Legislature(1993 - 1994)
05/05/1994 08:35 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
May 5, 1994
8:35 a.m.
TAPE HFC 94-158, Side 2, #000 - end.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee to order
at 8:35 a.m.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Larson Representative Martin
Vice-Chair Hanley Representative Navarre
Representative Brown Representative Parnell
Representative Foster Representative Therriault
Representative Grussendorf
Representative Hoffman
Co-Chair MacLean was not present for the meeting.
ALSO PRESENT
Teresa Sager-Stancliff, Senator Mike Miller; David Skidmore,
Senator Steve Frank; Helvi Sandvic, Deputy Commissioner,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
SB 46 "An Act authorizing moose farming."
SB 46 was HELD in Committee for further discussion.
SB 101 "An Act relating to eligibility for and payments of
public assistance; and providing for an
effective date."
HCS CSSB 101 (FIN) was reported out of Committee
with "no recommendation" and with two fiscal
impact notes by the Department of Health and
Social Services, dated 4/28/94.
SB 135 "An Act making a special appropriation to the
Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities to determine the cost of acquiring real
property within the right-of-way of the proposed
extension of the Alaska Railroad from Eielson Air Force Base
to the Alaska-Canada border; and providing for an
effective date."
CSSB 135 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with
"no recommendation".
SB 256 "An Act increasing the tax on transfers and
consumption of aviation fuel."
CSSB 256 (STA) was reported out of Committee with
"individual recommendations" and with two fiscal
impact notes, one by the Department of Revenue,
dated 1/28/94, and one by the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, dated 4/27/94.
SENATE BILL NO. 135
"An Act making a special appropriation to the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities to determine the cost
of acquiring real property within the right-of-way of the
proposed extension of the Alaska Railroad from Eielson Air
Force Base to the Alaska-Canada border; and providing for an
effective date."
Co-Chair Larson noted that SB 135 would appropriate $10.0
thousand dollars to the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities.
Representative Martin MOVED to report CSSB 135 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations.
CSSB 135 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation".
SENATE BILL NO. 256
"An Act increasing the tax on transfers and consumption of
aviation fuel."
HELVI SANDVIC, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES spoke in support of SB
256. She noted that the court ruled against Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities imposed airport landing
fees. She explained that the legislation would institute an
aviation fuel tax in an amount to equal the landing fee
revenue lost by the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities. She emphasized that without the additional
funding the department does not have the ability to meet its
cost at rural airports.
Representative Foster spoke in support of SB 256. He noted
that the Air Carrier Association supports the legislation.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CSSB 256 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes.
Representative Brown questioned if the revenue would be
placed in a designated fund for accounting purposes. Ms.
Sandvic clarified that the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities' budget includes the funding in their
general fund request. There is no designated fund.
Representative Brown stressed that the legislative intent in
approving the increase is that the money be used to offset
revenues lost with the termination of landing fees.
There being NO OBJECTION, CSHB 256 (TRA) was moved from
Committee.
CSSB 256 (STA) was reported out of Committee with individual
recommendations and with two fiscal impact notes, one by the
Department of Revenue, dated 1/28/94, and one by the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, dated
4/27/94.
SENATE BILL NO. 101
"An Act relating to eligibility for and payments of public
assistance; and providing for an effective date."
DAVID SKIDMORE, STAFF, SENATOR STEVE FRANK explained that SB
101 would amend the Interim Assistance provision (IA). He
pointed out that IPA pays individuals $280 dollars a month
while they await determination of eligibility for Social
Security Insurance (SSI) or Adult Public Assistance (APA).
Mr. Skidmore emphasized that the legislation would allow the
Division of Public Assistance to return to its practice of
terminating interim assistance after an initial
determination of SSI ineligibility. This was the
department's practice prior to the 1986 Alaska Supreme Court
ruling, Morre versus Beirne. The court mandated that the
state make payments during the appeal process.
Mr. Skidmore observed that individuals who are eligible for
SSI repay the state for interim assistance received. The
legislation would require that individuals who are
determined ineligible for SSI also repay the state for
interim assistance. The legislation would define interim
assistance owed to the state as an overpayment of public
assistance. Overpayment could be recouped through
garnishment of permanent fund dividend payments.
Mr. Skidmore noted that the legislation directs the Division
of Public Assistance to work with the Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation in establishing consistent standards to
govern the disability determination process.
In response to a question by Representative Brown, Mr.
Skidmore observed the intent to clarify that payments are
terminated after the first determination of ineligibility.
He clarified that APA and IA payments are state funded,
while SSI is federally funded.
Mr. Skidmore provided members with AMENDMENT 1 (copy on
file). He explained that the amendment would pertain to
applicability. The amendment clarifies that the legislation
applies to new applications, applications pending and
appeals pending at the effective date.
Co-Chair Larson MOVED to ADOPT AMENDMENT 1. Representative
Brown OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Foster, Hanley, Martin, Parnell, Grussendorf,
Larson
OPPOSED: Brown, Hoffman
Representatives Navarre and Therriault were not present for
the vote.
The MOTION PASSED (6-2).
Representative Brown provided members with AMENDMENT 2 (copy
on file). She explained that the amendment would allow the
Division to make an exception for hardship cases.
JAN HANSEN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES observed that
individuals applying for SSI must have an income below
$450.0 dollars a month. She stated that eligibility is based
on a physician's opinion that the individual has a
disability that is and will continue to be incapacitating to
the degree that they are not able to work.
Mr. Skidmore spoke in opposition to the amendment.
Representative Martin OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken
on the MOTION to adopt AMENDMENT 2.
IN FAVOR: Brown, Grussendorf, Hoffman, Navarre
OPPOSED: Foster, Hanley, Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Larson
Co-Chair MacLean was not present for the vote.
The MOTION FAILED (4-6).
Representative Brown provided members with AMENDMENT 3 (copy
on file). She explained that the amendment would change
"initial" to "final" in order to initiate the cut off after
the final determination of SSI eligibility. She emphasized
that the amendment would be consistent with the court's
ruling.
Representative Navarre spoke in support of Amendment 3.
Representative Martin OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken
on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Brown, Grussendorf, Hoffman, Navarre
OPPOSED: Foster, Hanley, Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Larson
Co-Chair MacLean was not present for the vote.
The MOTION FAILED (4-6).
Representative Martin MOVED to report HCS CSSB 101 (FIN) out
of Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. Representative Brown OBJECTED. A
roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Foster, Hanley, Martin, Parnell,
Therriault, Larson
OPPOSED: Brown, Hoffman, Navarre
Co-Chair MacLean was not present for the vote.
The MOTION PASSED (7-3).
HCS CSSB 101 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with two fiscal impact notes by the
Department of Health and Social Services, dated 4/28/94.
SENATE BILL NO. 46
"An Act authorizing moose farming."
Co-Chair Larson provided members with a proposed committee
substitute, work draft #8-LS0371\S, dated 5/3/94 (copy on
file).
TERESA SAGER-STANCLIFF, STAFF, SENATOR MILLER testified in
support of SB 46. She explained that the legislation expands
game farming statutes and transfers authority from the
Department of Fish and Game to the Department of Natural
Resources. She maintained that the legislation provides a
better regulatory mechanism to assure a healthy game farm
industry in Alaska. The bill also sets up an experimental
animal husbandry permit, which can be issued for the farming
of new species such as moose or caribou. The animals would
remain the property of the state. Permits would be regulated
by the Department of Fish and Game. If the permittee can
demonstrate that breeding animals in captivity is successful
they can apply for private ownership of the animals.
Ms. Sager-Stancliff addressed the proposed committee
substitute. She noted that the proposed committee substitute
adds sections defining "moose and caribou" as game farm
animals. She added that the sections would not take effect
until the Department of Fish and Game determines that those
species are game farm animals. The determination would be
made through regulation.
Representative Therriault MOVED to ADOPT work draft #8-
LS0371\S, dated 5/3/94. He reiterated that the Department of
Fish and Game will have complete control over the
determination of the animals. There being NO OBJECTION, it
was so ordered.
In response to a question by Representative Parnell, Ms.
Sager-Stancliff restated that the Department of Fish and
Game has the authority and discretion to issue experimental
permits and provide animals to the permittee. The permittee
would petition to the Department of Fish and Game for
private ownership after a five year trial period. The
department will determine through regulation the criteria
for an animal being identified as a game farm species. The
permittee must demonstrate that they have cared properly for
the animals and obtain a game farming license.
Representative Therriault MOVED to report HCS CSSB 46 (FIN)
out of Committee with individual recommendations and with
the accompanying fiscal notes. The motion remained pending
due to a lack of minority members being present.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
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