ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 20, 2022
9:11 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Roger Holland, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes
Senator Peter Micciche
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Tom Begich
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 196,
"An Act relating to transparency and compelled speech in public
education."
Moved CSSB 196(EDC) Out of Committee
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 132(FIN)
"An Act relating to technical education and registered
apprenticeships."
Moved SCS CSHB 132(EDC) Out of Committee
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 196
SHORT TITLE: PUBLIC ED: SPEECH, DISCLOSE INST MATERIAL
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) REINBOLD
02/15/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/15/22 (S) EDC, JUD
03/25/22 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/25/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/25/22 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/04/22 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/04/22 (S) Heard & Held
04/04/22 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/13/22 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/13/22 (S) Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
04/20/22 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/20/22 (S) Moved CSSB 196(EDC) Out of Committee
04/20/22 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
BILL: HB 132
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL APPRENTICESHIP PROGS; TAX CREDITS
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
03/10/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/10/21 (H) L&C, EDC, FIN
03/15/21 (H) L&C AT 6:30 PM BARNES 124
03/15/21 (H) Heard & Held
03/15/21 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/22/21 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/22/21 (H) Moved CSHB 132(L&C) Out of Committee
03/22/21 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/22/21 (H) L&C AT 6:30 PM DAVIS 106
03/22/21 (H) -- Public Testimony --
03/25/21 (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) NEW TITLE 5DP 1AM
03/25/21 (H) DP: SNYDER, SCHRAGE, MCCARTY,
SPOHNHOLZ, FIELDS
03/25/21 (H) AM: NELSON
04/09/21 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
04/09/21 (H) Heard & Held
04/09/21 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
04/19/21 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
04/19/21 (H) Heard & Held
04/19/21 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
04/23/21 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
04/23/21 (H) Moved CSHB 132(EDC) Out of Committee
04/23/21 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
04/28/21 (H) EDC RPT CS(EDC) NEW TITLE 3DP 3NR
04/28/21 (H) DP: ZULKOSKY, DRUMMOND, STORY
04/28/21 (H) NR: CRONK, GILLHAM, HOPKINS
05/06/21 (H) FIN AT 9:00 AM ADAMS 519
05/06/21 (H) Heard & Held
05/06/21 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
05/07/21 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM ADAMS 519
05/07/21 (H) Heard & Held
05/07/21 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
05/14/21 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM ADAMS 519
05/14/21 (H) Moved CSHB 132(FIN) Out of Committee
05/14/21 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
05/18/21 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) NEW TITLE 7DP 1DNP 2NR
05/18/21 (H) DP: ORTIZ, EDGMON, LEBON, THOMPSON,
WOOL, MERRICK, FOSTER
05/18/21 (H) DNP: CARPENTER
05/18/21 (H) NR: JOHNSON, JOSEPHSON
05/19/21 (H) LIMIT ALL DEBATE TO 2 MIN EACH Y23 N16
E1
05/19/21 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/19/21 (H) VERSION: CSHB 132(FIN)
01/18/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/22 (S) EDC, L&C, FIN
03/11/22 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/11/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/11/22 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/11/22 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/11/22 (S) Heard & Held
04/11/22 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/13/22 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/13/22 (S) -- Public Testimony --
04/20/22 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/20/22 (S) Moved SCS CSHB 132(EDC) Out of
Committee
04/20/22 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR LORA REINBOLD
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 196.
ANDY BULLICH, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 132.
ED KING, Staff
Senator Roger Holland
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on HB 132.
JIM ANDERSON, Chief Financial Officer
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions and testified in support
HB 132.
SONDRA MEREDITH, Teacher Certification Administrator
Innovation and Education Excellence
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on HB 132.
REPRESENTATIVE ZACH FIELDS
Alaska State Legislator
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 132.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:11:59 AM
CHAIR ROGER HOLLAND called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:11 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Hughes, Stevens, Micciche, and Chair
Holland.
SB 196-PUBLIC ED: SPEECH, DISCLOSE INST MATERIAL
9:12:50 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
196, "An Act relating to transparency and compelled speech in
public education."
[SB 196 was previously heard on 3/25/2022, and 4/4/2022.]
9:13:22 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 32-
LS0768\O.1.
32-LS0768\O.1
Marx
4/9/22
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR HUGHES
Page 3, line 22:
Delete "material is used"
Insert "most recent use of the material"
9:13:24 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion.
9:13:30 AM
SENATOR HUGHES explained that Amendment 1 would clarify the
sponsor's intention on page 3, line 22, that schools shall
retain information about training, instructional, and curricular
materials for at least two years after the most recent use of
the material.
9:13:50 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND recalled the discussion that led to Amendment 1.
9:14:10 AM
At ease
9:14:30 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND reconvened the meeting.
9:14:43 AM
SENATOR STEVENS questioned whether requiring the language "most
recent material would restrict it solely to the most recent
material. He related his understanding that the intent was to
capture all of the curricular materials.
SENATOR HUGHES responded that Amendment 1 relates to the most
recent use of the curriculum, not the most recent version. The
question was whether the two-year period posting requirement
would begin with the last use of the material.
9:15:35 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection.
9:15:45 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE objected for further discussion. He suggested
that the grammar in that sentence did not seem to work.
9:16:01 AM
SENATOR HUGHES responded that Legislative Legal Services drafted
Amendment 1. She summarized the discussion in committee related
to the material used by schools. The question was, once a school
began using the material, whether it would need to retain the
material from that point or if the school must keep it posted
from the point the school stopped using the material.
9:16:30 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND read the language incorporating Amendment 1.
The school shall retain information about training,
instructional, and curricular material for at least
two years after the most recent use of the material.
CHAIR HOLLAND said he thought the language read well.
9:17:23 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE maintained his objection.
9:17:39 AM
SENATOR HUGHES suggested replacing "after" with "since." She
offered her view that without the amendment, it could create
confusion about when the two-year clock would begin.
SENATOR MICCICHE interpreted Amendment 1 to mean that a school
would use the material in a course, but "the most recent" would
not accomplish what the sponsor intended. He said the
[subsection] was clear. He suggested that if the goal were to
set a clock, it would be two years after the beginning of the
course or the end of the course date. He offered his belief that
subsection (c) already states it. He asked for clarification on
whether this would capture the point in time where the two years
began.
SENATOR HUGHES answered yes.
9:19:08 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment to
Amendment 1, on page 3, line 22:
Delete "material is used"
Insert "completion of the course"
CHAIR HOLLAND asked how the language would read.
9:19:49 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE stated that incorporating Conceptual Amendment
1 to Amendment 1, the language on page 3, lines 20-22 would
read, "The school shall retain information about training,
instructional, and curricular material for at least two years
after the completion of the course.
9:20:14 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND solicited a motion.
9:20:19 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE pointed out that he had moved to adopt
Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 1.
9:20:22 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion.
9:20:24 AM
SENATOR HUGHES stated support for Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 1.
9:20:33 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND withdrew his objection; he found no further
objection, and Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 1 was
adopted.
9:20:45 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection to Amendment 1; he found no
further objection, and Amendment 1, as amended, was adopted.
9:21:18 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt Amendment 2, work order 32-
LS0768\O.2.
32-LS0768\O.2
Marx
4/9/22
AMENDMENT 2
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR HUGHES
Page 3, line 27:
Delete "may not"
Page 3, line 28, through page 4, line 1:
Delete all material and insert:
"(1) may allow a teacher, administrator, or
other employee to include in a course or award course
grading, credit, or extra credit for political
activism, lobbying or efforts to persuade members of
the executive or legislative branch at the local,
state, or federal level to take specific action, or
any practicum or similar activity involving social or
public policy advocacy, if the teacher, administrator,
or other employee does not direct or otherwise compel
a student or a teacher, administrator, or other
employee to affirm, adopt, or adhere to a specific
belief or concept;"
Page 4, line 2, following "(2)":
Insert "may not"
Page 4, line 20, following "(3)":
Insert "may not"
Page 4, lines 23 - 24:
Delete "in activism or advocacy as described in
(1) of this subsection"
Insert "to affirm, adopt, or adhere to a specific
belief or concept"
Page 5, line 6, following "(4)":
Insert "may not"
9:21:21 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion.
9:21:23 AM
SENATOR HUGHES explained that Amendment 2 would allow student
participation but teachers could not tell students what topic or
position they should take. She related that the committee held
discussions on the importance of civic education and for
students to interact with the legislature and Congress. For
instance, she had received numerous letters from grade school
and high school students weighing in on certain issues.
CHAIR HOLLAND related his understanding that Amendment 2 was to
ensure that students could send political postcards to
legislators. It would allow that participation so long as the
teacher did not take specific action to compel students to do
something.
9:22:51 AM
SENATOR HUGHES responded that students would be free to pick
their position on a topic. She related an instance in the
Anchorage School District where credit was being offered for
students to take a certain position. She said that students
should make up their minds about issues.
CHAIR HOLLAND offered his support for Amendment 2.
9:23:14 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection; he found no further
objection, and Amendment 2 was adopted.
9:24:01 AM
SENATOR LORA REINBOLD, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SB 196, stated that the intent of Amendment 2 was
good because it indicates what the teacher "may" be allowed to
do. She noted that the language on page 4, lines 20 and 20-23
indicates what the teacher may not do.
CHAIR HOLLAND recalled earlier discussions on the topic. He
suggested that this language would allow outreach but restrict
teachers from compelling students to take a specific position on
an issue.
SENATOR REINBOLD clarified that the language was never intended
to restrict outreach or education, but to restrict divisive
concepts.
9:25:42 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE related his understanding that the committee
would like students to be involved but not directed to take a
certain opinion. Amendment 2 would allow student involvement,
including receiving credit for doing so, without compelling
students to take a certain position. He asked whether she was in
favor of that concept.
SENATOR REINBOLD responded that she would support Amendment 2 if
that were the intent.
9:26:26 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked for examples of teachers forcing students
to take certain positions.
SENATOR REINBOLD said one example was that some teachers were
encouraging the students to take a position regarding the Walker
administration's budget. She stated that she would like students
to have the freedom to make their own decisions using critical
thinking rather than being directed.
9:27:28 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked for other examples.
SENATOR REINBOLD responded that some of the disparaging remarks
made about race included that people of a certain race were
automatically considered oppressors. She stated that she was
trying to prevent negative things from happening in the future.
She suggested Amendment 2 was in response to some of the books
being allowed as part of the curriculum. For instance, she
wanted to ensure that Caucasians were not automatically
considered oppressors simply because they were white and that
blacks were not victims based solely on their race. She
expressed her interest in schools not teaching divisive things
or teachers imposing their opinions on students. She related
that when she was a substitute teacher, one teacher was anti-
war, but about 100 students had parents who were deployed, so
their teacher anti-war views were alarming to them. She stated
students felt empowered by speaking out against that teacher's
views.
9:30:43 AM
SENATOR STEVENS agreed that it was wise not to tell students the
position they must take. He said he appreciated her sharing her
experiences in the classroom because the more detail and
examples she could give would more clearly define the issue.
9:31:05 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE highlighted that Senator Reinbold was sometimes
opinionated. If she had been a substitute teacher during COVID-
19, he wondered whether she would have had to present both sides
of the issue. This bill would not allow her to ask the students
to be active in COVID-19 anti-vaccination or anti-masking
policies. She would not have been able to direct students to
become active in the anti-vaccination issues or give them credit
for that. He noted that she could inform students of the issues
and allow them to make their own decisions. He asked how she
would feel about being unable to send "a little army of eighth
graders out." He noted that teachers must stay neutral about the
issues.
9:32:43 AM
SENATOR REINBOLD suggested that his question was off-topic. She
explained that SB 196 would give specific guidance. She
paraphrased the language on page 4 that indicates that teachers
may not direct or otherwise compel a student to affirm, adopt,
or adhere to the belief or concepts that
(A) the United States or the state is fundamentally or
irredeemably racist or sexist;
(B) an individual, by virtue of sex, race, ethnicity,
religion, color, or national origin, is, consciously
or unconsciously, inherently racist, sexist, or
oppressive;
(C) an individual, by virtue of sex, race, ethnicity,
religion, color, or national origin, is blameworthy
for actions committed in the past by other members of
the same sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or
national origin;(D) an individual's moral character is
necessarily determined, in whole or in part, by the
individual's sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or
national origin;
(E) a sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or
national origin is 17 inherently superior or inferior;
or
SENATOR REINBOLD opined that the provisions put bookends on
what can be taught.
9:33:55 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND stated he would like to return to the topic of
Amendment 2.
SENATOR MICCICHE said his comments were about Amendment 2.
CHAIR HOLLAND asked Senator Reinbold if she supported Amendment
2.
SENATOR REINBOLD answered yes.
SENATOR MICCICHE stated Amendment 2 was specifically about
prohibiting compelled speech. He maintained that he wanted to
clarify that it goes both ways. He noted that Amendment 2 allows
for course credit for student proactive work, which he
supports, but it does not allow teachers to steer students in
one direction or another.
CHAIR HOLLAND stated he was unsure that Senator Reinbold's
opinion on either side of any issue would affect the amendment.
9:35:02 AM
SENATOR HUGHES noted that the sponsor had cited a different part
of the bill. She clarified that Amendment 2 relates to compelled
speech and was not limited to Critical Race Theory (CRT) but
would apply to any topic, including taxes, the permanent fund
dividend, or abortion. She indicated that students would be free
to take their position on COVID-19 issues.
CHAIR HOLLAND related that teachers could tell their students
they could write a postcard with their thoughts about COVID-19.
9:35:51 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection; he found no further
objection, and Amendment 2 was adopted.
9:36:10 AM
SENATOR HUGHES recalled some members had raised concern that SB
196 might inhibit teachers from teaching history, including the
Civil War or about Martin Luther King, Jr. She indicated that
she had discussed this with Legislative Legal Services (Leg
Legal) and the wording "affirmthat was adopted here. Leg Legal
did not believe language needed to be added to show that nothing
in this section would prohibit teaching American history. She
asked the record to clarify that Legislative Legal Services
believes that teachers could teach American or Alaska history.
She also noted that some suggestions were made that CRT was only
taught at the university level. She directed attention to a
poster in documents posted on BASIS related to the eligibility
for a class at the University of Alaska directed to Anchorage
School District and middle college educators. The title of the
course was the Anti-racist Writing Workshop; How to Decolonize
the Creative Classroom. She noted that this included a $3,000
stipend and a $200 book stipend for participants. The course was
held at the UAA campus on December 4 and 18, 2021.
SENATOR HUGHES recalled reading about the National Education
Association's National Conference discussing this topic. She
offered her view that this had infiltrated into classrooms
despite school board policies. She related that this appeared to
be a trend of thinking that some educators were exposed to, so
she offered her belief that SB 196 was an important policy. She
offered her support for SB 196.
9:38:55 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE stated that this bill has a Senate Judiciary
Committee referral. He said he hoped the committee would remove
the specific suggestions of damages listed in Section 4 because
he would have difficulty supporting the bill with that language.
He acknowledged the importance of giving people standing in
Superior Court. However, he stated that he did not support
identifying how those damages should be delivered in the bill,
which makes a case for an attorney. He characterized it as his
personal gripe because the courts and attorneys can make those
decisions.
SENATOR HUGHES agreed that Section 4 needed some fixes, but she
had decided that the Senate Judiciary Committee should consider
those provisions.
9:39:56 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked for clarification of the intent of SB 196.
He stated that he had served as a professor of history for 25
years, often teaching Western Civilization and US History. He
indicated that he had taught and textbooks have proclaimed the
Holocaust, in which 6 million Jewish people were killed during
WWII by Nazi Germany. He related that the primary reason he had
seen, which textbooks agree, was that the Civil War was an issue
of slavery, both pro-slavery and anti-slavery. Some people do
not agree and argue that it was a war over states' rights. Some
people say the Holocaust never occurred and that it was all a
lie. He asked how this bill would affect him as a history
teacher. He asked whether this bill would inhibit him from
teaching what the historians agree upon, specifically related to
those issues.
9:41:14 AM
SENATOR REINBOLD responded that he would be allowed to teach
anything regarding the Civil War and the Holocaust. She said the
bill encourages it. This bill would not allow teachers to teach
concepts that because a person is white, they are an oppressor
because those concepts are creeping into the classrooms. She
stated that the goal of SB 196 is dignity and transparency in
education. She noted that online teaching materials promote
transparency and help parents teach their children. She thanked
the committee for hearing the bill.
9:42:54 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report SB 196, work order 32-LS0768\O,
as amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
9:43:14 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND found no objection, and CSSB 196(EDC) was reported
from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
9:43:30 AM
At ease
HB 132-SCHOOL APPRENTICESHIP PROGS; TAX CREDITS
9:47:33 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 132(FIN) "An Act relating
to technical education and registered apprenticeships."
[The Senate committee substitute (SCS) for HB 132, work order
32-LS0476\R, was adopted during the 4/11/2022 hearing.]
9:47:51 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony on HB 132.
9:48:26 AM
ANDY BULLICH, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, stated that he
had taught construction and metal shop at Juneau-Douglas High
School for 20 years and owns his own roofing business. He
advocated for involving high school students in apprenticeships
in high school to the fullest extent possible. He offered his
belief that it inspires them. He noted the demand for skilled
laborers. The pre-apprenticeship programs provide a natural
conduit for the student and employer. He related that the
employers and students can each figure out if the relationship
works without investing significant time. He indicated that it
shows kids what a life in skilled trades provides.
MR. BULLICH suggested that 16-18 year old students could operate
power tools and climb ladders. He highlighted that finding a way
to minimize the liability that employers would have at job sites
would help these programs to succeed. He said he works with high
school students to build a house. They climb ladders and use
power tools successfully, so there should be a way to extend
those practices into the apprenticeship programs.
MR. BULLICH thanked the committee for supporting these programs.
He said Alaska is doing well nationally and he feels supported
by the state and the school district.
9:51:09 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how to minimize the liability for
employers.
9:51:21 AM
MR. BULLICH stated that education helps provide skills. He noted
that in 20 years of teaching he had not experienced any bad
accidents. He attributed minimizing the likelihood of injuries
to good sound education. He emphasized the importance of keeping
shop teachers involved with the employer and the student during
this process to maintain a relationship.
SENATOR STEVENS acknowledged the importance of minimizing
injuries but providing students with real life experiences.
9:52:22 AM
MR. BULLICH stated that the bill allows the student to be on the
job site and not do anything, which isn't beneficial to the
student or to the employer. The students have to have some
responsibility under supervision. He recalled student teaching
in Minnesota, using a model where the kids would spend half a
day at a welding shop or job site using tools and welding
equipment. He characterized that model as highly successful.
9:52:55 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked for suggested improvements to the bill.
MR. BULLICH responded that he especially liked the language on
page 4 that "using funds available for that purpose," but to add
language that would address the ladders and power tools. He
offered his view that it was important to decrease the liability
for the employer. He explained that currently, when he and the
students are at the job site building a house by Dzantik'i Heeni
Middle School, the school insurance policy covers the student.
He wondered if it would be possible for the school district to
pick up some of the liability insurance. He suggested that the
funds refereed to in subparagraph (18) could offset some of the
liability insurance for the school district.
9:54:11 AM
SENATOR HUGHES wondered if parents were signing a waiver
acknowledging that the students face some risks by using power
equipment. She surmised that the school was providing safety
training.
Mr. BULLICH answered that the students undergo rigorous safety
training and parents do sign waivers. He emphasized that the
culture that would be built into the program was critical. He
indicated that he felt good about what the high school was doing
that was done by many of his colleagues. He related that he
participates in the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) Grant Advisory Committee
meetings. He stated that many teachers throughout the state
receive federal Perkins IV funding, so they have established
relationships with contractors. He highlighted that identifying
good teachers, contractors, and students was important. He said
he did not see any downside to the legislation, and that it
would be fantastic if this could happen.
9:55:32 AM
SENATOR HUGHES offered her view that there would not be
restrictions on providing funding to school districts to cover
liability insurance. She suggested that would be a good question
for Legislative Legal Services. She wondered if it was necessary
to amend the bill or if it was sufficient that the committee's
intent to use some of the funds for that purpose. She imagined
that school districts would support safety training.
9:56:16 AM
MR. BULLICH commented that the 16-18 year old students were the
sweet spot. He noted that once they turn 18, many rules don't
apply, but it was important to have summer job opportunities for
16-18 year olds.
9:56:48 AM
ED KING, Staff, Senator Roger Holland, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, directed attention to the language on page 5,
line 21 of Version R, "(3) the tuition paid by the school
district for each student for program participation, ..." He
said this was money that could alleviate the cost of insurance
and other associated costs because there are mechanisms for that
funding to flow to those agencies. He referred to page 5, line
18, "(1) a description of the program, including the program
curriculum;" that could definitely include safety and other
training. He suggested that it would be challenging to insert
that language because the language in the bill was more
expansive than those types of programs. He offered his view that
it was preferable to leave that latitude for the districts.
9:58:40 AM
JIM ANDERSON, Chief Financial Officer, Anchorage School
District, Anchorage, Alaska, spoke in support HB 132. He stated
that Anchorage had been building partnerships with businesses
and programs throughout the city for many years. He reported
that the district had identified two dozen distinct career
fields, including art design, biomedical, telecommunications,
carpentry, and others. Students receive course credit for their
time, effort, and acquisition of skills. ASD does not focus
purely on apprentice programs but rather on providing as many
career pathways as possible for students.
MR. ANDERSON responded to the previous testifier who asked
whether school districts could provide insurance. He pointed out
that insurance for Anchorage used to be easy. However, because
of assaults and violence occurring in schools in the Lower 48 in
the last few years, it took until April 25 to acquire insurance
rates for the current fiscal year. He offered his belief that it
would be problematic for school districts to restart
negotiations on insurance to include outside organizations not
under the control of the district. He restated support for SB
132 and expressed hope that the forthcoming amendments would
focus on students, not adults and special interest groups.
10:00:58 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND closed public testimony on HB 132.
10:01:33 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 32-
LS0476\R.1.
32-LS0476\R.1
Klein
4/13/22
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR HUGHES
TO: SCS HB 132(EDC), Draft Version "R"
Page 8, line 5:
Delete "[A] parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt,
or uncle"
Insert "relative [A PARENT]"
Page 8, lines 6 - 7:
Delete "parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, or
uncle"
Insert "relative [PARENT]"
Page 8, lines 7 - 8:
Delete "parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, or
uncle"
Insert "relative [PARENT]"
Page 8, line 8, following "child.":
Insert "In this subsection, "relative" means a
child's mother, mother-in-law, father, father-in-law,
sister, sister-in-law, brother, brother-in-law,
grandparent, aunt, or uncle."
10:01:35 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion.
10:01:37 AM
SENATOR HUGHES explained that Amendment 1 was brought to her
attention by the Co-Chair of the House Education Committee. It
adds clarity as to who is included in the term relative.
10:02:28 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection, he found no further
objection, and Amendment 1 was adopted.
10:02:47 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt Amendment 2, work order 32-
LS0476\R.5.
32-LS0476\R.5
Marx/Klein
4/19/22
AMENDMENT 2
OFFERED IN THE SENATE
TO: SCS HB 132(EDC), Draft Version "R"
Page 1, line 1, following "apprenticeships;":
Insert "relating to school terms;"
Page 1, following line 7:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 2. AS 14.03.030 is amended to read:
Sec. 14.03.030. School term. A school term begins
and ends on the dates fixed by the governing body of a
school district. A school term shall include not less
than 180 days in session unless [, WITH THE APPROVAL
OF THE COMMISSIONER,]
(1) a day used for in-service training of
teachers is substituted for a day in session, up to a
maximum of 10 days;
(2) an "emergency closure day" is
substituted for a day in session because of conditions
posing a threat to the health or safety of students;
or
(3) the school board adopts a different
school term that includes at least 740 hours of
instruction and study periods for pupils in
kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third
grade and at least 900 hours of instruction and study
periods for pupils in grades four through 12 [IF THE
COMMISSIONER FINDS THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS SUBMITTED
AN ACCEPTABLE PLAN UNDER WHICH STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE
THE APPROXIMATE EDUCATIONAL EQUIVALENT OF A 180-DAY
TERM]."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
10:02:49 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for discussion purposes.
10:02:50 AM
SENATOR HUGHES stated her intent to withdraw Amendment 2 after
it is discussed on record. She said that panels of
superintendents have indicated the need to change the 180 day
school term to hours because some high schools want to go to a
four-day week, which works out well with sports. She stated that
it might mean that classrooms might be half-full because
students were out for class trips. She related her understanding
that depending on the school location, it might require a long
ferry ride so having a four-day school week makes sense and
should be addressed. She related her understanding that the
Teachers Retirement system (TRS) would need technical fixes. She
suggested that it should be decided locally rather than by the
department. She urged the Department of Administration to
consider how this could be accomplished. She acknowledged that
it might be complicated but it would be helpful to students and
would give high schools that flexibility.
10:05:37 AM
SENATOR HUGHES withdrew Amendment 2.
10:06:21 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt Amendment 3, work order 32-
LS0476\R.3.
32-LS0476\R.3
Klein
4/19/22
AMENDMENT 3
OFFERED IN THE SENATE
TO: SCS HB 132(EDC), Draft Version "R"
Page 6, line 24:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly.
10:06:24 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion.
10:06:27 AM
SENATOR HUGHES explained Amendment 3. She noted that a student
who was 14 years old could still be in eighth grader. She
related that DEED indicated that some eighth grade students take
high school classes for credit. Amendment 3 would delete, "has
completed eighth grade" to allow an eighth grade student who was
14 years of age and taking a high school course to participate.
10:07:13 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection; he found no further
objection, and Amendment 3 was adopted.
10:07:32 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt Amendment 4, work order 32-
LS0476\R.4.
32-LS0476\R.4
Klein
4/19/22
AMENDMENT 4
OFFERED IN THE SENATE
TO: SCS HB 132(EDC), Draft Version "R"
Page 1, line 1, following "apprenticeships;":
Insert "relating to awarding course credit for
activities outside of school hours;"
Page 5, line 11, following "program.":
Insert "A school district shall allow a public
secondary school student who is at least 14 years of
age to receive course credit in career and technical
education, physical education, music, or art if the
student participates in an activity, including a
cultural activity, outside of school hours that the
school district determines meets the educational or
physical activity requirements of the course. A school
district may adopt standards for awarding course
credit for an activity under this section."
10:07:36 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion.
10:07:37 AM
SENATOR HUGHES explained that Amendment 4 was inadvertently left
out of SB 111. She said this provision seemed to fit in this
bill. It would allow private classes like music to receive high
school credit. For instance, if a high school student is a
serious pianist and taking piano lessons for many hours a week,
the student could obtain course credit. It could make it
possible for the student to take another course, such as a
science class. She acknowledged that it would need to be under
the direction of the school district because the district would
need to adopt standards to ensure the lessons met the classroom
criteria.
10:08:56 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked whether schools were already allowed to
do so.
SENATOR HUGHES acknowledged that districts could be doing this,
but it was not in statute.
10:09:31 AM
MR. KING confirmed that school districts already have the
authority to issue credits this way, as well as through the
career and technical education components in the bill. It's
similar to the way that school districts are able to give dual
credit for middle colleges. Amendment 4 would place in statute
that these programs are available. He deferred further comment
to Sondra Meredith.
10:10:24 AM
SONDRA MEREDITH, Teacher Certification Administrator, Innovation
and Education Excellence, Department of Education and Early
Development, Juneau, Alaska, agreed that the department could
already issue course credit for outside activities.
10:10:50 AM
SENATOR HUGHES asked whether that was in regulation or some
other authority.
MS. MEREDITH offered her belief that the authority came from
regulation; districts have local control to award credits for
such activities.
SENATOR MICCICHE commented that his only concern was that it was
late in the session and this would require a title change, which
has a higher vote threshold. He opined that the amendment was
unnecessary.
MR. KING conveyed that the changes that appear in the SCS
already require a title change.
10:11:54 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND withdrew his objection to Amendment 4; finding no
further objection, Amendment 4 was adopted.
CHAIR HOLLAND asked Representative Fields if he had any closing
comments on the House Labor and Commerce Committee bill.
10:12:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZACH FIELDS, Alaska State Legislator, Juneau,
Alaska, co-chair of the House Labor and Commerce Committee that
sponsored HB 132, stated that the bill has broad support from a
variety of people, companies, and organizations. He expressed
appreciation for the work the committee had done on the bill to
ensure a good product.
10:13:05 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked whether any of the amendments were cause
for concern.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS answered no.
CHAIR HOLLAND advised that the changes the committee made to the
bill zeroed the fiscal note. He solicited the will of the
committee.
10:13:30 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report the Senate committee substitute
(SCS) for CSHB 132, work order 32-LS0476\R, as amended, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s).
CHAIR HOLLAND found no objection, and SCS CSHB 132(EDC) was
reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
10:14:01 AM
At ease
10:18:39 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND reconvened the meeting.
10:18:57 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Holland adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 10:18 a.m.