SENATE BILL NO. 19 "An Act extending the special education service agency; and providing for an effective date." 10:34:03 AM Co-Chair Bishop recounted that the committee had heard public testimony on the bill March 2, 2021. 10:34:48 AM Senator Gary Stevens, Sponsor, relayed that the bill had to do with the Special Education Service Agency (SESA), which was valuable to the students of the state and needed funding stabilization. He said that the next 8 years held some difficulties due to the cost of business. 10:35:30 AM AT EASE 10:35:46 AM RECONVENED Senator Hoffman MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1, 32-LS020\B.3 (Fisher, 3/8/21), (copy on file). Co-Chair Bishop OBJECTED for discussion. 10:36:13 AM ERIN SHINE, STAFF, SENATOR CLICK BISHOP, addressed Amendment 1. She explained that the amendment would change the formula for funding the agency. She said the current formula was set at $18.65 times the state student average daily membership (ADM), the amendment would update that to $23.13 per ADM. Ms. Shine referenced a document that showed a graph of the Special Education Services Agency Fund Balance being modelled on a graph (copy on file). The sunset review of SESA had revealed that the statutory funding level had been flat since 2013; however, during that period there had been a 63 percent increase in their caseload. She shared that the executive director for SESA had provided an updated projection for SESAs funding level, which showed that, at current levels, funding for the agency would not be sufficient after 2025. Ms. Shine continued to address the amendment. She explained that relayed that the amendment sought to address the forthcoming budget shortfall for the agency; the estimated cost increase, based on the ADM is $577,000 per year. She noted Page 1, line 8 of the amendment reflected the proposed monetary change. She also cited the effective dates for the bill one for the sunset of SESA, effective June 30, 2021; although the funding increase could begin at the start of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2021. 10:38:42 AM Senator Wielechowski asked about the fiscal impact of the amendment. Ms. Shine responded that the numbers projected approximately $577,000 per year. 10:39:07 AM Senator von Imhof asked for verification that version A of the bill version extended the sunset date to 2028. Ms. Shine replied that the amendment was to version b of the bill and would extend the sunset date to 2029. 10:39:40 AM Senator Olson asked whether the sponsor was in favor of the amendment. Ms. Shine said that she had worked with the sponsors staff to craft the amendment. 10:40:01 AM Senator Stevens spoke to Amendment 1. He thought the amendment was marvelous and offered his full support. Co-Chair Bishop WITHDREW his objection. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Amendment 1 was ADOPTED. SB 19 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. Co-Chair Bishop shared that the agenda for the following day included a report on the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).