SB 119-ATHLETIC TRAINERS; INTERSCHOL. ACTIVITIES  4:49:55 PM CHAIR OLSON announced that the final order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 119(L&C), "An Act relating to athletic trainers." 4:50:09 PM CHAIR OLSON lifted his objection to the adoption of the proposed HCS to CSSB 119(L&C), Version 27-LS0732\X, Kirsch, 4/10/12, which was left pending at the April 11, 2012 meeting. There being no further objection, Version X was before the committee. 4:50:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 27- LS0732\X.1, Kirsch, 4/13/12, which read as follows: Page 3, line 28, through page 4, line 12: Delete all material and insert: "Sec. 14.30.365. Interscholastic activities;  eligibility. (a) A full-time student who is eligible under (b) of this section who is enrolled in grades nine through 12 in an alternative education program that is located entirely in the state and that does not offer interscholastic activities is eligible to participate in any interscholastic activities program available in a public school (1) that, based on the residence of the parent or legal guardian, the student would be eligible to attend were the student not enrolled in an alternative education program; (2) at which the student is enrolled in one or more classes; or (3) that is closest geographically to the school at which the student attends the alternative education program. (b) A student is eligible to participate in interscholastic activities under this section if the student (1) is otherwise eligible to participate in interscholastic activities under requirements established by the school, the school district, and the statewide interscholastic activities governing body; (2) provides documentation, including academic transcripts, proof of full-time enrollment, and applicable disciplinary records, and, if required for participation in an activity by the school, requested medical records, to the school providing the interscholastic activities program; and (3) claims the same school for interscholastic activities eligibility purposes during a school year." Reletter the following subsection accordingly. CHAIR OLSON objected for purpose of discussion. 4:50:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES explained that Amendment 1 relates to interscholastic activities and eligibility subsection of SB 119. The bill as drafted would allow students enrolled in alternatives programs that do not offered interscholastic activities to go to another school. She explained that she graduated from West High, but attended Steller Alternative High School for several years. She played sports at Romig Middle School and at West High School. Thus she came from a school without interscholastic activities, but attended a school that did; however, in her junior year she needed to take some math and science classes outside of Steller High School. At the time West High School had a rotating schedule that did not mesh with West High School so she attended Dimond High School for her math and science classes. She related that SB 119 would have required her to go to Steller, drive part way across town to take classes to take at Dimond, then drive back to West High School to participate in sports; alternatively at school attending one or more classes. She did not think this was the intent of the bill. REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES explained that Amendment 1 would allow the student the option to attend the local district school for sports and activities. She referred to page 1, lines 11, participate in a school where the student is enrolled in one or more classes, such as when she took classes at Dimond High School; or third, to participate in interscholastic activities to the school which is closest geographically to the alternative high school the student attends. She related a scenario in which a student lives in south Anchorage, but attends Steller Alternative School, which does not provide bus services, but could easily travel to West High School, which is close to Steller Alternative High School. She related the third alternative is that the student could attend the school which is geographically close to the alternative school. She offered the goal to not disenfranchise students and to allow students to participate in after school activities. 4:54:10 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER suggested that Amendment 1 seems somewhat convoluted. He referred to paragraph 2. He related that a student enrolled in alternative school or is homeschooled. He asked whether Amendment 1 would require the student to take one class at the public school. REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES answered that is an "or" so it is an either or to allow for more options. She suggested the activity could be orchestra, band, or drama club. She explained that it may be important for homeschooled students to their socialization. She explained that students attending an alternative school or a private school may need options, too. She characterized her intent is to make it as inclusive as possible. 4:56:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked for clarification on Amendment 1. He asked if a student lives in South Anchorage and attends Steller Alternative High School whether the student would need to attend West High School or could attend one close to his/her home. REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES agreed. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON noted the definitions had not been changed. 4:57:26 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER related his understanding the original bill was written to prevent school shopping if a student wanted to play on a good hockey team. He related a scenario in which a student under paragraph 2 could take one class at a school, not limited to the same district. He wondered how it would affect a student already taking a full load of classes. He further asked whether the student who is homeschooled would need to take a class in a public school. He referred to paragraph 3, which would mean that a student living in South Anchorage, attending the IDEA program, would be limited to take a class in Galena since that is the closest geographically to his/her program. He also asked how many people would be affected since her circumstance seemed somewhat unusual. REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES answered that SB 119 could potentially affect any home schooled or alternative school student who chooses to play sports or to participate in activities. She offered her belief that it could affect a lot of students. She suggested the original drafting might pose problems with respect to rides to attend. She recalled she was able to carpool; however transportation may be an issue for some students, which is why she developed options in Amendment 1. 5:01:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON expressed concerns that some people might attempt to obtain an outstanding athlete under Amendment 1 by getting them to take to a class. He related a scenario in which an outstanding athlete attends Grace Christian School or Saint Mary's Catholic School and the coach is willing to pick them up and drive them to any school. He stated that he comes from a competitive sports area so he could envision issues arising. He concluded that Amendment 1 has unintended consequences. He understood Representative Holmes is trying to fix the issue for homeschool or alternative school students, but he did not want to open it up to allow people to stack a team with outstanding athletes. He reiterated he wanted to avoid the temptation of abuses to happen. He suggested he may need to mull over Amendment 1. 5:03:43 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES stated this bill would have excluded her from participating in activities. She had transportation issues. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON suggested one solution may be to create priorities for students who need to take the classes for graduation, the option would be a priority, but if the classes were available at his/her own school the student could not attend. REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES considered his suggestion to be a friendly amendment. 5:04:45 PM CHAIR OLSON suggested the Amendment 1 be withdrawn and Representative Johnson and Holmes could develop the language to address the concerns. REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES withdrew Amendment 1. CHAIR OLSON, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on SB 119. [SB 119 was held over.]