Legislature(1997 - 1998)

03/10/1997 01:44 PM House FIN

Audio Topic
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
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                     HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE                                   
                         March 10, 1997                                        
                            1:44 P.M.                                          
                                                                               
  TAPE HFC 97-52, Side 1, #000 - end.                                          
  TAPE HFC 97-52, Side 2, #000 - end.                                          
  TAPE HFC 97-53, Side 1, #000 - end.                                          
  TAPE HFC 97-53, Side 2, #000 - #289.                                         
                                                                               
  CALL TO ORDER                                                                
                                                                               
  Co-Chair  Therriault  called  the  House  Finance  Committee                 
  meeting to order at 1:44 p.m.                                                
                                                                               
  PRESENT                                                                      
                                                                               
  Co-Chair Hanley               Representative Kelly                           
  Co-Chair Therriault           Representative Kohring                         
  Representative Davies         Representative Martin                          
  Representative Davis          Representative Moses                           
  Representative Foster         Representative Mulder                          
  Representative Grussendorf                                                   
                                                                               
  ALSO PRESENT                                                                 
                                                                               
  Representative  Al  Vezey; Representative  Con  Bunde; Nancy                 
  Buehl, Department of Education; John Cyr, National Education                 
  Association -Alaska;  Gail Fenumiai, Division  of Elections;                 
  Office of  the Lieutenant  Governor; Jim  Baldwin, Assistant                 
  Attorney General, Department of Law; Jim Sykes, Green Party,                 
  Anchorage;  Kevin  Morford,  Green  Party,  Anchorage;  Jack                 
  Coghill,  Chair,  Alaska  Independent   Party  (AIP);  Scott                 
  Kohlhaas, Alaska Libertarian Party;                                          
                                                                               
  SUMMARY                                                                      
                                                                               
   HB 112    "An Act  amending the definition  of `political  party'           
                  except as the  definition of  the term applies  to           
                  the regulation of  contributions and  expenditures           
                  in  state  and  municipal election  campaigns,  an           
                  amendment that also has the effect of changing the           
                  definition of `political organization'  as applied           
                  to the regulation of games  of chance and contests           
                  of skill."                                                   
                                                                               
                  HB  112 was reported  out of Committee  with a "do           
                  pass" recommendation and with a fiscal impact note           
                  by the  Office of  the Lieutenant Governor,  dated           
                  2/26/97;  and  with  a  zero  fiscal note  by  the           
                  Department of Revenue, dated 2/26/97.                        
                                                                               
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   HB 145    "An Act relating to certification of teachers."                   
                                                                               
                  HB  145   was  HELD  in   Committee  for   further           
                       consideration.                                          
        HOUSE BILL NO. 112                                                     
                                                                               
             "An  Act amending the  definition of  `political party'           
             except as  the definition  of the  term applies to  the           
             regulation of  contributions and expenditures  in state           
             and  municipal election  campaigns,  an amendment  that           
             also  has  the  effect of  changing  the  definition of           
             `political organization'  as applied to  the regulation           
             of games of chance and contests of skill."                        
                                                                               
        REPRESENTATIVE AL VEZEY, SPONSOR, testified in support of HB
        112.   He maintained  that HB 112  would bring  order to the           
        chaos in the  electoral process.  He observed that political           
        parties  must run  a candidate  for Governor  and receive  3           
        percent of the vote cast in  that general election, in order           
        to  retain their  legal  status.    He observed  that  third           
        parties are growing.  He noted the  last time a Governor was           
        last elected with a majority vote was in 1970.  He explained           
        that  the  legislation  would  provide  a  mechanism  for  a           
        political  party  to  retain its  status  without  running a           
        candidate for Governor  every four years.  He  observed that           
        political  parties  have  special  status under  the  Alaska           
        Public  Offices Commission  (APOC).   Political  parties are           
        able  to   participate  in  charitable   gaming  activities.           
        Political parties must file APOC reports.                              
                                                                               
        Representative   Vezey   observed   that  10,000   represent           
        approximately  3  percent  of the  registered  voters.   The           
        legislation allows a party that has 10,000 registered voters           
        to retain party status under Alaska statutes without running           
        a candidate for governor.                                              
                                                                               
        Representative  Davies  observed  that  the  Republican  and           
        Democratic parties would  not be affected.   He stated  that           
        the  Alaska  Independent  Party  (AIP)  has  more  than  the           
        required 10,000 registered voters.                                     
                                                                               
        Co-Chair  Therriault  noted  statistics  for  the  following           
        parties:                                                               
                                                                               
   *Democrats - 71,000;                                                        
                                                                               
   *Republicans - 104,000;                                                     
                                                                               
   *Alaska Independent Party - 16,000; and                                     
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                      2                                        
                                                                               
                                                                               
   *Green Party - 3,000.                                                       
                                                                               
        Representative Davies  summarized that  the AIP  party would           
        not have to  run a  candidate, while the  Green Party  would           
        have to run  a candidate  for governor in  the next  general           
        election.  Representative  Vezey estimated that  there would           
        be a concentrated registration drive if the legislation were           
        passed.                                                                
                                                                               
        Representative Grussendorf asked  if the Sponsor  considered           
        requiring the  gubernatorial candidate to  receive more than           
        45 percent of the vote.  Representative Vezey clarified that           
        his  intent is to lessen the  need for a runoff election and           
        allow small parties  to retain their  status if they do  not           
        run a candidate.                                                       
                                                                               
        Representative  Grussendorf pointed  out  that many  smaller           
        parties  are trying  to  influence election  issues  through           
        their  candidates.    Representative   Vezey  observed  that           
        smaller  parties  would  not  be  precluded from  running  a           
        candidate.                                                             
                                                                               
        JIM  BALDWIN, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY  GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF LAW           
        observed the  need to  document the  interest that  is being           
        served by the legislation.  He observed that the legislation           
        is a limitation on  the right of political association.   He           
        noted that the Court ruled in Vogler versus Miller, that the           
        State must have a compelling  governmental interest to place           
        limitations  on   political  recognition  for   purposes  of           
        admission to the primary election ballot.  He suggested that           
        the legislation cannot  be defended on  the premise that  an           
        election of  a gubernatorial candidate by a majority vote is           
        paramount.  He observed that under the legislation the Green           
        Party would not be a recognized party and the AIP would be a           
        recognized party.                                                      
                                                                               
        Mr.  Baldwin  observed  that  most  states  require  that  a           
        political party meet a percentage of those that voted in the           
        last primary election.  Once a  party is recognized they are           
        included on  the ballot without petition.   He observed that           
        in  order to  meet the registration  requirement individuals           
        must disclose their  party affiliation before the  party can           
        achieve recognized party  status.  Registered voters  do not           
        have to disclose their party  affiliation.  This requirement           
        could  be  seen  as  a  compulsory disclosure  of  political           
        affiliation.  He  noted that these  kinds of limitation  are           
        upheld only  when there is  nothing less intrusive  to serve           
        this interest.    He acknowledged  that an  attorney of  the           
        Republican Party has challenged his interpretation.                    
                                                                               
        Co-Chair Therriault noted that voter registration  would not           
        be  the  only route  to  obtain recognition  as  a political           
                                                                               
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        party.                                                                 
                                                                               
        Representative Kelly observed that if the Green Party gets 3           
        percent of the vote in a  general election for governor they           
        would retain their status.                                             
                                                                               
        Co-Chair  Therriault  emphasized that  no  rights  are being           
        taken away.                                                            
                                                                               
                                                                               
        Co-Chair Hanley noted that the  Court ruled in Vogler versus           
        Miller  that  the standard  was  too high.   He  asked  if 3           
        percent is a defendable amount.  Mr. Baldwin stated that the           
        Court indicated that 3 percent would be acceptable.                    
                                                                               
        GAIL   FENUMIAI,  DIVISION  OF   ELECTION,  OFFICE   OF  THE           
        LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR noted  that 213,404  votes were cast  in           
        the last general election. Three percent of those that voted           
        is 6402.   Co-Chair Hanley noted that the 10,000 requirement           
        is higher than 3 percent.                                              
                                                                               
        Mr. Baldwin noted  that 10,000 is  an arbitrary number.   He           
        emphasized  that  the  Department would  like  to  have some           
        rationale to  defend the number.   Co-Chair Hanley  spoke in           
        support of setting  the limit at  3 percent of the  previous           
        election.                                                              
                                                                               
        In response to a question by Representative Grussendorf, Ms.           
        Fenumiai noted that  there are 420,000 registered  voters in           
        the  State of Alaska.   Representative Grussendorf expressed           
        concern  that  a  fixed  number  would  not  grow  with  the           
        population.                                                            
                                                                               
        Co-Chair Therriault  noted that  the Green  Party had  3,088           
        registered  voters.    Representative Grussendorf  suggested           
        that the legislation grandfather in all the major recognized           
        parties in the  State.  Co-Chair Therriault noted that 3,088           
        is  less  than 1  percent of  the  registered voters  in the           
        State.                                                                 
                                                                               
        Representative Martin observed that the  State of Alaska has           
        a  high  percentage  of  voter's  registration  due  to  the           
        Permanent Fund Dividend  Program.   He spoke  in support  of           
        basing political party status on a percentage of  those that           
        voted, rather than on registered voters.                               
                                                                               
        Representative  Davies  cited  statistics  of  other  states           
        requirements  for  the  granting  of  political party.    He           
        demonstrated that other  requirements by  other states  vary           
        from  one-twentieth  of  one  percent   to  one  percent  of           
        registered voters.                                                     
                                                                               
                                                                               
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        JACK COGHILL, CHAIRMAN, ALASKA  INDEPENDENT PARTY, testified           
        via the teleconference  network in  support of HB  112.   He           
        observed that the legislation provides two avenues to retain           
        political  party status.   He stressed  that there  would be           
        savings in the Division of Elections if small parties do not           
        have  to run a candidate.   He noted that it  is the goal of           
        AIP to build political strength.  He observed that AIP would           
        not run a candidate, in the next gubernatorial  election, if           
        they did not have to do so to retain their status.                     
                                                                               
        Representative  Davies  noted  that  AIP  could  support the           
        Republican  candidate for  Governor and  still retain  their           
        status.  He observed that, under the legislation, the  Green           
        Party would have to  run a candidate to retain  their status           
        as a political party.                                                  
                                                                               
        Mr.  Coghill noted  that AIP  wants to  be able  to build  a           
        foundation for a political structure,  in order to challenge           
        the political process in future years.                                 
                                                                               
        In  response  to a  question  by Representative  Davies, Mr.           
        Coghill noted that he would support the substitution of one-           
        percent of registered voters.                                          
                                                                               
        In response to a question by Representative Grussendorf, Ms.           
        Fenumiai explained that supports of the Liberation Party and           
        the  Constitutional  Party  are  listed  under  the  "other"           
        category.   Representative Grussendorf  observed that  these           
        parties would not be  likely to support AIP since  they will           
        be busy trying to gain recognition for their own party.                
                                                                               
        SCOTT   KOHLHASS,   ALASKA   LIBERTARIAN  PARTY,   FAIRBANKS           
        testified via the  teleconference network  in support of  HB
        112.  He  noted that the  legislation opens new avenues  for           
        obtaining  political  party  status.   He  pointed  out that           
        Alaska is one of the more  difficult states to obtain ballot           
        access.    He noted  that  in some  other  states sufficient           
        ballot signatures result in full party status.  He asked why           
        small parties are required to petition  for each office as a           
        limited political party.                                               
                                                                               
        In  response  to a  question  by Representative  Davies, Mr.           
        Kohlhass noted  that he  would support  the substitution  of           
        one-percent of the  registered voters.   He maintained  that           
        requiring 10,000 registered voters, for a political party to           
        retain  its legal  status  without running  a  gubernatorial           
        candidate, is "oppressive."                                            
                                                                               
        Co-Chair  Therriault  noted that  the Division  of Elections           
        would need computer modifications.                                     
                                                                               
        Mr. Kohlhass observed that the  Alaska Civil Liberties Union           
                                                                               
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        has advocated that one-tenth  of one percent of the  vote be           
        required to maintain ballot status.                                    
                                                                               
        KEVIN  MORFORD,  MEMBER,  GREEN  PARTY  testified  via   the           
        teleconference network.   He noted  that he is  an attorney.           
        He  emphasized  that  the  legislation  addresses  important           
        constitutional rights.                                                 
                                                                               
        (Tape Change, HFC 97-52, Side 2)                                       
                                                                               
        Mr. Morford  noted that  there are  two ways  to get  on the           
        ballot.  A  candidate can run  as a  member of a  recognized           
        political  party  with   ballot  access  or   by  nominating           
        petition.   The  legislation will  not change the  manner in           
        which political parties  are able  to initially qualify  for           
        ballot  access.   He  observed that  a party  could register           
        voters until they  have ballot  access.  He  noted that  the           
        Green  Party is  the only  registered  party that  could not           
        maintain  its   status  without  running  a   candidate  for           
        governor.  He stressed the importance of maintaining a level           
        playing field.                                                         
                                                                               
        Mr. Morford  referred to the  sponsor statement for  HB 112.           
        He  noted  that  the sponsor  statement  concludes  that the           
        legislation would result in Alaska's governors being elected           
        by a  larger plurality of voters.  He observed the intent of           
        the bill  is to  cut down  on the  number of candidates  for           
        governor, and thereby  achieve elections in which  governors           
        are more likely to be elected by a  majority.  He maintained           
        that it  is not legitimate to try to  cut down on the number           
        of candidates  by limited ballot access.   He suggested that           
        multiple ballots could be utilized to achieve plurality.  He           
        maintained that the 10,000 requirement is not justified.  He           
        pointed out that 50 percent of Alaskan registered voters are           
        not affiliated with a party.  He noted that  there were more           
        votes  cast for the Green Party than were registered members           
        of the party.   He  stated that  it does not  make sense  to           
        require a higher  number to be  registered for a party  than           
        the amount it received in a general election.                          
                                                                               
        Mr. Morford suggested the adoption of uniform rules, an even           
        playing field and that ballot  access be based on reasonable           
        numbers.  He supported the use of 3 percent of the vote or a           
        smaller number of registered voters.                                   
                                                                               
        JIM  SYKES, GREEN  PARTY  testified via  the  teleconference           
        network.  He acknowledged the need  for other criteria to be           
        considered.  He questioned why other statewide races are not           
        counted  equally.   He  provided  members with  a memorandum           
        presenting three options for amendment to HB 112 (attachment           
        1).   He spoke in support of the  amendments.  He noted that           
        AIP and the Green Party received more than 3 percent  of the           
                                                                               
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        vote  in several previous statewide  races.  Option B, under           
        the proposed  amendments,  would require  that  a  political           
        party  run at least  three legislative  races and  receive 3           
        percent of the vote.   He agreed that it takes a lot of time           
        and energy to run  races.  He maintained that  a requirement           
        for 10,000 registered  voters is different from  the way any           
        other states operate.  He spoke in support of a registration           
        requirement of  one percent of  the registered  voters.   He           
        observed that  the  Alaska Supreme  Court  has a  record  of           
        striking down  unreasonable ballot access requirements.   He           
        urged the Committee  to replace  the requirement for  10,000           
        with  the suggestions contained  in Attachment 1.   He noted           
        that  there are  ballot options that  would allow  voters to           
        prioritize their choices to allow a majority to be obtained.           
        He emphasized that  the Green Party should  receive the same           
        treatment as other parties.                                            
                                                                               
        Representative Vezey  clarified that the  10,000 requirement           
        was  based  on, what  was  at that  time,  3 percent  of the           
        registered voters.  He clarified that the legislation is not           
        about ballot access.  He maintained that  the legislation is           
        about the ability to maintain political party status without           
        being  on the  ballot.   He observed that  political parties           
        could have any number  of gaming permits.  He  questioned if           
        the Legislature wants to make it easy for inactive political           
        parties to have access to gaming permits.                              
                                                                               
        Representative Martin agreed with comments by Representative           
        Vezey.  He  suggested that political parties  not be allowed           
        to have pull-tab permits.                                              
                                                                               
        Representative Davies  provided  members  with  Amendment  1           
        (copy  on  file).    Representative  Davies MOVED  to  adopt           
        Amendment    1.        Representative    Martin    OBJECTED.           
        Representative Davies explained that Amendment 1 would allow           
        a political party to run in three other statewide races as a           
        means to  validate its  status as  a party.   Representative           
        Vezey spoke against  the amendment.   A roll  call vote  was           
        taken on the MOTION.                                                   
                                                                               
        IN FAVOR: Davies Grussendorf, Moses                                    
        OPPOSED:  Davis, Foster, Kelly, Martin, Therriault, Hanley             
                                                                               
        Representatives Mulder and Kohring were absent for the vote.           
                                                                               
        The MOTION FAILED (3-6).                                               
                                                                               
        Co-Chair Hanley MOVED to adopt  Amendment 2 (copy on  file).           
        He explained that Amendment 2 would provide that a political           
        party have registered voters equal to 3 percent of the votes           
        cast for  governor at the  proceeding general election.   He           
        observed that this is a lower standard than three percent of           
                                                                               
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        the registered voters.   The number would fluctuate based on           
        the number of registered voters.                                       
                                                                               
        Representative  Davies MOVED  to  AMEND Amendment  2; delete           
        "three-percent"   and   insert   "one-percent."     Co-Chair           
        Therriault OBJECTED.  Representative Davies spoke in support           
        of the amendment.   He noted  that the amount would  require           
        that  a party have 6,400 registered  voters, before it could           
        retain its  legal  status without  running  a  gubernatorial           
        candidate.  He stressed that 6,400 would be greater than the           
        Green Party currently has registered.  He observed that one-           
        percent would  require that  a party  have 2,200  registered           
        voters.   He stated that this  would be equal to the highest           
        standard of any state in the nation.                                   
                                                                               
        Co-Chair Hanley spoke against the amendment.  He pointed out           
        that one-percent of the registered voters is more  than one-           
        percent of the vote.  He  maintained that three-percent is a           
        defensible number.  He stressed that it is less restrictive.           
        Representative   Martin   spoke   against   the   amendment.           
        Representative Davies emphasized  that the  Green Party  has           
        consistently  received   more  votes   than  its  share   of           
        registered voters.  He maintained  that Alaskans value their           
        privacy.                                                               
                                                                               
        A roll  call vote was taken on the MOTION to amend Amendment           
        2.                                                                     
                                                                               
        IN FAVOR: Davies Grussendorf, Moses                                    
        OPPOSED:  Davis, Foster, Kelly, Martin, Therriault, Hanley             
                                                                               
        Representatives Mulder and Kohring were absent for the vote.           
                                                                               
        The MOTION FAILED (3-6).                                               
                                                                               
        Co-Chair  Hanley clarified  that the  amendment  pertains to           
        votes at the  last gubernatorial election.   There being  NO           
        OBJECTION, Amendment 2 was adopted.                                    
                                                                               
        Representative Davies MOVED  to adopt  Amendment 3 (copy  on           
        file).  Co-Chair Therriault OBJECTED.  He explained that the           
        amendment clarifies that, once a party reaches legal status,           
        it retains legal  status until it  fails to have  registered           
        numbers equal to that percentage.                                      
                                                                               
        Representative Vezey spoke against the amendment.                      
                                                                               
        Representative Davies  MOVED to  AMEND  Amendment 3,  delete           
        "one-percent" and insert "three-percent" on lines 6 and 9.             
                                                                               
        Co-Chair  Hanley  observed that  the  amendment is  based on           
        registered  voters.    He   summarized  that  the  amendment           
                                                                               
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        eliminates the ability  to qualify with the 3-percent of the           
        votes cast for a gubernatorial  candidate.  He stressed that           
        the  amendment would be  more limiting.   He  observed that,           
        under the amendment,  the Green Party  would not be able  to           
        put up a candidate for governor.                                       
                                                                               
        While  Representative  Davies  considered  Amendment 3,  Ms.           
        Fenumiai  discussed the  fiscal  note by  the Office  of the           
        Lieutenant Governor.  She explained  that the Division would           
        need to  modify their  computer system  to track  additional           
        parties.  In response to  a question by Co-Chair Therriault,           
        Ms. Fenumiai  explained that  the code  table would  require           
        updates.  She  observed that voter registration  reports and           
        voter cards would also  have to be modified.   She clarified           
        that the Division could not retrace voter records.                     
                                                                               
        Representative Davies suggested that the amendment should be           
        worded to  allow the  current provision   or  the  provision           
        contained in Amendment 3.  He WITHDREW Amendment 3.                    
                                                                               
        Representative Foster MOVED to report CSHB 112  (FIN) out of           
        Committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  with  the           
        accompanying fiscal notes.  Representative Davies  OBJECTED.           
        He maintained  that the legislation  would allow AIP  to not           
        run  a  candidate  and require  the  Green  Party  to run  a           
        candidate.  The Green Party would be required  to registered           
        50 percent more voters in order to not run a candidate.   He           
        stated that the  bill could be interpreted to have political           
        intent.                                                                
                                                                               
        A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.                              
                                                                               
        IN FAVOR: Davis, Foster, Kelly, Kohring, Martin, Therriault,           
        Hanley OPPOSED:     Davies, Grussendorf, Moses                         
                                                                               
        Representative Mulder was absent for the vote.                         
                                                                               
        HB  112  was reported  out  of  Committee with  a  "do pass"           
        recommendation and with a fiscal  impact note by the  Office           
        of the  Lieutenant Governor, dated 2/26/97; and  with a zero           
        fiscal note by the Department of Revenue, dated 2/26/97.               
        HOUSE BILL NO. 145                                                     
                                                                               
             "An Act relating to certification of teachers."                   
                                                                               
        REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE, SPONSOR testified  on behalf of HB
        145.   He maintained  that there is  a lack of  faith in the           
        system.   He was  a  participant in  an Anchorage  education           
        focus group.   The focus group  agreed on the importance  of           
        public confidence in teachers and  the quality of education.           
        He observed that  the legislation is  a screening devise  to           
                                                                               
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        remove teachers who  are not  well qualified. Teachers  must           
        pass a  basic screening test  before they can  receive their           
        Type  A teaching certificate  in Alaska.   He observed that,           
        currently,  the  only  requirement  for  a Type  A  teaching           
        certificate  is a  college  degree.    In  addition  to  the           
        screening  test, school  districts apply their  own criteria           
        for teachers.   He clarified that  the legislation does  not           
        represent  an attempt to tell local  districts who they must           
        hire.    He  emphasized that  the  legislation  will provide           
        assurance  that applicants  are  competent.   Teachers  will           
        still be chosen through an interview process.                          
                                                                               
        In  response  to   a  question  by   Representative  Martin,           
        Representative Bunde clarified  that a Bachelors of  Science           
        degree in Education does not  provide a teaching certificate           
        in the State of  Alaska.  The graduate still has  to come to           
        the  State  of  Alaska  and  demonstrate  that  they have  a           
        teaching certificate.                                                  
                                                                               
        Representative  Martin   assumed  that   graduates  of   the           
        University  of  Alaska   would  be   competent.     Co-Chair           
        Therriault observed that the test  would also screen out-of-           
        state candidates.                                                      
                                                                               
        Representative Martin noted that attitude and experience are           
        needed  to  make  a  good  teacher.   He  thought  that  the           
        legislation would make  it more  difficult to get  qualified           
        teachers.                                                              
                                                                               
        Representative  Grussendorf  suggested   that  teachers   be           
        required to pass the examination within their first year  of           
        employment.   He expressed  concern that  there  would be  a           
        bottleneck during hiring.                                              
                                                                               
        Representative Bunde observed  that most hiring takes  place           
        in early spring.  Candidates would have 4 - 5 months to pass           
        the examination.                                                       
                                                                               
        Representative Bunde stated that openings occur during  mid-           
        year.  He  noted that available  teachers, in Alaska  today,           
        number in the hundreds.  He acknowledged that there needs to           
        be flexibility for short-term emergency contracts.                     
                                                                               
        Representative   Grussendorf   observed   that   there   are           
        situations  where teachers  provide  notification that  they           
        will not fulfill their contract just before the school year.           
        Representative Bunde added that additional teachers might be           
        needed  in  the  beginning of  the  school  year  due to  an           
        increase in enrollment.   He emphasized  that the intent  is           
        not to "tie the  hands of school districts."   He maintained           
        that  the  examination  would  be part  of  the  process  of           
        achieving a Type A teaching certificate.                               
                                                                               
                                     10                                        
                                                                               
                                                                               
        JOHN  CYR,  NEA-ALASKA,  explained that  if  a  district can           
        demonstrate that they cannot find a person who is certified,           
        they  can  ask  for  an  emergency certificate.    Emergency           
        teaching certificates are issued for one year.                         
                                                                               
        Representative Grussendorf reiterated  concerns that  school           
        boards have plenty of time to field a full academic team.              
                                                                               
        NANCY BUEHL, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION explained that there is           
        an emergency certificate  process.  The District  would have           
        to demonstrate that they advertised  for a person and  could           
        not  secure a  qualified  applicant.    She noted  that  the           
        Department  receives  3 to  4  emergency applicants  a year.           
        Emergency certificates tend  to be  mid-year and from  rural           
        districts.    She  stressed  that  it is  possible  to  make           
        provisions  for emergency  situations in  regulations.   She           
        observed  that  the  commissioner  can  issue  a provisional           
        certificate  for Alaskan  studies if  there are  extenuating           
        circumstances.  She  stated that similar regulations  can be           
        written in response to the legislation.                                
                                                                               
        Representative  Martin   asked   how  the   test  would   be           
        implemented.    Representative  Bunde interjected  that  the           
        legislation  would  only  pertain  to  those that  have  not           
        received their Type A certificate.  Ms. Buehl added that the           
        Department  does not  intend to  administer  the test.   The           
        Department, through the  Board of Education, would  select a           
        nationally recognized test that is administered by a testing           
        company.   She stated  that the  test would  be administered           
        similar to the bar exam.  Representative Bunde noted that 40           
        other states have some form of certification test.                     
                                                                               
        Representative Therriault  noted that  most  states use  the           
        Praxis test.   Ms. Buehl  observed that the  Praxis test  is           
        undergoing revision.                                                   
                                                                               
        In response to a question  by Representative Martin, Mr. Cyr           
        explained that there  are two types of  substitute teachers.           
        certificated substitute teachers hold a valid Alaskan Type A           
        certificate.      Districts   also   have   non-certificated           
        substitutes  that  are   under  supervision   of  the   site           
        supervisor.  The legislation only applies  to those that are           
        seeking initial certification.                                         
                                                                               
        In  response   to  a  question   by  Representative   Davis,           
        Representative  Bunde  explained  that  those  with  Type  A           
        teaching   certificates  would   not  be  affected   by  the           
        legislation.                                                           
                                                                               
        Representative Martin noted that rural communities might not           
        have replacements  to fill vacancies.   Representative Bunde           
                                                                               
                                     11                                        
                                                                               
                                                                               
        emphasized  that  screen  tests are  important  in emergency           
        situations.                                                            
                                                                               
        Ms. Buehl reviewed the emergency certification process.  The           
        superintendent sends  a letter  to the  commissioner of  the           
        Department  of  Environmental  Conservation.      Generally,           
        requests are acted on  the same day that they  are received.           
        Emergency certifications are  used when  a district can  not           
        locate  a certified teacher but has located someone that has           
        some  qualification.   The  commissioner  acts on  each case           
        separately.  She could did not  remember a case that was not           
        granted  within  a  couple  of  days.    The  district  must           
        advertise the position for  two weeks as a condition  of the           
        regulation.                                                            
                                                                               
        In response to a question by Representative Davis, Ms. Buehl           
        noted  that tests  are  commonly given  four  times a  year.           
        Representative  Davis  stressed  that  there  are a  lot  of           
        intangibles  that  teachers  need.     Representative  Bunde           
        discussed alternative  routes to  certification.   He  noted           
        that a program for alternative certification was dropped due           
        to a lack of interest.                                                 
                                                                               
        Ms. Buehl noted that a high  percentage of minorities do not           
        pass  these  tests on  the  first  or second  attempt.   She           
        observed that  Oregon discovered that a  similar requirement           
        lowered  the  available  pool.    She  emphasized  that  the           
        Department will make sure that the  test that is chosen does           
        not suffer from inherent bias and is available to those with           
        disabilities.  She stressed that the test  must be carefully           
        chosen.   She clarified  that the  alternative certification           
        program was  discontinued due  to a  lack of  funding.   She           
        thought  that there  would  be interest  in  the program  if           
        funding were available.                                                
                                                                               
        Representative Davies asked if there  are tests available in           
        multiform  that address  the issue  of inherent  bias.   Ms.           
        Buehl observed that there are at least two other states that           
        have engaged  in development  with test  companies to  lower           
        bias  for  student populations.    She  was not  aware  of a           
        teacher  screening  test  that would  eliminate  bias.   She           
        acknowledged that it is a significant concern.                         
                                                                               
        Representative  Davies  asked  if  there  is  evidence  that           
        similar screening requirements have  resulted in an increase           
        in  competency  and  public  confidence  in  the educational           
        process.                                                               
                                                                               
        Representative Bunde observed  that the State of  California           
        found that  some applicants  could not  spell  at the  sixth           
        grade  level.  He  spoke in  support of  a minimum  level of           
        literacy.                                                              
                                                                               
                                     12                                        
                                                                               
                                                                               
        Representative Martin expressed concern that the examination           
        will  be  an obstacle  to Native  applicants.   He  spoke in           
        support of encouraging Nataive teachers.                               
                                                                               
        Mr. Cyr  noted that there are  only five states that  do not           
        have some type of assessment for an initial certificate.  He           
        emphasized that the way to get  minority teachers is to work           
        with  them within their community.  He stressed that it is a           
        disservice to the  Native community to  say that the  Native           
        community cannot take a test.                                          
                                                                               
        In response to a question by Representative Davies, Mr.  Cyr           
        maintained  that  an initial  screening  is important.   Ms.           
        Buehl  did  not   think  that   the  requirement  would   be           
        particularly controversial.                                            
                                                                               
        Representative   Davies   discussed   the  tenure   process.           
        Representative Bunde maintained that three years is too long           
        to employ an incompetent teacher.  Mr. Cyr observed that the           
        examination provides the initial license.   School districts           
        would still evaluate practicing teachers for tenure.                   
                                                                               
        (Tape Change, HFC 97-53, Side 2)                                       
                                                                               
        Representative  Bunde  observed  that   the  test  would  be           
        administered  in  two   levels.    The  first   level  would           
        demonstrate competency for elementary subjects.   The second           
        level  would  test  competency to  teach  math,  English, or           
        science.    He  acknowledged  that   good  teachers  have  a           
        "calling".  He  observed that  students are screened  during           
        the college process.                                                   
                                                                               
        Co-Chair  Therriault  referred  to the  fiscal  note  by the           
        Department of Education.   He  observed that the  Department           
        has reduced the fiscal  note.  Ms. Buehl explained  that the           
        fiscal note was  revised to reflect that the Department will           
        not administer the test.                                               
                                                                               
        Co-Chair Therriault  pointed out  that the  Department would           
        still control  the contract  with the  private  sector.   He           
        stated that fees would  be paid to the Department,  then the           
        Department would contract  with the test provider.   Program           
        receipts   would  come  and   contractual  money   would  be           
        appropriated.   Ms. Buehl  stated that  the original  fiscal           
        note dated 3/5/97 would reflect this process.                          
                                                                               
        In response to a question by Co-Chair  Therriault, Ms. Buehl           
        explained  that the  Board of Education  would need  to meet           
        more frequently  in order to  select the test  and establish           
        cut-off scores.   She emphasized that the  cut-off must be a           
        legally defensible  cut-off.  She emphasized  the complexity           
                                                                               
                                     13                                        
                                                                               
                                                                               
        of validating the test.  She clarified that the $40 thousand           
        dollar travel  request would  pay for  the Board,  staff and           
        technical advisors.    The second  page of  the fiscal  note           
        details the travel costs.                                              
                                                                               
        Co-Chair Therriault questioned  the request of  $77 thousand           
        dollars for personal services.  Ms. Buehl noted that several           
        positions are associated  with this  request.  She  observed           
        that a portion  of this request  would go to test  selection           
        and review.   She  stated that  the request  is spread  over           
        existing  people  plus  a  temporary  position  during   the           
        selection period.   A temporary education associate  will be           
        hired for part  of the year.    Co-Chair Therriault  pointed           
        out that  part of  their request  funds  personnel that  are           
        already contained in the budget.                                       
                                                                               
        In  response  to a  question  by Representative  Martin, Ms.           
        Buehl  noted that certification  fees could be  raised.  She           
        stated that the current fee is not sufficient to support the           
        costs.   She noted that  4,500 applicants would  be affected           
        per year.                                                              
                                                                               
        In response  to a question by Co-Chair Therriault, Ms. Buehl           
        explained  that  continuing   personal  service  costs  were           
        included to cover  additional data input.   She stated  that           
        existing staff  would have  to be  taken off  of some  other           
        task.   Co-Chair Therriault observed that the State does not           
        pay for the same position more than once.                              
                                                                               
        Ms. Buehl noted  that options  available to the  Department;           
        existing  personnel  would  have to  quit  doing  something,           
        redeploy a clerk  that is in some other division, add a long           
        term non-permanent  position, or  add a  new position.   Co-           
        Chair Therriault stressed that fiscal  notes are supposed to           
        reflect new general fund dollars.                                      
                                                                               
        HB 145 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.                
        ADJOURNMENT                                                            
                                                                               
        The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.                                     
                                                                               
                                                                               
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