HB 273-INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOC. INFLATION  [Contains discussion of HB 164.] 9:15:17 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 273, "An Act relating to education; increasing the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date." [Before the committee, adopted as a working document during the 2/11/22 House Education Standing Committee meeting, was the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 273, Version 32-LS1366\W, Marx, 2/7/22 ("Version W").] 9:15:36 AM CO-CHAIR STORY moved to report CSHB 273, Version 32-LS1366\W, Marx, 2/7/22, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. 9:15:52 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND objected for the purpose of discussion. CO-CHAIR STORY, as prime sponsor, summarized Version W. She reviewed that the bill would inflation-proof the base student allocation (BSA) every year on July 1, starting with fiscal year 2024. This would be done using a three-year average of the consumer price index for urban Alaska, with a one-year gap. She stated the cost would be $26,136,000. She stated that there is a recognition of increased costs to delivering education in Alaska; however, this modest increase would help maintain services to students by creating efficiencies, which would allow districts to focus on student achievement instead of what needs to be cut from the budget. She encouraged her fellow committee members to vote in favor of the bill. 9:17:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX cited that the Wielechowski v. State of Alaska, 403P.3d 1141, 1150 n.52, (2017), decision put forth that appropriation supersedes statutes, "so there's no way to control it." He argued that this legislature should not be telling future legislatures how to spend money. He remarked that the legislature has no control over the consumer price index; therefore, the future of the price index is unknown. 9:18:46 AM REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM commented that HB 164 has provisions which would accomplish the same things as the proposed legislation. He recommended bringing HB 164 back before the committee. 9:19:11 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND remarked that past legislatures have had issues increasing BSA. She expressed agreement with Representative Gillham on moving HB 164; however, she said those expenditures would be in addition to BSA and the foundation. She said because of fixed costs, schools have had to make cuts in the classroom, which adversely affects students. 9:20:45 AM CO-CHAIR STORY, responding to the comment from Representative Prax, emphasized that the legislature never seems to finish its budget before schools must create theirs. 9:22:05 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND removed her objection. 9:22:11 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected. 9:22:19 AM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Story, Hopkins, Zulkosky, and Drummond voted in favor of the motion to move CSHB 273, Version 32-LS1366\W, Marx, 2/7/22, out of committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal notes. Representatives Cronk, Gillham, and Prax voted against it. Therefore, CSHB 273(EDC) was reported out of the House Education Standing Committee by a vote of 4-3.