Legislature(1993 - 1994)
04/26/1994 05:55 PM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 421: An Act authorizing grants for temporary housing assistance during emergencies and disasters. Tim Sullivan, aide to Representative Eldon Mulder, testified in support of HB 421. Discussion was had by Co-chairs Frank, Pearce, Senators Rieger and Kelly regarding assistance grants and temporary housing. Conceptual Amendment 1 and 2 were ADOPTED. HB 421 was HELD in committee until new language for SCSHB 421(FIN) was complete and could be rescheduled. HOUSE BILL NO. 421: An Act authorizing grants for temporary housing assistance during emergencies and disasters. Co-chair Pearce announced that HB 421 was before the committee. Tim Sullivan, aide to Representative Eldon Mulder, said this bill was introduced by request of Alaska Division of Emergency Services. Currently people that were displaced from their homes during a state-declared disaster have temporary housing arrangements negotiated individually by the Department of Military & Veteran Affairs. This can be a lengthy and tedious process that takes time and energy away from other disaster assistance. FEMA had streamlined this process during a federal-declared disaster by making grants directly to displaced individuals. These individuals made their own housing arrangements reducing costs and removing liability from the government as a lessor. This change in state statutes would result in a more efficient response to temporary housing needs during a state-declared disaster. Senator Rieger asked if this would allow the Governor to have his own capital budget for building or providing housing. Mr. Sullivan said that during a state disaster, individuals could find their own housing and they would receive the grant directly. In answer to Co-chair Pearce, Mr. Sullivan said he did not know if there was a limit to the amount of the grant. Co- chair Frank thought individuals were eligible for a $2,500 grant during disasters. Senator Kelly voiced his concern that state grants be subordinate to FEMA and other private insurance assistance available. He MOVED conceptual amendment 1, changing page 1, line 11, to read "make temporary housing assistance grants, subordinate to FEMA and private insurance assistance." Senator Kerttula asked if the individual amount should be capped. Co-chair Pearce reworded the amendment to read "make grants for temporary housing assistance subordinate to FEMA and private insurance assistance, to eligible disaster victims who have located temporary housing." Co-chair Frank referred to AS 26.23.090 that indicated, the "Governor was authorized to make financial grants to an individual or family to meet disaster related necessary expenses or serious needs of individuals or families adversely affected by the disaster that cannot otherwise adequately be met from other means of assistance." He then referred to AS 26.23.100 relating to temporary housing which said the department would make arrangements for temporary housing. Mr. Sullivan reiterated that the purpose of the legislation was to give individuals grants so they could make their own temporary housing arrangements. Senator Kelly MOVED conceptual amendment 1. No objection being heard, amendment 1 was ADOPTED. Co-chair Frank MOVED conceptual amendment 2 that said grants to any individual or family made under AS 26.23.100 and AS 26.23.090 should not exceed $5000. No objection being heard, it was ADOPTED. Co-chair Pearce announced that a SCSHB 421(FIN) would be HELD until another work draft could be written. HB 421: An Act authorizing grants for temporary housing assistance during emergencies and disasters. Tim Sullivan, aide to Representative Eldon Mulder, testified in support of HB 421. Discussion was had by Co-chairs Frank, Pearce, Senators Rieger and Kelly regarding assistance grants and temporary housing. Conceptual Amendment 1 and 2 were ADOPTED. HB 421 was HELD in committee until new language for SCSHB 421(FIN) was complete and could be rescheduled. HOUSE BILL NO. 421: An Act authorizing grants for temporary housing assistance during emergencies and disasters. Co-chair Pearce announced that HB 421 was before the committee. Tim Sullivan, aide to Representative Eldon Mulder, said this bill was introduced by request of Alaska Division of Emergency Services. Currently people that were displaced from their homes during a state-declared disaster have temporary housing arrangements negotiated individually by the Department of Military & Veteran Affairs. This can be a lengthy and tedious process that takes time and energy away from other disaster assistance. FEMA had streamlined this process during a federal-declared disaster by making grants directly to displaced individuals. These individuals made their own housing arrangements reducing costs and removing liability from the government as a lessor. This change in state statutes would result in a more efficient response to temporary housing needs during a state-declared disaster. Senator Rieger asked if this would allow the Governor to have his own capital budget for building or providing housing. Mr. Sullivan said that during a state disaster, individuals could find their own housing and they would receive the grant directly. In answer to Co-chair Pearce, Mr. Sullivan said he did not know if there was a limit to the amount of the grant. Co- chair Frank thought individuals were eligible for a $2,500 grant during disasters. Senator Kelly voiced his concern that state grants be subordinate to FEMA and other private insurance assistance available. He MOVED conceptual amendment 1, changing page 1, line 11, to read "make temporary housing assistance grants, subordinate to FEMA and private insurance assistance." Senator Kerttula asked if the individual amount should be capped. Co-chair Pearce reworded the amendment to read "make grants for temporary housing assistance subordinate to FEMA and private insurance assistance, to eligible disaster victims who have located temporary housing." Co-chair Frank referred to AS 26.23.090 that indicated, the "Governor was authorized to make financial grants to an individual or family to meet disaster related necessary expenses or serious needs of individuals or families adversely affected by the disaster that cannot otherwise adequately be met from other means of assistance." He then referred to AS 26.23.100 relating to temporary housing which said the department would make arrangements for temporary housing. Mr. Sullivan reiterated that the purpose of the legislation was to give individuals grants so they could make their own temporary housing arrangements. Senator Kelly MOVED conceptual amendment 1. No objection being heard, amendment 1 was ADOPTED. Co-chair Frank MOVED conceptual amendment 2 that said grants to any individual or family made under AS 26.23.100 and AS 26.23.090 should not exceed $5000. No objection being heard, it was ADOPTED. Co-chair Pearce announced that a SCSHB 421(FIN) would be HELD until another work draft could be written.
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