January 15, 2008

The 2008 Session of the 25^th Alaska Legislature convened in Juneau on January 15, 2008.  www.legis.state.ak.us

Senate Bill 14 (SB 14), an Act raising the compulsory school attendance age, relating to truancy and relating to employment of minors, etc., has been carried over from the 2007 Session.  Provisions of this bill would affect Homeschool families.  No further Committee action is presently scheduled. 

We will continue to monitor this Bill and other Legislative action of concern and update the membership with Legislative Alerts as appropriate.

April 18, 2007

Senate Bill 14 (SB14) The committee listened to about an hour of testimony and then adjourned.  They will take continue the hearing on this bill at a later date.  

April 16, 2007

Senate Bill 14 (SB14) SB14 will be substituted with a bill which combines SB14, SB10 & SB31.  These bills are truancy bills.

The committee substitute bill will not be available to the public until it is introduced in the hearing.  We encourage you to call your Senator and these committee members and ask that the hearing on the substitue bill be delayed until the public has time to review and comment on it. (See committee members below).
 

To listen to the hearing go to www.ktoo.org/gavel .

April 14, 2007

April 2, 2007

House Bill 52 (HB52) Rep. Bob Lynn's office has confirmed that HB 52 has been pulled and will not be heard in committee today. 

March 30, 2007

House Bill 52 (HB52) has been scheduled for a hearing before the House State Affairs Commitee, April 3, 2007 at 8:00 a.m.  Please contact Committee Chair Rep. Bob Lynn at 800-870-4931 and your local legislator to express any concerns you have regarding this legislation (See APHEA comments below).

March 7, 2007

Senate Bill 14 (SB14) raises the compulsory school attendance age from 16 to 18.  SB14 affects Homeschoolers as it requires them to continue their home education for two years longer than now required.  It would also raise from 16 to 18 the age of a person restricted to a combined total hours of school and employment in one day.

Recommendation: HSLDA and APHEA recommend that SB14 be opposed.

Status:  Referred to Senate Special Committee on Education

            Chair: Sen.Gary Stevens 800-821-4925

            Vice Chair:  Sen.Charlie Huggins 800-862-3878

            Members: Sen.Bettye Davis,  907-465-3822

                             Sen. Donald Olson,  907-465-3707

                             Sen. Gary Wilken,  907-465-3709

            Senate President: Sen. Lyda Green, 907-465-6600

March 7, 2007

House Bill 52 (HB52) is a drivers license bill which would require a person under 18 to have graduated from High School or be enrolled in school or an educational program in order to get a drivers license.  It is uncertain whether or how homeschooled students would qualify for a license.

Recommendation:  HSLDA and APHEA oppose any legislation that attaches getting a drivers license to school attendance.

Status:  Referred to House State Affairs Committee

            Chair: Rep. Bob Lynn, 800-870-4931

            Vice Chair: Rep. Bob Roses, 907-465-4939

            Members:   Rep. John Coghill, Jr., 907-465-3719

                               Rep. Kyle Johansen, 907-465-3424

                               Rep. Craig Johnson, 907-465-4993

                               Rep. Andrea Doll, 907-465-3744

                               Rep. Max Gruenberg, 907-465-4940

            House Speaker: Rep. John Harris, 907-465-4859

We encourage all members to contact the appropriate legislators, as well as their own representatives, regarding this pending legislation.