1997-02-24                     House Journal                      Page 0442
HB 153                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 153 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act relating to the eligibility of aliens for state public                
assistance and medical assistance programs affected by federal                 
welfare reform legislation; and providing for an effective date."              
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Health,             
Education & Social Services and Finance Committees.                            
                                                                               
The following fiscal notes apply:                                              
                                                                               
Fiscal notes (3), Dept. of Health & Social Services, 2/24/97                   
Zero fiscal notes (2), Dept. of Health & Social Services, 2/24/97              
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter, dated February 24, 1997, appears            
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                        
                                                                               
Federal welfare reform enacted in August 1996 limited the eligibility          
of certain legal immigrants for public and medical assistance benefits         
and left it up to the states whether to continue that coverage.  With this     
bill, I am asking Alaska to assure those qualified immigrants in need,         
who were here before the change in federal law, can continue to                
receive benefits.  Those arriving after the change in law would be             
subject to the new restrictions.                                               
                                                                               
The state welfare reform bill enacted in Alaska in 1996 did not address        
the eligibility of immigrants.  This bill establishes that Medicaid,           
family assistance, and adult public assistance benefits will be available      
to "qualified aliens" and that for aliens who entered the United States        
on or after August 22, 1996, these benefits will not be available for the      
first five years after establishing qualified alien status in the United       
States.                                                                        
                                                                               
This legislation strikes an appropriate balance in services for legal          
immigrants.  By continuing to provide services to those who were in            
the country before the new federal welfare law was enacted, the state          
is acknowledging its responsibility to provide safety net programs for         

1997-02-24                     House Journal                      Page 0443
HB 153                                                                       
those Alaskans who need basic services and who originally entered this         
country under conditions that would grant them these services.                 
However, those immigrants coming into the country after August 1996            
will be aware they are subject to new rules and their access to services       
will be restricted.                                                            
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"