03/17/2025 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):|| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):|| Confirmation Hearing(s): | |
| HB105 | |
| HB28 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 17, 2025
8:04 a.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Rebecca Himschoot, Co-Chair
Representative Andi Story, Co-Chair
Representative Maxine Dibert
Representative Ted Eischeid
Representative Jubilee Underwood
Representative Rebecca Schwanke
Representative Bill Elam
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
University of Alaska Board of Regents:
Cristine Resler - Anchorage
Karen Purdue - Fairbanks
CONFIRMATION(S): ADVANCED
Board of Education and Early Development:
Kathryn McCollum - Anchorage
Kimberly Bergey - Anchorage
PUBLIC TESTIMONY - HEARD
CONFIRMATION(S): ADVANCED
HOUSE BILL NO. 105
"An Act relating to mental health education."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 28
"An Act establishing a student loan repayment pilot program; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 28 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 105
SHORT TITLE: PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GALVIN
02/14/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/14/25 (H) EDC, FIN
03/14/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/14/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/14/25 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/17/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 28
SHORT TITLE: TEACHER/STATE EMPLOYEE STUDENT LOAN PRGRM
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STORY
01/22/25 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) EDC, FIN
02/12/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/12/25 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
02/17/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/17/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/17/25 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
02/24/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/24/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/24/25 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/12/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/12/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/12/25 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/17/25 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
CHRISTINE RESLER, Governor's Appointee
University of Alaska Board of Regents
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during her confirmation hearing.
SHELLEY CORDOVA
representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Resler's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
LIAM ZSOLT
representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Resler's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
MARY K. HUGHES
representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Resler's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
LORI DAVEY
representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Resler's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
GABRIEL LOW
representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Resler's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
ADAM LOW, Director
Teaching Through Tech, University of Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Resler's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
KAREN PERDUE, Governor's Appointee
University of Alaska Board of Regents
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during her confirmation hearing.
JOHN DAVIES
representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Purdue's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents
JOMO STEWART, Member
Fairbanks Economic Development Council
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Purdue's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents
PHIL MOSER
representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to Ms. Purdue's
appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents
TREVOR STORRS, President & CEO,
Alaska Children's Trust
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
KATHLEEN WEDEMEYER, Deputy Director
Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Seattle, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ADRIANNE RICHARDSON, Member
The Faithful Few
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
KELLY MANNING, Deputy Director
Innovation & Education Excellence
Department of Education & Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the fiscal note associated with
HB 105.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:04:34 AM
CO-CHAIR REBECCA HIMSCHOOT called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. Representatives
Eischeid, Underwood, Elam, Dibert, Schwanke, Story, and
Himschoot were present at the call to order.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
University of Alaska Board of Regents
Board of Education and Early Development
8:06:19 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT announced that the first order of business
would be two confirmation hearings.
8:06:59 AM
CHRISTINE RESLER, Governor's Appointee, University of Alaska
Board of Regents, Testified during her confirmation hearing.
She shared that she has three children in the University of
Alaska (UA) system and explained her academic history and
background in working as an educator. She highlighted her work
at the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) Energy
department and emphasized her desire to aid university students
in their preparation for a career and also boost Alaska's
economic potential in the process.
8:13:24 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY asked Ms. Resler if she had any idea of how much
money the UA system is at risk of losing due to Federal funding
cuts and asked Ms. Resler what she thought of the recent
decision by the UA Board of Regents to remove all language
concerning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the UA system.
MS. RESLER answered that there are no current indications from
the Federal Government that it would cut any funding dedicated
towards the UA System. She said, "I am certainly in support of
strong universities, and to have strong universities, we need
funding." she said that the UA Board of Regents didn't think
that anything would change regardless of their open recognition
of DEI programs and emphasized that the decision to remove DEI
programs and references was in the name of protecting funding to
the UA System. She said that she is in "full support" of making
sure that UA faculty is hired on merit and "doing everything we
can to not see significant changes to our university system."
8:18:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked if the UA Board of Regents was
doing anything it could to ensure more funding and industry
support for career & technical education (CTE) classes.
MS. RESLER said yes, the UA Board of Regents was looking to
ensure the viability of funding to CTE classes and pointed to
the UA Kenai campus as an example of a place within the UA
system that was actively supporting CTE classes.
8:21:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ELAM asked what the UA system is doing to entice
professional talent from outside of Alaska.
MS. RESLER pointed to her time on the UA committee for
recruitment, retention, & graduation as an example of the UA
system's work in enticing professional talent from outside of
Alaska. She said that the UA Board of Regents has recently
approved a plan to address and specifically target certain
aspects of faculty recruitment and retention.
8:26:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EISCHEID asked if the proposal to ban DEI
language from the UA system was on the agenda the day of the
meeting and asked if the Board took public testimony on the day
that it chose to ban DEI language and programs from UA schools.
MS. RESLER answered that she did not know whether or not the
item was on the agenda and said that there was no public
testimony on the committee meeting, so there was no need to have
it on any agenda beforehand.
8:29:53 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT asked Ms. Resler why she wanted to serve on
the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
MS. RESLER said that teaching is her passion and said "I never
remember taking maternity leave, I taught 48 hours after giving
birth to number two". She said that teaching is her hobby, her
pastime, and said that she sees the UA Board of Regents as a way
of bringing industry and students together.
8:32:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DIBERT asked Ms. Resler how she would work to
entice young people to the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
and asked what she thought of the Troth Yeddha Indigenous
Studies center.
MS. RESLER answered that she is "all for the building, but we
have to make sure that we can fund it in a way that does not
take away from the rest of the University". She said that the UA
Board of Regents would work to excite new UA students by
creating an environment that felt like a campus that is "warm
and cozy."
8:37:08 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT opened public testimony on Ms. Resler's
confirmation hearing.
8:37:39 AM
SHELLEY CORDOVA, representing self, Testified in support of Ms.
Resler's appointment to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents. She shared her work history with Ms. Resler and
emphasized that she was strongly dedicated to Alaska and its
education system. She said that she had "no doubt that Ms.
Resler would make a positive impact on Alaska and make it a
place that we can all thrive."
8:40:03 AM
LIAM ZSOLT, representing self, testified in support of Ms.
Resler's appointment to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents. He said that Ms. Resler is "beloved by her students and
colleagues" and said that she is a business leader who knows how
to mentor young people into successful, professional, and
skilled members of the Alaska workforce. She said that Ms.
Resler has had an "incredibly positive impact on students and
the UA system."
8:42:54 AM
MARY K. HUGHES, representing self, testified in support of Ms.
Resler's appointment to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents. She said that she believed that Ms. Resler was
"absolutely the most qualified person to serve on the University
of Alaska Board of Regents."
8:45:01 AM
LORI DAVEY, representing self, testified in support of Ms.
Resler's appointment to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents. She said that she has watched Ms. Resler "continually
invest in Alaska through her dedication to the UA system and
education."
8:46:26 AM
GABRIEL LOW, representing self, testified in support of Ms.
Resler's appointment to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents. He shared a series of his own professional endeavors
that Ms. Resler has been a part of and said that the UA system
would "really benefit" from her presence on the University of
Alaska Board of Regents.
8:49:15 AM
ADAM LOW, Director, Teaching Through Tech, University of
Fairbanks, testified in support of Ms. Resler's appointment to
the University of Alaska Board of Regents. He said that Ms.
Resler "absolutely represents the kind of innovation that is
needed in Alaska" and emphasized her career experience as a
perspective that is "so needed" on the University of Alaska
Board of Regents.
8:52:07 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT, after ascertaining that there was no one
else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on Ms.
Resler's confirmation hearing.
8:52:45 AM
KAREN PERDUE, Governor's Appointee, University of Alaska Board
of Regents, Testified during her confirmation hearing. She
shared her history in Alaska in her professional and personal
capacity and said "education is the great equalizer in our
society." She shared that she worked for four Alaska governors,
beginning with Governor Jay Hammond and said that her belief
that the UA Board of Regents needs to work to assist place-
committed students. She said that distance delivery has been
"transformative" in helping students study and work in their
communities around Alaska and said that the UA system is
currently in a "strong and stable position." She highlighted
that both enrollment and research investment are growing and
said that financial reductions, the cutting of academic
programs, federal cuts and accreditation issues are the biggest
issues that the UA system is currently facing.
9:00:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked Ms. Purdue how the Alaska State
Legislature could better prepare students looking to enter the
UA system.
MS. PURDUE answered that the UA system has "fundamentally
transformed" its developmental education program and pointed to
the UA system's dual enrollment program as an example of a
highly effective tool to better prepare prospective UA students.
9:05:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EISCHEID asked Ms. Purdue if the proposal to ban
DEI language from the UA system was on the agenda the day of the
meeting and asked if the Board took public testimony on the day
that it chose to ban DEI language and programs from UA schools.
MS. Purdue answered that the issue regarding DEI was considered
financially "urgent" and shared her belief that the decision was
necessary to ensure federal funding to the UA system. She said
that there was "ample reason" for the UA Board of Regents to act
as they did given the financial pressure of the situation.
9:11:22 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY asked how the UA Board of Regents could ensure
that community members and students are understood, valued,
safe, and have access to opportunities within the UA system
given the recent changes to DEI policy.
MS. PURDUE answered that all students are welcome and valued
within the UA system. She said that there has been no change in
what students and faculty can say or teach, the change to
language regarding DEI was purely performative.
9:16:22 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT opened public testimony on Ms. Purdue's
confirmation hearing.
9:16:51 AM
JOHN DAVIES, representing self, testified in support of Ms.
Purdue's appointment to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents. He said that Ms. Purdue's service as Commissioner of
the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and as Chair
of the UA Board of Regents Academic and Student Affairs
Committee "indicate a deeply caring person." He said that Ms.
Purdue is "always prepared and asked the hard questions."
9:18:17 AM
JOMO STEWART, Fairbanks Economic Development Council, testified
in support of Ms. Purdue's appointment to the University of
Alaska Board of Regents. He said that Ms. Purdue was "brilliant
and big-hearted" and said that she was committed to the
advancement of Alaska. He highlighted Ms. Purdue's background
in healthcare as evidence of her capacity to champion and
develop healthcare shortfalls in Alaska.
9:20:16 AM
PHIL MOSER, representing self, testified in opposition to Ms.
Purdue's appointment to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents. He said that the UA Board of Regents recent decision
regarding DEI was short-sighted and unfairly made without any
public notice beforehand. He said that the UA Board of Regents
is more concerned with the "overcompliance" of federal
regulations and funding rather than the safety of the students
who attend the UA system. He said that he was troubled that
both of the appointees heard during the current committee
meeting were appointed by Governor Dunleavy, whom is an
outspoken advocate for the deconstruction of the United States
Department of Education.
9:23:34 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT, after ascertaining that there was no one
else who wished to testify, she closed public testimony on Ms.
Purdue's confirmation hearing.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Education and Early Development
9:23:56 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT announced that the next order of business
would be public testimony on a confirmation hearing previously
heard by the committee.
9:24:26 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT opened public testimony on both Kathryn
McCollum and Kimberly Bergey's confirmation hearings to the
Board of Education and Early Development. After ascertaining
that there was no one who wished to testify, she closed public
testimony.
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT stated that the House Education Standing
Committee has reviewed the qualifications of the governor's
appointees and recommends that the following names be forwarded
to a joint session for consideration: Cristine Resler, Karen
Purdue, University of Alaska Board of Regents; Kathryn McCollum,
Kimberly Bergy, Board of Education and early Development. she
said that signing the report regarding appointments to boards
and commissions in no way reflects an individual member's
approval or disapproval of the appointee, and the nomination is
merely forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or
rejection.
9:25:41 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease from 9:25 a.m. to 9:32 a.m.
HB 105-PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
9:32:29 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 105, "An Act relating to mental health
education."
[CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT opened public testimony].
9:32:53 AM
CAROLINE STORM* representing self* Anchorage, Alaska testified
in support of HB 105.{ Testified in support of HB 105. She
explained how mental health education in schools is related to
eating disorders and said that she supported HB 105 in the hopes
that it would allow students to tackle their mental health
issues before they became more serious.
9:34:09 AM
TREVOR STORRS, President & CEO, Alaska Children's Trust,
testified in support of HB 105. He said that suicide was the
leading cause of death for Alaskans aged 15-24 in 2019 and said
that the proposed legislation would reduce stigma surrounding
mental health care, provide resources for parents and students,
and allow kids to better learn about themselves.
9:36:26 AM
KATHLEEN WEDEMEYER, Deputy Director, Citizens Commission on
Human Rights, testified in opposition to HB 105. She said that
HB 105 leaves a gap in the types of mental health care that is
able to be delivered to kids in Alaska by not accounting for
other views on mental health held by alternative medical
providers.
9:38:50 AM
ADRIANNE RICHARDSON, The Faithful Few, testified in support of
HB 105. She said that she supported HB 105 because the bill
could assist Alaskan children in becoming aware of their own
mental health issues and emphasized the proposed legislation's
potential to save lives.
9:41:28 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT, after ascertaining that there was no one
else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 105.
9:42:01 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:42 a.m.
9:42:56 AM
KELLY MANNING, Deputy Director, Innovation & Education
Excellence, Department of Education & Early Development,
Explained the fiscal note associated with HB 105. She explained
that the fiscal note is $216,000 and includes one-time expenses
such as updated guidelines and standards for mental health in
schools. She said that it would be $120,000 for the convening of
the committee outline by the proposed legislation, $32,000 for a
facilitator, $6,000 for the required regulation changes, and
$60,000 for the committee member's stipends.
9:45:29 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT announced that the amendment deadline for HB
105 would be Thursday, March 30, 2025.
HB 28-TEACHER/STATE EMPLOYEE STUDENT LOAN PRGRM
9:45:43 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 28, "An Act establishing a student loan
repayment pilot program; and providing for an effective date."
9:46:15 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY moved to report HB 28 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE objected.
9:46:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE explained that her belief that HB 28
would not be an appropriate use of the higher education
investment fund, especially because the Alaska State Legislature
has yet to see the impacts of an expanded Alaska Performance
Scholarship.
9:49:19 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY responded that the precipice of HB 28 was the
necessity of the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho
(WWAMI) school coalition program and shared her "respectful
disagreement" that the teacher repayment program at $1 million
each year over the next three years compromise the higher
education fund.
9:50:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE UNDERWOOD added that she would like to see the
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) fund the
program that helped rural teachers stay in Alaska.
9:51:58 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY reminded the committee that the loan forgiveness
program was discontinued because it did not yield the results
that the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education had
initially hoped for and emphasized the differences between a
loan repayment program and a loan forgiveness program.
9:54:04 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease from 9:54 a.m. to 9:57 a.m.
9:57:04 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Eischeid, Story,
Dibert, and Himschoot voted in favor of HB 28. Representatives
Underwood, Schwanke, and Elam voted against it. Therefore, HB
28 was reported out of the House Education Standing Committee by
a vote of 4-3.
9:57:46 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT delivered committee announcements.
9:58:43 AM
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:58 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Gov's Appointments Memo 1.24.25, Article 2 Sec. 14 Bd of Regents.pdf |
HEDC 3/17/2025 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Karen Perdue Resume, Application, 4 LOS.pdf |
HEDC 3/17/2025 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Christine Resler Resume Application 1 LOS_Redacted.pdf |
HEDC 3/17/2025 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Public Testimony Resler-Susan A.pdf |
HEDC 3/17/2025 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Board of Regents Statute 14.40.170 Duties & Powers.pdf |
HEDC 3/17/2025 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Resp. by UA DirStRels to HEDC Q's re BOR 3.17.25.pdf |
HEDC 3/17/2025 8:00:00 AM |