The bill introduces significant amendments to Alaska's education laws, focusing on various aspects such as public school attendance, mobile device usage, reading proficiency grants, charter school authorization, student transportation, and school bond debt reimbursement. It establishes that school-age children can attend public school without tuition in their resident district and allows applications to other schools under specific conditions. Additionally, the bill mandates school districts to create regulations regarding personal mobile communication devices, limiting their use to emergencies or educational purposes. It also introduces reading proficiency incentive grants for K-6 students and outlines a process for charter school establishment, while modifying funding structures for student transportation and extending bond debt reimbursement timelines.

Moreover, the bill amends education funding laws, particularly concerning reimbursement rates for municipalities related to tax-exempt bonds for school construction. It extends eligibility dates for reimbursement from January 1, 2015, to July 1, 2030, and adjusts reimbursement percentages based on bond authorization dates. The bill also introduces financial incentives for full-time teachers, offering $5,000 for those who complete a full school term, with additional amounts of $10,000 or $15,000 for teachers in designated districts to enhance retention and recruitment. Lastly, it requires the education committees to prepare a report on public school funding and includes provisions for the Department of Education to adopt necessary regulations, while amending the repeal date for certain laws from 2025 to 2030.

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