HB 59-STATE-TRIBAL EDUCATION COMPACTS  8:04:32 AM CHAIR DIBERT announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 59, "An Act relating to demonstration state- tribal education compacts; relating to demonstration state- tribal education compact schools; and providing for an effective date." 8:05:26 AM REPRESENTATIVE STORY noted that the next committee of referral for HB 59 would be the House Education Standing Committee, of which she is a member. She commented on discussion plans that this committee has for HB 59. CHAIR DIBERT expressed agreement that the proposed bill has brought up some good discussion. She expressed appreciation to the tribes and their work on the bill. 8:07:12 AM REPRESENTATIVE STORY observed that she missed the amendment deadline, and she noted her plans to introduce an amendment during the next committee of referral. She explained that the amendment would request that the Department of Education and Early Development compile a list of curricula and lessons recommended by Tribal Compacted Public Schools (TCPS). She expressed the importance of this concerning school districts and students across the state. 8:10:14 AM REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE moved to adopt Amendment 1, 34- GH1518\A.1 to HB 59, Bergerud, 4/30/25, which read as follows: Page 1, line 9: Delete "seven" Insert "five" Page 6, line 15: Delete "2033" Insert "2031" Page 6, line 21: Delete "2032" Insert "2030" 8:10:21 AM CHAIR DIBERT objected for the purpose of discussion. 8:10:23 AM REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE explained that there are many moving pieces in tribal compacting, and with the advancement of TCPS, she expressed the understanding that issues would arise. She stated that the proposed amendment would change the reevaluation period for TCPS from seven to five years. She argued that a review after five years would allow discussion and insights on the compacting progress before the five-year contracts end and the renewal process begins. She suggested that this timeline adjustment would better serve the stakeholders. 8:12:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned whether the amendment had been discussed with the sponsor of the proposed legislation. REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE responded in the negative. 8:13:05 AM JOEL ISAAK, PhD, Compacting Consultant, Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), stated that the seven-year period was used to give tribes enough time to start and operate the TCPS program. He expressed the understanding that the change in Amendment 1 would still give tribes time to do this. Concerning the timeframe for submitting the report on TCPS back to the legislature, he pointed out that the current version of the proposed legislation would give DEED a flexible timeline; therefore, the amendment would align with the intent of the proposed bill. He expressed the understanding that the tribes would be appreciative of coming back before the legislature "sooner rather than later." 8:14:37 AM DEENA BISHOP, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development, expressed support for Amendment 1. She expressed the understanding that this could help tribal compacting move forward into the five-year process sooner. She stated that DEED is "eagerly awaiting" approval so the TCPS program could begin. 8:15:25 AM CHAIR DIBERT removed her objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 8:16:04 AM REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to report CSHB 59, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 59(TRB) was reported out of the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs.