Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/10/2013 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB198 | |
| SB87 | |
| HB52 | |
| SB90 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 198 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 87 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 52 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 90 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 52 am
"An Act relating to allowable absences from the state
for purposes of eligibility for permanent fund
dividends; and providing for an effective date."
Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to ADOPT the propose committee
substitute for HB 52, Work Draft 28-LS0170\U (Martin
4/9/13).
Co-Chair Meyer OBJECTED for purpose the discussion.
CHRISTINE MARASIGAN, STAFF, SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, reported
the change from the previous version. She noted that on
Page 2, line 28 the following was added, "or a United
States national team for an Olympic sport." She explained
that the language was necessary due to the narrow
interpretation of the statutes regarding the Permanent Fund
Dividend program's allowable absences. In 2008, Alaskans
were denied the dividend based on the situation. The new
language added the conforming language to the statute.
Co-Chair Meyer WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
Vice-Chair Fairclough remarked that the Department of
Revenue (DOR) acted responsibly in implementing the law and
reviewing the legislative history regarding the case that
prompted the legislation. The division worked to protect
Alaskans rights while upholding the conditions set by the
legislature. She stated that current law clearly did not
allow for the absence related to the case.
REPRESENTATIVE ERIC FEIGE, SPONSOR, stated that he was not
opposed to the change in the proposed committee substitute.
Senator Dunleavy asked a question regarding an existing
allowable absence. He wondered whether the bill covered a
minor accompanied by a parent who was absent receiving
secondary or post-secondary education. Representative Feige
responded that the bill did not affect any existing
allowable absences.
Vice-Chair Fairclough referenced discussions during a
previous hearing about parents who did not file a Permanent
Fund Dividend (PFD) application for their children. She
noted that Senator Hoffman had requested the data from the
division. She asked Senator Hoffman to share the results
with the committee.
Senator Hoffman stated that within the last five years from
2008 to 2012 the number of children affected averaged over
1000 per year. The children received a dividend in a prior
year. Approximately $1 million was not distributed to the
children on an annual basis. He pointed out that the
children were still eligible for the dividend but could not
apply until the children were of legal age. He felt that
the issue needed to be addressed, but that he did not want
to delay the legislation. He judged that the issue was much
larger in magnitude than what HB 52 addressed.
Representative Feige agreed with the comments of Senator
Hoffman and related that the issue could be addressed next
session in a separate bill. He believed the issue was
important but the solution was difficult to address.
10:07:43 AM
DAN DEBARTOLO, DIRECTOR, PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, responded to the earlier question by
Senator Dunleavy. He communicated that the child's dividend
was determined by the status of the parent or guardian.
Allowable absences applied to accompanying children.
Vice-Chair Fairclough referenced the statistics regarding
children whose parents failed to apply for the PFD. She
asked whether the data represented children who received
the dividend in a prior year and qualified subsequent to
the skipped year. Mr. DeBartolo responded that the number
represented minors who previously applied then skipped some
years and reapplied another year. The division looked for
"prior year non-filers." The division audited the
applications to determine why the dividend was skipped.
Co-Chair Meyer asked whether the zero fiscal note still
applied to the CS. Mr. DeBartolo replied in the
affirmative.
Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to REPORT HB 52 am out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note.
SCSHB 52(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new zero fiscal note from
the Department of Revenue.
10:11:29 AM
AT EASE
10:14:00 AM
RECONVENED