03/22/1999 01:45 PM Senate HES

                                                                                                                                
        SB   9-PERS CREDIT FOR NONCERTIFICATED EMPLOYEES                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
VICE-CHAIRMAN KELLY brought up SB 9 .                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Number 301                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WILKEN stated SB 9 recognizes the classified employees in                                                               
school districts who are the janitors, custodians, and support                                                                  
staff.  Teachers have 12 months retirement contributed for every                                                                
9 months they work, and after 30 years of teaching, receive a                                                                   
full 30 years retirement.  However, the classified people only                                                                  
receive 9 months each year toward retirement. Two years ago, the                                                                
classified employees approached Representative Brice and said                                                                   
they would pay for the difference.  This bill provides for that,                                                                
with a zero fiscal impact on the school districts and on the                                                                    
state, and a minimal $70.0 first year start up cost.  SB 9                                                                      
recognizes that the classified employee can choose to contribute                                                                
toward their own retirement after 30 years, with the extra 7.5                                                                  
years paid by the employee with his own money, and prorated over                                                                
their 9 months of normal employment.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Number 268                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. JOHN CYR, NEA-AK stated appreciation of Senator Wilken's                                                                    
willingness to introduce SB 9.  His association has worked a long                                                               
time to get this legislation which they strongly support.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. DON ETHERIDGE, Public Employees Local 71, stated that the                                                                   
union wholeheartedly supports SB 9.  Their membership working in                                                                
the school districts has been urging this legislation for many                                                                  
years.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. LARRY WIGET, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Anchorage                                                                
School District, expressed the district's support of SB 9.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. CARL ROSE, AASB, stated the association supports SB 9.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WILKEN moved to adopt CSSB 9(HES), Version D Cramer.                                                                    
Without objection, it was adopted.  SENATOR WILKEN explained the                                                                
CS changes the title and line 11 on page 1, by adding the special                                                               
education service agencies (SESA), eleven certified people who                                                                  
work to fund and place disabled people in the school districts.                                                                 
They are classified and part of the PERS system, and SENATOR                                                                    
WILKEN agreed with their inclusion in the bill.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WILKEN moved to report CSSB 9(HES) out of committee with                                                                
individual recommendations and a fiscal note.  Without objection,                                                               
it was so ordered.  The committee adjourned at 3:00 p.m.