Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
05/08/2023 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB140 | |
| SB48 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 140 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 48 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 140
"An Act relating to funding for Internet services for
school districts; and providing for an effective
date."
9:08:16 AM
MARIDON BOARIO, STAFF, SENATOR LYMAN HOFFMAN, introduced
the legislation. She read from the Sponsor Statement (copy
on file):
SB 140 increases broadband share for eligible schools
from 25 megabits per second (Mbps) to 100 Mbps of
download speed and provides funding to help those
schools reach 100 Mbps through the School Broadband
Assistance Grant (BAG).
The Alaska School Broadband Assistance Grant (BAG)
program was created to assist schools to increase
internet download speeds. Established in 2014 by the
Alaska State Legislature, this grant originally
allowed schools to reach download speeds of 10 Mbps.
In 2020, the State Legislature revised the statute to
help schools reach 25 Mbps download speeds. SB 140
seeks to increase the download speeds to 100 Mbps.
Co-Chair Olson asked Ms. Boario to slow down.
Ms. Boario continued:
Schools that qualify for a discounted rate for
internet services under The Universal Service
Administrative Company, Schools and Libraries Program,
commonly known as "E-rate," are eligible for the
School Broadband Assistance Grant (BAG). The E-rate
program provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help
eligible schools and libraries obtain affordable
broadband.
New and improved technologies and increases to
internet services have allowed for more and faster
delivery of internet services. Because the cost of
internet in some rural districts has decreased, the
annual internet costs have fallen below benchmarks
established by state law. To allow school districts to
utilize these advances, SB 140 will increase the
minimum requirement of Mbps from 25 to 100 which will
increase the amount of Broadband Assistance Grants
(BAG) to help school districts reach increased
download speeds. Increasing the funding available
through the BAG program in future years will allow
schools to leverage more E-Rate funds to bring Alaskan
schools in line with national standards for broadband
connectivity.
In 2023, 151 Alaskan schools in 27 school districts
benefited from the school BAG awards.
The funding leverages federal E-rate funds at
approximately 8:1. The program allows for up to 9:1
based on a formula for free and reduced lunch
calculation by district.
9:10:15 AM
Senator Kiehl wondered whether a district was able to get
help with the high cost of maintenance.
Ms. Boario replied that the district would still qualify
for the discount through the federal government.
Senator Kiehl wondered whether the state provided any
partial match to that discount.
Ms. Boario replied in the negative.
Co-Chair Hoffman noted that there had been some questions
about the fiscal note, and remarked that the committee may
want to change the effective date. He stressed that the
intention was not to implement it in the current school
year.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the administration
supported the bill.
Co-Chair Hoffman replied that the department could respond
to that question.
9:13:59 AM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
9:14:31 AM
CHRISTINE O'CONNOR, ALASKA TELECOM ASSOCIATION, JUNEAU,
testified in support of the bill.
9:16:58 AM
HEIDI TESHNER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
discussed the fiscal note for the bill.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the administration was in
favor of the bill.
Ms. Teshner replied that the administration was in favor of
adequate education for students.
9:18:07 AM
LACEY SANDERS, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, discussed
the fiscal note.
9:19:29 AM
DR. AMY PHILIPS CHAN, DIRECTOR, LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
MUSEUM, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT,
introduced herself.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the Lower Yukon School
District needed assistance.
Ms. Teshner agreed to provide that information.
9:22:40 AM
DR. LISA PARADY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COUNCIL OF
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, spoke in support of the bill.
9:25:52 AM
LON GARRISON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA
SCHOOL BOARDS, spoke in support of the legislation.
9:28:02 AM
ARIEL BURR, QUINTILLION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of the bill.
9:30:31 AM
JIM WILSON, SUPERINTENDENT, UNALASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT,
UNALASKA (via teleconference), testified in support of the
legislation.
9:32:30 AM
WILLY KEPPEL, SELF, QUINHAGAK (via teleconference),
testified against the legislation.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
9:36:06 AM
AT EASE
9:39:35 AM
RECONVENED
SB 140 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.