Legislature(2019 - 2020)DAVIS 106
03/24/2020 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB255 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 255 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 255-FOOD STAMPS; WORK REQS; TIME LIMITS
3:35:39 PM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced that the only order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 255, "An Act relating to a waiver of work
requirements or time limits in the food stamp program; and
providing for an effective date."
3:36:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON, Alaska State Legislature, shared
that the administration was seeking a more aggressive waiver,
although, according to Department of Health and Social Services
Commissioner Crum, the waiver would be sought only for the
duration of the response to COVID-19. He paraphrased the
Division of Public Assistance Director Shawnda O'Brien, who
stated teams were working on implementation for all recipients
of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) program
for the duration of the state's efforts in dealing with the
effect of the virus." He reflected that two of the leading
administration officials had indicated a return to a "less
aggressive" waiver. He offered his belief that the likelihood
of the economic impacts would extend beyond the immediate
response window.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON pointed out that, prior to this current
"panic that there is in Alaska today," Alaska was in its worst
economic strait relative to other states. He recounted that the
unemployment rate in Alaska was in the range of 6 percent, the
highest rate in the United States, and he expressed his
agreement with U.S. Senator [Lisa] Murkowski that Alaska policy
should "take a more aggressive disposition toward seeking
waivers." He acknowledged that although the current Alaska
administration was sympathetic to the situation, there were
indications of a return to the earlier philosophy for the "able-
bodied adult approach" once COVID-19 is tamed or defeated. He
declared that the proposed bill was still important and
worthwhile.
3:38:47 PM
ELISE SORUM-BIRK, Staff, Representative Andy Josephson, Alaska
State Legislature, added that roughly one-third of the current
SNAP recipients worked in the service industry and these
individuals were being hit particularly hard by the current
situation. She shared an anecdote for the layoffs of employees
in Anchorage. She reiterated that the economic impact of COVID-
19 would not be limited to the duration of the response and
would be felt much longer. She noted that this was a question
for consistency in state policy and pointed to the need for
something in law that said we needed to consistently be seeking
the most we could from the federal government with regard to
SNAP waivers for able-bodied adults without dependents. She
declared this would be a good policy to have in place, as it
would allow better planning for the future.
MS. SORUM-BIRK, in response to Representative Drummond, said
that roughly 220 of 350 employees had been laid off.
3:40:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ commented that the group of people
being impacted by the proposed bill were already working in the
service industry, as administrative professionals, in sales,
professional support, transportation, construction, and across
industries and were already making every effort to earn enough
money. She opined that they would all like to make more money
and would prefer not to need SNAP benefits. She pointed out
many people needed SNAP benefits to ensure adequate access to
food, which was important to health, and hence, important to
being able to work. She declared it was important to make a
policy statement about this, that it was necessary for stability
and not just during the COVID-19 dilemma. She pointed out there
could be 25,000 restaurant and service workers heavily impacted
who would need these benefits.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR shared her support, noting that legislation
such as the proposed bill could reduce fear, worry, and anxiety.
CHAIR ZULKOSKY expressed her support for the need of consistency
and stability for this policy. She opined Alaskans needed help
"outside of the realm of political ideology," adding this was "a
great step in the right direction for sound public policy when
Alaskans [needed] it most."
3:44:20 PM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY opened public testimony.
3:44:30 PM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY closed public testimony.
3:44:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ moved to report HB 255, Version 31-
LS1556\M, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying zero fiscal notes. Without objection HB 255
was moved from the House Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.