SB 143-MUNICIPAL SCHOOL BOARD TERMS  [CSSB 143(EDC) was before the committee.] 2:04:52 PM CHAIR MERRICK reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 143 "An Act relating to the terms of office of municipal school board members; and providing for an effective date." 2:05:08 PM SENATOR YUNDT, speaking as sponsor, said SB 143 is a local control issue addressing school board term length. He explained that currently, Alaskan communities can choose terms of office (3- or 4-year terms) for mayor and assembly; however, the school board is limited to 3 years. SB 143 would change extend the 3- or 4-year option to school board terms. This would eliminate off-year elections in communities that have chosen 4-year terms for local assembly and mayoral elections. He stated that this would provide a financial savings and streamline the electoral process. He emphasized that this would allow local communities to choose the term length. He noted that local governments could not change the term length without ballot approval. 2:06:34 PM CHAIR MERRICK announced invited testimony on SB 143. 2:06:49 PM GEORGE HAYS, Deputy Borough Manager, Mat-Su Borough, Palmer, Alaska, said SB 143 proposes a simple, yet significant change by allowing municipal governments to determine (by ordinance) the terms of office for municipal school board members. This strengthens local control, promotes flexibility, and allows municipalities to tailor governance to the needs of the community. He noted that state law allows municipalities to change mayoral and assembly term length. He explained that the Mat-Su Borough recently changed its mayoral and assembly terms to coincide with the state and federal elections. A 4-year school board term would match up with these, which would greatly improve voter turnout. He outlined the following three reasons why SB 143 matters for local governments: 1. SB 143 would significantly enhance local control. • Municipalities across the state vary greatly in population, geography, and local priorities. SB 143 provides local governing bodies to set local school terms that align with local needs and electoral cycles. 2. SB 143 supports community engagement. • In some cases, adjusting term lengths may improve voter turnout, streamline elections, and/or increase interest in school board service. 3. SB 143 promotes administrative efficiency. • Aligning school board terms with other local election cycles has the potential to greatly reduce costs and administrative burdens. This would create more efficient government operations. MR. HAYS noted that SB 143 gives municipalities the option of changing school board term length. He emphasized that the changes made by this legislation would still be subject to local ordinance processes, including public input, transparency, and accountability. He stated that trusting municipalities to make these decisions reinforces the value of local governments while empowering communities to build stronger, more responsive institutions. 2:09:53 PM CHAIR MERRICK opened public testimony on SB 143; finding none, she closed public testimony. 2:10:15 PM SENATOR YUNDT explained the impetus for SB 143. He said that [in the Mat-Su Borough] odd-year elections have seen voter turnout rates of 9-14 percent. Shifting to even-year elections (i.e. holding all elections on the same 4-year cycle) increased voter turnout to 48 percent. He said that holding all elections on even years would create more ease for voters (thus increasing voter turnout) and would save municipalities money. 2:10:53 PM CHAIR MERRICK held SB 143 in committee.