House committee considers HB 358 to fund cross‑district CTE mobility grants to expand rural access

Rep. Bill Elam presented House Bill 358 on March 2, describing a statewide career and technical education (CTE) mobility grant program intended to expand student access to CTE opportunities across Alaska’s geographically dispersed districts.

Elam said the bill would let students in small, rural, or remote districts attend programs in other districts (host districts), reimburse incremental student‑specific costs, and prioritize funding when appropriations are insufficient. The bill would also create performance‑based incentive grants tied to measurable outcomes such as certifications, apprenticeships, dual credit and job placements, and establish facility and equipment modernization grants with a focus on shared, multi‑district use.

Kendra Broussard read the bill’s sectional analysis, noting amendments to AS 14.07.028 and AS 14.07.020(a) to require collaboration between the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, creation of a new Article 17 in AS 14.30 to establish the grant program, and a conforming amendment to AS 44.31.020 for labor collaboration.

DEED deputy director Kelly Manning reviewed the fiscal note and said the grants themselves would be subject to appropriation; the department would need to add personal‑services support to implement the program. Manning cited a first‑year staffing cost (transcribed around $177,000) and out‑year staffing near $171,000 to provide implementation support, consortium assistance and partnership development. Rep. Schwanke questioned whether a dedicated position was necessary; DEED said full implementation would require year‑round staff capacity if the appropriation is funded.

Invited witnesses representing districts and regional CTE partnerships praised the bill’s focus on rural access and regional collaboration. Zach Stinson, a CTE specialist with Pathfinder Solutions, said the grants could create hubs and short intensive trainings and referenced a Department of Labor figure that roughly $3.8 billion went to out‑of‑state workers last year as rationale for strengthening local pipelines. Annalie Karen, Kenai Peninsula college and career readiness coordinator, described on‑the‑ground barriers such as instructor certification and costs for materials and HVAC upgrades for welding facilities.

The committee opened public testimony (no callers) and then closed it. Co‑chair Story said the committee will hold HB 358 over to allow additional discussion and work.