Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/22/2021 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB32 | |
| SB36 | |
| SB19 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 32 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 36 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 19
"An Act extending the special education service
agency; and providing for an effective date."
10:34:03 AM
Co-Chair Bishop recounted that the committee had heard
public testimony on the bill March 2, 2021.
10:34:48 AM
Senator Gary Stevens, Sponsor, relayed that the bill had to
do with the Special Education Service Agency (SESA), which
was valuable to the students of the state and needed
funding stabilization. He said that the next 8 years held
some difficulties due to the cost of business.
10:35:30 AM
AT EASE
10:35:46 AM
RECONVENED
Senator Hoffman MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1, 32-LS020\B.3
(Fisher, 3/8/21), (copy on file).
Co-Chair Bishop OBJECTED for discussion.
10:36:13 AM
ERIN SHINE, STAFF, SENATOR CLICK BISHOP, addressed
Amendment 1. She explained that the amendment would change
the formula for funding the agency. She said the current
formula was set at $18.65 times the state student average
daily membership (ADM), the amendment would update that to
$23.13 per ADM.
Ms. Shine referenced a document that showed a graph of the
Special Education Services Agency Fund Balance being
modelled on a graph (copy on file). The sunset review of
SESA had revealed that the statutory funding level had been
flat since 2013; however, during that period there had been
a 63 percent increase in their caseload. She shared that
the executive director for SESA had provided an updated
projection for SESAs funding level, which showed that, at
current levels, funding for the agency would not be
sufficient after 2025.
Ms. Shine continued to address the amendment. She explained
that relayed that the amendment sought to address the
forthcoming budget shortfall for the agency; the estimated
cost increase, based on the ADM is $577,000 per year. She
noted Page 1, line 8 of the amendment reflected the
proposed monetary change. She also cited the effective
dates for the bill one for the sunset of SESA, effective
June 30, 2021; although the funding increase could begin at
the start of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2021.
10:38:42 AM
Senator Wielechowski asked about the fiscal impact of the
amendment.
Ms. Shine responded that the numbers projected
approximately $577,000 per year.
10:39:07 AM
Senator von Imhof asked for verification that version A of
the bill version extended the sunset date to 2028.
Ms. Shine replied that the amendment was to version b of
the bill and would extend the sunset date to 2029.
10:39:40 AM
Senator Olson asked whether the sponsor was in favor of the
amendment.
Ms. Shine said that she had worked with the sponsors staff
to craft the amendment.
10:40:01 AM
Senator Stevens spoke to Amendment 1. He thought the
amendment was marvelous and offered his full support.
Co-Chair Bishop WITHDREW his objection. There being NO
further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Amendment 1 was
ADOPTED.
SB 19 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Bishop shared that the agenda for the following
day included a report on the Alaska Marine Highway System
(AMHS).