Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/30/2004 09:04 AM 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
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 394(HES) "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging and making technical revisions to citations related to the commission." This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. Co-Chair Wilken explained that this legislation would extend the Alaska Commission on Aging until June 30, 2008. A Division of Legislative Audit report [copy on file] dated October 1, 2003 supports the extension. REPRESENTATIVE JIM HOLM, the bill's sponsor, informed the Committee that this bill would extend the Alaska Commission on Aging beyond its termination date. This Commission functions within the Department of Health and Social Services and is charged with broad responsibilities including providing assistance to seniors and informing Alaskans of the needs of this older community. It provides dignity and independence to seniors through programs and services funded by the Commission, and allows more than 53,000 seniors to lead useful and meaningful lives. He urged the Committee to support the bill. Co-Chair Wilken announced that as per the Committee's request, Pat Davidson, Legislative Auditor, Legislative Audit Division, is in attendance to respond to questions regarding the Audit. Senator Dyson asked the Department's reaction to the Audit recommendations. STEVE ASHMAN, Director, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, Department of Health and Social Services, testified via teleconference from Anchorage and stated that some of the deficiencies highlighted in the Audit pertaining to senior employment services and other components have either been or would be corrected. The Division was re-organized within the past year and that efforts are being undertaken to insure that it is in compliance with State and federal program regulations. Senator Dyson, noting that the Legislature could extend the termination date beyond the year 2008, asked whether this should be a consideration as the issues of concern are known, are being addressed, and the aging population of the State would continue to increase. Representative Holm agreed that the Commission is addressing its problems; however, he stated that due to the fact that the Audit does reflect that there are concerns, extending the Commission to the year 2008 is appropriate at this time. He stated that a longer- term extension might be considered in the year 2008. Co-Chair Green, in response to Senator Dyson's question, stated that it might be possible in the future to consolidate groups that address aging and senior care issues. Therefore, she supported the extension date, as proposed, in order to allow for merging of boards and commissions in the future, as deemed appropriate. Co-Chair Green offered a motion to report the bill from Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, CS HB 394(HES) was REPORTED from Committee with fiscal note #2 in the amount of $417,900 from the Department of Health and Social Services.
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