SB 20-OUT OF STATE TEACHER RECIPROCITY  3:39:29 PM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the next order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 20(FIN), "An Act relating to teaching certificates for teachers holding out-of-state certificates." 3:40:05 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS moved to adopt Amendment 1 to CSSB 20(FIN) am, labeled 32-LS0202\G.1, Marx, 2/22/22, which read as follows: Page 2, line 11, following "valid": Insert "regular" Page 2, line 30, following "valid": Insert "regular" CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND objected for the purpose of discussion. 3:40:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS explained Amendment 1 ensures that teachers coming to Alaska with reciprocity agreements with other states would not hold certificates that are not fully fleshed out. The addition of the word "regular" ensures the certification is from an accredited university that has a verification process to ensure the teachers have the skills needed to educate effectively. He concluded that adding this one word alleviates any concerns about the strength of the certificate. CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND removed her objection. 3:41:22 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX remarked that he felt the word "regular" seems redundant and may not be accurate in comparison to other types of available certificates. 3:41:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS listed several of the different types of [teaching] certificates available in Alaska. He explained the word "regular" in the proposed amendment corelates to the statutes in other states, ensuring the out-of-state certificate has not been obtained through an abbreviated effort. He stated, in example, there could be a for-profit institution that "churns them out" [certificates] in a six- to ten-week class. 3:42:54 PM TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State Legislature, responded on behalf of Senator Stevens, prime sponsor of CSSB 20(FIN) am. He explained that Amendment 1 is the result of other states offering non-traditional means, or alternative pathways, to obtain a teaching certificate. The amendment helps identify and reduce the likelihood of pathways that allow shortcuts in obtaining teaching certificates. He said this policy is already in practice with the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). He deferred to the DEED representative to confirm. 3:43:34 PM SONDRA MEREDITH, Teacher Certification Administrator, Department of Education and Early Development, responded to the question concerning the added word "regular" in the amendment. She said that the current practice of DEED is to look for certificates that represent the completion of fully approved programs within a state; the addition of the word "regular" does help clarify the intent of the language of the bill and supports the type of certificates DEED seeks. 3:44:51 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX [objected to Amendment 1] and asked to hear from the bill sponsor. 3:45:03 PM SENATOR GARY STEVENS, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor of CSSB 20(FIN), stated he had nothing to add to the previous committee discussion on this topic. He reiterated the bill will help the state attract more teachers. 3:45:21 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 3:45:57 PM CO-CHAIR STORY moved to report CSSB 20(FIN), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS CSSB 20(EDC) was reported out of the House Education Standing Committee.