SJR 17-EXTEND DEADLINE FOR ARP-HCY FUNDS  8:03:01 AM CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the first order of business would be SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17, Urging the United States Congress to extend the deadline for the state to obligate American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief - Homeless Children and Youth funds. 8:03:13 AM SENATOR LÖKI TOBIN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented SJR 17 and read from the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Alaska is experiencing an unprecedented rise in youth experiencing homelessness, with 14 percent more students identified as homeless in the 2022-23 school year, totaling approximately 3,000 students statewide. These numbers are most likely an undercount of the students needing housing support. Housing instability leads to dramatically higher dropout rates for these students, impacting their future success in our community dropping out of high school can lead to not only higher unemployment and lower earnings, but also worse health outcomes and higher rates of criminal activity. In 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law and $2.3 million additional dollars were provided to Alaska school districts to support students experiencing homelessness. School districts in Alaska can apply for grants to use these funds for a wide variety of activities to support students experiencing homelessness and improve their outcomes in our schools. These activities range from direct student tutoring to medical referrals to staff training on how to identify and support students. Under the current timeline, funds need to be obligated by September 2024 and 40 percent of the American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) funds remain available. An extension will allow a measured and thoughtful dedication of these funds, instead of requiring schools to obligate them rapidly. We urge your support in asking our congressional delegation to allow school districts this necessary additional time to obligate the remaining ARP-HCY funds. SENTATOR TOBIN added that a reading of the resolution could be provided at the will of the committee. 8:06:45 AM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether other states were writing similar resolutions, as she opined that [homelessness of youth] was a national problem. SENTATOR TOBIN replied that Ms. Duffield could talk about her work with other states to submit resolutions to congressional delegations as they navigate through the budget process to provide for an extension of the fund usage. 8:07:21 AM REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY sought understanding about where homeless kids are living, what they are doing, and how the state would spend the money and "implement all this." SENTATOR TOBIN replied that the funds would be spent within the school to provide support within the school context but were not meant to help stabilize the children. Schools have used the funds to provide various support services so students' education is not disrupted, she said. She referred to page 2, lines 5 through 7, of the proposed legislation, which related what the schools would specifically do with the funds. REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY asked whether the districts could use the money for something other than for homeless students if they do not have any. SENTATOR TOBIN reiterated that invited testifier, Ms. Duffield, could talk more about the stipulations tied to the particular resources. 8:10:37 AM The committee took an at-ease from 8:10 a.m. to 8:14 a.m. 8:14:09 AM CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE welcomed invited testifiers. 8:14:29 AM BARBARA DUFFIELD, Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection, gave invited testimony and stated that she and her organization strongly support SJR 17. She said that the funds were needed now more than ever due to child homelessness being worse than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic and it continuing to grow. Delays in federal guidance, administrative restrictions and processes, and lack of staff have created barriers, she explained. She pointed out that the one additional year to use the funds costs nothing and would allow the local school districts to be the steward, and rather than spending to meet a deadline, districts could use the funds as needs arise. In closing, she urged the passage of SJR 17 to help ensure federal dollars are maximized so that today's homeless children do not become tomorrow's homeless adults. 8:17:10 AM CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Ms. Duffield whether she could send the most updated version of the regulation stipulating where funds can be directed. MS. DUFFIELD confirmed that she could. 8:17:42 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX noted that there was confusion regarding how the American Rescue Plan funds were being spent. MS. DUFFIELD clarified that there are two types of American Rescue Plan funds, but the fund under discussion now is specifically dedicated to students experiencing homelessness. There are no concerns or investigations into how the funds are being used, she stated. In response to a follow-up comment, she assured Representative Prax that the requirements were clear and well-understood. 8:20:15 AM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether other states are in the same situation and are also writing resolutions asking for the extension. MS. DUFFIELD replied that she was not aware of other state legislatures writing resolutions along the same lines but added that there had been effort in the U.S. Senate with 32 Senators signing on. 8:21:41 AM CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked what would happen if the funds were not spent by September. He further inquired what the funds would be spent on. MS. DUFFIELD responded that the funds need to be obligated by September 30, 2024, and funds that are not spent or obligated go back to the treasury. She illustrated the various ways districts are allowed to spend the funds, all being locally determined, and she added that schools have discretion and flexibility on how funds are used. CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked Senator Tobin for an example of how funds are used locally. SENATOR TOBIN replied that the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) received $2.35 million in homeless children and youth funds from the American Rescue Plan and has directed those funds to state level and district level activities. 8:25:07 AM CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Senator Tobin whether she was aware of any other extension in the country or whether Alaska was the only state putting forth an extension. SENATOR TOBIN explained that she worked with the congressional delegation that requested she sponsor a resolution, and the funds would be extended for every state. Other states are requesting, but maybe not in the same form, she said. 8:25:55 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether efforts are coordinated with other state agencies. SENTATOR TOBIN confirmed that there was interagency activity, which is why DEED put money towards the district homelessness liaison. REPRESENTATIVE PRAX inquired about the plan for an ongoing program. SENTATOR TOBIN spoke to annual funds from a program associated with homeless children and that there was a recent increase in the funds; the nation receives approximately $800 million per year. In response to a follow-up question, she reiterated that DEED administers the funds. 8:29:37 AM CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on SJR 17. After ascertaining no one wished to testify, he closed public testimony. 8:30:13 AM REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated that she appreciated the resolution coming forward. 8:30:55 AM The committee took an at-ease from 8:30 a.m. to 8:31 a.m. 8:31:46 AM SENTATOR TOBIN, in response to Representative Prax, said that in regard to the program, the funds are not used for prevention but for students to get access to education. REPRESENTATIVE PRAX sought to ensure that an added burden would not be directed towards teachers. SENTATOR TOBIN confirmed it would not. 8:34:24 AM CO-CHAIR ALLARD moved to report SJR 17 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SJR 17 was reported out of the House Education Standing Committee.