Legislature(2017 - 2018)CAPITOL 106
03/20/2017 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB135 | |
| HB102 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 135 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 135-SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION GRANT PROGRAM
8:04:00 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 135, "An Act relating to school district
participation in the school construction grant program."
8:04:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO moved Amendment 1, labeled 30-
LS0549\A.1, Glover, 3/9/17, which read:
Page 1, lines 11 - 13:
Delete all material and insert:
"(g) The commissioner may extend the time allowed for
a district to provide the required participating share
if the district
(1) applies to the commissioner in writing to request
an extension;
(2) demonstrates good cause for the requested
extension;
(3) pays a portion of the district's participating
share that is based on available funds; and
(4) provides the commissioner with a plan for paying
the remaining portion as soon as possible."
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER objected for discussion purposes.
8:05:48 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:05 a.m. to 8:06 a.m.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO read Amendment 1 [text previously
provided].
8:07:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DEAN WESTLAKE, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor
of HB 135, read Amendment 1 [text previously provided].
8:08:46 AM
JESSE LOGAN, Staff, Representative Dean Westlake, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Westlake, sponsor of HB
135, explained Amendment 1 allows for a waiver if there is a
plan that a portion of the matching grant will be paid [by a
school district]; the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) would decide if available funds are
sufficient, and would approve a payment schedule. He
acknowledged there is concern from some school districts
regarding the requirement of available funds. Mr. Logan stated
the intent is for the department to clarify "what available
funds would mean" and what portion the district would pay.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON concurred with the concern and confusion
expressed by the districts because it seems the department would
decide whether a project is viable and warrants an extension,
based on the local contribution and a district's long-term plan.
MR. LOGAN agreed.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON surmised a community may not wish to tie
up their funds on hand, and might ask for minimum participation.
MR. LOGAN said correct.
8:11:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO explained he offered Amendment 1 in the
hope school districts could set aside designated construction
funds for the purpose of leveraging grant funds; however, noting
school districts are unsure of the effect of the amendment, he
offered to withdraw Amendment 1.
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER withdrew his objection to Amendment 1.
8:12:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO withdrew Amendment 1.
8:12:19 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:12 a.m. to 8:13 a.m.
8:13:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH moved Amendment 2, labeled 30-LS0549\A.2,
Glover, 3/13/17, which read:
Page 2, line 4:
Delete "on"
Insert "before, on,"
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON objected for discussion purposes.
REPRESENTATIVE WESTLAKE explained Amendment 2 would direct that
the current language of the bill would not be applicable to any
current active or issued grants. If Amendment 2 is adopted,
school districts and boroughs with active grants may apply for
an extension under the provisions of HB 135. There are two
schools with active grants; Amendment 2 would only apply to
current, active grants that have been recently appropriated, and
which would lapse after three years if participating shares have
not been identified.
8:15:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON withdrew her objection. There being no
further objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
CHAIR DRUMMOND, after ascertaining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HB 135.
8:16:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH moved to report HB 135, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 135(EDC) was
reported from the House Education Standing Committee.
8:16:23 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:16 a.m. to 8:19 a.m.
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