Legislature(1999 - 2000)
1999-02-18 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1999-02-18 Senate Journal Page 0288 SB 80 SENATE BILL NO. 80 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: 1999-02-18 Senate Journal Page 0289 SB 80 An Act relating to contracts for the provision of state public assistance to certain recipients in the state; providing for regional public assistance plans and programs in the state; relating to grants for Alaska tribal family assistance programs; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs, Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. Zero fiscal note published today from Department of Health and Social Services. Governors transmittal letter dated February 18: Dear President Pearce: The bill I transmit today continues Alaska's efforts to implement effective and responsible welfare reform, particularly in rural areas. This bill builds on the provision in federal welfare reform law that allows regional non-profit Native corporations to develop and implement independent welfare programs promoting local responsibility for program success by tying program assistance to local economic and social conditions. Under this bill, the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will be able to award grants to regional Native organizations operating tribal family assistance plans that differ from the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program plan because they are designed to meet regional circumstances. The federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 provided that specifically named Alaska Native organizations could propose to operate tribal temporary assistance plans, independent of the state plan, to serve the Alaska Native and Indian populations within a specific geographical region. A state- and federally-approved tribal family assistance plan will receive, directly from the federal government, a portion of Alaska's allocation of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block 1999-02-18 Senate Journal Page 0290 SB 80 grant money. The federal money, however, is only about half of the money that has historically been appropriated to serve this population. This bill establishes clear statutory standards under which the state would provide grants to Alaska Native organizations with federally-approved tribal plans that differ from the state's plan. As of October 1, 1998, Tanana Chief's Conference, Inc. (TCC) received approval from the federal government to operate its own tribal temporary assistance program for needy families. The DHSS developed a plan with TCC to serve tribal program recipients. Under current state law, however, the program must be identical to the state's temporary assistance program. As a consequence, the state loses the opportunity to shape regional programs to meet regional conditions. This bill will make it possible for regional programs to be designed to specifically address local circumstances. Regional tribal plans are expected to be custom designed to meet the economic conditions and needs of the region. This bill also would allow the DHSS to adopt a regional plan for non-tribal members if such a plan appears more suitable to address regional conditions. Therefore, program standards under a regional plan could differ from some otherwise generally applicable standards of the state's plan, but would always contain specifically identified program elements. This bill will contribute to making our public assistance programs more effective by considering regional conditions in plan developments. I urge your support of this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor