Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/30/1993 08:00 AM House STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 30, 1993
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Al Vezey, Chairman
Representative Pete Kott, Vice Chairman
Representative Harley Olberg
Representative Jerry Sanders
Representative Fran Ulmer
Representative Bettye Davis
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Gary Davis
OTHER HOUSE MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Cliff Davidson
Representative John Davies
Representative Mike Navarre
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
*HCR 11 Designating the month of March as "Women's History
Month."
MOVED FROM COMMITTEE BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
HB 175 "An Act making an appropriation for a grant for
construction of the Women In Military Service
Memorial; and providing for an effective date."
MOVED FROM COMMITTEE BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
SB 49 "An Act relating to preelection reports; closing
the two day reporting gap in those reports;
setting the date of February 15 for filing year-
end campaign finance reports; and requiring
reporting of zero year-end reports."
MOVED FROM COMMITTEE WITH INDIVIDUAL
RECOMMENDATIONS
HB 37 "An Act relating to open meetings of governmental
bodies."
MOVED FROM COMMITTEE WITH A DO PASS RECOMMENDATION
HB 46 "An Act relating to frequent traveler credit for
state-paid travel."
HELD IN COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
(* denotes first public hearing)
WITNESS REGISTER
Representative Bettye Davis
State Capitol, Court Room 600
Juneau, Alaska 99801
465-3875
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor, HCR 11
Representative John Davies
State Capitol, Court Room 604
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
465-4457
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor, HB 37
Representative Mike Navarre
Room 521, State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
465-3779
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor, HB 208
Denny DeWitt, Director
Division of Pioneers Benefits
Department of Administration
P.O. Box 110211
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0211
465-2159
Position Statement: Perceived a need for HB 208
Representative Cliff Davidson
Room 400, State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
465-2487
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor, HB 175
Joelle Hall
Army Veteran
445 Nelson Street
Juneau, Alaska 99801
586-2548
Position Statement: Supported HB 175
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HCR 11
SHORT TITLE: WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) B.DAVIS,Ulmer,Brown,
Nicholia,Phillips,Grussendorf,Navarre
TITLE: Designating the month of March as "Women's History
Month."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
03/01/93 484 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
03/01/93 484 (H) STATE AFFAIRS
03/30/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
BILL: HB 175
SHORT TITLE: APPROP: WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE MEMORIAL
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) DAVIDSON,Ulmer,Menard,
Grussendorf
TITLE: "An Act making an appropriation for a grant for
construction of the Women In Military Service Memorial; and
providing for an effective date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
02/24/93 434 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
02/24/93 434 (H) MLV, STATE AFFAIRS, FINANCE
03/17/93 (H) MLV AT 05:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/17/93 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/19/93 705 (H) MLV RPT 4DP
03/19/93 705 (H) DP: WILLIS, MULDER, FOSTER,
KOTT
03/30/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
03/30/93 850 (H) STA RPT 5DP
03/30/93 850 (H) DP: VEZEY,B.DAVIS,OLBERG,KOTT,
SANDERS
03/30/93 850 (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE
BILL: SB 49
SHORT TITLE: YEAR-END CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): SENATOR(S) KELLY,Donley,Kerttula,Pearce,Taylor
TITLE: "An Act relating to preelection reports; closing the
two-day reporting gap in those reports;filing year-end
campaign finance reports; and requiring reporting of zero
year-end reports."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/19/93 91 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/19/93 91 (S) STATE AFFAIRS, JUDICIARY,
FINANCE
01/29/93 (S) STA AT 09:00 AM BUTROVICH ROOM
205
01/29/93 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/01/93 202 (S) STA RPT 2DP 1NR
02/01/93 202 (S) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (ADM)
02/17/93 (S) JUD AT 01:30 PM BELTZ ROOM 211
02/17/93 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
02/19/93 (S) JUD AT 01:30 PM BELTZ ROOM 211
02/19/93 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
02/22/93 (S) JUD AT 01:30 PM BELTZ ROOM 211
02/22/93 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
02/24/93 460 (S) JUD RPT 4DP 1NR
02/24/93 460 (S) PREVIOUS ZERO FN (ADM)
03/01/93 538 (S) FIN RPT 4DP 1NR
03/01/93 538 (S) PREVIOUS ZERO FN (ADM)
03/01/93 (S) FIN AT 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE
518
03/04/93 (S) RLS AT 03:00 PM
03/04/93 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
03/12/93 768 (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/12/93
03/12/93 775 (S) READ THE SECOND TIME
03/12/93 775 (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UNAN
CONSENT
03/12/93 775 (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SB 49
03/12/93 775 (S) COSPONSOR(S): KERTTULA, PEARCE,
TAYLOR
03/12/93 775 (S) PASSED Y19 N- E1
03/12/93 786 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
03/15/93 642 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
03/15/93 643 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, FINANCE
03/27/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
03/27/93 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/30/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
BILL: HB 37
SHORT TITLE: OPEN MEETINGS LAW AMENDMENTS
BILL VERSION: 2D SSHB 37
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) DAVIES,Therriault,Brice
TITLE: "An Act relating to open meetings of governmental
bodies."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/08/93 34 (H) PREFILE RELEASED
01/11/93 34 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/11/93 34 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, JUDICIARY
01/20/93 117 (H) COSPONSOR(S): BRICE
02/11/93 321 (H) SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED-
REFERRALS
02/11/93 322 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, JUDICIARY
03/10/93 589 (H) 2D SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE INTRO-
REFERRALS
03/10/93 589 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, JUDICIARY
03/23/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
03/23/93 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/30/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
03/30/93 846 (H) STA RPT 4DP 2NR
03/30/93 846 (H) DP: ULMER, B.DAVIS, OLBERG,
SANDERS
03/30/93 846 (H) NR: KOTT, VEZEY
03/30/93 846 (H) -ZERO FISCAL NOTE (LAA)
3/30/93
03/30/93 846 (H) REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
BILL: HB 46
SHORT TITLE: STATE-PAID TRAVEL MILEAGE CREDITS
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) MARTIN
TITLE: "An Act relating to frequent traveler credit for
state-paid travel."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/12/93 43 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/12/93 43 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, TRANSPORTATION,
FINANCE
03/20/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
03/20/93 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/30/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-36, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIRMAN AL VEZEY called the House State Affairs Committee
to order at 8:03 a.m. on March 30, 1993. Members present
were Representatives Kott, Olberg, G. Davis, B. Davis, Ulmer
and Sanders, representing a quorum. Also present were
Representatives Mike Navarre, Cliff Davidson and John
Davies.
HCR 11: WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Number 021
CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title to HCR 11 and asked its
sponsor for her statement.
Number 027
REPRESENTATIVE BETTYE DAVIS, PRIME SPONSOR OF HCR 11,
explained the intent of the resolution was to recognize the
important contributions Alaska women made in history. She
stated Congress had passed a similar resolution each year
from 1987 on, and it was time for the Alaska Legislature to
do the same.
Number 062
REPRESENTATIVE FRAN ULMER MOVED PASSAGE by unanimous consent
of HCR 11; there were no objections, and IT SO MOVED.
SB 49: YEAR-END CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS
Number 083
CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title of SB 49 and stated a
Committee Substitute (CS) had been prepared. He stated the
only difference between SB 49 and CSSB 49 was in section
two, where the threshold amount for a 24 hour notice had
been raised from $250 to $500. He asked members to look at
CSHB 49 before taking action.
Number 141
REPRESENTATIVE BETTYE DAVIS MOVED and asked unanimous
consent for the ADOPTION of CSHB 49. There were no
objections; and IT SO MOVED.
Number 147
REPRESENTATIVE B. DAVIS MOVED for PASSAGE of CSSB 49, and
asked for unanimous consent. There were no objections, and
IT SO MOVED.
HB 37: OPEN MEETINGS LAW AMENDMENTS
HB 254: OPEN MEETING ACT
Number 166
CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title of HB 37 and invited its
sponsor, Representative John Davies to the table. He then
noted the introduction of a similar bill, HB 254, which also
deals with the Open Meetings Act, but contains several
differences. He stated HB 254 was not referred to the House
State Affairs Committee, as had been expected, but it might
be worth the committee's time to look at both bills and
possibly prepare a compromise version.
Number 184
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES, PRIME SPONSOR OF HB 37, thought
HB 254 would be considered side by side with HB 37, and
stated it was awkward to not have them in the same
committee. He stated it might be best to pass HB 37 on to
the House Judiciary Committee where HB 254 was referred, to
allow them to be compared easily.
Number 196
REPRESENTATIVE ULMER MOVED PASSAGE of HB 37 and asked for
unanimous consent. There was no objection, and IT SO MOVED.
HB 46: STATE-PAID TRAVEL MILEAGE CREDITS
Number 202
CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title to HB 46, and informed the
committee a CS had been drawn up but not yet delivered from
Legal Services. He stated CSHB 46 would simply DELETE line
14 on the second page.
Number 220
REPRESENTATIVE ULMER felt it was best to hold off a hearing
on HB 46 until the CS was delivered.
HB 208: ELIGIBILITY FOR LONGEVITY BONUS
Number 226
CHAIRMAN VEZEY concurred and read the title to HB 208, then
invited its sponsor to deliver his statement.
Number 237
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE NAVARRE, PRIME SPONSOR OF HB 208,
advised the bill was designed to clarify the intent to
prevent non-state funds from keeping seniors from getting a
longevity bonus check. He stated there was concern non-
state funds, such as Medicare and the veterans' insurance
program, are causing seniors to lose their rightful
longevity bonus checks when they needed them most, possibly
during temporary illnesses.
Number 262
REPRESENTATIVE ULMER asked if under the provisions of HB
208, every person in a nursing home would be allowed to keep
their longevity bonus check.
Number 266
REPRESENTATIVE NAVARRE replied in the negative. He stated a
person would only get to keep the check if their care was
being paid for by all federal funds, without state monies.
He stated many of those eligible for the longevity bonus are
penalized because of the flaw in the current law.
Number 273
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked why it was wrong to reduce the benefit
from one social service program when the same people might
be getting a larger payment from another social program.
Number 290
REPRESENTATIVE NAVARRE stated if someone was temporarily
disabled, and placed in a nursing home for a short period,
their care is paid for by Medicare, which does not cover all
costs. He stated the longevity bonus money could be used to
cover the remainder. He also said several people trying to
maintain their independence from social programs would be
penalized, and possibly forced into joining such programs.
He stated the hardships put upon people trying to maintain
their homes while recovering from a temporary illness would
be unreasonable.
Number 342
CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated it would be no different from
receiving the care from the state, and it would not cover
mortgage or utility payments. He stated there was an
iniquity in allowing people to benefit from a federal
program and still receive a bonus check, but not those who
are helped under a state program.
Number 354
REPRESENTATIVE NAVARRE gave an example: If one member of a
married couple broke a hip and was placed in a nursing home
for a temporary period, the $250 dollar check would aid the
other member of the couple in maintaining and keeping their
home while the first person recovered.
Number 361
CHAIRMAN VEZEY replied even under that scenario, the state
would be giving those people special treatment.
Number 366
REPRESENTATIVE NAVARRE replied the state would not be harmed
by allowing the checks to be delivered during a temporary
stay in the hospital or nursing home, and may actually help
keep seniors off public assistance.
Number 354
REPRESENTATIVE B. DAVIS stated a $250 dollar check would
make a big difference to many people living on fixed incomes
who may be trying to keep a home.
Number 382
CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated the money could be used much more
equitably if the amount was applied to those people who may
not be getting any benefits at all.
Number 403
REPRESENTATIVE NAVARRE stated if the bonus was taken away
from the people who might be in the position of losing a
home during a temporary illness, it might backfire on the
state. He stated there was a possibility seniors might end
up on some type of public assistance which could cost far
more than the bonus itself.
Number 442
CHAIRMAN VEZEY thanked Representative Navarre for his
testimony and called for other witnesses.
Number 447
DENNY DEWITT, DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF PIONEER BENEFITS,
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, stated there was a need for HB
208. He believed most recipients who might benefit from HB
208 are those affected by a short-term disability as
described previously. He stated the difference between
Medicaid and Medicare is that Medicare is designed for
temporary use, and contains no state money in the payments.
Medicaid is a combination 50-50 split between the state and
federal government. He said Medicare patients are the ones
who lose the bonus when they should not under the intent of
the original law.
Number 500
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if there was a danger seniors might get
on a federal program, stay long term, and then transition to
the combination federal/state program, which could cost the
state money.
Number 518
MR. DEWITT stated a number of seniors are economically
vulnerable during illnesses, and taking the bonus away from
them increased the chances they would lose the ability to
pay for a home, and consequently go on public assistance.
Number 528
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if it was a disservice to allow the
longevity bonus to people who might otherwise get twice as
much on adult public assistance.
Number 540
MR. DEWITT said in spite of the difference between the
amounts paid, most seniors did not want to go on public
assistance, and the key for most people was trying to remain
financially independent.
Number 565
REPRESENTATIVE B. DAVIS MOVED PASSAGE of HB 208 and asked
for unanimous consent; there were no objections, and IT SO
MOVED.
HB 175: APPROP: WOMEN IN MILITARY MEMORIAL
Number 570
CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title to HB 175 and invited its
sponsor to the table for his statement.
Number 575
REPRESENTATIVE CLIFF DAVIDSON, PRIME SPONSOR OF HB 175,
explained he had five reasons for introducing HB 175, an
appropriation of $15,000 for the national women in the
military memorial. He felt Alaska was in a unique position
to contribute; that the women in the military deserve
recognition; that Alaska has the highest per capita women
veterans in any state; that the state's proud military
tradition demands such recognition; and, that as the
national budget for the military shrinks, it is important to
show support for that tradition.
Number 602
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked why $15,000 was chosen as the
appropriation amount.
Number 605
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDSON chose $15,000 after looking at other
states' contributions.
Number 608
CHAIRMAN VEZEY perceived Alaska's portion of the total cost
of the monument might run $280,000, and asked if the state
might be asked to come up with the remainder after this
appropriation.
Number 610
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDSON stated private funding would pay the
majority of the cost for the memorial.
Number 620
VICE CHAIRMAN PETE KOTT noted there would be a large public
sector contribution, and it appeared to him Alaska would be
contributing about three dollars per in-state veteran to the
memorial, as opposed to less than a quarter from Florida.
He felt that was the right amount.
Number 631
JOELLE HALL, AN ARMY VETERAN, felt strongly that Alaska
should contribute to the memorial. She said after the
recent Gulf War, it was appropriate to recognize women's
contributions to the military.
Number 644
REPRESENTATIVE B. DAVIS MOVED PASSAGE of HB 175 and asked
for unanimous consent; there were no objections, and IT SO
MOVED.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 649
CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted there were no other items on the agenda
and adjourned the meeting at 8:45 a.m.
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