Senate Finance panel adopts substitute for HB57 adding 10% to pupil transportation and $700 to BSA

Juneau — The Alaska Senate Finance Committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 57, a bill about communication devices in public schools, and added funding changes for student transportation and the state’s base student allocation.

Representative Fields introduced HB 57 to the committee, describing the measure as aimed at regulating the use of cell phones in schools and noting that at times the bill language had proposed prohibiting cell phones during the school day. "As it currently says, regulate use of cell phones," Representative Fields said.

The committee adopted the committee substitute (CS), version T, on a motion by Senator Stedman; no member objected when the chair called for adoption. Liz Harpold, staff to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Olson, told the committee that the CS adds two new sections: it repeals and reenacts the pupil transportation statutes to increase the transportation amount by 10 percent, and it adds $700 to the base student allocation (BSA).

Lisa Paradis, executive director of the Alaska Council of School Administrators, testified at the public hearing in support of the CS’s funding changes. "On behalf of my members, we greatly appreciate your efforts to continue the discussion about the critical nature of increasing the base student allocation inside the formula. Additionally, the pupil transportation dollars are urgently needed as well," Paradis said, and she said the association stands ready to assist.

After the brief public comment period and with no additional questions from committee members, the chair set the bill aside for further consideration at a later date.

The committee opened and closed the public hearing on the CS during the same meeting; no roll-call vote was recorded. The committee concluded its meeting and noted its next meeting was scheduled for the following morning at 9 a.m.