Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/04/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB146 | |
| SB22 | |
| SB6 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 146 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | HB 56 | ||
SENATE BILL NO. 6
"An Act requiring education in the history and
contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders."
10:11:22 AM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SPONSOR, offered a sponsor
statement:
Senate Bill 6 requires schools in the State of Alaska
to educate students on the history and contributions
of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by our school
system acknowledging historically accurate information
by members of these communities, from the past and
present.
This proposed piece of legislation aims to mandate the
inclusion of the history and contributions of Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders in Alaska's public
schools. By incorporating this critical component into
our education system, we welcome a more informed
society by teaching our students this important
history of Alaska. The diverse history of these
communities, including their significant contributions
to Alaska and the United States, deserve to be
recognized and celebrated.
Senate Bill 6 will help to ensure that future
generations of Alaskans have a comprehensive and
accurate understanding of our state's history and the
contributions of all its people.
Senator Gray-Jackson referenced a rise in discrimination
and hate towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander
community during the Covid-19 pandemic. She believed that
the legislation would help to repair such behavior through
information and education.
Senator Gray-Jackson continued that the bill was a step
toward a more complete and accurate education for Alaska's
students and strengthened the state's commitment to
diversity, equity, and historical integrity.
10:13:26 AM
Senator Merrick noted that the bill established that school
districts shall establish and provide to students in
kindergarten through grade 12. She wondered whether the
children would have the program every year.
Senator Gray-Jackson replied that each district shall
th
establish a program for grades kindergarten through 12.
10:14:12 AM
Senator Kaufman wondered whether the program could be
included in another education reform bill and rely on the
funding appropriated for that bill.
Senator Gray-Jackson noted that the bill had a zero fiscal
note and would not require additional funding.
10:15:13 AM
Co-Chair Stedman wondered whether the historic
contributions of other ethnic groups were taught in schools
under statute.
Senator Gray-Jackson affirmed that the legislation would
add education on Asian American and Pacific Islanders to
what was already being taught in schools.
Co-Chair Stedman thought it would be nice if Norse history
and culture was taught in schools.
10:16:21 AM
KAYE ROLDAN, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of the
bill. She was a co-director of Make Us Visible Alaska,
which was a non-profit that empowered local communities to
integrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (API)
contributions, experiences, and history in K-12 classrooms.
She shared that the organization offered free materials for
teaching API history in classrooms. She had been a Juneau
resident for over 30 years and a student in the public
school and university systems. She explained that, despite
being part of a close-knit Filipino community in Juneau,
she had not been taught about Filipino American history in
her local schools or educational experiences. She shared
that a college course was her first experience with
learning Filipino American history. She believed that it
was important that the curriculum be available to students
K-12. She stressed that seeing your own culture reflected
in the classroom gave student pride in their identity and
empowered them to build positive self-images, which was
crucial for student who might struggle with self-identity
and self-worth. She added that the legislation would foster
cross-cultural understanding and an alternative narrative
to negative depictions of Asian Americans.
10:20:37 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony.
10:20:48 AM
RAY WARD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified
in support of the bill. He thought it was of vital
importance that the history of People of Color be included
in school curriculum. He thanked the sponsor for her
efforts. Mr. Ward shared a concern that that cultural and
education materials would be restricted or removed from
classrooms under the current federal administration. He
worried that actions by the Trump Administration would lead
to the downfall of education in the country.
10:25:27 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kiehl reviewed a zero fiscal note from the
Department of Education and Early Development, OMB
Component 2796.
Co-Chair Stedman wondered about what kind of burden the
program would put on school districts both financially and
timewise. He worried that there were ethnic groups that
might be left out of history like the Russians, Japanese,
Chinese, and Norse.
Senator Gray-Jackson relayed her staff would like to
address Senator Stedman's comments.
10:26:53 AM
ZANDER KOTLAROV, STAFF, SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, believed the
bill was trying to address the lack of ethnic groups
representation in historical teachings. He noted that the
term Asian American and Pacific Islander encompassed a wide
variety of ethic groups and groups from all over the world
that were not currently represented in history classes.
Senator Gray-Jackson asked whether the committee desired a
review of the committee substitute.
Co-Chair Hoffman noted that the bells had rung, and floor
session would soon be underway. He relayed that Co-Chair
Olson's office would set the deadline for amendments.
SB 6 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.