05/07/2025 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): University of Alaska Board of Regents | |
| HB176 | |
| HB212 | |
| HB59 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 212 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 59 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 176 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
May 7, 2025
8:04 a.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Rebecca Himschoot, Co-Chair
Representative Andi Story, Co-Chair
Representative Maxine Dibert
Representative Ted Eischeid
Representative Jubilee Underwood
Representative Rebecca Schwanke
Representative Bill Elam
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA BOARD OF REGENTS
- HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 176
"An Act relating to notice of new fees and fee increases from
the University of Alaska; relating to billing statements from
the University of Alaska; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 176 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 212
"An Act relating to the local contribution made by a city or
borough school district; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 59
"An Act relating to demonstration state-tribal education
compacts; relating to demonstration state-tribal education
compact schools; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25
Supporting and encouraging the continued recruitment and
retention of international educators on J-1 and H-1B visas in
the state.
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 176
SHORT TITLE: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FEES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CARRICK
04/09/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/09/25 (H) EDC, FIN
04/30/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
04/30/25 (H) -- Invited & Public Testimony --
05/05/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
05/05/25 (H) Heard & Held
05/05/25 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
05/07/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 212
SHORT TITLE: LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STORY
04/30/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/30/25 (H) EDC, FIN
05/05/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
05/05/25 (H) Heard & Held
05/05/25 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
05/07/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 59
SHORT TITLE: STATE-TRIBAL EDUCATION COMPACTS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) TRB, EDC
02/11/25 (H) TRB AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/11/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
02/13/25 (H) TRB AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/13/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
02/18/25 (H) TRB AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/18/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/13/25 (H) TRB AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/13/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/25 (H) MINUTE(TRB)
04/08/25 (H) TRB AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
04/08/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/08/25 (H) MINUTE(TRB)
04/24/25 (H) TRB AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
04/24/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/24/25 (H) MINUTE(TRB)
05/01/25 (H) TRB AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
05/01/25 (H) Moved CSHB 59(TRB) Out of Committee
05/01/25 (H) MINUTE(TRB)
05/02/25 (H) TRB RPT CS(TRB) 2DP 1NR 4AM
05/02/25 (H) DP: MOORE, UNDERWOOD
05/02/25 (H) NR: CARRICK
05/02/25 (H) AM: BURKE, STORY, SCHWANKE, DIBERT
05/07/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
FERNANDO ESCOBAR, Appointee
University of Alaska Board of Regents
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during his confirmation hearing.
PAT JACOBSON
representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Fernando Escobar's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
BETTY WALTERS
representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Fernando Escobar's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
SOPHIE MAY
representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Fernando Escobar's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 176 to the
committee.
REPRESENTATIVE ANDI STORY
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 212 to the
committee.
HEATHER HEINEKEN, Director
Division of Finance & Support Services
Department of Education & Early Development
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the fiscal notes associated with
HB 212.
DR. DEENA BISHOP, Commissioner
Department of Education & Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered committee questions on HB 212.
DR. DEENA BISHOP, Commissioner
Department of Education & Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of House Rules by request of the
governor, prime sponsor, presented HB 59 (TRB) to the committee.
DR. JOEL ISAAK, Director of Tribal Affairs
Department of Education & Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of House Rules by request of the
governor, prime sponsor, presented HB 59 (TRB) to the committee.
DR. MICHAEL ROBBINS, Superintendent
Ketchikan School District
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 59
(TRB).
JAMIE BURGISS, Superintendent
Nome School District
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 59
(TRB).
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:04:02 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY called the House Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. Representatives Elam, Dibert,
Schwanke, Eischeid, Himschoot, and Story were present at the
call to order. Representative Underwood arrived as the meeting
was in progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): University of Alaska Board of Regents
8:04:56 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY announced that the first order of business would
be the confirmation hearing of Fernando Escobar to the
University of Alaska Board of Regents.
8:06:30 AM
FERNANDO ESCOBAR, Appointee, University of Alaska Board of
Regents, testified during his confirmation hearing.
Hello Representatives of the House Education
Committee, My name is Fernando Escobar. I was recently
nominated as the next Student Regent for the
University of Alaska Board of Regents. My confirmation
hearing is scheduled for May 7th at 8am for the House
Education Committee.
First, thank you for your hard work and commitment to
our state. Your efforts truly make a difference in
Alaskans' lives. I am proud to be an Alaskan and
appreciate everything you do to support our
communities. A little about me: I was born and raised
on Kodiak. My family immigrated from El Salvador in
the mid-2000s, and I was the first of my family to be
born in the United States. My passion for public
service developed during my 8th grade year and has
followed me since. I was very active with student
government, my school district, and my community. One
of my proudest commitments, which I always like to
discuss, is my involvement with the Kodiak Teen Court.
This program employs a Restorative Justice model for
juvenile offenders. It gave me the chance to work with
young individuals in Kodiak and partner with my peers
who acted as youth attorneys and judges. This
experience expanded my understanding of the challenges
and issues that juveniles, students, and many
community members faced. Within my school district, I
have served on numerous committees focused on
curriculum and student outcomes. These opportunities
have continued my interest in ensuring educational
access for all individuals, regardless of their
background or level of understanding. When it was time
to pursue a postsecondary education, I chose to stay
in Alaska because of the opportunities I could see. I
am currently studying at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks(UAF). This decision was the best I have made
so far in my life, and I am proud to share that story
of continued education in Alaska. As a student, I have
had the opportunity to meet so many others, whom I
call friends, and they range from all over Alaska, to
the Lower 48, and some who come from other nations.
Their stories create our future in Alaska. I am
honored to have been nominated to represent my peers
across the university system, not only to lead them
but also to lead Alaska's future and its education. I
look forward to your questions on May 7th!
8:07:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked Mr. Escobar why he wanted to serve
on the University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents and asked what
his biggest concerns with education were.
MR. ESCOBAR shared his belief that there must be a "strong"
student representative on the UA Board of Regents and said that
his biggest concern with regards to the UA system were threats
from the federal government.
8:09:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EISCHEID commented that he was "very impressed"
by Mr. Escobar's introductory email and resume and thanked him
for his application to the UA Board of Regents.
8:10:25 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY opened public testimony on the confirmation
hearing of Fernando Escobar to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents.
8:11:13 AM
PAT JACOBSON, representing self, testified in support of
Fernando Escobar's appointment to the University of Alaska Board
of Regents. She shared a series of positive attributes of Mr.
Escobar's personality and emphasized his various positions in
community service and student activism.
8:13:20 AM
BETTY WALTERS, representing self, testified in support of
Fernando Escobar's appointment to the University of Alaska Board
of Regents. She referred the committee to her letter of support
for Mr. Escobar and urged the committee's support of his
appointment.
8:14:44 AM
SOPHIE MAY, representing self, testified in support of Fernando
Escobar's appointment to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents. She emphasized Mr. Escobar's trusted role within the
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) honors college and said
that he brings a "rare big-picture vision" to the UA Board of
Regents.
8:16:40 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY, after ascertaining that there was no one who
wished to testify, she closed public testimony.
8:16:50 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY stated that the House Education Standing
Committee has reviewed the qualifications of the governor's
appointees and recommends that the following names be forwarded
to a joint session for consideration: Fernando Escobar,
University of Alaska Board of Regents. She said that signing
the report regarding appointments to boards and commissions in
no way reflects an individual member's approval or disapproval
of the appointee, and the nomination is merely forwarded to the
full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
8:17:22 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:17 a.m. to 8:19 a.m.
HB 176-UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FEES
8:19:45 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 176, "An Act relating to notice of new fees
and fee increases from the University of Alaska; relating to
billing statements from the University of Alaska; and providing
for an effective date."
8:20:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, presented HB 176 to the committee. She reminded
the committee that HB 176 would provide fee transparency to UA
students with an itemized list of consolidated fees and notify
the students of their bill as it becomes available.
8:21:06 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT moved to report HB 176, labeled 34-LS0880\A,
out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 176 was
reported from the House Education Standing Committee.
[Co-Chair Story passed the gavel to Co-Chair Himschoot.]
8:21:57 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:21 a.m. to 8:24 a.m..
HB 212-LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS
8:25:31 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 212, "An Act relating to the local
contribution made by a city or borough school district; and
providing for an effective date."
8:25:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDI STORY, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 212 to the committee. She referred the
committee to the fiscal note associated with HB 212.
8:26:34 AM
HEATHER HEINEKEN, Director, Division of Finance & Support
Services, Department of Education & Early Development, explained
the fiscal notes associated with HB 212. She explained that the
first fiscal note would direct the Department of Education &
Early Development (DEED) to change how it currently conducts
funding disparity tests with school districts. She detailed how
the second fiscal note referenced the proposed funding mechanism
by HB 212 and explained that the third fiscal note was related
to the Mt. Edgecumbe High School.
8:29:44 AM
DR. DEENA BISHOP, Commissioner, Department of Education & Early
Development, answered committee questions on HB 212. She
explained that the DEED is currently evaluating regulatory
changes related to special revenue fund contributions by local
governments and their school districts, which would be altered
by HB 212 if it were to pass. She said that school districts
around Alaska are interpreting current DEED regulations
differently and said that the DEED is working on new special
revenue fund regulations because of it. She emphasized that
current Alaska Statute requirements already embed school impact
aid funding within them and said that "all applicable revenues
must be included in the disparity test under law". She
explained how a local government that might be able to better
fund a school within its district would be unfair to other
schools around the state that might not have as many financial
options to utilize. She suggested that previous comments made
to the House Education Standing Committee by Lisa Parody were
inaccurate and said that it school districts being funded over
the disparity limit "could trigger retroactive consequences."
She shared her belief that the proposed regulatory changes being
made by the DEED were to bring school districts in Alaska more
in accordance with existing Alaska Statute and said that the
DEED supported the language that currently existed in SCS CS
HB69, which provided "clear" language on funding disparity
tests.
8:43:26 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ELAM asked if impact aid dollars are allowed to
be used outside of education and asked what the maximum
allowable local contribution is under the current state
education funding formula.
DIRECTOR HEINEKEN answered that impact aid dollars are included
as part of a school district's general operations budget.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP added that the state education funding
formula has minimum spending formula that allows for a 25%
overspending range with local contributions. She said that a
local government with more funding options might lead to an
inequitable funding scenario between different school districts
in Alaska.
DIRECTOR HEINEKEN commented that additional funds could be spent
on current expenditures, like administration, instruction,
attendance & health services, pupil transportation services,
operation maintenance & plans, and fixed charges, which the DEED
was attempting to clarify by aligning its regulations with the
U.S. Department of Education.
8:54:10 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT asked if the state has ever failed a funding
disparity test before and asked what the consequence would be if
it were to fail it.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP said that she was not aware if Alaska had
ever failed a funding disparity test and explained that the
federal government currently dictates the 25% funding disparity.
DIRECTOR HEINEKEN commented that she was unaware of any failure
of a disparity test during her time working in Alaska Education.
8:58:15 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY said that the state did fail a funding disparity
test in 2019 because of transportation funding and explained
that the DEED acquired a waiver from the U.S. Department of
Education to allow for the higher cost of transportation that
exists within Alaska.
[HB 59 was held over].
HB 59-STATE-TRIBAL EDUCATION COMPACTS
9:03:58 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY announced that the final order of business would
be CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 59(TRB), "An Act relating to
demonstration state-tribal education compacts; relating to
demonstration state-tribal education compact schools; and
providing for an effective date."
9:05:27 AM
DR. DEENA BISHOP, Commissioner, Department of Education & Early
Development, on behalf of House Rules by request of the
governor, prime sponsor, presented HB 59 (TRB) to the committee.
9:08:37 AM
DR. JOEL ISAAK, Director of Tribal Affairs, Department of
Education & Early Development, on behalf of House Rules by
request of the governor, prime sponsor, presented HB 59 (TRB) to
the committee. He gave a PowerPoint presentation for HB 59 (TRB)
[included in the committee packet] on slide 4, which highlighted
the agenda of HB 59 (TRB) and moved to slide 5, which explained
the difference between compacting and other types of tribal
education. He continued to slide 6, which explained what
compacting was with regard to tribal education and moved to
slide 7, which described the policy differences between two
different pieces of Alaska legislation concerning tribal
compacting. He continued through slides 9-11, which explained
the policies of SB 34, a previously passed tribal compacting
bill, and moved through slides 12-13, which detailed the
timeline of the negotiation schedule for tribes and the state.
He continued to slide 14, which gave broad introduction and
overview of the proposed policies of HB 59 (TRB). He skipped to
slide 16, which detailed the overlapping policies of tribal
compacting and HB 59 (TRB) and moved through slides 17-18, which
described sections 1 and 2 of a report on the outcomes of SB 34.
He continued through slides 19-21, which detailed the findings
of section 2 of a report on the outcomes of tribal compacting
and moved through slides 22-24, which described the findings of
sections 4 and 5 of a report on the outcomes of tribal
compacting in Alaska. He continued to slide 25, which detailed
the pilot tribal compacting program proposed by HB 59 and
skipped through slides 26-31.
9:29:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked Dr. Isaak to describe the
difference between the tribal compacts in schools and Alaska
Native Corporations.
DR. ISAAK said that one might "need a masters degree to
understand Alaksa tribal landscape" and explained that the
federally recognized tribes recognized tribes function as tribal
governments, while tribal corporations do not. He said that
tribal corporations can provide some services that tribal
governments might, though it is often at a federal level through
bill appropriations language. He said that village corporations
can set up foundations to provide services to their
shareholders, who are different than tribal citizens or members.
He explained how a 1986 congressional amendment precluded that
the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) from giving money to Alaska
for school funding and construction.
9:35:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ELAM asked Dr. Isaak to elaborate further on the
governing power of Alaska Native Tribes.
DR. ISAAK described how Alaska Native Tribal governments might
be able to issue government proclamations, like the Inupiat
Community of the Arctic Slop (ICAS) declaring a state of
emergency for education within the boundaries of its tribal
area. He explained that tribal schools are note currently
recognized as public schools under state law, which was why the
proposed legislation was before the committee.
9:39:33 AM
DR. MICHAEL ROBBINS, Superintendent, Ketchikan School District,
gave invited testimony in support of HB 59 (TRB). He said that
the proposed legislation would provide an "important opportunity
to advance culturally responsive education across Alaska". He
proposed that HB 59 (TRB) include a "hold harmless" provision
for funding to support school districts that may not be able to
meet certain criteria for a school currently outlined in Alaska
Statute.
9:44:18 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT asked Dr. Robbins if his idea to amend HB 59
(TRB) to include a "hold harmless clause" were based on existing
laws regarding "hold harmless".
DR. ROBBINS answered that he was referring to existing "hold
harmless" laws to be implemented into HB 59 (TRB).
9:45:31 AM
JAMIE BURGISS, Superintendent, Nome School District, gave
invited testimony in support of HB 59 (TRB). She explained how
the Nome School District (NSD) was already in a "hold harmless"
situation due to its enrollment decline in the past several
years and explained how the proposed legislation would benefit
the NSD. She said that the NSD currently faces the potential
for specialty teachers to be laid off and detailed how
specialized programs are important to students within the NSD.
9:51:08 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:51 a.m.
9:51:29 AM
MS. BURGISS continued her testimony by explaining how the NSD
utilized place-based learning and indigenous reading classes as
apart of a indigenous language immersion program that is now at
risk of being cut if funding were to fall through. She detailed
how a declining enrollment in the current statutory landscape
could negatively affect the NSD emphasized the school district's
full support of HB 59 (TRB).
9:55:48 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY thanked the invited testifiers and delivered
committee announcements.
[HB 59 (TRB) was held over].
9:56:32 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:56 a.m.