Legislative Session: 2008 Updated - 3/11/2008 An Act relating to the vocational education account and appropriations from that account; and providing for an effective date HB 2 establishes a vocational education account in the general fund.  The account consists of legislative appropriations, gifts, bequests, contributions, and income and earnings of the account.  Money in the account may be appropriated to state and political subdivisions of the state, including REAA's and school districts, for vocational education programs and courses taught at the secondary and postsecondary level.  In addition, on April 11, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee amended HB 2 to contain substantially the same language included in SB 124, specifying that 0.15 percent of employee wages will be collected, and specific percentages of the total collected will be allocated to particular institutions for workforce training programs. SCS HB 2(FIN) passed the legislature on April 12, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 2 continued... An Act amending the functions and powers of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education; and relating to the repayment provisions for medical education and postsecondary degree program participants Alaska is one of five northwestern states that participate in a regional medical school referred to as WWAMI. HB 18 removes the limit on the number of students currently set in statute, decreases the amount a person is required to pay back if they don't return to Alaska and allows a person to defer their return to Alaska during their military or other specified public service. HB 18 passed the legislature and was signed into law with an effective date of June 26, 2007. Link to this Bill: HB 18 continued... An Act creating the line-of-duty death survivor education benefits fund and relating to special fire fighter and emergency medical service provider license plates. HB 47 creates a line-of-duty death survivor education benefits fund in the general fund.  Appropriations do not lapse.  The fund may be further divided to provide separate accounts for benefits for peace officers, fire fighters, and members of the armed services. Link to this Bill: HB 47 continued... An Act relating to postsecondary educational services and programs for Alaska residents. The purpose of HB 55 is to address the severe doctor shortage in Alaska. According to the Alaska Physician Supply Task Force, Alaska would need an increase of 28% (375 doctors) to catch up with the lower 48. Increasing the in-state production of physicians by increasing the number of medical school and residency positions in Alaska is the No. 1 goal according the Task Force.  (HB 18, another bill addressing the shortage of doctors in Alaska by increasing the number of students who may participate in WWAMI,  passed the legislature and was signed into law with an effective date of June 26, 2007.) Link to this Bill: HB 55 continued... An Act establishing the Hydrogen Energy Partnership in the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; requiring the commissioner of commerce, community, and economic development to seek public and private funding for the partners HB 56 would establish a hydrogen energy partnership within the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development which would be tasked with facilitating the development of a hydrogen fuel industry in Alaska.  HB 56 lists a number of entities that would participate in the partnership, including the University of Alaska. Link to this Bill: HB 56 continued... An Act relating to tax credits for cash contributions by taxpayers that are accepted for certain educational purposes, including vocational education programs and courses at the secondary school level and to tax credits for cash contributions... Currently, a state tax credit is allowed for donations to post-secondary vocational education programs.  HB 61 extends those tax credits to secondary vocational education programs and state-operated vocational education programs. HB 61 passed the legislature on April 5, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 61 continued... An Act providing for partial tuition assistance for families of members of the Alaska National Guard; directing the adjutant general to seek additional funding to support tuition assistance; and providing for free hunting and sport fishing license HB 62 has several provisions which benefit the Alaska National Guard. First, this bill allows Alaska National Guard members to receive free hunting and fishing licenses; second, allows spouses of Alaska National Guard members to receive 50% tuition waivers; and third, it solves the current funding problems of tuition waivers that are promised to Alaska National Guard members by directing DMVA to request supplemental appropriation from the legislature to fund unmet tuition waivers. Link to this Bill: HB 62 continued... An Act making an appropriation for a bioscience facility at the University of Alaska Fairbanks; and providing for an effective date HB 86 appropriates money for a bioscience facility at UAF.  The University of Alaska Board of Regents has approved the BIOS project as its highest new construction priority for FY '08. Without the expansion of BIOS, UAF is at near capacity for cutting edge research. As the state's doctoral-degree-granting institution, UAF's expertise in basic biological research serves as the foundation for preparing students for high-demand careers in biological sciences as well as for advanced degrees in human and animal health. Link to this Bill: HB 86 continued... An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska; and providing for an HB 95 is the FY 08 Operating Budget, which covers annual appropriations for ongoing operation of state programs. Operating budget appropriations are made for a fiscal year and any unexpended and unobligated funds typically lapse at the end of the fiscal year.  HB 95 passed the legislature on May 16, 2007. Link to this Bill: HB 95 continued... An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date HB 96 is the FY 08 mental health budget, containing operating and capital mental health appropriations.  HB 96 passed the Alaska State Legislature on May 16, 2007. Link to this Bill: HB 96   continued... An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date HB 98 is the FY 08 capital budget, which makes appropriations for funds for items that have an anticipated life that exceeds one year and that usually cost more than $25,000. Capital budget appropriations lapse only if funds remain after the project is completed. Link to this Bill: HB 98   continued... An Act relating to budget planning and a fiscal plan for the State of Alaska HB 125 requires the governor to submit a fiscal plan with estimates of significant sources and uses of funds for the succeeding 10 fiscal years.  Significant uses must include lump sum projections of operating expenditures, capital expenditures, debt service expenditures, fund capitalizations, and appropriations of the Alaska permanent fund.  Income and expenditures must be balanced, and must provide for essential services, and protect the economic stability of the state. HB 125 passed the legislature on April 5, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 125 continued... An Act establishing a higher education savings program for eligible children who were placed in out-of-home care by the state; and providing for confidentiality of identifying information of a beneficiary under the program HB 135 would create a higher education savings program for children who were ordered committed to the custody of the department under AS 47.10.080(c) or AS 47.12.120(b)(1) or were placed in out-of-home care for not less than two years, and are currently a resident of the state. Link to this Bill: HB 135 continued... An Act making special appropriations to fund the access-to-education trust; and providing for an effective date HB 143 would appropriate the sum of $20,000,000 from the education loan fund (AS 14.42.210) to the access-to-education trust (AS 37.14.900) for the purpose of capitalizing the trust. The sum of $3,000,000 would also be appropriated from the general fund to the access-to-education trust (AS 37.14.900) for the purpose of capitalizing the trust. Link to this Bill: HB 143 continued... An Act creating the access-to-education trust as an endowment to fund the AlaskaAdvantage education grant program; and providing for an effective date HB 144 would create an access-to-education trust as an endowment of the state. Link to this Bill: HB 144 continued... An Act requiring an indemnification, defense, and hold harmless provision in construction-related professional services contracts of state agencies, quasi-public agencies, municipalities, and political subdivisions HB 151 requires uniform indemnification provisions in professional services contracts for all public agencies within the state of Alaska.  HB 151 passed the Alaska State Legislature on February 8, 2008, and the effective date of the legislation is May 26, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 151 continued... An Act establishing a renewable energy project account and a renewable energy fund and describing their uses and purposes HB 152 creates a renewable energy fund administered by the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA).  AEA will be advised in the administration of this fund by a committee consisting of three representatives, three senators, and one governor's appointee.  The fund will offer both loan and grant options for developing alternative energy projects throughout the state. HB 152 passed the legislature on April 11, 2008.  HCS CSSB 221(FIN) contains $50,000,000 to capitalize the fund created by HB 152. Link to this Bill: HB 152 continued... An Act relating to charter school funding. HB 157 supports the development of charter schools across the state by providing for an "incubation" period of two years, during which a charter school can establish a strong base of students. Ordinarily, a charter school must meet a minimum average daily membership (ADM) in order to be counted as a separate school and therefore receive full funding by the state. HB 157 waives the ADM requirement for the first two years, providing full funding to new charter schools. Link to this Bill: HB 157 continued... An Act relating to contributions from permanent fund dividends to community foundations, to certain educational organizations, and to certain other charitable organizations; and providing for an effective date HB 166 allows permanent fund dividend recipients to donate a portion of their dividends to qualified charities, through their pfd application.  The Rasmuson Foundation has agreed to fund the administrative cost of the program established by HB 166 for the first three years of operation.  The bill also specifies that each campus of the University of Alaska shall be listed among the organizations to which pfd recipients may choose to donate. HB 166 passed the legislature on April 11, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 166 continued... An Act relating to the payment of dividends by the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation to the state, and to appropriation of the dividend for fiscal year 2008 HB 218 would allow AADC to pay an annual dividend to the state of not less than 25% nor more than 50% of net income during any given fiscal year.  If AADC has no unrestricted net income, they would not pay a dividend.  HB 218 would also allow dividends paid by AADC to be appropriated to TRS. Link to this Bill: HB 218 continued... An Act extending the termination of the state training and employment program; requiring a review of the program; and providing for an effective date HB 226 extends the termination date of the State Training and Employment Program (STEP) to June 30, 2010, and requires a review of the program.  It was set to terminate on June 30, 2008.  The STEP funds training for workers who have paid into Unemployment Insurance (UI), and who cannot afford to pay for their own training/retraining.  Representative Coghill, sponsor of HB 226, says that although the grant process had previously been somewhat complex, it has recently been streamlined.  The Department of Labor & Workforce Development supports continuation of the program, and has already established a task force to review the program. HB 226 passed the legislature on April 12, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 226 continued... An Act relating to the education loan repayment program and establishing the education loan repayment fund HB 234 creates an education loan repayment program to help attract and retain Alaskan workers in professions identified as having a severe workforce shortage. The bill establishes the program within the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE), which would determine eligibility criteria and disburse loan repayment grants to qualifying individuals. The loan repayment program would repay up to $7,500 in outstanding student loan debt for qualifying individuals per year, not to exceed 5 years or 50 percent of the total outstanding debt. Eligibility criteria established under HB 234 include: the person must be a state resident on the date the application is filed; the person must have been employed or otherwise engaged full time for at least a year in an occupation or profession identified as having a severe workforce shortage before being awarded the first grant; and, the person must meet any additional eligibility requirements imposed under regulations adopted by the ACPE. HB 235 is the appropriation vehicle for HB 234. Link to this Bill:HB 234   continued... An Act making a special appropriation to the education loan repayment fund; and providing for an effective date HB 235 is the appropriation vehicle for HB 234, which would create an education loan repayment program to help attract and retain Alaskan workers in professions identified as having a severe workforce shortage. Link to this Bill:HB 235 continued... An Act authorizing the governor to remove or suspend a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska for good cause; establishing a procedure for the removal or suspension of a regent; and providing for an effective date HB 237 creates a due process procedure in statute allowing a governor to remove a University of Alaska regent for good cause. Link to this Bill: HB 237 continued... An Act requiring paid leave from employment for organ and bone marrow donation HB 252 requires public employers to provide not more than 80 hours and not less than 40 hours of leave for bone marrow donors, unless the employee requests fewer hours. HB 252 passed the legislature on April 12, 2008.br/> Link to this Bill: HB 252 continued... An Act requiring the state to procure United States and Alaska flags manufactured in the United States; and requiring state buildings and schools to display only United States and Alaska flags manufactured in the United States HB 269 requires that official flags of the United States and the State of Alaska be manufactured in the United States, and that flags displayed in state buildings and schools must be manufactured in the United States. Link to this Bill: HB 269 continued... An Act relating to school funding, funding for student transportation services, the base student allocation, district cost factors, and the adjustments for intensive services and average daily membership calculations; and providing for an effective date HB 273 is a result of the meetings held during the summer of 2007 by the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force (JLEFTF).  This legislation sets the district cost factors in FY 09 at 50% of the ISER increase over the original cost factors, and implements the remaining 50% over the next 4 years; it gives 9 times the Base Student Allocation (BSA) for intensive needs students in FY 09, increasing to 11 times the BSA in FY 2010 and 13 times the BSA in FY 2011; it provides a hold-harmless provision for those districts whose school size adjusted ADM (average daily membership) has decreased by more than 5% over the prior year; and it increases the BSA by $100 for FY 09, for a total of $5,480; to $5,580 for FY 10; and to $5,680 for FY 11. HB 273 passed the legislature on March 4, 2008, and was signed by the governor on March 27, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 273 continued... An Act relating to a report to the legislature on teacher preparation, retention, and recruitment by the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska HB 274 was introduced on January 15, 2008, and is a product of the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force meetings which occurred over the summer, and represents a desire of the task force to improve the dialogue between the university and the legislature.  Under HB 274, the University of Alaska Board of Regents would be required to provide an annual report to the legislature, documenting the university’s efforts and degree of success in training teachers and assisting districts in attracting and retaining qualified teachers.  SB 241 is the senate version of this bill, and it is the version that is moving through the legislature. Link to this Bill: HB 274 continued... An Act relating to participation in certain student fellowships as an allowable absence from the state for purposes of eligibility for permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date HB 284 adds language specifying that “an individual …participating for educational purposes in a student fellowship sponsored by the United States Department of Education or by the United States Department of State” (which includes Fulbright Scholars) are included the category of allowed absence for purposes of receiving a permanent fund dividend.  Current law provides an allowable absence from the state for full-time students for purposes of eligibility for a permanent fund dividend.  Fulbright Scholars were not previously recognized under that allowed absence. HB 284 passed the legislature on April 1, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 284 continued... An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska; and providing for an effecti HB 310 is the FY 09 Operating Budget: annual appropriations covering ongoing operations of state programs. Operating budget appropriations are made for a fiscal year and any unexpended and unobligated funds typically lapse at the end of the fiscal year.  On April 10, 2008, the Conference Committee on HB 310 reported out a committee substitute for HB 310.  HB 310 passed the legislature on April 12, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 310 continued... An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date HB 311 is the FY 09 capital budget, which makes appropriations for funds for items that have an anticipated life that exceeds one year and that usually cost more than $25,000. Capital budget appropriations lapse only if funds remain after the project is completed. Link to this Bill: HB 311 continued... An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date HB 312 is the FY 09 mental health budget, containing operating and capital mental health appropriations. On April 10, 2008, the Conference Committee on HB 312 reported out a committee substitute.  HB 312 passed the legislature on April 12, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 312   continued... An Act relating to management of noxious weeds and invasive plants; establishing the Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Board; and establishing the noxious weed and invasive plant management fund HB 330 instructs the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources to employ or appoint a state coordinator for noxious weed, invasive plant, and agricultural pest management and education.  The coordinator shall oversee the enforcement of state statutes and regulations regarding noxious weeds, invasive plants, and agricultural pests, and shall coordinate with state and federal agencies, state land users, public groups, and private organizations to develop, implement, and annually review a comprehensive state plan to control and respond to threats from noxious weeds, invasive plants, and agricultural pests.  The coordinator shall coordinate with the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service, the Alaska Association of Conservation Districts Board of Directors, and the Department of Fish and Game in fulfilling the coordinator's responsibilities. HB 330 passed the legislature on April 5, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 330 continued... An Act establishing the Alaska capstone avionics revolving loan fund and relating to the fund; and providing for an effective date HB 340 would establish a revolving loan fund within the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development to provide low-interest loans to aircraft owners for the purchase of Capstone avionic equipment in order to improve air safety in Alaska.  An initial Capstone project in Southwest Alaska reduced the accident rate in that area by 47%.  Once Capstone is implemented statewide, the FAA estimates a 33% overall reduction in fatal accidents, with a combined $824 million in savings. The research grant to the university for the Capstone project for 2008 is $2,786,000. The senate version of this bill, SB 249 passed the legislature on April 1, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 340 continued... An Act repealing certain funds and accounts; relating to receipts of certain state agencies and the accounting for and disposition of those receipts; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date HB 341 would eliminate most of the separate funds in the state general fund, and wipe out what are called program receipts.  However, on page 25, line 23, this bill specifies that, among other programs, the program receipts of the University of Alaska are to be accounted for separately. Link to this Bill: HB 341 continued... An Act making supplemental appropriations, capital appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending certain appropriations; ratifying certain expenditures; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date HB 343 is the FY 08 supplemental appropriation budget.  HB 343 contains program cost changes for the remainder of the current fiscal year. Link to this Bill: HB 343 continued... An Act relating to the blocking of certain Internet sites at public libraries and to library assistance grants HB 353 would prohibit the Department of Education & Early Development from providing grants from the Library Assistance Grant Fund or Interlibrary Cooperation Assistance Grants to public libraries unless those public libraries have installed internet filtering software that blocks internet sites depicting the items described in AS 11.61.128(1)(A)-F) on public use computers.  Individual libraries will incur costs ranging from $100 per year for very small libraries, to as much as $20,000 per year for the largest libraries in the state.  There is no funding in the bill to reimburse libraries for costs incurred in complying with this legislation. HB 353 would directly affect the university, which would have to choose between limiting public access to computers, or foregoing state funding for the Statewide Library Electronic Doorway (SLED), the Alaska Digital Archives, and other statewide database programs.  Installing the filters (which university librarians estimate would cost the university approximately $60,000 per year to license and maintain) is not an option, since filters inadvertantly block too many sites necessary for educational and research purposes. Link to this Bill: HB 353 continued... An Act requiring publication of notice by state agencies when they transfer positions in the classified, partially exempt, or exempt service from one area of the state to another HB 374 adds a new section to Alaska Statutes – Sec. 44.99.450 – that requires public notice by state agencies, including the University of Alaska, when positions in the classified, partially exempt, or exempt service are transferred from one area of the state to another. Link to this Bill: HB 374 continued... An Act relating to postsecondary educational institutions, teachers at postsecondary educational institutions, and the textbooks and related materials selected or used by postsecondary educational institutions or by teachers at postsecondary educational i Link to this Bill: HB 375 continued... An Act requiring the Department of Education and Early Development to establish an electronic education records system and standards and requiring school districts to establish and maintain electronic education records systems; requiring learning.... HB 384 would direct the Department of Education & Early Development to establish a statewide electronic education records system, and would require school districts to establish and maintain their students’ records in an electronic system compatible with the DEED’s system.  HB 384 also requires school districts to develop a student learning plan for each student enrolled in their district.  Lastly, HB 384 would establish a Merit Scholarship Task Force to develop a proposal for a merit scholarship program. Link to this Bill: HB 384 continued... An Act creating a postsecondary scholarship grant program for Alaska residents based on high achievement and financial need HB 397 will establish the Alaska Achievers Incentive Program within the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. This program will help reduce the costs of a postsecondary education for those students who demonstrate academic success as well as financial need. HB 403 is the appropriation vehicle for HB 397.  Both bills are currently in the House Finance Committee (April 4, 2008). Link to this Bill: HB 397 continued... An Act appropriating $100,000,000 to the Alaska achievers' scholarship fund; and providing for an effective date HB 403 is the appropriation vehicle for HB 397.  HB 397 will establish the Alaska Achievers Incentive Program within the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. This program will help reduce the costs of a postsecondary education for those students who demonstrate academic success as well as financial need. Link to this Bill: HB 403 continued... An Act establishing an Alaska Renewable Energy Task Force HB 404 would establish a legislative task force on renewable energy.  The task force would consist of 15 members, including a member from the University of Alaska.  The task force would meet at least four times, and would prepare reports of its findings and recommendations to the legislature, which shall be due before March 1, 2009, and again before March 1, 2010.  The task force would be dissolved on April 16, 2010. Link to this Bill: HB 404 continued... An Act relating to forgiveness of a percentage of student loans for a member of the armed forces deployed since 2001 HB 405 would grant a 50% student loan forgiveness, up to a maximum amount of $20,000 for a resident of the state who has served in the armed forces and was deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq during or after 2001. Forgiveness under the program established by this legislation is subject to appropriation. Link to this Bill: HB 405 continued... An Act relating to state lease-purchases of equipment and other personal property; and providing for an effective date HB 419 institutes reporting requirements for agencies that enter into lease-purchase agreements for equipment and other personal property.  HB 419 passed the legislature on April 11, 2008. Link to this Bill: HB 419 continued... Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to standing committees HCR 14 would amend Uniform Rules to establish standing committees for education in both the senate and the house, which is a recommendation of the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force (JLEFTF).  One of the responsibilities of a standing committee on education would be oversight of the University of Alaska. SCR 15, the senate version of this resolution passed the legislature on March 27, 2008, and includes language that will lapse the Standing Commiittees on Education at the beginning of the First Regular Session of the Twenty-Eighth Alaska State Legislature (2013). Link to this Bill: HCR 14 continued... An Act relating to tuition waivers for a child who was in foster care; relating to eligibility for foster care and subsidy payments for a hard-to-place child; and changing the definition of 'child' to include persons under 23 years of age in foster care Link to this Bill: SB 17 continued... An Act relating to postsecondary educational services and programs for Alaska residents; relating to a student loan repayment program for medical doctors, and amending the duties of the State Medical Board that relate to the program; relating to a student Link to this Bill: SB 32 continued... An Act making an appropriation for a bioscience facility at the University of Alaska Fairbanks; and providing for an effective date SB 37 appropriates money for a bioscience facility at UAF.  The University of Alaska Board of Regents has approved the BIOS project as its highest new construction priority for FY '08. Without the expansion of BIOS, UAF is at near capacity for cutting edge research. As the state's doctoral-degree-granting institution, UAF's expertise in basic biological research serves as the foundation for preparing students for high-demand careers in biological sciences as well as for advanced degrees in human and animal health. Link to this Bill: SB 37 continued... An Act relating to contributions from permanent fund dividends to community foundations, to certain educational organizations, and to certain other charitable organizations that provide a positive youth development program, workforce development.... SB 43 would allow permanent fund dividend recipients to donate a portion of their dividends to qualified charities, through their pfd application.  The Rasmuson Foundation has agreed to fund the administrative cost of the program established by SB 43 for the first three years of operation.  (HB 166 would establish a program similar to that established by SB 43). Link to this Bill: SB 43 continued... An Act amending the functions and powers of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education; and relating to the repayment provisions for medical education and postsecondary degree program participants The purpose of SB 73 is to address the severe doctor shortage in Alaska. Under the WWAMI agreement, students pay in-state tuition at the University of Washington and the State of Alaska pays the difference.  Students who enter the program must return to Alaska to practice or pay back the state's subsidy.  Current statute places a cap on the number of students allowed into the WWAMI program at 10.  SB 73 would remove that cap, and establish minimum of 20 students per year.  It would also allow students to defer repayment during military or other specified public service. (HB 18, another bill addressing the shortage of doctors in Alaska by increasing the number of students who may participate in WWAMI,  passed the legislature and was signed into law with an effective date of June 26, 2007.) Link to this Bill: SB 73   continued... An Act establishing a higher education savings program for eligible children who were placed in out-of-home care by the state; and providing for confidentiality of identifying information of a beneficiary under the program SB 76 establishes a higher education savings program for eligible children placed in out-of-home care by the state.  SB 76 passed the legislature on May 9, 2007, and became effective on October 15, 2007. Link to this Bill: SB 76 continued... An Act relating to unemployment contributions for the Alaska technical and vocational education program and to the allocation of money appropriated to the Alaska Workforce Investment Board; and providing for an effective date SB 124 would increase support for the adult voc/tech training programs by addressing training needs throughout Alaska.  Acting to increase Alaska’s construction trades workforce before construction of a gas line starts ensures that the greatest number of Alaskans will participate in building the gas line. A key component in any effort to train Alaskans for gas line construction jobs, or any public construction jobs, is the state’s trade union apprenticeship programs.  The Alaska Works Partnership, Inc. (AWP) has put together a program that offers the training expertise for all the trades operating under one umbrella organization, and brings together residents from all areas of Alaska, urban and rural, into their program. Equally important, AWP has extended their training programs and expertise to other voc/tech programs in Alaska through cooperative arrangements. These efforts have proven to be very effective in providing skilled workers for local construction projects. On April 11, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee amended HB 2 to contain substantially the same language included in SB 124.  HB 2 passed the legislature on April 12, 2008. Link to this Bill: SB 124 continued... An Act making special appropriations to fund the access-to-education trust; and providing for an effective date SB 126 would make an appropriation of $20,000,000 to the Access-to Education Trust, which would be established by SB 127. Link to this Bill: SB 126 continued... An Act creating the access-to-education trust as an endowment to fund the AlaskaAdvantage education grant program; and providing for an effective date SB 127 would establish the Access-to-Education Trust as an endowment trust of the state.  SB 126 would make an appropriation of $20,000,000 to the Access-to-Education Trust established by SB 127. Link to this Bill: SB 127 continued... An Act requiring paid leave from employment for bone marrow donation SB 140 would require public employers to provide not less than 40 hours of leave for bone marrow donors, unless the employee requests fewer hours.  A private employer with more than 20 employees would be required to provide not more than 60 or less than 40 hours of leave for bone marrow donors, unless the employee requests fewer hours of leave. Link to this Bill: SB 140 continued... An Act relating to the state budget, to performance of state agencies,... and to missions and desired results to be applied to certain expenditures from state budgets by the executive branch of state government, including the University.... SB 194 would define the mission statements of state agencies, including the University of Alaska and the Judicial Branch.  SB 192 and SB 193 have general provisions addressing mission statements, while SB 194 contains language specific to the university. These bills were introduced at the beginning of the second session, January 16, 2008. Link to this Bill: SB 194 continued... An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making supplemental appropriations; and making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State SB 220 is the FY 09 Operating Budget: annual appropriations covering ongoing operations of state programs. Operating budget appropriations are made for a fiscal year and any unexpended and unobligated funds typically lapse at the end of the fiscal year. Link to this Bill: SB 220 continued... An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date SB 221 is the FY 09 capital budget, which makes appropriations for funds that have an anticipated life that exceeds one year and that usually cost more than $25,000. Capital budget appropriations lapse only if funds remain after the project is completed.  The larger university projects included in SB 221 are $48.2 million for major maintenance (R&R), $46 million for the Health Sciences Facility in Anchorage, $15 million for planning/design/site preparation for a sports arena in Anchorage, $7.9 million for UAA student housing, and $4 million for the Tanana Valley Campus. SB 221 also includes just under $1 million for the remaining FY08 supplemental utility cost increases. SB 221 passed the legislature on April 15, 2008. Link to this Bill: SB 221 continued... An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date SB 222 is the FY 09 mental health budget, containing operating and capital mental health appropriations. Link to this Bill: SB 222 continued... An Act relating to a report to the legislature on teacher preparation, retention, and recruitment by the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska; and providing for an effective date SB 241 is a product of the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force (JLEFTF) meetings which occurred over the summer, and represents a desire by the task force for increased communications between the university and the legislature.  Under SB 241, the University of Alaska Board of Regents shall provide an annual report to the legislature documenting the university’s efforts and degree of success in training teachers and assisting districts in attracting and retaining qualified teachers. SB 241 passed the legislature on April 7, 2008. Link to this Bill: SB 241 continued... An Act establishing the Alaska capstone avionics revolving loan fund and relating to the fund; and providing for an effective date SB 249 establishes a revolving loan fund within the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development to provide low-interest loans to aircraft owners for the purchase of Capstone avionic equipment in order to improve air safety in Alaska.  An initial Capstone project in Southwest Alaska reduced the accident rate in that area by 47%.  Once Capstone is implemented statewide, the FAA estimates a 33% overall reduction in fatal accidents, with a combined $824 million in savings.  The Capstone research grant to the university is currently $2,786,000. SB 249 passed the legislature and was signed by the governor on April 10, 2008. Link to this Bill: SB 249 continued... An Act making supplemental appropriations, capital appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; making an appropriation to the senior benefits payment program; amending certain appropriations; ratifying certain expenditures; and making appr SB 256 is the FY 08 supplemental appropriation budget submitted to the legislature by the governor, containing program cost changes for the remainder of the current fiscal year.  SB 256 passed the legislature and was transmitted to the governor on March 19, 2008.  It was signed into law, with partial vetoes, on April 4, 2008. Link to this Bill: SB 256 continued... An Act requiring publication of notice by state agencies when they transfer positions in the classified, partially exempt, or exempt service from one area of the state to another SB 281 adds a new section to Alaska Statutes – Sec. 44.99.450 – which requires public notice by state agencies, including the University of Alaska, when positions in the classified, partially exempt, or exempt service are transferred from one area of the state to another.  SB 281 was introduced on February 19, 2008, and was referred to the Senate State Affairs and Finance Committees. Link to this Bill: SB 281 continued... An Act creating a postsecondary scholarship grant program for Alaska residents based on high achievement and financial need SB 302 would establish the Alaska Achievers Incentive Program within the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. This program will help reduce the costs of a postsecondary education for those students who demonstrate academic success as well as financial need. Link to this Bill: SB 302 continued... Relating to a "State of Our University" address to the legislature SCR 1 would invite the president of the University of Alaska to address a joint session of the legislature on the state of the university. Link to this Bill: SCR 1 continued... Proposing amendments to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to standing committees. SCR 15 amends Uniform Rules, establishing standing committees for education in both the senate and the house, which is a recommendation of the Joint Legislative Education funding Task Force (JLEFTF).  One of the responsibilities of a standing committee on education would be oversight of the University of Alaska. SCR 15 passed the legislature on March 27, 2008.  The version passed contains language lapsing the standing commiittees on education at the beginning of the First Regular Session of the Twenty-Eighth Alaska State Legislature (2013). Link to this Bill: SCR 15 continued... University Relations:This page is maintained by the Office of University Relations, University of Alaska Statewide System. Contact Pete Kelly for information about these bills.