01/29/2008 03:00 PM House HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR14 | |
| HJR29 | |
| HB324 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 29 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 324 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
January 29, 2008
3:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair
Representative Bob Roses, Vice Chair
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14
Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State
Legislature relating to standing committees.
- MOVED HCR 14 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29
Urging the President of the United States and the United States
Congress to fulfill the federal obligation to provide adequate
funding for special education in public schools.
- MOVED HJR 29 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 324
"An Act relating to the Alaska housing trust fund and to the
Alaska Council on the Homeless; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HCR 14
SHORT TITLE: AMEND UNIFORM RULES: STANDING COMMITTEES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HAWKER BY REQUEST OF JT LEG
EDUCATION FUNDING TASK FORCE
01/15/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/15/08 (H) HES
01/29/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HJR 29
SHORT TITLE: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HAWKER BY REQUEST OF JT LEG
EDUCATION FUNDING TASK FORCE
01/15/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/15/08 (H) HES
01/29/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 324
SHORT TITLE: LOW-INCOME HOUSING; HOMELESSNESS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/17/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/17/08 (H) HES, FIN
01/29/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
JULI LUCKY, Staff
to Representative Mike Hawker
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HCR 14 on behalf of the sponsor,
Representative Hawker, chair of the Joint Legislative Education
Funding Task Force (JLEFTF).
EDDY JEANS, Director
School Finance and Facilities Section
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 14 and answered
questions during the hearing on HJR 29.
JESSE CROSS-CALL, Staff
to Senator Johnny Ellis
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HJR 29 on behalf of Senator
Ellis, member of the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task
Force (JLEFTF).
MARK ROMICK, Director
Planning & Program Development
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
Department of Revenue
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 234.
DAN FAUSKE, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Department of Revenue
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 234.
JEFF JESSEE, Chief Executive Officer
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
Department of Revenue
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 324.
STEPHANIE WHEELER, Executive Director
Office of Faith Based & Community Initiatives
Department of Health and Social Services
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 324.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR PEGGY WILSON called the House Health, Education and Social
Services Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:02:14 PM.
Representatives Wilson, Seaton, Cissna, and Gardner were present
at the call to order. Representatives Fairclough, Keller, and
Roses arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HCR 14-AMEND UNIFORM RULES: STANDING COMMITTEES
3:03:41 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14, Proposing an amendment to
the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to
standing committees.
3:04:49 PM
JULI LUCKY, Staff to Representative Mike Hawker, Alaska State
Legislature, explained that HCR 14 will establish a separate
House Education Standing Committee in statute in order to hear
education issues that the Joint Legislative Education Funding
Task Force was unable to address. Furthermore, the health and
social services issues are many and take the time of the House
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee. She
pointed out that the House and the Senate usually have special
education committees to hear education bills and the new
standing committee will continue that responsibility for the
House.
3:06:53 PM
CHAIR WILSON expressed a bit of concern with regard to the cross
over of education and social services when addressing issues of
early development. For bills regarding early development or
social services, she stated that she may ask for an additional
hearing by the House Health, Education and Social Services
Standing Committee.
3:07:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked about the conforming element that
is also a part of the bill.
MS. LUCKY explained that there is a conforming name change for
the Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development.
3:08:27 PM
EDDY JEANS, Director, School Finance and Facilities Section,
Department of Education and Early Development, expressed the
support of the Department of Education and Early Development
(EED) for HCR 14.
CHAIR WILSON closed testimony.
3:09:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER moved to report HCR 14 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
3:09:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER stated that he would like more discussion
on the bill. He asked if anything was done with regard to
putting more professional staff on the existing House Health,
Education and Social Services Standing Committee. He related
his experience as a committee aide that changed his support for
separating education to a belief in the benefit of having the
two together. He gave an example of the value of having the
broad scope of subjects discussed together. He mentioned that
he will sign "no recommendation" on the bill report.
HJR 29-FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION
3:12:44 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29, Urging the President of the
United States and the United States Congress to fulfill the
federal obligation to provide adequate funding for special
education in public schools.
3:13:49 PM
JESSE CROSS-CALL, Staff to Senator Johnny Ellis, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HJR 29 on behalf of Senator Ellis, who is
a member of the Joint Legislature Education Funding Task Force.
He informed the committee that there is a gap in federal funding
for intensive needs students. In 1975, Congress passed the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that
authorized the federal government to fund up to 40 percent of
the average pupil expenditure for special education; however,
the federal government is currently contributing 16 percent of
the cost. The resolution requests that the federal government
provide the maximum amount authorized by IDEA. Mr. Cross-Call
concluded that this increase would free funds that local school
districts could apply to all students.
3:15:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked whether the amount the federal
government sends to Alaska is lower because it was a flat rate
and costs have increased, or merely due to a lower allocation of
funds.
MR. CROSS-CALL explained that the amount should be based on the
average amount spent on students with special needs.
3:16:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES stated that the federal government has
never funded this program at the 40 percent level.
3:16:17 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked whether the 40 percent funding level is in
federal statute.
MR. CROSS-CALL replied yes.
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES reminded the committee that the state does
not always fund programs at the intended level, either. He said
that he was supportive of this resolution, as were the other
members of the JLEFTF.
3:17:19 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed testimony.
3:17:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked whether the state criteria that
defines special needs differs from that of the federal
government.
3:17:55 PM
EDDY JEANS, Director, School Finance and Facilities Section,
Department of Education and Early Development (EED), stated that
the resolution deals with IDEA, which is the federal statute
that applies to all special education students, not only to
intensive needs students. The definition of intensive needs is
a state component within Alaska's funding formula. He pointed
out that the resolution requests the federal government to pay
what is authorized under IDEA.
3:18:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER re-stated her question about the state
definition of special needs children.
MR. JEANS responded that the EED has adopted the federal
definitions in state regulations for the purposes of IDEA. He
clarified that intensive needs is a state category.
3:19:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES asked for confirmation that the federal
government has never funded at the 40 percent level.
MR. JEANS said that was correct, to best of his knowledge.
3:19:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES moved to report HJR 29 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
HB 324-LOW-INCOME HOUSING; HOMELESSNESS
3:20:09 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 324, "An Act relating to the Alaska housing trust
fund and to the Alaska Council on the Homeless; and providing
for an effective date." Version A was before the committee.
3:21:24 PM
MARK ROMICK, Director, Planning & Program Development, Alaska
Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Department of Revenue,
informed the committee that HB 234 is the Alaska Housing Trust
legislation that creates a trust fund within the AHFC and
codifies the governor's council on the homeless. In addition,
the bill will allow AHFC to address the needs of Alaskan
residents who are homeless.
3:22:49 PM
DAN FAUSKE, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, Alaska
Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Department of Revenue,
stated that HB 234 represents the efforts of many to establish a
source of funding to address the ongoing issue of homelessness.
He pointed out that $10 million, although not an endowment, will
create some much needed funding. Mr. Fauske reminded the
committee that it is much cheaper to house people than
incarcerate them, and characterized the work that has been done
as a step forward.
3:24:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES recalled a letter dated January 17, 2008,
from the AHFC to Chair Wilson, that described the trust as a
proven model to address homelessness. He asked for more
information on the model.
MR. ROMICK explained that there are approximately 600 housing
trusts operating in 43 states in the U.S. These trusts
successfully leverage, on average, approximately $9 for every $1
of money that comes into the trust from various sources.
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES asked whether there are examples of
unsuccessful housing trusts and the problems therein.
MR. ROMICK said that, during the steering committee's
development of the housing trust fund framework, there was
discussion regarding housing trusts and how to avoid major
problems. He opined that housing trusts failed due to the lack
of funding; a housing trust is a complicated approach to housing
due to the necessary coordination of capital development,
operating support, and supportive services for the
beneficiaries. Mr. Romick noted that the biggest lesson learned
was that the design of the fund must coordinate all three
programs.
3:27:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked whether $10 million is enough to
fund the housing trust. She further asked for the specifics of
the "contributions from other private sources."
CHAIR WILSON interjected that the funding is proposed by
separate legislation.
3:28:12 PM
MR. ROMICK answered that $10 million is a good starting point
and will allow AHFC time to get the systems in place to move
projects forward. Contributions of nongovernment funds have
been committed by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
(AMHTA) and the Rasmuson Foundation.
3:29:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER pointed out that the AMHTA is already
expected to contribute $2.5 million.
3:29:35 PM
JEFF JESSEE, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority, Department of Revenue, provided historical
information on the development of the housing trust. Several
years ago the Bush Administration started an initiative to
develop ten year plans to end homelessness across the country,
and many states and communities responded with plans. The
steering committee determined that to build sufficient capacity
to address the majority of the needs of the homeless in Alaska
would cost $15 million to $20 million per year for 10 years, not
allowing for the factors of migration and economics. Mr. Jessee
described the funding sources in the governor's bill, including
the commitments from the AMHTA, and the Rasmuson Foundation, to
fund $2 million of the $10 million total. Regarding private
philanthropy, he opined that, following the state's commitment,
the remaining $2.5 million could be raised. He cautioned that,
although the AMHTA could continue to be a funding partner, the
AMHTA and private philanthropy could not continue to contribute
$5 million per year. Mr. Jessee emphasized that AHFC continues
to generate more revenue than it spends, and suggested that its
corporate receipts could go into the housing trust at the
direction of the legislature.
3:34:08 PM
CHAIR WILSON expressed her understanding that AHFC corporate
receipts are in the general fund and the money would have to be
appropriated at the expense of existing programs. She then
directed the committee to turn to page 2, line 16, of the bill,
and asked how much cost is estimated for the administration of
the fund.
3:35:34 PM
MR. ROMICK opined that the administrative costs of the fund,
such as staff, training, and consulting, would probably not
exceed five percent.
3:36:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked for a further description of the
needs of the 4,000 households that are on a waiting list for
public housing programs.
MR. ROMICK explained that the 4,000 families include those
waiting for public housing properties and those waiting for
Section 8 housing choice vouchers. Regarding the allocation of
funds from the trust fund, aside from the general categories of
capital expenditures, operating assistance, and supportive
services, that decision will be part of the charge of the
governor's council.
3:38:34 PM
MR. JESSEE informed the committee that when he was on the
council for homelessness, he thought he had a handle on the
housing matter, but he was surprised to learn that virtually all
of the money for low income housing in the state comes from the
federal government. In addition, the money funded for low
income housing is set aside for those who earn 70 percent of the
area median income and above; however, the greatest need is of
those who earn 50 percent of the area median income and below.
Mr. Jessee explained that the low income dollars are going to
those with a relatively higher income level, although that is
not the greatest need, for two reasons. The first reason is
that low income housing projects have to prove that they are
economic. All low income housing projects are built with many
sources of funding, such as low income tax credits, HUD credits,
and low interest commercial loans, and therefore, business plans
must eventually show revenue from tenants. Higher rents bring
more income, and thus the higher the income of the renters the
more economic the project and there is more interest from
developers. The second reason is that those who are living at
50 percent of the area median income and below generally have
problems with substance abuse, mental health issues,
developmental disabilities, domestic violence, or illnesses that
keep them from working enough to afford housing. Mr. Jessee
related that in most Alaska communities, an individual must work
more than 100 hours a week at minimum wage to afford housing.
He acknowledged that those with the greatest need are not good
tenants and present unique difficulties for housers. The AMHTA
has learned that there must be a bifurcated system with the
social service workers, who know how to provide support
services, but not necessarily how to build housing units. The
social service workers can provide case management, tenant
education, financial literacy, employment training, therapy and
counseling. The housers can provide successful business models
for developers. He gave the example of the $40 million Sound
Families Initiative funded by the Gates Foundation. The Gates
Foundation discovered that these projects need three components:
capital money from the foundation to draw down the overall cost
of the project to the developer; support services, including a
five to ten year commitment of funding for those services; and
partnering with housing authorities to project-base the Section
8 housing choice vouchers.
3:48:59 PM
MR. JESSEE explained that the rental subsidy works such that an
individual gets a rent voucher and has to search out a landlord
who agrees to rent to them. This process is beyond the
abilities of most of the individuals with the greatest need.
With the Housing First model, part of the idea is to connect the
voucher with a housing unit, so that the social services staff
can put the client in the housing. After placement in housing,
the client has a much greater chance of success. Further,
addressing the issue of families, Mr. Jessee stated that, in
some Title 1 schools in Alaska, more than half of the kids in a
classroom transfer by the end of the year. He opined that a
school, and its students, can not succeed when kids are moving
to different schools each year. In Seattle, at the end of five
years of influence by the Sound Families Initiative, the
percentage of kids changing schools was down from 25 percent to
less than 1 percent, because finding housing anchored kids in a
community.
3:52:17 PM
MR. JESSEE stressed that previous unsuccessful programs were
those that did not have one of the three essential components,
and so were too expensive, without support services, or without
effective rental subsidies. He pointed out that, in addition to
the value of housing to the health of families, the recidivism
of those coming out of corrections or mental health facilities,
when they do not have housing and support services, is high.
3:53:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked whether this program is similar to
the Seattle Housing First program for public inebriates.
MR. JESSEE explained that there is nothing in the creation of
the housing trust connected to programs specifically where
people can drink; however, that is not to say that the housing
trust precludes such an option.
3:54:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH called the committee's attention to
page 3, line 14, that directs four members of the Alaska Council
on the Homeless will have experience or expertise in working
with housing development, financing, and consumers of affordable
housing. She asked what members of the population will be
encouraged to participate in the administrative board.
MR. ROMICK explained that that category is designed to bring
experience from those who are involved in homeless services,
such as providers of affordable housing, social service workers,
consumers of affordable housing, bankers, or real estate agents.
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH opined that real estate developers and
financial officers should also be included. She suggested that
the two-year service term for council members should be expanded
to a four-year term.
MR. ROMICK said that a four-year term could be considered.
MR. JESSEE relayed that the Senate committee substitute (CS)
will reflect a longer term.
3:56:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked for the definition of "economic
area" as used on page 1, line 12, of the bill.
MR. ROMICK explained that an economic area is traditionally
defined through the census area. In an emergency, or in the
case of a natural disaster, there are reasons, other than
geographic, to focus attention on a homeless population; thus
the use of the term "economic area" will allow more flexibility.
3:58:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked for an example.
MR. ROMICK gave the example of the down turn of the fishing
industry in Bristol Bay and the loss of jobs and homes as a
result.
MR. JESSEE gave another example that some communities in
Southeast may be affected by a loss of the timber industry,
whereas neighboring fishing communities are unaffected.
3:59:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES asked for the definition of "homelessness"
for adults versus children.
MR. ROMICK acknowledged that there are a couple of different
definitions primarily used by the federal government. The
definition that the AHFC will use for this program is broad and
generally includes those who might not normally be considered
homeless, such as those who are living in camps or are doubled
up with other families and relatives. The reason for this broad
definition is to address the needs of both those who are
traditionally considered to be homeless and those who are near
homelessness; part of the purpose of the legislation is to
prevent homelessness.
4:01:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES recalled that a factor in the definition of
homelessness related to the lack of a permanent mailing address
or the number of times families changed residences.
MR. ROMICK stated that there is no tie to the number of times a
person or family changes residences.
4:02:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked for clarification of page 2, line
7, that allows the corporation to participate in the development
of buildings or units that, by their use, address the purpose of
the fund but that, by their operation, appear nonresidential in
nature.
MR. ROMICK explained that currently the AHFC has a statutory
definition of what is considered residential housing. This
definition is specific in the sense that it goes to the intent
and nature of the relationship between the tenant and the owner
of the property. This definition prevents the AHFC from
participating in some projects that are residential, but may be
in a different category; for example, the Anchorage Safe Harbor
Inn. Mr. Romick noted that the intent of line 7 is to allow the
purpose of the fund sufficient flexibility to address
homelessness.
4:05:10 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked for the definition of "units."
MR. ROMICK answered that a building is a structure and a unit is
the unit in which someone lives. In response to a further
question, he said that there are numerous structure types that
could be funded by this legislation. The structures are not
referred to as projects, but rather, affordable housing, in
order to avoid negative connotations. The intent is that this
type of housing will be integrated anywhere into the community.
MR. JESSEE assured the committee that affordable housing is
moving away from the concept of projects and developers are
interested in developing 100 to 150 units, some of which will be
sold at fair market value and some at lower income levels.
Contemplating partnering with social services for support
encourages the inclusion of units for homeless individuals, as
in the Seattle example, with the long term goal of successful
neighborhoods.
4:09:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON suggested that the definition of homeless
should be cited in legislation.
4:09:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER recalled Mr. Jessee's testimony that the
$10 million is sufficient to begin this program. She then asked
what would happen to the structures built with this money if
there is no continued financial support in subsequent years.
MR. ROMICK explained that, if the project or building can no
longer function as it was intended, the AHFC would continue to
use it to provide housing in another manner.
4:11:25 PM
CHAIR WILSON suggested that the report that is required by the
bill should be issued by the first day of January of each year.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER opined that offices are in transition
prior to the convening of the session.
4:12:42 PM
CHAIR WILSON further suggested that the term of office for the
members of the Alaska Council on the Homeless should be more
than two years.
4:13:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA added that memberships can be political,
and thus suggested that a five-year term would bridge changes in
the administration and help to maintain an institutional
history.
4:14:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to page 3, line 27, and asked for
the amount of the per diem cited.
MR. ROMICK responded that AS 39.20.180 refers to the per diem of
the AHFC board and is about $60 a day.
4:15:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER pointed out that the length of service
would be difficult for council members who are also
commissioners, and for volunteers.
4:16:06 PM
CHAIR WILSON recommended that members' terms are staggered in
order to prevent the transition of the entire board at once.
4:16:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES pointed out that a member can be re-
appointed after a two-year term. He related his personal
experience of serving on boards and commissions, and opined that
a far greater problem is the number of commissioners that are
designated to serve.
4:18:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked whether the impact of a change of
administration on members, who are also commissioners, is
addressed on page 3, line 17.
CHAIR WILSON clarified that line 17 addresses an absence for one
meeting.
MR. ROMICK indicated that this provision is identical to that of
the AHFC board statute that allows board members, who are also
commissioners, to appoint a permanent designee.
4:19:54 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked whether the same designee continued through a
change in administration.
MR. ROMICK said sometimes.
4:20:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES expressed his belief that, if there is
going to be a designee, the bill should specify.
CHAIR WILSON preferred commissioner's designee.
4:21:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER opined that commissioners come and go and
thus have a better perspective with the changes in
administration. Alaska has a problem with tunnel vision in
bureaucracies and an overall view is important.
4:22:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON related his understanding that the intent
and the usage is that the member will be a commissioner or
designee. He made a conceptual request to add "or designee" to
the language of the bill.
4:23:07 PM
STEPHANIE WHEELER, Executive Director, Office of Faith Based &
Community Initiatives, Department of Health and Social Services,
informed the committee that, through the National Project
Homeless Connect in Anchorage, she interviewed several
chronically homeless individuals. She stated that there are
individuals who are working, or have sources of income, but who
are unable to find safe and affordable housing, nonetheless.
She noted that she chairs the statewide Homelessness Ends in
Alaska-Advisory Team, and two of its four goals are to increase
affordable housing and to promote locally delivered family
support services. Ms. Wheeler shared that the 2003 Office of
Faith Based & Community Initiatives Task Force surveyed needs
statewide and determined that the concern heard most often was
the lack of adequate safe and affordable housing for individuals
and families. She stated that the DHSS, the Office of Faith
Based & Community Initiatives, and the Homelessness Ends in
Alaska-Advisory Team strongly support the creation of a housing
trust fund.
4:26:21 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony.
4:26:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES, speaking as a landlord, related his
experience with tenants who qualify for the Section 8 Housing
Choice Voucher Program. He stated that there are restrictions
to the program that cause problems for the landlord. In
addition, he opined that sometimes homelessness is a choice.
Representative Roses said that, through his experience as a
teacher, he is well aware of the impact to those who are
homeless, particularly on families, and wanted to ensure a clear
definition to prevent the confusion of homeless children with
children whose families are transient.
4:30:01 PM
CHAIR WILSON related her experience with renters.
4:31:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER re-stated that the committee wants to
include in the bill a definition of homeless, a provision for
commissioner council members to appoint a designee, and
staggered terms for the board members.
4:32:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked to include the cost of the
administration of the program that will be taken from the corpus
of the fund. She expressed her desire to see that cost capped.
4:32:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA stated her strong support of HB 324. She
noted her experience in her community and inquired as to the
capacity of the program. Representative Cissna opined that the
situation is worsening in Anchorage and there is a need for the
program, along with an understanding of the underlying causes.
4:34:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES clarified that his statements did not
intend to say that Section 8 tenants are less responsible or
respectful than other renters.
CHAIR WILSON agreed.
[Although not formally stated HB 324 was held over.]
4:35:09 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee meeting
was adjourned at 4:35:19 PM.
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