Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/09/2008 08:30 AM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB 243 | |
| SB 185 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 185 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 243 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 243(HES)
"An Act relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska
Commission on Aging and the Department of Health and
Social Services."
SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS (SPONSOR) introduced SB 243, which
moves grant duties formerly carried out by the Commission on
Aging to the Department of Health and Social Services. She
pre-approved an amendment to be presented later in the
meeting.
8:55:52 AM
TOM OBERMEYER, STAFF, SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS (SPONSOR), read
paragraph one of the sponsor statement noting the zero
fiscal note.
As required by a 2007 Legislative Audit, this "clean-
up" bill brings into alignment grant duties and
responsibilities that were previously given to the
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), when
the Commission on Aging (ACoA) and Division of Senior
Services became part of DHSS…
Senate Bill 243 assigns authority for establishing
state policy related to the Older Americans Act
federal programs and state programs for Older Alaskans
to the Department of Health and Social Services. The
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is
recognized as the state "Unit on Aging." The bill also
transfers grant authority related to senior service
grants, adult day care, and family respite care grants
from the Alaska Commission on Aging to DHSS. DHSS has
assigned these grant administrative duties to Senior
and Disabilities Services.
Mr. Obermeyer referenced the sectional analysis describing
the authorities and responsibilities of each unit. The
fiscal note further illustrates the shifting of past powers
into statute.
8:57:52 AM
DENISE DANIELLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON
AGING, testified before the committee and through a formal
letter (copy on file) in support of the bill. Senate Bill
243(HES) amends statutes to reflect the current work of ACoA
and DHSS initiated by Executive Order 108 in July 2003.
Ms. Daniello recapped that ACoA works closely with the
Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS) to assist
the department in carrying out its "state unit on aging"
responsibilities. Whereas, administrating and distributing
state funds to senior service programs falls under SDS, the
Commission focuses on planning, community education, and
advocacy activities on behalf of older Alaskans. Current
legislation cures the one and only finding reported by the
Division of Legislative Audit in June 2007.
8:59:45 AM
Representative Gara inquired into ACoA's stance on Amendment
#1. Ms. Daniello answered in support of the amendment, which
allows residents of the pioneer home to receive the economic
stimulus payment arriving from the Federal Government.
9:01:05 AM
Co-Chair Chenault MOVED to ADOPT amendment #1.
Representative Hawker OBJECTED.
VIRGINIA SMILEY, DIRECTOR, ALASKA PIONEER HOMES, DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES explained that in anticipation
of a federally funded economic stimulus package, AS 47.55
did not allow pioneer home residents on payment assistance
to keep the rebate. Amendment #1 adds an exemption in Sec.
7. AS 47.55.020(d)(10) for "the poorest of the poor"
allowing those seniors to hold onto a federal refund that
will come in this fiscal year.
9:02:38 AM
Representative Gara appreciated the clarification and
expressed gratitude for the amendment. Representative Hawker
thanked Ms. Smiley for her work.
9:03:23 AM
Representative Hawker WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
Senator Davis favored the amendment.
There being NO OBJECTION, amendment #1 was adopted.
Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to report CSSB 243(FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations and a zero fiscal
note from Department of Health and Social Services. There
being NO OBJECTION.
CSSB 243(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with individual
recommendations and a zero fiscal note from Department of
Health and Social Services.
9:05:40 AM
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