SB 1-BD OF ED./EARLY DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT  9:11:08 AM CHAIR DICK announced that the final order of business would be the CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 1(EDC), "An Act requiring the state Board of Education and Early Development to provide an annual report to the legislature." 9:11:27 AM THOMAS OBERMEYER, Staff, Senator Bettye Davis, Alaska State Legislature, introduced SB 1, paraphrasing from the sponsor statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: This bill requires that the Alaska State Board of Education shall prepare and present to State Legislature not later than the 30th day of each regular session an annual report that describes the efforts of the Board to develop, maintain, and continuously improve a comprehensive quality public education system as provided for under the bylaws of the Board. The report to the Legislature must include: 1. a summary of resolves and rationales provided in support of policy decisions; 2. program and curriculum changes made, discussed, or recommended in meetings; and 3. additional information relevant to efforts made to improve and maintain the public education system. This bill is intended to create a greater dialogue among Alaska legislators, Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), and the Board of Education which meets at least quarterly. Since Alaska legislators appropriate over $1 billion per year for state public education, which is a significant portion of the state budget, they must be at the center of the state's efforts to identify strengths and weaknesses of the current system, help determine a public agenda, set clear goals for K-12 and higher education, and hold institutions accountable for performance. The only way to achieve this is through cooperation and communication with the Board and the Department. Legislators take great pride and tremendous amounts of time and effort every session in trying to provide the best possible education, scholarships, and funding for Alaska students. The annual report required by this bill will assist both DEED and legislators early in each session in assessing new programs, curriculum changes, goals and priorities which may require more information or administrative and legislative action, during session. 9:13:41 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON reflected that the Board of Education had provided an annual report to the legislature, and asked if there was a need for additional reporting. MR. OBERMEYER replied that an oral report was often provided at some point during the session, but that a written report would furnish the information earlier in the legislative process. 9:15:24 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON pointed out that the proposed bill did not specify a written report and he asked for a clarification to the means of reporting. SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, Alaska State Legislature, replied that a written report would be expected. She shared that her reason for the proposed bill was to meet with the Board earlier in the session. She stated her desire for both a written report and an annual verbal presentation, preferably in January. She allowed that it was not necessary for the entire Board to come to meet in January, but that, at the least, the chair should personally attend. 9:19:39 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the report, as requested in the proposed bill, would provide the necessary analysis. He asked for an explanation to the zero fiscal note. 9:20:31 AM LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development (EED), explained that the zero fiscal note reflected the use of existing staff to collect the documentation for the issues addressed. 9:21:13 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the language in the proposed bill made clear to EED the requirement for a written report as well as a formal in-person presentation. 9:21:54 AM MR. MORSE replied that, currently, EED understood that there would be a written report, to be delivered in person. He reported that EED understood this to be the intent of the sponsor for the proposed bill. 9:22:49 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reported that a recommendation from the Alaska Advisory Task Force on Higher Education & Career Readiness (HECR) required a report to be issued on April 1, though there was also a recommendation for much closer contact between the Alaska State Legislature and the Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development. He offered his belief that the intent was to have a formal written report presented and brought to the committee for discussion. 9:24:07 AM CHAIR DICK closed public testimony. 9:24:35 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT moved to report CSSB 1(EDC), Version 27- LS0001\B, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. 9:24:50 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected, and asked to verify the version being passed. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON, upon corroboration, removed his objection. 9:25:06 AM There being no further objection, CSSB 1(EDC) was reported from the House Education Standing Committee.