) a state boarding school established under AS 14.16 for a child with a disability enrolled at a state boarding school; or (5) a school district that provides a statewide correspondence study program for a child with a disability who is enrolled in the program. * Sec. 17. AS 14.30.186(e) is amended to read: (e) If the parent of a child with a disability elects to educate the child as allowed under AS 14.30.010(b)(1) - (12) 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0694 [AS 14.30.010(b)], the child may not be compelled to receive the special education and related services provided under AS 14.30.180 - 14.30.350. * Sec. 18. AS 14.30 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 14.30.773. Reading proficiency incentive grants. (a) Subject to appropriation, a school district is eligible to receive a reading proficiency incentive grant of not less than $450 for each student in (1) kindergarten through grade three who performs at grade level or demonstrates improvement on expected grade-level skills on the statewide screening tool adopted by the department under AS 14.30.760; and (2) grades four through six who performs at grade level or demonstrates a measure of increased proficiency on a standards-based assessment in language arts. (b) The department shall adopt regulations to implement this section. * Sec. 19. AS 14.33 is amended by adding a new section to read: Article 5. Wireless Telecommunications Devices. Sec. 14.33.300. Wireless telecommunications device policy. (a) Each school district shall adopt a policy that regulates the possession and use of nonschool-issued wireless telecommunications devices during regular school hours, including lunch and passing periods. Each school district shall share this policy with parents or guardians, students, volunteers, and school employees. If a school district's policy prohibits the use of nonschool-issued wireless telecommunications devices, the policy must allow exceptions for students to use a wireless telecommunications device for medical or translation purposes, in the event of an emergency, or when a teacher or administrator of the school grants permission to a student to use a wireless telecommunications device for educational purposes. (b) This section does not authorize a person to monitor, collect, or access information related to a student's use of a wireless telecommunications device. (c) In this section, "wireless telecommunications device" means any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties. * Sec. 20. AS 23.15.820(a) is amended to read: 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0695 (a) The Alaska Workforce Investment Board shall (1) administer the Alaska technical and vocational education program established in AS 23.15.820 - 23.15.850; (2) facilitate the development of a statewide policy for a coordinated and effective technical and vocational education training system in this state and, to the extent authorized by federal and state law, plan and coordinate federal, state, and local efforts in technical and vocational education programs; (3) adopt regulations under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act) to carry out the purposes of AS 23.15.820 - 23.15.850; (4) facilitate the development and implementation of a statewide policy and procedure that provides for the acceptance of credit or hours toward a degree or technical program offered by a vocational or technical training center in the state for an applicant who provides satisfactory evidence of successful completion of relevant military education, training, or service as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the United States Reserves, the National Guard of any state, the Military Reserves of any state, or the Naval Militia of any state; (5) partner with the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, the Department of Education and Early Development, and school districts in the state to (A) provide to each high school student an opportunity to take a career or college entrance examination or assessment; and (B) establish a recognition program for high schools at which 90 percent or more of the school's students take at least one career or college entrance examination or assessment. * Sec. 21. AS 44.31.020 is amended to read: Sec. 44.31.020. Duties of department. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development shall (1) enforce the laws and adopt regulations under them concerning employer-employee relationships, including the safety, hours of work, wages, and conditions of workers, including children; (2) accumulate, analyze, and report labor statistics; (3) operate systems of workers' compensation and unemployment insurance; 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0696 (4) gather data reflecting the cost of living in various locations of the state upon request of the director of personnel under AS 39.27.030; (5) operate the federally funded employment and training programs under 29 U.S.C. 2801 - 2945 (Workforce Investment Act of 1998); (6) administer the state's program of adult basic education and adopt regulations to administer the program; and (7) administer the programs of the Alaska Vocational Technical Center and adopt regulations to administer the programs, including regulations that set rates for student tuition and room and board and fees for the programs and services provided by the department regarding the Alaska Vocational Technical Center; (8) gather data on the progress of each high school graduating class in a district by collecting career, postsecondary education, and residency data on each student in the graduating class; the department shall gather the data required under this paragraph every five years for 20 years after the high school graduation date of each high school graduating class; the department shall publish a biennial report on the data gathered under this paragraph; in this paragraph, "district" has the meaning given in AS 14.17.990. * Sec. 22. AS 14.03.080(g)(2) and 14.03.300(b) are repealed. * Sec. 23. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FUNDING. (a) The Task Force on Education Funding is established as a joint task force of the Alaska State Legislature. (b) The task force shall (1) analyze the state of public education funding and the current accountability provisions for schools and districts in the state; (2) evaluate internal and external factors leading to school absenteeism and identify district and state level intervention and incentive tools relating to school absenteeism; (3) analyze and make recommendations on effective policies relating to school major maintenance and school construction; (4) evaluate and recommend health insurance, group insurance, and ways to reduce property and building insurance for public school facilities; 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0697 (5) make recommendations relating to public education funding and accountability provisions for schools and districts in the state; and (6) submit a report of findings and recommendations of the task force to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of the house of representatives not later than the first day of the First Regular Session of the Thirty-Fifth Alaska State Legislature and notify the members of the legislature that the report is available. (c) The task force consists of six members as follows: (1) three members of the senate, at least one of whom is a member of the minority, appointed by the president of the senate; the president of the senate shall select one of the members to serve as co- chair of the task force; (2) three members of the house of representatives, at least one of whom is a member of the minority, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; the speaker of the house of representatives shall select one of the members to serve as co-chair of the task force. (d) A vacancy on the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original selection or appointment. (e) The task force shall meet at the call of the co-chairs. The task force may meet between and during legislative sessions. A majority of the members of the task force constitute a quorum. The task force may conduct meetings in person, telephonically, or by electronic means, as directed by the co-chairs. (f) The task force may request data and other information from the Department of Education and Early Development. (g) The legislative staff of the members of the task force shall serve as staff for the task force. The task force may hire staff and contract for services necessary to carry out the duties of the task force under the procedures adopted by the legislative council governing procurement of services, subject to the approval of the legislative council and the legislative council making funds available for that purpose. (h) The task force expires on January 31, 2027." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 2, line 29: Delete all material and insert: 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0698 "* Sec. 25. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: APPLICABILITY. Sections 8 - 11 of this Act apply to a contract that becomes legally binding on or after the effective date of secs. 8 - 11 of this Act. * Sec. 26. This Act takes effect July 1, 2025." Representative Ruffridge moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 3 be adopted. Representative Fields objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 3 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 57(EDC) am Second Reading Amendment No. 3 YEAS: 9 NAYS: 28 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Johnson, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Underwood, Vance Nays: Allard, Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Nelson, Rauscher, Schrage, Story, Stutes, Tilton, Tomaszewski Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp And so, Amendment No. 3 was not adopted. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 57(EDC) am be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. CSHB 57(EDC) am will advance to third reading on the April 14 calendar. 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0699 HB 75 The following, which was held from the April 9 calendar (page 647), was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 75 "An Act relating to national criminal history record checks for certain employees of the Department of Revenue; relating to allowable absences for eligibility for a permanent fund dividend; relating to the confidentiality of certain information provided on a permanent fund dividend application; relating to electronic notice of debt collection executed on a permanent fund dividend; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page STA RPT CS(STA) 5DP 265 FN1: ZERO(REV) 265 L&C RPT CS(STA) 5DP 2AM 503 FN1: ZERO(REV) 503 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 75(STA) (same title) There being no objection, it was so ordered. Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative McCabe: Page 3, line 31: Delete "(16), or (17)" Insert "or (16) - (18) [(16), OR (17)]" Page 4, following line 7: Insert a new paragraph to read: "(17) serving as a pilot for a United States airline certified as an air carrier by the Federal Aviation Administration;" 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0700 Page 4, line 8: Delete "(17)" Insert "(18) [(17)]" Page 4, line 13: Delete "(4) - (16)" Insert "(4) - (17) [(4) - (16)]" Page 4, line 15: Delete "(16)" Insert "(17)" Page 4, line 19: Delete "(4) - (16)" Insert "(4) - (17) [(4) - (16)]" Page 4, line 22: Delete "(1) - (16)" Insert "(1) - (17) [(1) - (16)]" Page 4, line 23: Delete "(4) - (16)" Insert "(4) - (17) [(4) - (16)]" Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Representative Bynum objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 75(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 1 YEAS: 12 NAYS: 25 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Carrick, Galvin, Himschoot, Kopp, McCabe, Rauscher, Schwanke, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0701 Nays: Burke, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Nelson, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp And so, Amendment No. 1 was not adopted. Amendment No. 2 was not offered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 75(STA) be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. CSHB 75(STA) will advance to third reading on the April 14 calendar. THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 31 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 9 calendar (page 646), was read the third time: HOUSE BILL NO. 31 "An Act relating to the registration of commercial vessels; and relating to the derelict vessel prevention program fund." The question being: "Shall HB 31 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 31 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 37 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: 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, Nelson, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, Story, Stutes, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0702 Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp And so, HB 31 passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. HB 50 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 9 calendar (page 647), was read the third time: HOUSE BILL NO. 50 "An Act relating to snow classics." The question being: "Shall HB 50 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 50 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 35 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Nelson, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, Story, Stutes, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Johnson, Rauscher Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp And so, HB 50 passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. HB 79 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 9 calendar (page 648), was read the third time: HOUSE BILL NO. 79 "An Act naming the Vic Fischer Shoup Bay State Marine Park." The question being: "Shall HB 79 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0703 HB 79 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 35 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Nelson, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Story, Stutes, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Allard, Schwanke Excused: Moore, Prax, Stapp Allard changed from "YEA" to "NAY" And so, HB 79 passed the House. Representative Costello gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on HB 79. LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Hospice of Homer, 40th Anniversary By Senator Stevens; Representative Vance In Memoriam - David Witt By Senators Myers, Cronk; Representative Schwanke In Memoriam - Joyanna Geisler By Senator Stevens; Representative Vance UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following member be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the member was excused as noted: Representative Elam – from 8:00 a.m., May 22 to midnight, June 15 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0704 HCR 3 The Speaker removed the State Affairs Committee referral and added a Finance Committee referral to the following: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3 Establishing the Joint Legislative Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. HCR 3 was removed from the State Affairs Committee and referred to the Finance Committee. HJR 14 Representatives Tomaszewski, Elam, and Schwanke added as cosponsors to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community- minded approach to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic infrastructure. HJR 15 Representative Nelson added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15 Urging the Governor, the Department of Natural Resources, division of forestry and fire protection, the Department of Public Safety, municipalities of the state and relevant wildfire planning and response agencies, and the Alaska delegation in Congress to prepare for the 2025 wildfire season. HJR 18 Representatives Schwanke and Kopp added as cosponsors to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18 Supporting the continued development of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project; recognizing the importance of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project to the economy of the state, energy independence, and national security; and urging the United States Congress, President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of the Interior 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0705 Douglas Burgum, and relevant federal agencies to take all necessary actions to expedite the success of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project. HB 15 Representative Costello added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 15 "An Act relating to royalty rates and payments for certain oil and gas; and providing for an effective date." HB 16 The Speaker removed the Finance Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 16 "An Act amending campaign contribution limits for state and local office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and local office once each decade beginning in 2031; and relating to campaign contribution reporting requirements." HB 16 was removed from the Finance Committee and referred to the Rules Committee. HB 29 Representative Costello added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 29 "An Act relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance coverage for school district employees, employees of the University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units in the state; and providing for an effective date." HB 40 Representative Costello added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 40 "An Act relating to school athletics, recreation, athletic teams, and sports." 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0706 HB 47 Representative Costello added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 47 "An Act relating to crime and criminal procedure; relating to generated obscene child sexual abuse material; relating to the powers of district judges and magistrates; relating to teaching certificates; and relating to licensing of school bus drivers." HB 51 Representative Costello added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 51 "An Act relating to an appropriation limit; relating to the budget responsibilities of the governor; and providing for an effective date." HB 75 Representatives Costello and Josephson added as cosponsors to: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 75(STA) "An Act relating to national criminal history record checks for certain employees of the Department of Revenue; relating to allowable absences for eligibility for a permanent fund dividend; relating to the confidentiality of certain information provided on a permanent fund dividend application; relating to electronic notice of debt collection executed on a permanent fund dividend; and providing for an effective date." HB 79 Representative Gray added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 79 "An Act naming the Vic Fischer Shoup Bay State Marine Park." HB 92 Representative Gray, citing Uniform Rule 35, moved and asked unanimous consent to be removed as prime sponsor and Representative Eischeid added as prime sponsor for the following: 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0707 HOUSE BILL NO. 92 "An Act relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in public schools; relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; and providing for an effective date." There being no objection, it was so ordered. HB 104 Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 104 "An Act creating and relating to the address confidentiality program; and providing for an effective date." HB 166 Representative Costello added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 166 "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; relating to public education; and relating to opioid abuse awareness and prevention." HB 173 Representatives Stutes, Nelson, Schwanke, and Bynum added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 173 "An Act relating to occupational therapist licensure; relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure; and relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact." SJR 10 Representative Schrage added as a cross sponsor to: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 Encouraging the United States Congress to award Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold Medal. 2025-04-11 House Journal Page 0708 ENGROSSMENT HB 31 HB 31 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HB 50 HB 50 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. SCR 3 SCR 3(fld H) was engrossed and returned to the Senate for permanent filing. ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., April 14. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 5:52 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk