Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
04/19/2023 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB148 | |
| HB139 | |
| HB144 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 144 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 148 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 148-AK PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP; ELIGIBILITY
8:14:48 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 148, "An Act relating to the Alaska
performance scholarship program."
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE noted that at the House Education Standing
Committee meeting on Monday, April 17, 2023, a motion had been
made by Co-Chair Allard to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to HB
148, [with objection by Co-Chair Ruffridge], and this motion had
been left pending.
8:15:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY moved to table [Conceptual Amendment 1].
There being no objection, Conceptual Amendment 1, pending with
objection, was tabled.
8:16:04 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE entertained other amendments.
8:16:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 5
to HB 148.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE explained that Conceptual Amendment 5 was
initially drafted by Representative Allard. He asked whether
there were any objections to the amendment.
8:16:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected to Conceptual Amendment 5.
8:16:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT Explained that Conceptual Amendment 5
opens the scholarship eligibility to students who either have a
high score on the SAT or ACT, or a high GPA, providing
flexibility to students who show their worthiness for the
scholarship.
8:18:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY spoke to her objection. She expressed
concern about the GPA and students not having to deal with the
test. Additionally, she questioned the deletion of the word
"academic" on page 2, line 30, because the academic requirements
are not being deleted.
8:19:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT replied that she could not speak to the
deletion of the word "academic," adding that a requirement is a
requirement, whether it was academic or otherwise. She said she
did not know why "academic" needed to be deleted, and shared her
belief that it could stay. She added that there are many
students with a low GPA that could pass a test, and those
students should also be able to receive the performance
scholarship.
8:20:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY pointed out that there are accountability
measures in place, so if students do not keep their grades up,
they will lose their scholarship. She noted that [the
accountability measures] encourage students to work hard.
8:20:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Conceptual Amendment 5, to keep the word "academic".
8:21:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK objected.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated that there are academic
requirements, and emphasized the importance of keeping
"academic" in the legislation.
8:22:09 AM
SANA EFIRD, Executive Director, Alaska Commission on
Postsecondary Education (ACPE), Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), joined the discussion on HB 148. She
referenced the 10-year lookback, reporting that the curriculum
and the academic success on the curriculum makes a difference
for the students as they attend their post-secondary programs.
Specifically with the university classes, students do not have
to take remedial classes at the rate of others; however, keeping
the curriculum and having an and/or is doable, she said.
8:24:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY drew attention to page 1 of the bill
regarding the minimum GPA.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE related that the focus needed to stay on the
conceptual amendment to Conceptual Amendment 5, specifically the
word "academic."
REPRESENTATIVE STORY thanked Co-Chair Ruffridge for reminding
the committee that the academic piece is important.
8:25:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether it was possible that the
word "academic" was no longer applicable, and whether Career
Technical Education (CTE) also required the word "academic."
8:25:25 AM
MS. EFRID replied that "academic" was still in the curriculum
requirement; she said she wasn sure whether the removal would
affect the curriculum.
8:26:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY commented that she had been reminded of how
rigorous CTE is for students.
8:27:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT stated that removing the word
"academic" was suggested by the legal department, but she liked
having it there. She confirmed her support for Conceptual
Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment 5.
8:27:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK removed his objection to Conceptual
Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment 5. There being no further
objection, Conceptual Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment 5 was
adopted.
8:28:37 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:28 a.m.
8:29:08 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE returned the discussion to Conceptual
Amendment 5, [as amended].
8:29:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY directed attention to line 11 of Conceptual
Amendment 5 and questioned what body should be setting minimum
[GPA] requirements. Additionally, she asked which entity the
language referred to.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE reminded Representative Story that this
language was already in statute on page 2, lines 11-13 of the
bill. He added that Conceptual Amendment 5 was setting forth a
repeal of the language.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY noted that the directions were to "delete
all material and insert."
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE pointed out that "insert" was capitalized and
bolded, indicating that it would match the other sections as a
repeal.
8:31:02 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:31 a.m. to 8:34 a.m.
8:34:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY confirmed that her questions were answered.
8:35:06 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked whether there were other questions or
comments on Conceptual Amendment 5.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether the conceptual amendment
would open the scholarship to a broader range of students.
8:35:27 AM
MS. EFIRD responded that her interpretation was yes, it would
provide scholarship opportunities to students that have taken
the curriculum laid out in the current statute, but for some
reason, did not make a certain GPA.
8:36:12 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked whether Representative Story maintained
her objection to Conceptual Amendment 5, [as amended], to HB
148.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY removed her objection. There being no
further objection, Conceptual Amendment 5 [as amended], was
adopted.
8:36:30 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 6 to HB 148, labeled
33-LS0624/B.7\Marx 4/18/23, which read:
Page 3, lines 14 - 15:
Delete "AS 14.43.825(g) and (h)"
Insert "AS 14.43.825(g) - (i)"
Page 4, lines 21 - 27:
Delete all material and insert:
"(g) Each time a student who is an award
recipient completes two semesters of full-time
enrollment at a qualified postsecondary institution in
this state, the postsecondary institution shall review
and notify the commission of the student's
postsecondary institution grade-point average. If the
student's grades qualify under (h) of this section,
the commission shall increase the award level for the
student as described in (h) of this section and notify
the student of the increase. In this subsection,
"full-time enrollment" means enrollment in a course of
study that is not less than 15 credits."
Page 4, line 28:
Delete "university or college"
Insert "postsecondary institution"
Page 4, line 29, following "above,":
Insert "or the equivalent established under (i)
of this section,"
Page 4, line 31, following "above,":
Insert "or the equivalent established under (i)
of this section,"
Page 5, following line 1:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(i) For qualified postsecondary institutions
that do not award grades on a four-point scale, the
commission shall establish by regulation the
equivalent rating required to increase an award under
(h) of this section."
Reletter the following subsection accordingly.
Page 5, lines 5 - 7:
Delete all material and insert:
"(2) "postsecondary institution grade-point
average" means the average of all grades on a four-
point scale, or the equivalent as established by the
commission by regulation, obtained by a student at a
qualified postsecondary institution in this state."
8:36:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY objected for the purpose of discussion.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE explained that Amendment 6 would make several
changes to ensure that the bill would encompass the most
available students, make sure all post-secondary institutions in
the state are covered rather than just universities or colleges,
in addition to conforming changes.
8:37:22 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:37 a.m. to 8:42 a.m.
8:42:30 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE continued the discussion on Amendment 6.
8:42:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY referred to page 1, lines 13-14 of
Amendment 6, and expressed her concern about the 15 credit
requirement, because many students are non-traditional students
that work in addition to going to school. She asked for
clarification on the determination made by the Alaska Commission
on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) on the number of credits.
MS. EFIRD offered her understanding that there were both part
time and full time awards for APS, which would cover the concern
about nontraditional students who were unable to attend a full
time program of 15 credits.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether the student would get a
portion of the scholarship.
MS. EFIRD said she would check with her staff to clarify.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether including "not less than 15
credits" would create parameters for the commission's
flexibility.
MS. EFIRD offered her belief that this is the way the program is
currently set up for the full-time classes. She reiterated that
she would talk with her staff on the number of credits
otherwise.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY opined that 15 credits was a high amount,
and 4 classes, she said, could constitute "full time."
8:46:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT questioned whether the original APS
language specified 15 hours and asked whether 15 was standard.
MS. EFIRD offered her understanding that 15 credit hours was
standard; however, there was an allowance for 12 credits in the
first year under APS regulations. She offered to follow up with
the requested information.
8:47:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT opined that it was an overstep for the
legislature to decide what full time is and that the ACPE could
decide that. Quarters versus semesters, she said, could also
change what full time is. She stated she would be more
comfortable if full time enrollment were determined by the ACPE;
however, she would not want that to create a burden.
MS. EFIRD replied that ACPE would work through regulations, but
she was unsure if they would work with an institution to
determine what they would consider a full-time student. She
understood that it is something ACPE could take on, and offered
to talk with staff regarding the added administrative burden.
8:48:45 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE reminded the committee that the section
currently under discussion started on page 4, line 20, in
Section 6. He clarified that the amendment would change the
language on line 22, and explained that the language on full-
time enrollment is not indicative of the qualifications to
receive the scholarship. Instead, the intent was to talk
through what enrollment is necessary to receive the step-up
provision.
8:49:54 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:49 a.m. to 8:53 a.m.
8:53:07 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE reminded the committee that the current focus
is on the credit component in Amendment 6.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY sought clarification as to the amount of
credits in regulations.
MS. EFIRD confirmed that for the first year, it is 12 credits.
8:53:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY withdrew his objection to the motion to
adopt Amendment 6 to HB 158. There being no further objection,
Amendment 6 was adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY thanked Ms. Efird and ACPE for supporting
this modernization, and thanked the committee for the bill.
MS. EFIRD expressed her excitement towards the bill, and thanked
the committee members for their engagement and enthusiasm.
8:56:20 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK moved to report HB 148, as amended, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes, and to authorize Legislative Legal
Services to make technical and conforming changes, as needed.
There being no objection, CSHB 148(EDC) was reported out of the
House Education Standing Committee.