HB 272-INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION  9:06:13 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 272, "An Act relating to education; increasing the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date. 9:06:25 AM CO-CHAIR STORY moved to report HB 272 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND objected for the purpose of discussion. 9:06:44 AM CO-CHAIR STORY, as prime sponsor, summarized HB 272. She reminded the committee that the funding for the base student allocation (BSA) has been flat for the past six years. She pointed out the drop in per-student funding. She reminded members that school district representatives have reported to the committee concerning the rise in fuel prices and other costs. She said that the result has been cuts in education, including teacher staffing, technological services, pre-K programs, and transportation. She stated that the proposed legislation would increase BSA to $6,153 per pupil. Additionally, there would be an increase the second year of $6,280 per pupil. The bill would set the intention of the legislature to increase BSA a year in advance, which would allow schools to focus on student achievement, not what needs to be cut. She reminded the committee that the federal COVID-19 relief funds are meant to address effects of the pandemic and not meant to replace state dollars. She argued that the proposed legislation would help to maintain and fund Alaska's public schools. She asked fellow committee members for their support. 9:09:44 AM The committee took an at-ease from 9:09 a.m. to 9:11 a.m. 9:11:07 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND removed her objection. 9:11:22 AM REPRESENTATIVE CRONK objected. 9:11:53 AM The committee took an at-ease from 9:11 a.m. to 9:12 a.m. 9:12:25 AM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Story, Hopkins, Zulkosky, and Drummond voted in favor of the motion to move HB 272 out of committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal notes. Representatives Cronk, Gillham, and Prax voted against it. Therefore, HB 272 was reported out of the House Education Standing Committee by a vote of 4-3.