Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
03/01/2016 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB103 | |
| HB107 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 107 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 191 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 103 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 107-BD OF REGENTS REGIONAL RESIDENCY QUALIF.
3:40:24 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that the final order of business would
be HB 107. He noted a zero fiscal note.
3:40:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of
HB 107. She related that the University of Alaska (UA) boasts
approximately 32,000 students a year governed by an eleven-
member Board of Regents, one of which is a full-time student.
She maintained that there has been a lack of representation of
the various areas of Alaska for the last century.
She read the mission statement of the University of Alaska: "The
University of Alaska inspires learning, advances and
disseminates knowledge through teaching, research, and public
service emphasizing the North and its diverse peoples." She said
in accordance with the university's mission to emphasize the
diversity of Alaska's residents, HB 107 calls for change to the
composition of UA's Board of Regents.
She noted that currently there is one seat reserved for a
student and ten at-large regents who must be a citizen of the
United States as well as a resident of Alaska. The bill will
change the composition of the board to include geographic
representation. If passed, the regents would include one board
member from each of the following areas: Fairbanks North Star
Borough, Municipality of Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Borough,
Kenai Peninsula Borough, City and Borough of Juneau, a resident
not from the above areas and not connected by road or rail to
Anchorage or Fairbanks, one student, and four at-large members.
This change would reflect the diversity of Alaska's population
and bring more voices to the table on university policies.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS noted a handout that provides the history
of the Board of Regents. She said that the Mat-Su Valley had
never been represented until the Governor recently appointed Dr.
Deena Paramo to the board. She concluded that her goal is to
bring diversity to the board long term.
3:44:25 PM
CHRYSTAL RANDOLPH, Staff, Representative Lynn Gattis, Alaska
State Legislature, presented information on SB 107. She read the
sectional analysis:
Section 1:
AS 14.40.130(a). Repeals and Reenacts Composition of
the Board of Regents
Defines the Board of Regents by requiring:
1. One resident of Fairbanks North Star Borough
2. One resident of Municipality of Anchorage
3. One resident of Matanuska-Susitna Borough
4. One resident of Kenai Peninsula Borough
5. One resident of City and Borough of Juneau
6. One resident of a community that is not described
in (1) through (5) of this subsection and is not
connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks;
7. One student regent.
8. Four at large members that are Alaskan Residents.
Section 2:
AS 14.40.130. Adds new subsections
Regents Qualifications and Board Membership
Regents must be a resident of region for at least two
years prior to appointment. A regent will complete
their term if they fail to maintain residency in a
region.
Section 3:
Uncodified law. TRANSITION
Regents currently serving on the board will finish
their terms and as vacancies arise the Governor shall
make appointments that fulfill the residency
requirements of this Act.
3:45:39 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked whether the four at-large members could
also be from the Mat-Su or must be from outside of the seven
other categories.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS replied that the four at-large members can
come from any region.
3:46:45 PM
SENATOR GARDNER pointed out that the Court System has five
judicial districts. She asked if the sponsor considered that
option.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS explained that she did not think of the
court when she considered the regional areas and what they
bring. She looked at where the regents came from in the past and
who was left out. She said she also considered community size.
3:47:58 PM
SENATOR GARDNER asked where applicants came from when the
Governor was looking for appointees.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS said during last year's public testimony,
there was concern about the struggle to find representation from
some areas. She opined that now is the right time to provide the
opportunity to bring Alaskans together in light of this budget
crisis.
3:49:08 PM
SENATOR GARDNER wondered what would happen if no good, strong
applicants came forth in order to meet the regional
requirements.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS said the bill does not focus on
whether there were good, strong folks in areas. She maintained
that each area has strong candidates.
SENATOR GARDNER agreed they are everywhere, but they may not
apply.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS said that conversation did not come up in
the House, but the Regents expressed concern about it.
3:51:03 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY opened public testimony.
3:51:18 PM
JOHN DAVIS, Board Member, University of Alaska Board of Regents,
expressed concerns about HB 107. He opined that regional regent
applicants might not consider the university "one university"
and that they may believe they only represent their region. He
also said he is concerned that when there is a vacancy it may be
difficult to find someone to fill it. He said it is important to
give the Governor lee-way and not require specific regions be
represented in that case. He concluded it may be hard to find an
applicant from some regions.
3:54:31 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY summarized the first concern if the bill is
regionalized, there might be regents who represent their area
first, rather than the university.
MR. DAVIS said yes.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY thought that could happen now. He wondered if
there have been examples of that happening, currently. He asked
if the selection process was previously regionalized.
MR. DAVIS said it was not regionalized previously, but people
had the view that they were representing a certain region.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY thought it might have been a personal view held
by a regent.
3:56:07 PM
JO HECKMAN, Board Member, University of Alaska Board of Regents,
echoed concerns expressed by Mr. Davis. She said she has not
experienced the "regionalism" mentality as a board member. It
has been understood that there is a greater good over the last
four years.
She appreciated the goal of diversity in HB 107. She listed
areas represented and noted some members work in a variety of
areas. She described the diversity on the current board. She did
not know what additional gains could be had by HB 107, in terms
of diversity.
She concluded that it is irrelevant where members come from as
long as they advocate for the university as a whole. There is no
need to focus on regions. She questioned who from rural areas
would serve for eight years. She concluded it might be hard on
the board to wait until the right person from the right region
is found.
4:03:40 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked who Ms. Heckman means by "we."
MS. HECKMAN said she meant a group of Alaskans; the Board does
not have a choice in the matter, but would like to see the best
people serve on the Board.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY commended Representative Gattis for looking for
people from rural Alaska, as they are often overlooked and have
unique needs. He opined that the intent of the at-large members
might be for that purpose.
SENATOR GARDNER thanked Ms. Heckman. She referred to the current
statute's language regarding student regent qualifications. She
asked how a student who is enrolled for four years and remains a
full-time student can serve for eight years.
MS. HECKMAN corrected that the student serves a two-year term.
4:06:27 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked how long Ms. Heckman served.
MS. HECKMAN said she was appointed in 2011.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if anyone has resigned from the Board.
MS. HECKMAN listed several instances where regents stepped down.
4:07:07 PM
ELIZABETH RIPLEY, representing herself, testified in support of
HB 107. She provided her background and reasons why diversity is
important on the Board of Regents. She described the population
growth in the Mat-Su Valley, including student enrollment. She
voiced concern about the lack of representation by people from
the Mat-Su Valley. She urged passage of the bill.
4:09:31 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY left public testimony open.
He held HB 107 in committee.
SENATOR GARDNER requested information on how many applicants
there were last year and this year when the Governor had the
opportunity to make appointments to the Board. She said she is
concerned about getting a pool of applicants that are available,
interested, and qualified.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY thought there might be a different pool of
applicants in the future due to HB 107.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 1. HB 107 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 3/1/2016 3:30:00 PM |
HB 107 |
| 2. HB 107 Sectional Analysis Newest Version.pdf |
SEDC 3/1/2016 3:30:00 PM |
HB 107 |
| 3. HB 107 Fiscal Note (2016).pdf |
SEDC 3/1/2016 3:30:00 PM |
HB 107 |
| 4. HB 107 Legal Opinions.PDF |
SEDC 3/1/2016 3:30:00 PM |
HB 107 |
| 5. HB 107 Executive Summary of Past Regents.pdf |
SEDC 3/1/2016 3:30:00 PM |
HB 107 |
| 6. HB 107 Letters of Support.pdf |
SEDC 3/1/2016 3:30:00 PM |
HB 107 |
| 7. HB 107 Letters of Opposition.pdf |
SEDC 3/1/2016 3:30:00 PM |
HB 107 |
| SB 191 - Fiscal Note EED.pdf |
SEDC 3/1/2016 3:30:00 PM |
SB 191 |
| SB 191 - Fiscal Note DCCED.pdf |
SEDC 3/1/2016 3:30:00 PM |
SB 191 |