01/27/1998 03:06 PM House HES
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL
SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
January 27, 1998
3:06 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Con Bunde, Chairman
Representative Joe Green, Vice Chairman
Representative Brian Porter
Representative Fred Dyson
Representative J. Allen Kemplen
Representative Tom Brice
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Al Vezey
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 117
"An Act relating to an infant care curriculum in the public school
system."
- MOVED SB 117 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 148
"An Act relating to the public school funding program; relating to
the definition of a school district, to the transportation of
students, to school district layoff plans, to the special education
service agency, to the child care grant program, and to compulsory
attendance in public schools; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
(* First public hearing)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: SB 117
SHORT TITLE: INFANT CARE CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SPONSOR(S): SENATOR(S) DONLEY, Wilken, Taylor, Pearce
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
03/05/97 574 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
03/05/97 574 (S) HES, FIN
04/18/97 (S) HES AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH ROOM 205
04/18/97 (S) MINUTE(HES)
04/18/97 1274 (S) HES RPT 3DP 1NR
04/18/97 1274 (S) DP: WILKEN, WARD, GREEN; NR: ELLIS
04/18/97 1274 (S) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DOE)
04/30/97 1588 (S) FIN REFERRAL WAIVED
05/05/97 (S) RLS AT 3:15 PM FAHRENKAMP RM 203
05/05/97 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
05/06/97 1715 (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/6/97
05/06/97 1717 (S) READ THE SECOND TIME
05/06/97 1718 (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UNAN
05/06/97 1718 (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SB 117
05/06/97 1718 (S) COSPONSOR(S): WILKEN, TAYLOR, PEARCE
05/06/97 1718 (S) PASSED Y19 N- E1
05/06/97 1766 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
05/07/97 1594 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
05/07/97 1595 (H) HES
01/27/98 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 148
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL FUNDING ETC./ CHILD CARE GRANTS
SPONSOR(S): HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
02/18/97 382 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
02/18/97 382 (H) HES, FINANCE
04/04/97 988 (H) SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE
04/04/97 988 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
04/04/97 989 (H) HES, FINANCE
04/08/97 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
04/08/97 (H) MINUTE(HES)
04/24/97 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
04/24/97 (H) MINUTE(HES)
04/28/97 (H) HES AT 3:30 PM CAPITOL 106
04/28/97 (H) MINUTE(HES)
04/30/97 (H) HES AT 3:30 PM CAPITOL 106
04/30/97 (H) MINUTE(HES)
08/25/97 (H) HES AT 10:00 AM CAPITOL 205
08/25/97 (H) MINUTE(HES)
09/30/97 (H) HES AT 9:00 AM ANCHORAGE LIO
09/30/97 (H) MINUTE(HES)
01/27/98 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR DAVE DONLEY
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 508
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-3892
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as sponsor of SB 117.
ELIZABETH SCHNEIDERHEINZE, Student
P.O. Box 191
McGrath, Alaska 99627
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 117.
MATTHEW SEE, Student
P.O. Box 203
Angoon, Alaska 99820
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided comments on SB 117.
RACHEL DALLIN, Student
P.O. Box 329
McGrath, Alaska 99627
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 117.
MISCHA BURNETT, Teacher
c/o Kwigillingok School
Kwigillingok, Alaska 99622
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SB 117.
LELAND DISHMAN, Superintendent of Schools
North Slope Borough
P.O. Box 169
Barrow, Alaska 99723
Telephone: (907) 852-5311
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 117 and in
opposition to SSHB 148.
DONNA BEST, Employee
Lower Yukon School District
P.O. Box 85
Marshall, Alaska 99585
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SB 117.
EDDY JEANS, Manager
School Finance Section
Education Support Services
Department of Education
801 West 10th Street, Suite 200
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1894
Telephone: (907) 465-2891
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SSHB 148.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 98-1, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIRMAN CON BUNDE called the House Health, Education and Social
Services Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:06 p.m. Members
present at the call to order were Representatives Bunde, Green,
Porter, Dyson, Kemplen and Brice. Representative Vezey was absent.
Number 0041
CHAIRMAN BUNDE welcomed the visiting students from McGrath,
Kwigillingok and Angoon who were attending the committee meeting.
Number 0067
CHAIRMAN BUNDE announced that as in the past, generally the
committee will not vote to pass legislation out of committee at the
first hearing. Also, there will be a teleconferenced discussion on
the findings and recommendations from the summit of the Governor's
Council on Domestic Violence on Thursday. He inquired as to the
wishes of committee members insofar as participating in that
teleconference. It was the consensus of the committee to join that
teleconference.
SB 117 - INFANT CARE CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Number 0265
CHAIRMAN BUNDE announced the first order of business was Senate
Bill 117, "An Act relating to an infant care curriculum in the
public school system." He asked Senator Dave Donley to come
forward to present his bill.
Number 0274
SENATOR DAVE DONLEY, Sponsor, testified that Senate Bill 117 would
add the words "including infant care" to the suggested health care
curriculum for public schools in Alaska. He pointed out the list
in current statute of suggested courses for curriculum in physical
health and personal safety including alcohol and drug abuse
education, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), early cancer
prevention and detection, dental health, family health,
environmental health, the identification and prevention of child
abuse, child abduction, neglect, sexual abuse, and domestic
violence. Senate Bill 117 would add infant care to the existing
statute.
Number 0321
SENATOR DONLEY commented that his motivation for adding infant care
to the suggested list came while attending a Washington, Alaska,
Montana, Idaho (WAMI) conference where it was pointed out that
although Alaska has state-of-the-art programs for prenatal care, it
ranks the worst among the WAMI states for infant mortality between
the ages of 3 months to 12 months. The conclusion was that
hopefully, additional education in infant care could reduce the
infant mortality rate because the deaths are occurring once the
infants go home. Alaska ranks tenth worst in the nation, following
the District of Columbia, Illinois, Michigan and many of the Deep
South states for infant mortality. It is interesting to note that
Alaska is very successful in achieving good birth rates and yet
there is a serious problem during the first year of the infant's
life.
Number 0422
SENATOR DONLEY said as an example, a school district could choose
to educate students on the prevention of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS). In Alaska, there is a high correlation between
children sleeping in an improper position and Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome. It would be very simple to educate the students on such
things as placing the infant on its back rather than on its stomach
and the dangers of improper bedding such as down comforters.
Number 0515
SENATOR DONLEY pointed out this legislation is not mandatory, but
guidelines in the permissive section of the statutes that merely
advise school districts that this may be an appropriate program to
teach. He believed it would be helpful to get the word out that
the legislature would like school districts statewide to consider
adding this to their curriculum. He noted that many schools
already have infant care instruction as part of their curriculum.
For example, the program whereby students carry a doll with them
for the entire day to learn how much responsibility is involved in
taking care of a baby.
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER left the meeting at 3:13 p.m.
Number 0566
REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN asked Senator Donley to explain, based on
the findings, what percentage of deaths were caused by anger or
mismanagement versus SIDS.
SENATOR DONLEY said based on the most recent information - a 1995
report from the Bureau of Vital Statistics - of the approximate 80
deaths, 32 were postnatal, 16 from SIDS, and various other reasons.
Number 0632
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN surmised the percentage of infant deaths
caused from violent shakings and things of that nature is low and
that most of the deaths are due to the lack of knowledge in caring
for a baby.
SENATOR DONLEY replied the findings indicate that. There is a high
correlation between SIDS and the lack of basic information
regarding infant care.
Number 0700
CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if fetal alcohol syndrome as well as alcohol
and drug related problems would be included.
SENATOR DONLEY noted there are provisions in existing statute for
alcohol and drug abuse education.
Number 0738
CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if it was a fair characterization that some
schools may already have this curriculum in place, and SB 117 is an
encouragement for school districts to include infant care in their
curriculum?
SENATOR DONLEY responded affirmatively. He added that he had met
with the health curriculum committee in the Anchorage School
District prior to introducing SB 117. That committee had just
completed their three-year review of the curriculum and infant care
was not included. His intent was to encourage the committee to
include an infant care program during the next review process.
Number 0794
CHAIRMAN BUNDE said that as teachers, both he and his wife
experienced increased frustration as more and more parental duties
were placed on public schools; to the extent that at some point in
the future teachers will not have the time to teach the kids to
read. He asked Senator Donley to address the concern that schools
are being asked to get farther away from academics.
SENATOR DONLEY explained that he is a strong believer in local
control of schools, but when the statistics indicate there is a
unique problem, he felt it was reasonable to include infant care
with the other suggested programs. These relatively minor programs
that could be taught very simply could go a long way toward
possibly preventing the death of a child.
Number 0865
CHAIRMAN BUNDE remarked the absence of a fiscal note means that
something else will have to go. This decision will be left up to
the judgment of the local school district.
Number 0875
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN recalled that one of the junior high schools
in his district has a core program which seems to be very effective
without having to give up any of the educational curricula. The
program involves young girls carrying a doll from classroom to
classroom and dealing with the associated responsibilities.
Number 0942
CHAIRMAN BUNDE commented that he would like to hear testimony from
some of the students. Elizabeth Schneiderheinze from McGrath came
forward to testify.
Number 0969
ELIZABETH SCHNEIDERHEINZE, student from McGrath, explained the
Practical Living Skills class available to juniors and seniors in
McGrath whereby students have a doll in their possession for
several days that is programmed by the teacher to cry and can only
be turned off with a key.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE inquired of Senator Donley if there was any
direction as to what age level the infant care program would be
offered.
SENATOR DONLEY responded that SB 117 was intended to be a
suggestion to schools districts to include this type of education
in their health curriculum. The appropriate age level and length
of the course would be left up to the local school districts.
Number 1035
CHAIRMAN BUNDE acknowledged that Ms. Schneiderheinze had not taken
the class, but asked if she thought it was a valuable use of school
time.
MS. SCHNEIDERHEINZE considered it to be valuable in that many of
the students who had taken the class had indicated they would wait
a long time to have children. In her opinion, the program taught
responsibility.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE said it was his understanding that the purpose of
the legislation was to not just discourage students from starting
families at a young age, but also to have more knowledge and
information at the time they do choose to start a family or in some
cases where they are caring for an infant in the immediate family.
He asked Ms. Schneiderheinze if the Practical Living Skills class
took an undue amount of time away from math, reading, et cetera.
MS. SCHNEIDERHEINZE explained that most of the seniors have
completed their classes; their schedules are generally filled with
college courses through the rural education center. The Practical
Living Skills class was scheduled during the time when electives
were available, even though it's a required class.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Ms. Schneiderheinze for her comments and
asked Matthew See to come forward.
Number 1127
MATTHEW SEE, Student, indicated there was no similar class
available in the Angoon school. It was his opinion that a class
such as the Practical Living Skills was needed in their school
system. He noted that many of the high school girls in Angoon
already have babies and he surmised the girls may have waited to
have babies if they had experienced the responsibility of caring
for a baby in a class similar to the Practical Living Skills.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Matthew for his comments and asked if there
were other students who wished to testify.
Number 1211
RACHEL DALLIN, Student from McGrath School, shared the story of a
20-year-old woman with three children who had been in court that
morning. She had been charged with some type of drinking
violation, and as part of her sentencing, she had to attend
parenting classes, alcohol treatment and family counseling. In
response to Chairman Bunde's question, she affirmed that she would
be taking the Practical Living Skills course next year.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if students at McGrath had been taught about
the effects of alcohol on unborn children and Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome.
MS. DALLIN said they have occasional speakers on drugs and alcohol,
but there are no formal classes available. She added that her
mother teaches a number of students who were born with the effects
of drugs and alcohol and she frequently speaks of the additional
help that is needed for these children.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Ms. Dallin and asked Mischa Burnett to come
forward.
Number 1332
MISCHA BURNETT, Teacher, Kwigillingok School, stated he couldn't
add much to what had already been said because it was his first
year in the state and in his current job. However, he described
the computer-baby program at the last high school he attended. The
concept was similar in that students were responsible for the baby
for a number of days but it actually kept track of and tallied
points if the computer-baby was neglected. Boys and girls alike
were a part of the program and he concluded that it was successful
because prior to the project, most students hadn't given much
thought to the real experiences of having a child. He suggested
that part of the answer might be to enhance the current computer-babies in the
CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked Mr. Burnett's thoughts on this being another
mandate which would be included in his duties as a teacher.
MR. BURNETT theorized that wording it as a suggestion rather than
a mandate could be helpful. If it was worded as a mandate, it
could very possibly be viewed as a burden.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE noted that it is permissive rather than mandatory.
Number 1489
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked if Mr. Burnett could provide some
specific information on the type of computer baby he had described.
MR. BURNETT indicated that he didn't know the brand name or model
of the computer baby used in his school 10 or 12 years ago.
Number 1541
MS. SCHNEIDERHEINZE pointed out the computer baby at their school,
which is called "Baby think it over" also keeps track of certain
motions. For example, if the baby is tipped on its side, a light
will start flashing and there are ways of tracking it if the baby
cries too long. She surmised that the high cost of these computer
babies prohibits most schools from having such a program available.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked the students for their comments and noted
that Leland Dishman was available to testify via teleconference.
Number 1595
LELAND DISHMAN, Superintendent of Schools, North Slope Borough,
testified in support of SB 117 via teleconference from Barrow. He
stated the North Slope Borough has one of the highest rates of teen
pregnancy, and is currently implementing the "Baby think it over"
program across the borough. The health department has a number of
the mechanical babies, which in his opinion are phenomenal. They
behave like real babies, squalling, crying, et cetera, and any type
of abuse is recorded.
Number 1652
MR. DISHMAN advised they previously had used a vest that
assimilates a pregnancy. Hopefully, the discomfort along with the
responsibility is enough to discourage teens from getting pregnant.
He reiterated his support for SB 117.
Number 1692
CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if Mr. Dishman knew the cost of the
computerized babies.
MR. DISHMAN said he would find out and fax the information to
Senator Donley's office.
Number 1737
SENATOR DONLEY pointed out that one in five infant deaths in Alaska
is the baby of a teen mother. While this legislation would provide
some training to new parents, it could also be valuable for anyone
who is entrusted with the care of a baby. That's why he believes
that high school is a good place to teach this rather than waiting
until they become a parent.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Mr. Dishman for his comments and asked Donna
Best to come forward and testify.
Number 1775
DONNA BEST, Employee, Lower Yukon School District, asked if there
was any money associated with this legislation.
SENATOR DONLEY explained that infant care would be added to the
existing statute that lays out the curriculum for suggested health
care for schools in Alaska.
MS. BEST speculated this would be a "pretty involved" program. She
asked if any training for teachers or money to buy the computer
baby would be available or would it be a mandate without having any
money to fund it.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE responded this is not a mandate; it is a suggestion
to schools and no money has been appropriated.
Number 1826
MS. BEST observed that in the past, other suggested programs have
been implemented, but they've not been very effective because
funds were not provided.
SENATOR DONLEY pointed out to Ms. Best that existing law lists a
number of recommendations to school districts that a health
curricula might include; i.e., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early
cancer prevention and detection, dental health, family health,
environmental health and others. This legislation simply adds
infant care to the recommended list. There is no specific funding
for any of the programs on list as an individual item, but funds
are provided through the foundation formula and then it's up to the
individual school districts to prioritize and develop curriculum
based on the recommendations.
Number 1875
CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Ms. Best for expressing her concern. He
noted that generally there is no action taken the first time a bill
is heard in the Health, Education and Social Services Committee to
allow sufficient time for individuals to comment. However, it has
been suggested by Representative Tom Brice that since this
legislation is straightforward and doesn't involve any funds, the
committee could vote on SB 117 today and give the students an
opportunity to see how the committee process works.
Number 1902
REPRESENTATIVE TOM BRICE made a motion to move SB 117 from
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal
note.
Number 1918
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN objected for the purpose of discussion and
education. He stated, "This is fictitious. What we're doing now
is part of the educational process. Not all bills will go through
like this one will undoubtedly go through unanimously. But I'm now
going to object to it and give my objection because it seems to me
that this will be interpreted as an undue burden as was heard in
the testimony that this could be perceived by some school districts
as a mandate without the accompanying economic benefits and
therefore, could be a burden that would be mistreated and would not
be as beneficial as some people might think it might be."
CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if there was further discussion or debate.
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE said this was a section of law that was
clearly not a mandate and the school districts that receive state
money are very clear on what these statutes involve. He was
certain the school districts, when reading this section, realize
this is not a mandate, but rather a gentle suggestion.
Number 1972
CHAIRMAN BUNDE pointed out there is nothing in the legislation that
would prevent a school district or community from pursuing a grant
or funding this on their own, if they deemed it beneficial.
Number 1984
SENATOR DONLEY noted that currently many of the school districts
have a committee that deals with a specific type of curriculum
which is reviewed and updated. By adding infant care to the list,
it will be there to undergo review every few years. On the other
hand, if it's not on the list, it won't even be considered for that
curriculum.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN said, "It's not debate again, it was just by
way of education that now probably the committee chairman would ask
if the objection is maintained and if I were really opposed to what
-- if I'm really talking -- I would say 'yes' and there would be a
roll call vote. But so the record won't be confused, I'll withdraw
the objection."
CHAIRMAN BUNDE responded, "Well, I think we'll vote anyway just so
we can go through it." A roll call vote was taken.
Representatives Brice, Dyson, Kemplen, Green and Bunde voted in
favor of moving SB 117 from committee. Representatives Vezey and
Porter were absent. There being no objection, SB 117 moved from the
House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
SSHB 148 - SCHOOL FUNDING ETC./ CHILD CARE GRANTS
Number 2090
CHAIRMAN BUNDE announced the next item on the agenda was SSHB 148
"An Act relating to the public school funding program; relating to
the definition of a school district, to the transportation of
students, to school district layoff plans, to the special education
service agency, to the child care grant program, and to compulsory
attendance in public schools; and providing for an effective date."
He noted this legislation was held over from the last legislative
session. The hearing would be teleconferenced to Anchorage,
Fairbanks, Valdez, Barrow and Seward.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE directed committee members' attention to the
proposed committee substitute.
Number 2132
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN made a motion to adopt proposed committee
substitute 0-LS0605\H, Ford, 1/24/98, as a work draft. There being
no objection, that version was before the committee.
Number 2142
CHAIRMAN BUNDE explained this legislation pertains to the
foundation formula; how state money is apportioned to the various
schools in the state. It has been under discussion for a year in
an attempt to simplify the foundation formula and ensure that it's
a fair and equitable distribution throughout the state. He pointed
out the legislation had been updated by changing dates for the
current year. An area cost differential study will be released on
Monday and incorporated into this proposed committee substitute.
Another change is that district correspondence students are to be
counted in the same manner as state correspondence students. He
explained that in some areas correspondence students are counted as
a full time student in attendance. In his view, that was not a
fair distribution of the money because correspondence students cost
the district less than a student who physically attends school.
Number 2205
CHAIRMAN BUNDE said this is still a complex bill, but it was his
desire that the committee substitute be adopted as a work draft to
facilitate discussion. He pointed out that Eddy Jeans from the
Department of Education was available to answer questions.
Number 2248
REPRESENTATIVE J. ALLEN KEMPLEN asked if the proposed committee
substitute was basically the same as the version that was discussed
during the last session with the exception of the changes mentioned
by Chairman Bunde.
Number 2250
EDDY JEANS, Manager, School Finance Section, Education Support
Services, Department of Education, confirmed that.
REPRESENTATIVE KEMPLEN noted that at the interim meeting of the
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee, the
Anchorage School District had raised the issue of transportation in
that the district desired to have transportation dealt with
separately. He inquired if transportation was still incorporated
into the proposed committee substitute.
MR. JEANS responded that it was still incorporated in the
legislation as part of the funding package.
Number 2293
CHAIRMAN BUNDE noted there was a substantial fiscal note - a half
million dollars - through the first four years this formula would
be in effect and the source of that funding has not yet been
addressed.
Number 2325
REPRESENTATIVE KEMPLEN referred to the matrix that had been
prepared last session, and asked if that matrix had been updated to
reflect the other proposals.
TAPE 98-1, SIDE B
Number 0005
MR. JEANS responded the Department of Education is in the process
of updating the side-by-side comparison to include the new bills
introduced by the Governor, as well as the other house bill that
was introduced. The comparison should be available by the end of
the week.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE remarked that Representative Gene Kubina had
introduced legislation that would not change the formula from a per
unit, per student, but would increase basically the local
contribution.
Number 0037
CHAIRMAN BUNDE indicated there will be three versions in the
Senate, two of which change from a unit distribution to a per pupil
and the Governor's version is going back to a per unit
distribution. The Governor's bill will be in the House, as well as
this bill. He mentioned that the "famous Education Weekly report"
criticized Alaska's allocation formula.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN referred to the fiscal note and said the cost
builds up to approximately $2 million over the first four years and
then the state begins to recoup in the last two years. He asked,
"If we were to carry that on, will that continue to be a negative
fiscal note - in other words recouping - or will it just about die
here as neutral?"
MR. JEANS stated the fiscal note reflects the changes in the
student allocation dollars over the six year period. The intent
was to keep it neutral - that it would cover the cost of enrollment
growth but not put any additional dollars into the funding formula.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN remarked, "So, that they'll be continuing --
if you were to have carried it out further, there would be more
negative -- eventually somewhere around neutral."
MR. JEANS said it would be somewhere around neutral. He added,
"We're talking within $500,000 out of a $650 million program."
Number 0118
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE inquired if the committee would have an
opportunity to discuss other aspects of the legislation on
Thursday.
CHAIRMAN BUNDE replied the committee would take as much time as
necessary and encouraged committee members to review the proposed
committee substitute and bring their questions to the meeting on
Thursday.
Number 0185
CHAIRMAN BUNDE noted there were three individuals signed up to
testify on teleconference on the proposed CSSSHB 148(HES) Version
H. He invited individuals who had brief testimony to testify at
this time; however, there would be an opportunity to testify on
Thursday and again the following Thursday.
Number 0225
LELAND DISHMAN, Superintendent of Schools, North Slope Borough,
testified in opposition to the proposed CSSSHB 148(HES) based on
the escalator clause. He explained the escalator clause deals with
taxation that would be the equivalent of 4 mills in 1998, 5 mills
in 1999 through 7 mills in 2002. That kind of taxation would
bankrupt the North Slope operations, so there would be no way to
fund it. He noted he would present his testimony in depth on
Thursday.
Number 0249
CHAIRMAN BUNDE announced the proposed CSSSHB 148(HES) would be held
in committee and heard on Thursday, January 29, as well as
Thursday, February 5. He stated there would be no meeting of the
House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee on
Tuesday, February 3.
REPRESENTATIVE FRED DYSON announced the Children's Caucus would be
meeting in the Butrovich Room on Wednesday, January 28 at
12:00 p.m. and would be hearing the report from the special task
force on child protection. He encouraged committee members to
participate.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 0263
CHAIRMAN BUNDE adjourned the meeting of the House Health, Education
and Social Services Standing Committee at 4:00 p.m.
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