Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/08/2002 02:06 PM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 346-SCHOOL DISTRICT CORRESPONDENCE STUDY
SENATOR LEMAN, sponsor of SB 346, reminded members that SB 346 is
legislation that deals with regulations by the Department of
Education and Early Development (DOEED) that pertain to statewide
correspondence schools. He noted that members have heard a lot
about the issue, so asked that it be reported from committee if
the Chairwoman is ready.
CHAIRWOMAN GREEN noted that a committee substitute (CS) needs to
be adopted.
SENATOR LEMAN moved to adopt the Senate HESS CS to SB 346.
SENATOR DAVIS asked if a new CS is before the committee.
CHAIRWOMAN GREEN informed members that she was referring to
Version C, which was distributed to members at the last hearing.
SENATOR DAVIS asked what changes have been made in Version C.
CHAIRWOMAN GREEN said that since the last hearing there has been
a meeting of the minds between the correspondence school and
DOEED. She said she wants to be sure this legislation keeps
moving.
MS. WHITNEY HIGHLAND, staff to Senator Leman, informed members
that the changes considered at the last hearing pertained to
whether a subsection of SB 346 should be placed in another
section of statute. She spoke with Mike Ford, legislative
counsel, who indicated that language should remain as is - placed
in the section of statute that deals with the duties of local
school districts and not the state school board. Therefore, no
change was made to Version C.
SENATOR DAVIS said she was pleased this bill was put on hold
while the state board had an opportunity to review the proposed
regulations. She said from everything she has read, it appears
the state board has already addressed the problem that SB 346 was
designed to fix. The state board has put the revised regulations
out for public review so she questioned what the purpose of SB
346 is at this date. She expressed concern that it is premature
and that legislators should allow the process to complete its
course before changing the statute. She noted the people who
requested SB 346 are the same people who are now saying that the
revised regulations have met their needs.
SENATOR LEMAN said SB 346 was originally introduced to respond to
DOEED's overreach during the regulatory process. Regarding the
purpose for the bill now, DOEED has proposed revising its
regulations in response to concerns expressed by many parents
across Alaska but the revisions will not be finalized until June.
He anticipates that this legislature will be adjourned by that
time. Consequently, the purpose of SB 346 is to give direction to
a department that has shown it needs it. He said he is very
pleased with the changes made by DOEED, but the purpose of the
legislature is to give direction to the departments.
SENATOR DAVIS said the Administrative Regulation Review Committee
addresses problems with the regulatory process and that committee
has reviewed the process and is waiting for the outcome. She
asked why this issue cannot be addressed by the next legislature
if the problem is not resolved by the revised regulations. She
said she doesn't believe the legislature should be second-
guessing what DOEED is going to do and repeated that the same
parents who came to Senator Leman are now saying they are
satisfied with the process. She advised that the proposed
regulations will not be changed while they are under review and
DOEED and the parents are happy with the changes. She noted that
legislators are policymakers but she does not see the need to
take any action at this time.
SENATOR LEMAN said he disagrees and that it is his opinion that
because this legislation was introduced, DOEED came to the table
and listened and responded.
SENATOR WILKEN said he too thought this issue was being worked
out at the table. He asked that a representative from DOEED
comment on Version C.
MS. TERRI CAMPBELL, legislative liaison for DOEED, said she was
not aware that SB 346 would be heard today so was not prepared to
comment.
SENATOR WILKEN said he was surprised that Version C was before
the committee without Dr. McLain being present.
MS. HIGHLAND informed members that the IDEA program is the only
home school study program that has come out in support of the new
regulations. Hundreds of other home school parents and the Cyber
Links program are not satisfied with the new regulations.
SENATOR DAVIS removed her objection to the motion to adopt
Version C for the purpose of discussion.
CHAIRWOMAN GREEN asked if the committee discussed adding the
phrase "state-funded" to line 7, page 2. No one responded.
SENATOR LEMAN moved CSSB 346(HES) from committee with individual
recommendations.
SENATOR DAVIS objected.
SENATOR WILKEN asked if members want to hear from Dr. McLain
before this bill leaves the committee.
CHAIRWOMAN GREEN announced the committee would take a brief at-
ease.
The committee reconvened and Chairwoman Green announced that the
committee would take SB 346 up again on Wednesday. She asked
members to make sure any of their concerns are "ironed" out and
back to her because she intends to move the legislation out of
committee on Wednesday.
SENATOR WILKEN asked Ms. Highland to bring members a list of
other people's concerns.
CHAIRWOMAN GREEN informed members that the Administrative
Regulation Review Committee has asked her to move this
legislation forward. She then announced that the committee will
hear the ATAP legislation on Wednesday and adjourned the meeting
at 2:47 p.m.
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