Legislature(2015 - 2016)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/04/2016 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB91 | |
| SB145 | |
| SB147 | |
| SB170 | |
| SB174 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 91 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 145 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 147 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 170 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 174 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 145
"An Act relating to the recovery of overpayments of
day care assistance and child care grants; and
providing for an effective date."
9:12:50 AM
Co-Chair Kelly MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee substitute
for SB 145, Work Draft 29-GS2769\W (Glover, 3/24/16).
Co-Chair MacKinnon OBJECTED for discussion.
ERIN SHINE, STAFF, SENATOR ANNA MACKINNON, explained the
change in the CS. She detailed that previously the bill
allowed Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) garnishment for
daycare assistance and childcare grants overpayments. She
elaborated that during a hearing of the companion bill in
the other body [House] it had come to light there were two
other benefit programs (Senior Benefits Program and Alaska
Heating Assistance Program) under public assistance that
did not have the ability. The CS allowed the Division of
Public Assistance to garnish for all public assistance
programs.
Co-Chair MacKinnon WITHDREW her OBJECTION. There being NO
further OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
9:14:32 AM
SEAN O'BRIEN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES (DHSS), spoke in
support of the change in the CS. He explained it was
primarily to ensure the option for PFD garnishment was made
available across all public assistance programs. The
division felt the consistency was important for the sake of
equity and for administering the program.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked if the fiscal notes needed to be
updated. Mr. O'Brien replied that the $500,000 receipt
recovery was probably still very close [to accurate]. The
department had not submitted a revised fiscal note because
the vast majority of anticipated funds would come through
the childcare program. The other two programs that would be
impacted by the amendment were the Senior Benefits Program
and the Alaska Heating Assistance Program. The department's
analysis had not seen an appreciable change. The fiscal
note currently showed an anticipated recovery period of
$500,000, which DHSS felt would cover all of its programs.
He reiterated the amount was an estimate.
Senator Olson observed that there had been a change from
federal funds to general funds in the fiscal note. Mr.
O'Brien responded that childcare funds were federal funds.
He specified if the department was unable to recoup those
funds the difference would have to be paid with general
funds. If the department recouped the federal funds it
would offset the cost "and transfer those that way" as
opposed to potentially losing the general funds, which the
department would have to pay back if it did not recoup the
federal funds.
9:17:35 AM
Senator Olson believed the fiscal note showed a cost of
$500,000 in general funds. Mr. O'Brien answered the General
Fund could take a hit of $500,000 if the department did not
have the ability to recoup the federal funding.
Senator Olson asked for verification the department looked
at the issue as positive. Mr. O'Brien responded that the
department looked at the item as a neutral offset.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked for a review of the three fiscal
notes.
Vice-Chair Micciche relayed he had two fiscal notes for the
legislation.
9:18:24 AM
AT EASE
9:21:34 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon explained that Fiscal Note 3 had
replaced Fiscal Note 1.
Vice-Chair Micciche addressed Fiscal Note 2 from the
Department of Revenue, which included zero fiscal impact.
Fiscal note 3, which had replaced Fiscal Note 1 from the
Department of Health and Social Services showed federal
receipts of $500,000 per year and General Fund program
authority of $500,000. He understood the committee had
questions about the absolute impact of the particular
fiscal note.
Co-Chair MacKinnon clarified the note showed reduction of
$500,000 in federal receipts and a new expenditure of
$500,000 in general funds. She asked for the accuracy of
her statement.
Vice-Chair Micciche replied he believed the note showed a
wash of federal receipts offsetting [general funds].
Co-Chair MacKinnon conveyed she would speak to the
Legislative Finance Division about zeroing out the general
funds associated with the note.
SB 145 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 91 CS SS SB 91 (FIN) ver F.pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 91 |
| SB 174 CS SB 174(FIN) ver I - Summary of Changes.pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 174 |
| CS SB 174(FIN) ver I.pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 174 |
| CS SB 145 (FIN) ver W.pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 145 |