The bill introduces significant amendments to Alaska's education laws, focusing on public school attendance, mobile communication device policies, reading proficiency grants, charter school authorization, and school construction funding. It clarifies that school-age children can attend public school without tuition in their resident district and allows applications to schools outside their district, contingent on capacity. A new mandate requires school districts to restrict student use of personal mobile devices during school hours, with exceptions for emergencies and educational purposes. Additionally, the bill establishes a reading proficiency incentive grant program for K-6 students, providing $450 for each qualifying student, and modifies the timeline for bond debt reimbursement applications, extending eligibility for municipalities until 2030.

Moreover, the bill outlines a tiered reimbursement structure for school construction funding based on the date of authorization, with percentages ranging from 90% to 40%. It increases funding factors for vocational and technical instruction and introduces a financial incentive program for full-time teachers, offering $10,000 to teachers in certain districts and $15,000 in others to enhance retention and recruitment. The bill also mandates a joint report from the house and senate education committees on public school funding and accountability, while allowing the Department of Education to adopt necessary regulations. Certain provisions are set to be repealed by July 1, 2030, as part of the bill's implementation.

Statutes affected:
SB0082A, AM SB 82, introduced 01/31/2025: 14.03.080, 14.14.110, 14.14.120, 14.17.600, 14.03.300, 14.30.760, 14.03.124, 14.03.255, 14.03.290, 14.07.170, 14.03.250, 14.03.253, 14.09.010, 14.11.014, 14.11.100, 14.07.020, 14.11.008, 14.11.102, 14.16.200, 14.17.410, 14.17.470, 14.17.450, 14.17.460, 14.17.430, 14.17.420, 14.17.510, 29.45.110, 14.17.400