HB 236-EXTEND SENIOR BENEFITS PAYMENT PROGRAM  3:36:03 PM CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the only order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 236, "An Act extending the Alaska senior benefits payment program." 3:36:26 PM REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature, reported that, as the bill had been introduced in 2017, the interim had been spent making the bill better. He stated that the proposed bill was "about keeping grandparents in the state and making sure that grandparents have the opportunities to play with their grandchildren, not have to move down to the Lower 48." He noted that, although it was a small benefit, it would go a long way toward ensuring that the families could stay together. 3:37:50 PM CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ said that "we're all a big fan of keeping grandparents in the state." 3:38:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to report HB 236, labeled 30- LS0754\A, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. 3:38:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN objected. He reflected on earlier decisions made by the legislature which impacted seniors. He said that this was a half way measure that would not restore the cut to the permanent fund distribution. He pointed to the need for the legislature to decide whether that cut would be restored and offered his belief that the permanent fund distribution decision should come first. 3:39:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN maintained his objection. 3:39:40 PM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Spohnholz, Sullivan-Leonard, Johnston, and Edgmon voted in favor of HB 236. Representative Eastman voted against it. Therefore, HB 236 was reported out of the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee by a vote of 4 yeas - 1 nay.