04/08/1994 01:45 PM Senate HES

 CHAIRMAN RIEGER called the Senate Health, Education and Social                
 Services (HESS) Committee to order at 1:45 p.m.  He introduced                
 HB 331  (USE PFD'S TO RECOVER WELFARE OVERPAYMENTS) as the first              
 order of business before the committee.                                       
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA TOOHEY, Prime Sponsor, explained that HB 331           
 "would give the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) the           
 authority to collect delinquent public assistance overpayments by             
 administrative garnishment of an individual's permanent fund                  
 dividend."  She noted that at present, there are in excess of $50             
 million in outstanding delinquent debts.  HB 331 would allow DHSS             
 to recover overpayments through less expensive and less time-                 
 consuming administrative procedures.  She informed the committee              
 that DHSS and the Department of Revenue support HB 331.  She                  
 pointed out the two positive fiscal notes by DHSS and the zero                
 fiscal note by the Department of Revenue.  She urged the                      
 committee's support of HB 331.                                                
                                                                               
 SENATOR LEMAN moved HB 331 out of committee with individual                   
 recommendations.  Hearing no objections, it was so ordered.