2016-01-19                     House Journal                      Page 1457
HB 262                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 262 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to eligibility requirements of the Alaska senior                                                          
      benefits payment program; and providing for an effective date."                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services                                                            
and Finance Committees.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18, 2016, follows:                                                              
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Chenault:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill amending eligibility requirements                                                        
for the Alaska senior benefits payment program.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The bill proposes to add an additional qualifying criterion to the                                                              
eligibility requirements for the senior benefits payment program. An                                                            
individual must be either a citizen of the United States or a qualified                                                         
alien under 8 United States Code 1641, in addition to meeting existing                                                          
age, state residency, financial and program application criteria. This                                                          
change would align the eligibility requirements of the Alaska senior                                                            
benefits payment program with other public assistance programs and                                                              
allow continued assistance to eligible seniors in a fiscally responsible                                                        
manner.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor"