SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE April 19, 1999 1:38 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Mike Miller, Chairman Senator Pete Kelly, Vice-Chairman Senator Gary Wilken Senator Drue Pearce Senator Kim Elton MEMBERS ABSENT All members were present COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE BILL NO. 97 "An Act relating to confidential mental health records; relating to mental health services and programs; relating to liability for payment for mental health evaluation and treatment services; and providing for an effective date." -MOVED CS SB 97(HES)OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8 Creating the Long-Term Care Task Force of 1999. -MOVED SCR 8 OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE BILL NO. 117 "An Act relating to property insurance required for school districts." -HEARD AND HELD SENATE BILL NO. 105 "An Act determining the facilities constituting a school for purposes of public school funding; and providing for an effective date." -MOVED CS SB 105(HES)OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE BILL NO. 125 "An Act relating to school crisis response planning." -MOVED SB 125 OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE BILL NO. 112 "An Act relating to a program of postsecondary education for high school students." -HEARD AND HELD PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION SB 97 - See HESS Committee minutes dated 4/7/99 SCR 8 - No previous action to report SB 117 - No previous action to report SB 105 - See HESS Committee minutes dated 3/22/99, 3/31/99 and 4/7/99 SB 125 - No previous action to report SB 112 - No previous action to report WITNESS REGISTER Ms. Gina Macdonald, Special Projects Coordinator Division of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Department of Health & Social Services PO Box 110620 Juneau, AK 99811-0620 POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 97 Ms. Shallon O'Fallon, Assistant Attorney General Human Services Section Department of Law PO Box 110300 Juneau, AK 99811 POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 97 Ms. Mel Krogseng, Staff Aide Senator Robin Taylor Alaska State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 117 Mr. Paul Fuhs City and Borough of Yakutat POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 117 Mr. Michael Morgan, Manager Facility Section Department of Education 801 W. 10th St., Ste. 200 Juneau, AK 99801-1984 POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 117 Ms. Christy Miller National Flood Insurance Program Department of Community & Regional Affairs 333 W. 4th Avenue, Ste. 220 Anchorage, AK 99501-2341 POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 117 Senator Robin Taylor Alaska State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 105 Mr. Tim Grussendorf, Staff Aide Senator Lyman Hoffman Alaska State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 125 Mr. Bruce Johnson, Director Teaching and Learning Support Department of Education 801 W. 10th St. Ste. 200 Juneau, AK 99801-1894 POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 125 and SB 112 Mr. Robert Buttcane Administrative Juvenile Probation Officer Youth Corrections Department of Health & Social Services PO Box 110630 Juneau, AK 99811 POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 125 Mr. Stewart Wineberg Fairbanks, AK 99701 POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 112 Ms. Margo Waring 1215 5th St. Douglas, AK 99824 POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 112 Mr. Darryl Hargraves, Executive Director Alaska Council of School Administrators 326 4th St. Ste. 404 Juneau, AK 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 112 Mr. Mike Bradner POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 112 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 99-19, SIDE A Number 001 SB 97-MENTAL HEALTH; RECORDS; TREATMENT CHAIRMAN MILLER called the Senate Health, Education and Social Services (HESS) Committee to order at 1:38 p.m. and brought up SB 97. MS. GINA MACDONALD, Division of Mental Health & Developmental Disability, Department of Health & Social Services, discussed the differences between SB 97 and the proposed CS (Draft G Lauterbach). The CS removes the confidentiality portion and makes a couple procedural changes relating to Designated Evaluation and Treatment (DET) facilities, or hospitals providing in-patient services for people in mental health crisis. These changes clarify and separate procedures for billing and payment for someone receiving hospital services at API or at a private hospital facility. The department can bill and order payment for API services, but the DET facility or private hospital itself would bill the patient. The other addition to the bill allows hospitals to apply for these benefits on behalf of a patient so disabled by mental illness he or she is unable to submit an application. Number 050 MS. SHANNON 'FALLON, Assistant Attorney General with the Human Services Section at the Department of Law, added that the legal drafter, Terri Lauterbach, had questions relating to language that needed clarification, and this CS clears those up. SENATOR ELTON asked the sponsor, Senator Kelly, if concerns were worked out with Bob Briggs of the Disability Law Center. SENATOR KELLY replied they accommodated Mr. Briggs on one or two points but were unable to give him all of the points he wanted. This is the optimum level of agreement that can be reached on the bill. He moved to adopt CSSB 97(HES) Draft G as the working version. Without objection, it was adopted. SENATOR KELLY moved CSSB 97(HES) Draft G from committee with individual recommendations and its accompanying fiscal note. Without objection, it was so ordered. SCR 8-LONG-TERM CARE TASK FORCE OF 1999 CHAIRMAN MILLER brought up SCR 8. Number 089 SENATOR WILKEN explained that SCR 8 would continue the Long-Term Care Task Force (LTCTF) of 1998. In discussions last December and January the committee's will was to continue work on the 31 recommendations with a group catalyst to focus on these impending social and financial challenges. SCR 8 asks the Legislature to reconstitute a new LTCTF comprised of a membership like the last task force. The fiscal note shows $15,700 but there is money remaining from the last task force. SENATOR WILKEN explained he has an amendment to the capital budget that will fund this, and he expected the fiscal note will be zero. He commended SCR 8 to the committee and asked for its approval. SENATOR WILKEN moved SCR 8 from committee with individual recommendations and its attached fiscal note. Without objection, SCR 8 moved out of committee. SB 117-INSURANCE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS CHAIRMAN MILLER brought SB 117 before the committee. Number 124 MS. MEL KROGSENG, Staff Aide to Senator Taylor, explained that an inefficiency was discovered in the administrative regulations adopted by the Department of Education regarding property insurance for school facilities and equipment. The Yakutat school brought this to Senator Taylor's attention. The school is the emergency shelter in the area in the event of a tsunami, and it had to pay flood insurance under the current regulations even though it is situated on the highest point of land in the area. The department was given a directive in statute to require property insurance for all schools, and when DOE adopted regulations it didn't consider that there were schools in no particular flood hazard zone required to carry flood insurance. Yakutat has paid up to $47,000 a year for its insurance policy. During the current budget shortfall when looking for ways to reduce costs, Senator Taylor felt that school districts could evaluate their potential risk for flood and earthquake damage and determine whether they need to carry insurance. MS. KROGSENG pointed out a discrepancy in the regulations, quoting from 4 AAC 31.200 Loss Protection Required, "The district shall carry flood coverage for school facilities and equipment in a flood plain or flood-prone area." In a subsequent section, it states, "In addition to the requirements of A and B of this section, an insurance policy purchased by REAA for any school facility or equipment owned by the State shall include the State as an additional insured for earthquake, and (3) flood coverage regardless of whether the school facilities or equipment are in a flood plain or flood-prone area." MS. KROGSENG said it doesn't seem that much thought was given to the reasonableness of the regulation when it was adopted. Number 174 MS. CHRISTY MILLER, National Flood Insurance Program Coordinator, Department of Community & Regional Affairs, Anchorage, stated on- line that she would answer questions. MR. PAUL FUHS, representing the Yakutat School District, spoke in support of SB 117. He stated they had hoped to have a school official on-line today but were unable to arrange a telecon- ference. He explained Yakutat is on a glacial moraine, not a flood plain, and there is no danger of flood. There is danger of earthquake, and if this bill were to pass, the district would still buy earthquake insurance. Last year during the school funding formula discussions, Yakutat heard a lot about districts looking at ways to cut costs. The flip side of the funding formula is the cost of providing education. This mandate was very clear for Yakutat. He asked the committee's support for SB 117. SENATOR ELTON asked if the bill makes earthquake insurance optional so that if the district decided to shave costs in the future, it could discontinue earthquake coverage even though it's in a sensitive zone. MR. FUHS replied yes, it could, even though it would not be wise. MR. MICHAEL MORGAN, Manager of Facility Section in the Department of Education, stated that when the department made the regulation change two years ago, it was advised by Christy Miller as well as the Division of Risk Management. The regulations it passed stated that people in a flood plain or flood-prone area, not counting REAAs which have state-owned facilities, would have to buy insurance. The intent was if a city or borough such as Yakutat was not in a flood plain or flood-prone area, it would not be required to buy flood insurance. The requirement for those two designations was on advice that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires flood insurance to participate in any federal disaster aid when a flood occurs. Number 216 SENATOR PEARCE asked if the Yakutat school district asked the department to clarify that under the regulations they don't need the insurance. MR. MORGAN answered if they're not in a flood plain or flood-prone area, they're not required to buy the insurance under current regulations. CHAIRMAN MILLER said he was confused and he asked if Yakutat is in a designated flood plain area. MR. MORGAN said he didn't know. The department designated "flood plain" or "flood- prone" area because flood plains are mapped areas; flood-prone areas are based on the history of the areas that may not have been mapped yet. SENATOR ELTON also admitted confusion, and asked what happens if they're not required to have flood insurance and there is a flood in the region. Would it affect FEMA's ability to participate in disaster relief outside of the school if the school doesn't have coverage? MR. MORGAN replied, no, it's on a facility by facility basis. The Federal Emergency Management Act states the Flood and Disaster Protection Act of 1973 requires the purchase of flood insurance as a condition for a particular facility. CHAIRMAN MILLER repeated he is confused about whether Yakutat is in a flood plain and he requested the sponsor's staff to clarify that. Number 245 MS. MEL KROGSENG stated she understood from the superintendent at Yakutat that the school was told they had to carry flood insurance. The regulation does differentiate between REAAs. Mr. Fuhs also told her he understood the school district was told by the department that they had to carry flood insurance. She suggested the interpretation and implementation of the regulation was different than it actually reads. SENATOR WILKEN asked if the bill says the school district does not have to carry insurance for earthquakes. MS. KROGSENG replied it does say that. SENATOR WILKEN asked who rebuilds the school if there's an earthquake in his district and the school district chose not to carry the insurance. MS. KROGSENG said the intent was that a major earthquake doing serious damage would enlist federal assistance to rebuild schools and other infrastructure. She asked Ms. Christy Miller to discuss the federal assistance California received during its major quake a few years ago. MS. CHRISTY MILLER replied she checked with Walt Robinson at FEMA Region 10 who told her there were no automatic deductions in federal assistance if earthquake insurance was not in place at the time of a disaster. However, districts may be required to obtain insurance in the future. Mr. Robinson also indicated federal law may be changing in the future, but right now there is no mandatory earthquake coverage requirement. CHAIRMAN MILLER asked Ms. Miller if Yakutat is in a flood plain or flood zone on the maps at DCRA. MS. MILLER said that Yakutat is not in a mapped area. CHAIRMAN MILLER remarked, the city is saying they were told by DOE they had to buy the insurance and DOE says they didn't tell the city that, "So we have a problem here." SENATOR WILKEN suggested that the committee hold the bill and come back with a CS that takes earthquakes out and clarifies language that if a school district is not in a flood plain it does not have to buy flood insurance. MS. KROGSENG repeated that not all areas of the state are mapped. Language would have to be included for "flood-prone" areas. Regarding earthquakes, there is an available map showing the areas that are part of the "rim of fire," and areas prone to earthquakes. She suggested language targeting areas more prone to earthquakes because insurance is very expensive. To require areas with no known problems to carry it would add an extra, possibly unnecessary, financial burden. CHAIRMAN MILLER asked Senator Taylor, who had joined the committee, to address the problem of reconciling the Yakutat city fathers saying they are mandated to buy flood insurance and DOE stating they are not. Number 315 SENATOR TAYLOR said perhaps he, his staff, the legal drafters and the city fathers misread the regulation that seemed to mandate it. CHAIRMAN MILLER responded that DOE said that was not the case, that it was not mandated coverage if you were not in these areas. SENATOR TAYLOR countered, that's more reason to pass legislation to avoid confusion in the future. CHAIRMAN MILLER said because of confusion and concern by committee members about earthquakes, he would like to bring SB 117 back next week with clear language about who needs to be covered and who does not. He offered to work with Senator Taylor's office and DOE to ensure the proper language is included. SB 105-PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING SENATOR ROBIN TAYLOR, sponsor of SB 105, discussed the Ford 3/23/99 Work Draft K which amends the previous legislation by deleting Section 2. Section 2 of the legislation would have addressed an additional problem that came out of SB 36 last year that involved correspondence, alternative and charter schools. The fiscal note was over $17 million, and Senator Taylor said he had no idea it would run that high, or that correspondence schools would be inserted in that section. By putting correspondence schools in it, the Galena School District would have picked up another $2.9 million over what they currently receive. Through its correspondence program, Galena has "basically pirated students all over the state," including students from the Senator's own school district. The purpose of the work draft before the committee is to limit the impact of this cleanup on SB 36 to just 2 school districts, Wrangell and Petersburg, with an overall impact of around $600,000. CHAIRMAN MILLER explained a new fiscal note is being prepared because the one with the new CS still has the old numbers. SENATOR TAYLOR agreed that it does and it's incorrect. CHAIRMAN MILLER asked if this fiscal note is about $700,000 and SENATOR TAYLOR said it is. CHAIRMAN MILLER asked for a motion to adopt the Ford Version K Committee Substitute. SENATOR WILKEN moved to adopt CSSB 105(HES). Without objection, it was adopted. SENATOR ELTON asked the rationale for the figure change from 750 to 450. SENATOR TAYLOR replied it reduces it so that the same problem won't be faced again soon when two or three students happen to leave a school district. In Petersburg this year, the loss of 4 students cost them $360,000 because of the way the formula was drafted. CHAIRMAN MILLER asked for discussion, and hearing none, asked the will of the committee. SENATOR WILKEN moved CSSB 105(HES) Version K be reported out of committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note to be revised before the Finance referral. Hearing no objection, the bill moved out. SB 125-SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN CHAIRMAN MILLER brought up SB 125 and invited Senator Hoffman's staff to present it. Number 389 MR.TIM GRUSSENDORF, Staff Aide, explained that Senator Hoffman was requested by the Lower Kuskokwim School District to introduce SB 125 to address their concerns about school crisis response planning. In February 1997, gunfire exploded in the hallways of the Bethel Regional High School and ended the lives of Principal Ron Edwards and student Josh Palacios. The actions that took place immediately following this tragedy still haunt the residents of Bethel with questions about who was in charge and what should have been done in a case like this. In Bethel the crisis was magnified because one of the people in charge whom people looked to for direction and support, the principal, was one of the victims. MR. GRUSSENDORF said Senator Hoffman sincerely hopes that no other school or community will experience this type of trauma. However, if a similar incident should occur in any school in Alaska, SB 125 would assure communities that a crisis response plan is in place, with preparedness to respond to the situation. MR. GRUSSENDORF said this is a work in progress and Senator Hoffman wants the bill to be user friendly and inclusive, without placing a financial burden on the schools. SB 125 has had valuable input from individuals and organizations involved in school safety issues, and the sponsor will continue to work with any group to address their concerns. Early on, it became clear the scope of the bill is very broad and can involve a variety of school safety issues. The sponsor intends to keep it a crisis response bill to ensure that all schools have a site-specific crisis response plan in place, and to work on school safety issues in future legislation. MR. BRUCE JOHNSON, Director of Division of Teaching and Learning in the Department of Education, spoke in support of SB 125. The department believes it's important that all students are provided protection that may come from proactive planning in each school community. A requirement directing each school to develop a school crisis plan in conjunction with key community members is a good idea. Given Alaska's diversity, latitude is necessary to allow each school to identify the appropriate members of the planning team consistent with services available in a particular community. The department also urges that the content sections of the bill remain sufficiently broad to allow community and school flexibility while ensuring the safety of students. MR. JOHNSON said the department looks forward to working with Senator Hoffman on this incremental approach to advance planning for potential crises in our schools. MR. ROBERT BUTTCANE, Juvenile Probation Officer with the Depart- ment of Health & Social Services, spoke on behalf of the depart- ment in support of SB 125. He encouraged the committee to act favorably on the bill as a best-practices approach to school crisis response planning. He said he would welcome being a part of the group that would assist schools in developing appropriate response plans. CHAIRMAN MILLER asked the wish of the committee. Number 433 SENATOR ELTON moved SB 125 from committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered. SB 112-POSTSECONDARY CLASS FOR HIGH SCHOOL CHAIRMAN MILLER brought up SB 112 and invited Senator Elton to present it. Number 439 SENATOR ELTON explained the bill would allow high school students and their families new choices and new academic opportunities at no cost to the family or the student. Eleventh and twelfth grade students would receive dual credit for courses that are taken at publicly-funded colleges and vocational schools, with tuition fees paid by the school district in which the student is enrolled. Major elements of the bill were lifted straight out of the Washington State program. Many Alaska school districts already have contractual agreements with the University of Alaska to provide dual credit for courses. The difference between those individual agreements with the districts and the University is that the student, or student's family, is responsible for the cost of the tuition and fees while this bill provides that the school district would cover those costs. Benefits of SB 112 include extended course offerings for students, especially gifted students and those who are more comfortable in the vocational courses. The University provides programs that many districts don't have, and an alternative for students who feel they don't fit in at the high school level. The Washington experience has shown that teens who are alienated from high school may do better in a college atmosphere, and sometimes they do dramatically better. It provides advanced college or vocational training for students who want to go to work right after high school graduation, and gives them better preparation for a job. In many states with this program, the students continue with the vocational or university system that they experienced as high school students. Under this bill, only students with a GPA of at least 2.25 are eligible for the program. This is a policy issue that SENATOR ELTON said he would discuss later. A student is responsible for applying to the college or vocational school, and deciding the courses to take. If the student is taking a full load at the high school, the school district isn't required to pay for the additional college-level courses. Students taking college courses are eligible for all the high school extra-curricular activities. If the student successfully completes a college course, he or she receives college credit and high school credit, with the high school determining how those college credits apply to the mandated curriculum and electives at the high school level. The high school pays the cost of tuition and lab fees, and the student pays for books and supplies. The most important principle of the bill is that it expands choices for students and their parents, and makes choices available to a fairly broad group, not just those heading off to Stanford or Harvard or M.I.T. SENATOR ELTON said he picked the 2.25 GPA because he did not want to limit the program only to those very successful high school students; he wanted to extend it to others who may not maintain a 3.0 or 3.5 GPA, but who want to take vocational courses such as diesel mechanics or computer classes. Number 487 CHAIRMAN MILLER commented that both his daughters were in honors English in high school, and he could see them going into a college English class, and how this proposal would work at all different student levels. SENATOR ELTON responded that it does. If this program had been available for the Chairman's daughters, the advantages would be that he would not have paid for the college courses and those credits would be fully applied toward a college degree, and also transferable. With up to two years of college completed, the cost of college for the family would be considerably lower. MR. STEWART WINEBERG, on-line, stated this legislation goes back to the late 1970s when discussions were held relating to high school seniors with "senioritis." He was involved in programs such as this in New York and New Jersey. He recommended changing the GPA to at least a 3.0, because even though some students would be excluded, students need to demonstrate they're ready for college-level courses. He advised adding approval of the high school principal or a designee, such as a counselor, to ensure it's an appropriate program for the student. A student who has not completed a school district's requirements should not be allowed to participate, and the student should already have passed the high school qualifying exam. He suggested a compromise on tuition fees. University officials have indicated interest in reducing the tuition fee for high school students. The impact on a school district's entire funding should be examined. MR. WINEBERG suggested a different tuition structure if the student's reason for taking the college level course may be for lifelong learning or because the course is not offered in his regular school. He encouraged the legislature to consider this bill with modifications. Fairbanks already has this program and students receive dual credit. MS. MARGO WARING, Douglas resident and parent, spoke in support of SB 112. Senator Elton's bill would provide an opportunity available in about 21 states to Alaskan students. It is cost-effective and makes a lot of sense in terms of what students need for their own education. SB 112 would meet the educational needs of students that can't be met at local high schools because student needs are individual and unique. She said that it isn't reasonable, for example, to have a class in advanced studio art or music, mechanics or advanced mathematics. In some communities there is an option for students because those classes are being taught nearby. For students on an academic track who intend to go to college, it provides an opportunity to acquire skills they may not have acquired in high school and to meet the challenges of college on a firmer footing. It's equally important for students who don't plan on college to acquire more job-related skills and expand in the area of their own gifts. Juneau has been working on a similar effort for the past nine months that is supported by the district, the teachers, parents, and the union. She encouraged the committee's support of the bill. Number 573 DR. ROBERT SEWELL, Academic Advisor at University of Alaska Southeast, stated the University is wildly enthusiastic about the concept of Senator Elton's bill. More states every year are doing something like this, and many offer full tuition coverage, including fees and books, and dual enrollment with academic advising. Juneau high school students have taken university classes at their own election, yet the proposed legislation would offer more of a programmatic approach to these youngsters' needs. TAPE 99-19, SIDE B Number 589 MR. SEWELL continued. He is the parent of a highly able middle school student who at age 12 took a college class in writing last summer. She got an A- and has benefitted from college instruction while not yet in high school. He recommended striking 11th and 12th grades to include "secondary school" in its place because a number of freshmen and sophomores could benefit from this. The University is concerned about the 2.25 GPA and suggests that it be 3.0, to ensure that students are prepared to benefit from college-level instruction. Vocationally- oriented and academically-able students could both benefit. UA is not enthused about the idea of a reimbursement cost-shift with the University sharing the expense. It suggests that the payer of high school students taking college courses be charged the same charge as the sponsor of other students, such as the Division of Vocational Rehab and Job Training Partnership Act. The University views these students as no different in a number of respects than other students who take advantage of its services. The University has been working locally for six months with the district on the "College Connection." The chancellor and the superintendent are both enthusiastic about the joint arrangement whereby full payment from the district for tuition fees and books for dual credit. Number 560 MR. DARRYL HARGRAVES, representing the Alaska Council of School Administrators, expressed their hearty support for SB 112. School districts have had programs like this one for a long time. The Community College Act of 1962 set it up in this state so that school districts and the University worked cooperatively to provide programs at the local level through the community colleges. Students participated and accrued credit that the University put into "escrow accounts" and held until the student enrolled at the University and the credit was activated. It counted toward secondary school graduation in the meantime. MR. HARGRAVES questioned the language on page 3, line 3 "a district may not make payments for a course from which a student withdraws during the first fourteen days of the quarter or semester or a course taken by a student who is a full-time secondary school student." He asked if that is contradictory. SENATOR ELTON replied no, it says the district doesn't pay if the student withdraws during the first two weeks, and the district doesn't pay if the student is also a full-time high school student, under the assumption that foundation formula dollars attached to that student shouldn't be diminished at the secondary school. MR. HARGRAVES stated that full-time secondary students sometimes take an additional course at the University, which is paid for by the school district because the school doesn't provide it. He asked if a student had one class at the University, wouldn't it make them a full-time secondary student in order to participate in the foundation program? SENATOR ELTON responded if the student was taking the full high school load and also taking one University course, the student - not the district - would pay for those credits. MR. HARGRAVES still felt the language doesn't quite say that to him. He also recommended a reduced tuition arrangement with the University, because formulas become one more hassle in a school district business office with few personnel. He preferred the system used in the past whereby the university branch would send over an invoice for the amount owed for that semester. Remnants of the 1962 Act remain with districts and community colleges sharing some type of a cooperative agreement; for example, a school district will be paying the cost of a professor. MR. HARGRAVES stated he hoped this bill would not preclude those types of agreements that are in place, and would allow them to flourish and continue on. SENATOR ELTON replied this bill would not preclude any other agreement, and it doesn't preclude reduced tuition negotiated with a school district and the University. He tried very hard not to do that because innovative arrangements are already taking place. MR. HARGRAVES concluded, "With those clarifications and if there is no grounds or possibility that the University gets too greedy with this concept, we would heartily endorse the bill." Number 498 MR. MIKE BRADNER spoke as a parent of a high school sophomore who attended a university to continue in a language program. He told the committee it worked very well for his daughter, and he felt this legislation offers opportunities in local school districts where courses are offered at the wrong time, especially language courses such as Russian or Japanese. He expressed hesitancy about inserting a GPA because the University would review and reject students, while some may find they do well in a different environment. Some of the University programs that are technical or vocational/technical don't attract many students because they don't think of the University in terms of those particular programs. In Anchorage, to attend the Martin Luther King Career Center, you have to allocate a 3-hour time block, and usually students can't find the time to do that. A lot of the courses students would take are given at off-hour times, taught by adjunct professors with high school experience. He recommended University technical and vocational courses be offered in the evenings as a means of drawing secondary students into those programs. High school students feel that it looks good on their resume when they apply to a university to show they earned college credit as a high school student. MR. BRUCE JOHNSON said the State Board of Education fully supports the expansion of educational opportunities for students which this bill would provide. University and district partnerships have already taken place, and he appreciated Senator Elton's comment that those long-standing agreements would be honored. Rural students also would benefit from creative uses of this type of partnership. CHAIRMAN MILLER expressed support for the concept of Senator Elton's bill but he said it needs more work. HESS would not meet on Wednesday because the budget will be on the Floor. The following Monday, he tentatively scheduled confirmation hearings for the Board of Regents and Board of Education. His intent would be to take up SB 112 and SB 117 again after those confirmations. He would like to move SB 112 after some changes are drafted. Number 442 SENATOR ELTON offered to work with Chairman Miller's staff on a CS to find a way to waive the GPA, and provide a waiver for 9th and 10th grade students. He made clear that it would not preclude any existing agreements between school districts and postsecondary facilities. It could mean that some existing agreements that don't provide for the school districts to pay would need to be changed. With nothing further to come before the committee, CHAIRMAN MILLER adjourned at 2:50 p.m.