SENATE BILL NO. 6 "An Act requiring education in the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders." 10:11:22 AM SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SPONSOR, offered a sponsor statement: Senate Bill 6 requires schools in the State of Alaska to educate students on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by our school system acknowledging historically accurate information by members of these communities, from the past and present. This proposed piece of legislation aims to mandate the inclusion of the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Alaska's public schools. By incorporating this critical component into our education system, we welcome a more informed society by teaching our students this important history of Alaska. The diverse history of these communities, including their significant contributions to Alaska and the United States, deserve to be recognized and celebrated. Senate Bill 6 will help to ensure that future generations of Alaskans have a comprehensive and accurate understanding of our state's history and the contributions of all its people. Senator Gray-Jackson referenced a rise in discrimination and hate towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander community during the Covid-19 pandemic. She believed that the legislation would help to repair such behavior through information and education. Senator Gray-Jackson continued that the bill was a step toward a more complete and accurate education for Alaska's students and strengthened the state's commitment to diversity, equity, and historical integrity. 10:13:26 AM Senator Merrick noted that the bill established that school districts shall establish and provide to students in kindergarten through grade 12. She wondered whether the children would have the program every year. Senator Gray-Jackson replied that each district shall th establish a program for grades kindergarten through 12. 10:14:12 AM Senator Kaufman wondered whether the program could be included in another education reform bill and rely on the funding appropriated for that bill. Senator Gray-Jackson noted that the bill had a zero fiscal note and would not require additional funding. 10:15:13 AM Co-Chair Stedman wondered whether the historic contributions of other ethnic groups were taught in schools under statute. Senator Gray-Jackson affirmed that the legislation would add education on Asian American and Pacific Islanders to what was already being taught in schools. Co-Chair Stedman thought it would be nice if Norse history and culture was taught in schools. 10:16:21 AM KAYE ROLDAN, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of the bill. She was a co-director of Make Us Visible Alaska, which was a non-profit that empowered local communities to integrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) contributions, experiences, and history in K-12 classrooms. She shared that the organization offered free materials for teaching API history in classrooms. She had been a Juneau resident for over 30 years and a student in the public school and university systems. She explained that, despite being part of a close-knit Filipino community in Juneau, she had not been taught about Filipino American history in her local schools or educational experiences. She shared that a college course was her first experience with learning Filipino American history. She believed that it was important that the curriculum be available to students K-12. She stressed that seeing your own culture reflected in the classroom gave student pride in their identity and empowered them to build positive self-images, which was crucial for student who might struggle with self-identity and self-worth. She added that the legislation would foster cross-cultural understanding and an alternative narrative to negative depictions of Asian Americans. 10:20:37 AM Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony. 10:20:48 AM RAY WARD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of the bill. He thought it was of vital importance that the history of People of Color be included in school curriculum. He thanked the sponsor for her efforts. Mr. Ward shared a concern that that cultural and education materials would be restricted or removed from classrooms under the current federal administration. He worried that actions by the Trump Administration would lead to the downfall of education in the country. 10:25:27 AM Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony. Senator Kiehl reviewed a zero fiscal note from the Department of Education and Early Development, OMB Component 2796. Co-Chair Stedman wondered about what kind of burden the program would put on school districts both financially and timewise. He worried that there were ethnic groups that might be left out of history like the Russians, Japanese, Chinese, and Norse. Senator Gray-Jackson relayed her staff would like to address Senator Stedman's comments. 10:26:53 AM ZANDER KOTLAROV, STAFF, SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, believed the bill was trying to address the lack of ethnic groups representation in historical teachings. He noted that the term Asian American and Pacific Islander encompassed a wide variety of ethic groups and groups from all over the world that were not currently represented in history classes. Senator Gray-Jackson asked whether the committee desired a review of the committee substitute. Co-Chair Hoffman noted that the bells had rung, and floor session would soon be underway. He relayed that Co-Chair Olson's office would set the deadline for amendments. SB 6 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.