02/21/2006 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS

SB 224-OLDER ALASKANS' DAY                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
8:47:44 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  SEATON  announced that  the  next  order of  business  was                                                               
SENATE BILL NO. 224, "An Act establishing Older Alaskans' Day."                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 8:47:55 AM to 8:51:06 AM.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  GARY STEVENS,  Alaska State  Legislation, introduced  SB
, as  sponsor.  He  said the  bill would designate  the second                                                               
Wednesday of  September as  "Older Alaskans' Day."   He  said the                                                               
idea came  about during a  recent visit  to the senior  center in                                                               
Kodiak.   He stated  the importance  of Alaska's  seniors, noting                                                               
that  they  are  among  the fastest  growing  population  in  the                                                               
country.   He said  Alaska's seniors  contribute millions  to the                                                               
economy,  give  an enormous  amount  of  volunteer time  to  many                                                               
organizations,  and   share  their   wisdom  and   experience  to                                                               
everyone.  He stated that he thinks  it would be fitting to set a                                                               
day  aside to  recognize  the accomplishments  of Alaska's  older                                                               
citizens.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
[REPRESENTATIVES  LYNN  and  GRUENBERG mentioned  a  conflict  of                                                               
interest.]                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
8:53:44 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved Amendment 1, as follows:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     On page 1, line 7:                                                                                                         
     Delete "quiet"                                                                                                             
     Insert "raucous"                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG withdrew Amendment 1.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
8:54:19 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  SEATON  closed  public  testimony,  then  reopened  it  to                                                               
accommodate a testifier present in the room.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
8:54:36 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARIE  DARLIN,   Coordinator,  AARP  Capital  City   Task  Force,                                                               
testified in support  of SB 224.  She stated  that older Alaskans                                                               
contribute  much to  the  community.   She  noted  her letter  of                                                               
support included in committee packet.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
8:55:38 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SEATON closed public testimony.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
8:55:59 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER stated her support of SB 224.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
8:56:10 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved to report  SB 224 out of committee with                                                               
individual  recommendations.   There being  no objection,  SB 224                                                               
was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.