HB 53-MILITARY CHILDREN SCHOOL RESIDENCY WAIVER  8:04:00 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 53, "An Act relating to residency requirements for public school enrollment for certain children of active duty military and National Guard members." [Before the committee was CSHB 53(MLV).] 8:04:20 AM REPRESENTATIVE KEN MCCARTY, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, introduced HB 53. He said children of military servicemembers are currently not allowed to enroll in school until arrival in Alaska, resulting in missed deadlines and late course enrollment. Allowing registration, enrollment, or application prior to establishing residency, but with documentation of a pending military relocation to the state, would reduce stress on the family and children during the transition between locations. He said no new online systems would be required, and advanced enrollment benefits school districts by allowing them to make projections based on expected student population. 8:06:56 AM The committee took an at-ease from 8:06 a.m. to 8:07 a.m. 8:07:38 AM DENEEN TUCK, Staff, Representative Ken McCarty, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative McCarty, prime sponsor, reminded the committee that similar legislation was heard during the Thirty-First Alaska State Legislature as HB 109. She said the only difference between the two bills is a definition of the word "guardian." 8:08:46 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked for a definition of "PCS," as referenced by Representative McCarty. MS. TUCK deferred to Ms. Perreault. 8:09:17 AM TAMMIE PERREAULT, Northwest Regional Liaison, Defense-State Liaison Office, U.S. Department of Defense, testified in support of HB 53. She explained that PCS means "permanent change of station," a term used when military personnel receive orders to move to a different duty station. 8:10:20 AM REPRESENTATIVE STORY shared her supposition that many states allow the practice as proposed in HB 53. MS. PERREAULT replied that the policy is very popular in other states. 8:11:26 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked whether there is a fiscal note attached to HB 53. REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY replied no. MS. TUCK briefly reviewed two zero fiscal notes. REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY said he meant that there were two zero fiscal notes. 8:13:21 AM REPRESENTATIVE STORY shared her understanding that the proposal under HB 53 is currently being practiced, and that the proposed legislation would formalize the practice in statute. REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY replied that is correct. REPRESENTATIVE STORY said she believes the bill is very good for families relocating to Alaska. 8:14:27 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND said HB 53 was held over.