SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE May 12, 2025 9:28 a.m. 9:28:38 AM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Hoffman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order at 9:28 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair Senator Mike Cronk Senator James Kaufman Senator Jesse Kiehl Senator Kelly Merrick MEMBERS ABSENT None ALSO PRESENT Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Sponsor; Clark Bickford, Staff, Senator Gray-Jackson; Rose Foley, Staff, Senator Bert Stedman; Liz Harpold, Staff, Senator Donny Olson. PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Douglas Schrage, Chief, Anchorage Fire Department, Anchorage; Jason Dolph, Safety Fire Office, Anchorage Fire Department, Anchorage; Brian Webb, Emergency Medical Services Instructor, Anchorage; Mike Coons, Self, Wasilla; Jamie Morgan, Government Relations Regional Lead, American Heart Association, California. SUMMARY SB 6 ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER PROGRAM CSSB 6(EDC) was REPORTED out of committee with two "do pass" recommendations and with four "no recommendation" recommendations, and with one new zero fiscal note from the Department of Education and Early Development. SB 11 FLOOD INSURANCE SB 11 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. SB 20 CPR CURRICULUM SB 20 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. SB 146 REAA FUND: MT. EDGECUMBE, TEACHER HOUSING SB 146 was REPORTED out of committee with five "do pass" recommendations and with two "no recommendation" recommendations, and with one new fiscal impact note from the Department of Education and Early Development. SB 184 SCHOOL BOND DEBT REIMBURSEMENT SB 184 was REPORTED out of committee with six "do pass" recommendations and with one "amend" recommendation, and with one new fiscal impact note from the Department of Education and Early Development for Debt Service. Co-Chair Hoffman discussed the agenda. SENATE BILL NO. 20 "An Act relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in public schools; relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; and providing for an effective date." 9:29:31 AM Co-Chair Hoffman relayed that it was the first hearing on SB 20. He invited the sponsor to the table to introduce the legislation. 9:29:55 AM SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SPONSOR, relayed that the bill was a reintroduction of a bill that was introduced during the 33rd legislature. The bill was largely the same but for a zero fiscal note. The zero fiscal note was due to existing curriculum in other school districts in the country, which took the onus off of Alaskan school districts to create curriculum. She cited that sudden cardiac arrest was the third leading cause of death in the United States, with over 365,000 casualties every year. Senator Gray-Jackson read from a Sponsor Statement (copy on file): Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, but bystander CPR can triple the survival rate. Senate Bill 20 seeks to enhance the quality of health education within our state's public school system by offering CPR Curriculum to our school students. This curriculum focuses on equipping our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to increase the number of CPR-trained bystanders. By enacting this legislation, we are prioritizing the health and well-being of our youth, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and respond effectively in emergency situations, potentially saving lives within their communities. This would also give students the opportunity to begin their work-training before graduating school which will help with work shortages across the state. Integrating CPR education into the school curriculum helps promote a culture of preparedness and responsiveness to emergencies. Requiring schools to teach CPR ensures that all students, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location, have access to this vital life-saving skill. This curriculum will be available to all students in our vast state, and your support is vital to enacting this important legislation. 9:31:44 AM CLARK BICKFORD, STAFF, SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, offered some key statistics and remarks on the bill subject matter: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, also known as CPR, is an important skill to learn because it helps maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain during a cardiac arrest. It can significantly increase a person's chances of survival by keeping oxygen circulating around the brain until professional medical help arrives. Early and effective CPR can double or even triple survival rates, making it a critical life-saving skill in emergencies. While many people are familiar with traditional CPR methods, involving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, one of the main reasons we are now seeing hands-only CPR being adopted and implemented around the country, was to reduce public hesitation in helping unknown victims. The most reported barrier to performing CPR was the requirement for mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing. Hands-only CPR is equally effective and is being adopted nationwide in training programs. However, its success heavily depends on proper education and public awareness. Without knowing when and how to administer it, bystanders may hesitate or fail to act effectively. This legislation can teach students across the state how to properly administer the life saving techniques. With us today are individuals who have long advocated for the inclusion of this curriculum in previous Alaska legislatures, and even in other states across the country as well. For questions specifically related to its implementation, I refer you to Brian Webb, EMS Coordinator and CPR expert; as well as Jason Dolph, Safety Officer with the Anchorage Fire Department; and Chief Schrage of the Anchorage Fire Department, who can speak to the effectiveness of this training. For questions regarding the zero fiscal note, I would refer you again to Brian Webb, who has a background in designing and teaching these trainings. 9:34:41 AM DOUGLAS SCHRAGE, CHIEF, ANCHORAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), offered his invited testimony. He asserted that the bill provided the opportunity to make an immediate positive impact on the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest. Early cardiac- pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use were the single most important factors in improving the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrests. He emphasized that CPR education was important because even the best emergency response system (EMS) took time to arrive and the first five minutes after a cardiac arrest could lead to irreversible brain and organ damage. He proposed that early CPR by bystanders was the key to sustaining life until EMS arrived. Mr. Schrage noted that most cardiac arrests happened in the home, where he thought students with CPR training could make the most impact. He noted that the state had made great strides by improving cardiac arrest survival rates, but the improvement had reached a plateau. He argued that to make more improvements, the state needed more people trained in CPR and willing to engage in providing hands- only CPR when needed. He relayed that hands-only CPR not only addressed the impediment of people not wanting to provide CPR but was more effective in providing blood flow to the brain and vital organs in areas where there were reasonable response times. He urged the committee to support the bill. 9:37:56 AM JASON DOLPH, SAFETY FIRE OFFICE, ANCHORAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. He was a second-generation firefighter and a 26-year veteran of emergency services in the state. He was a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) as well as an EMT instructor and CPR instructor. He asserted that the survival rate of cardiac arrest was only 10 percent. He cited a study that showed patients that had received CPR within two minutes had an 81 percent higher chance of survival and ultimate discharge from the hospital. Even those that had CPR delayed up to 10 minutes still had a 19 percent higher chance of survival than those that received no bystander CPR. Mr. Dolph recounted having responded to more than 10,000 emergency incidents in his career. He discussed his anecdotal experience with greater success for those that had CPR performed by a bystander. He cited that only 40 percent of people suffering sudden cardiac rest outside a hospital received CPR before help arrived. He discussed teaching CPR and his observation that people took CPR courses only when required. He cited that 73 percent of all cardiac arrests happened in the home. He emphasized that the bill sought to teach CPR skills early, and that children as young as 9 could perform CPR. Mr. Dolph recounted a story in Anchorage in which a 14- year-old performed CPR on another person of the same age, even when there were adults in the room. He discussed advantages of CPR education in school, including the normalization of CPR and confidence in skills. He thought the end-goal was "a generation of life savers." He strongly urged the committee to pass the legislation. He relayed that his wife was an elementary educator, and he had a high regard for the school system in the state. He affirmed his regard for all subjects taught and thought CPR education was powerful knowledge. 9:43:45 AM BRIAN WEBB, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES INSTRUCTOR, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), relayed that he had served 50 years in EMS and was still an active paramedic and educator. He mentioned prior testimony that had provided outdated information. He mentioned peer-reviewed studies that he had provided to the committee which had proven the effectiveness of hands-only CPR. He emphasized that hands- only CPR was endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA), the Resuscitation Academy, and EMS systems nationwide. He asserted that hands-only CPR was shown to double or triple survival rates for victims of cardiac arrest. He listed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as the single most reason that bystanders did not help, and noted that hands-only CPR removed the barrier. He described that chest compressions created a bellows effect which drew in fresh air and expelled carbon dioxide from the lungs. Mr. Webb emphasized the importance of timing in cardiac arrest and referenced studies that showed that three minutes of compressions could get a patients circulation return to normal, making it easier to do cardiac defibrillation. He mentioned far distances to EMS in Alaska. He encouraged the committee to pass the bill. 9:46:29 AM Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony. 9:46:45 AM MIKE COONS, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. He mentioned sending written testimony in support of the bill, with the caveat that it was hands- only CPR education. He mentioned discussion in committee hearings. He relayed that he had hoped that both versions of CPR would be taught. He was a retired paramedic and had performed CPR and advanced cardiac life support many times. He described a scenario in which patients' lives were saved. He mentioned teaching CPR. He asked the committee to add full CPR training to the bill. 9:49:20 AM JAMIE MORGAN, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REGIONAL LEAD, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, CALIFORNIA (via teleconference), testified in favor of the bill. She cited that every year more than 350,000 people experienced sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. She stressed that trained students would be able to save the lives of family members. She discussed CPR education. Since 2018, more than 40 states had passed legislation that required students to learn CPR before graduation. She urged the members to support the bill. 9:51:16 AM Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony. Senator Kiehl discussed a zero fiscal note from the Department of Education and Early Development, OMB Component 2796. There was a zero fiscal impact with a note that indicated the department would have regulations sometime in late August. Co-Chair Hoffman asked if the sponsor had any comments. Senator Gray-Jackson thanked the committee for hearing the bill. SB 20 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. SENATE BILL NO. 11 "An Act relating to flood insurance; relating to property insurance; establishing the Alaska Flood Authority and the Alaska flood insurance fund; and providing for an effective date." 9:51:53 AM Co-Chair Hoffman relayed that it was the first hearing for SB 11. 9:52:21 AM Senator Bert Stedman, Sponsor, introduced the bill. He read from a Sponsor Statement (copy on file): Senate Bill 11 has been introduced to protect Alaskans from financial abuse at the hands of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP was created to share the risk of flood losses (nationwide) through flood insurance. The program enables property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance protection, administered by the government, against losses from flooding. FEMA requires flood insurance for all residential loans or lines of credit that are secured by a building located in the FEMA Flood Zone in a community that participates in the NFIP. The National Flood Insurance Program was historically the only source of flood insurance. In 2012, congress reauthorized the NFIP and included a provision allowing private companies to offer flood insurance policies. Another change occurred in 2021 when FEMA adopted a new ratemaking method called Risk Rating 2.0. This new methodology attempts to make the NFIP more solvent and has resulted in an expansion of flood zones and an increase in premiums for 77 percent of plans backed by the NFIP. Homes and businesses in a new FEMA flood zone could see significant negative impacts to property values from requirements to purchase expensive flood insurance (flood insurance must be purchased if the owner uses a federally insured bank). The new and expanded flood zones can also restrict how a structure is built on private property and impact existing homes and businesses that want to rehabilitate, upgrade, expand, or repair buildings. Currently, Alaskans are paying flood insurance to offset the billions in hurricane losses in the Lower 48. Furthermore, the NFIP must be periodically reauthorized by congress (next by March 14, 2025) and has lapsed four times in the past, creating significant hurdles for people seeking mortgages in flood areas. Combine this with very few payouts to flood victims and it can easily be concluded that the NFIP doesn't work for Alaskans. It is the intent of Senate Bill 11 to supplant the NFIP with an Alaska based insurance program that keeps the premium payments in Alaska, benefiting Alaskans. 9:56:27 AM Co-Chair Stedman continued his remarks. He recounted that when he had considered the issue a few years previously and had concerns about the minimum insurance coverage ($250,000 for residential and $500,000 for commercial), he had compared statewide premiums paid compared to losses. He had found it alarming that Alaskans were paying large amounts of money for a small amount of money back. He pondered that the insurance was subsidizing the Mississippi River Basin, the Gulf of Mexico, and the East Coast from hurricane exposure. He cited that between 2008 and 2021 Alaskans had paid almost $41 million in premiums for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and received only $6.5 million in claims paid. Co-Chair Stedman referenced page 5 of a report to the legislature from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (copy on file). The report was entitled "FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Premium Analysis," and showed that while the city of Bethel paid $2.2 million in premiums and received zero dollars in claims. The city of Juneau paid $4.2 million in premiums and had received $435,979; and Anchorage paid $2.2 million and received $171,000. He described the balance as lopsided. He discussed restrictions and considered that FEMA intentionally wanted to push development off the coast and did not want rebuilding with pilings or rock fill off the coast. He discussed the topography of Southeast and the challenge of building away from the coast. He noted that FEMA had updated its flood maps and included new risk and rating systems for Alaskans. He referenced changing home designations to being within flood zones (with a requirement for flood insurance) and mentioned Ketchikan having hundreds of homes reclassified. Co-Chair Stedman used the example of an older home with flood damage that was out of compliance; which could only utilize $150,000 for repairs, bringing it up to compliance, or tearing it down. He mentioned lost equity and asserted that the current policy restricted Alaskans from maintaining older homes. He found the issue alarming. He pointed out that the national program was periodically reauthorized by Congress and noted that there were lapses. He mentioned "complete chaos" in Washington D.C., and the possibility that FEMA could be liquidated or substantially reduced. He thought it would be good for the state to put in its own program, with an increased limit of $250,000 for residential homes and $2 million for commercial structures. He thought the committee might want to ponder and amend the amounts. He pointed out that $250,000 was not a large sum to do much to a residential structure. 10:01:06 AM Co-Chair Stedman shared a significant concern that Alaskans were subsidizing other areas of the country while being subjected to massive building restrictions. He mentioned organized communities that had planning commissions, and the state's desire that local communities go through the planning and zoning processes and to make decisions. He thought planning commissions were perfectly capable of managing building on waterfronts, and that building departments were perfectly capable of issuing permits to build above the high-tide line. He noted that the original inhabitants of the state did not build villages below high- tide lines, nor were later buildings built below the high- tide line. He thought the state could produce more coverage for less premiums. He used the example of Sitka, which had only had one loss since 1977; while Ketchikan had a few and Juneau had a few. He mentioned issues with the Mendenhall River in Juneau. He reiterated the concern of Alaskan residents having to subsidize expenses in areas such as the Mississippi Delta or Florida. He hoped to get the bill on the table to be discussed during the interim. 10:03:47 AM Senator Kaufman thought it seemed like the old homesteaders were savvy and had not built below the tideline. He was curious about the funding plan. He asked about potential funding from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and asked how the conversations had gone and if AHFC was amenable. Co-Chair Stedman considered a lot of the prices of the bill to be "place holders." He thought there may be a need for seed capital to get the proposed program up and running until premiums kicked in. He asserted that more dialogue was needed with AHFC as the legislation was refined. Senator Kaufman mentioned that he had spent a lot of time in the South in hurricane areas. He referenced conflicting requirements that necessitated building so high that wind damage was exacerbated. He echoed Co-Chair Stedman's comments pertaining to FEMA not wanting people to settle on the coast. 10:05:51 AM ROSE FOLEY, STAFF, SENATOR BERT STEDMAN, relayed that she had a Sectional Analysis (copy on file) available to present if the committee wished. Co-Chair Hoffman asked to forego the Sectional Analysis. Senator Kiehl appreciated the bill, which he thought covered more things that were currently uninsurable, including landslides. He asked about the inclusion of coverage to protect against losses from avalanches. Co-Chair Stedman thought there had been interest in landslide provisions. he mentioned landslides in recent years that had resulted in loss of life. He pondered that a bill might benefit from being more narrowly focused until it was up and running, and adding expansions at a later time. He relayed that there had been interest in covering landslides, which required different analysis and consideration of flood zones. He thought the Division of Insurance might have some commentary on the topic. He pointed out that Juneau had exposure to both landslides and flooding. He mentioned the Mendenhall River. Ms. Foley added that the bill as currently written included coverage for mudflow but not landslides. Senator Kiehl considered state finances and thought it appeared as though the funds for the program would be subject to the "sweep" and subject to annual appropriation. He wondered if the sponsor had given thought to structuring the funding to have more durability to carry over year after year in case things went "haywire" in the building. Co-Chair Stedman appreciated Senator Kiehl's point. He did not want the funding subject to the sweep, so that premiums would accumulate and exceed claims and the margin. He hoped to get premiums lowered. Ms. Foley added that the bill set up the Alaska Flood Authority Fund as a fund in the treasury outside the General Fund, and not subject to the sweep. 10:09:20 AM Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony. 10:09:30 AM Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony. 10:09:36 AM Senator Kiehl reviewed the first of four fiscal notes. He addressed FN 1 from DCCED, OMB Component 1027. The commissioner's office did not anticipate costs in the current fiscal year, and had an indeterminate assessment on setting up and capitalizing of the new fund. Senator Kiehl addressed a new fiscal note from DCCED, OMB component 2879. The difference from the earlier version of the fiscal note showed in FY 26 $569.9 thousand of UGF. In FY 27 the amount went down to $539.9 of DGF. The amount dropped to $41.9 thousand in FY 28. The fiscal note called for three permanent full-time positions. The note also marked the new fund. Senator Kiehl spoke to FN 3 from DCCED's Division of Insurance, OMB Component 354. The fiscal note started with an FY 26 cost of $521.6 thousand of receipt supported services, as well as two full-time positions and a temporary position. In FY 27 the amount went down to 472.6 DGF. In FY 29 the amount went down to just below $300,000 and the temporary position went away. Senator Kiehl addressed FN 4 from the Department of Revenue's Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), OMB Component 110. The department provided an indeterminate note and did not know how much of the $500,000 backstop would be called upon. Co-Chair Stedman commented that he did not think the shore- front residents of the state were not interested in a free ride. He thought the project would have to pay for itself and might need some seed capital that could be paid back. He commented that the premiums being paid to the federal government were so excessive, it should be possible to make the program pay for itself. He thought in the end the program would be a net zero for the state. He affirmed that he was not looking for the state to subsidize or pay for the proposed program. Co-Chair Stedman volunteered Senator Kiehl's office to work on the bill with his office over the interim. He mentioned Juneau's landslide [flood] and water issues. SB 11 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. SENATE BILL NO. 184 "An Act relating to school bond debt reimbursement; and providing for an effective date." 10:13:36 AM Co-Chair Hoffman relayed that the committee first heard the bill on May 6 and had taken public testimony and reviewed fiscal notes at the time. There had been one amendment received. 10:14:03 AM LIZ HARPOLD, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained that SB 184 proposed to extend the moratorium on school bond debt reimbursement for an additional two years. The initial moratorium went into effect ten years previously. 10:14:38 AM Senator Kiehl MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1. Co-Chair Hoffman OBJECTED for discussion. Senator Kiehl spoke to Amendment 1. He relayed that the amendment was related to a draft regulation that DEED had circulated to school business officials. The way the regulation was drawn up prevented schools that were funding at or near the cap from funding things that were not subject to the cap (non-instructional expenditures). He used the example of The Unalaska City School District, and the subject of $400,000 in school nutrition funds. He listed $400,000 of lunch money in Valdez and $13 million in Anchorage for pupil transportation as further concerns and indicated there were many more examples in the state. He cited that in rough terms, if the regulation passed, the first $25 million to $30 million provided to school districts with the legislature would go away via the department over the summer. The amendment would maintain the rules currently in place. Senator Kiehl drew attention to Section 7, which related to the school districts' operating fund that was currently in regulation and put it into statute. The amendment would prevent the department from being about to re-write how education funding was done since 1998 when the funding formula went into effect. He knew there had been concern voiced by the department that there may be issues regarding the federal disparity test. He explained that the education funding provided by the legislature for the current year allowed for headroom under the disparity test that the state had not had in the past. Senator Kiehl remarked that the federal Department of Education had not indicated that there was a problem that needed to be solved by a new regulation. He thought the regulation was set to be taken up in the summer when the legislature was not in session. He thought the amendment constituted "self-defensefrom a new regulation that would make giant changes in school funding and finance and took money away from non-instructional expenses. 10:17:39 AM Senator Kiehl continued that he had conversations with a couple of members that had questions which he needed to answer. He understood that the committee needed to move the bill, and he had wanted to introduce the issue for discussion. Senator Kiehl moved to WITHDRAW Amendment 1. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Co-Chair Stedman thought the issue of Amendment 1 should be addressed and suggested querying the Senate Education Committee for consideration of the issue. He thought the issue should be pondered by the committee. He agreed with the amendment sponsor that the topic was a significant issue. He understood that the regulation would not take effect until 2027, but thought the committee should not lose sight of the issue. Senator Kaufman pointed out that the underlying bill was about maintenance and capital projects rather than about program funding. He thought the committee should keep a clean bill. He thought the issue raised by Senator Kiehl deserved thorough vetting in a policy committee. Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to report SB 184 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 184 was REPORTED out of committee with six "do pass" recommendations and with one "amend" recommendation, and with one new fiscal impact note from the Department of Education and Early Development for Debt Service. 10:19:53 AM AT EASE 10:22:57 AM RECONVENED SENATE BILL NO. 6 "An Act requiring education in the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders." 10:23:03 AM Co-Chair Hoffman relayed that the committee first heard SB 6 on April 4 and had taken public testimony and reviewed fiscal notes at the time. He invited the sponsor to reintroduce the bill. 10:23:25 AM Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Sponsor, relayed that the bill would require Asian American/Pacific Islander education in K-12 schools. She noted that the bill was almost passed the previous session. She thanked the committee for hearing the bill. Senator Kiehl MOVED to report CSSB 6(EDC) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. CSSB 6(EDC) was REPORTED out of committee with two "do pass" recommendations and with four "no recommendation" recommendations, and with one new zero fiscal note from the Department of Education and Early Development. 10:24:41 AM AT EASE 10:26:24 AM RECONVENED SENATE BILL NO. 146 "An Act relating to the regional educational attendance area and small municipal school district fund; relating to Mt. Edgecumbe High School; and relating to teacher housing." 10:26:29 AM Co-Chair Hoffman relayed that the committee had first heard SB 146 on April 4 and had taken public testimony and reviewed the fiscal notes at the time. 10:26:56 AM Liz Harpold, Staff, Senator Donny Olson, explained that SB 146 proposed to amend the Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) Fund language to include major maintenance and construction at Mount Edgecumbe High School (MEHS) and major maintenance for teacher housing in REAA or small municipal areas as allowable uses for the fund. The bill also proposed to remove the $70 million cap on the fund value preventing any fund balance above the amount from lapsing into the General Fund at the end of the year. She reminded that MEHS was a public boarding school, and its maintenance was part of DEED's advocacy efforts unlike other high schools around the state. By amending the REAA Fund language, MEHS would be able to advocate to put itself on the major maintenance and deferred maintenance lists as other high schools in the state. 10:27:59 AM Co-Chair Stedman added that MEHS could not be put in the major maintenance list for K-12. He mentioned vetoes related to the topic. He emphasized that MEHS had to compete with all other DOT maintenance requests around the state, and due to its small size did not get much attention. He noted that he had not seen advocacy from DEED on behalf of MEHS. He mentioned difficulty in getting the deferred maintenance list from the department. There was concern that without inclusion the school would continue to be disadvantaged. He discussed the age of the MEHS buildings, which were built before World War II. He thought planning was necessary for the benefit of MEHS. He pointed out that MEHS was one of the state's best performing schools, and many future leaders had come from and would come from the school. Co-Chair Hoffman stressed that Co-Chair Stedman had been the school's sole advocate for years. He expressed support for the bill. Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to report SB 146 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 146 was REPORTED out of committee with five "do pass" recommendations and with two "no recommendation" recommendations, and with one new fiscal impact note from the Department of Education and Early Development. 10:31:05 AM AT EASE 10:32:57 AM RECONVENED Co-Chair Hoffman discussed the agenda for the afternoon meeting. ADJOURNMENT 10:33:23 AM The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 a.m.