SB 346-SCHOOL DISTRICT CORRESPONDENCE STUDY  SENATOR LEMAN, sponsor of SB 346, reminded members that SB 346 is legislation that deals with regulations by the Department of Education and Early Development (DOEED) that pertain to statewide correspondence schools. He noted that members have heard a lot about the issue, so asked that it be reported from committee if the Chairwoman is ready. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN noted that a committee substitute (CS) needs to be adopted. SENATOR LEMAN moved to adopt the Senate HESS CS to SB 346. SENATOR DAVIS asked if a new CS is before the committee. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN informed members that she was referring to Version C, which was distributed to members at the last hearing. SENATOR DAVIS asked what changes have been made in Version C. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN said that since the last hearing there has been a meeting of the minds between the correspondence school and DOEED. She said she wants to be sure this legislation keeps moving. MS. WHITNEY HIGHLAND, staff to Senator Leman, informed members that the changes considered at the last hearing pertained to whether a subsection of SB 346 should be placed in another section of statute. She spoke with Mike Ford, legislative counsel, who indicated that language should remain as is - placed in the section of statute that deals with the duties of local school districts and not the state school board. Therefore, no change was made to Version C. SENATOR DAVIS said she was pleased this bill was put on hold while the state board had an opportunity to review the proposed regulations. She said from everything she has read, it appears the state board has already addressed the problem that SB 346 was designed to fix. The state board has put the revised regulations out for public review so she questioned what the purpose of SB 346 is at this date. She expressed concern that it is premature and that legislators should allow the process to complete its course before changing the statute. She noted the people who requested SB 346 are the same people who are now saying that the revised regulations have met their needs. SENATOR LEMAN said SB 346 was originally introduced to respond to DOEED's overreach during the regulatory process. Regarding the purpose for the bill now, DOEED has proposed revising its regulations in response to concerns expressed by many parents across Alaska but the revisions will not be finalized until June. He anticipates that this legislature will be adjourned by that time. Consequently, the purpose of SB 346 is to give direction to a department that has shown it needs it. He said he is very pleased with the changes made by DOEED, but the purpose of the legislature is to give direction to the departments. SENATOR DAVIS said the Administrative Regulation Review Committee addresses problems with the regulatory process and that committee has reviewed the process and is waiting for the outcome. She asked why this issue cannot be addressed by the next legislature if the problem is not resolved by the revised regulations. She said she doesn't believe the legislature should be second- guessing what DOEED is going to do and repeated that the same parents who came to Senator Leman are now saying they are satisfied with the process. She advised that the proposed regulations will not be changed while they are under review and DOEED and the parents are happy with the changes. She noted that legislators are policymakers but she does not see the need to take any action at this time. SENATOR LEMAN said he disagrees and that it is his opinion that because this legislation was introduced, DOEED came to the table and listened and responded. SENATOR WILKEN said he too thought this issue was being worked out at the table. He asked that a representative from DOEED comment on Version C. MS. TERRI CAMPBELL, legislative liaison for DOEED, said she was not aware that SB 346 would be heard today so was not prepared to comment. SENATOR WILKEN said he was surprised that Version C was before the committee without Dr. McLain being present. MS. HIGHLAND informed members that the IDEA program is the only home school study program that has come out in support of the new regulations. Hundreds of other home school parents and the Cyber Links program are not satisfied with the new regulations. SENATOR DAVIS removed her objection to the motion to adopt Version C for the purpose of discussion. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN asked if the committee discussed adding the phrase "state-funded" to line 7, page 2. No one responded. SENATOR LEMAN moved CSSB 346(HES) from committee with individual recommendations. SENATOR DAVIS objected. SENATOR WILKEN asked if members want to hear from Dr. McLain before this bill leaves the committee. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN announced the committee would take a brief at- ease. The committee reconvened and Chairwoman Green announced that the committee would take SB 346 up again on Wednesday. She asked members to make sure any of their concerns are "ironed" out and back to her because she intends to move the legislation out of committee on Wednesday. SENATOR WILKEN asked Ms. Highland to bring members a list of other people's concerns. CHAIRWOMAN GREEN informed members that the Administrative Regulation Review Committee has asked her to move this legislation forward. She then announced that the committee will hear the ATAP legislation on Wednesday and adjourned the meeting at 2:47 p.m.