SENATE BILL NO. 210 "An Act relating to the community revenue sharing program; changing the name of the community revenue sharing program to the community assistance program; and relating to the municipal property tax exemption on the residence of a senior, a disabled veteran, and a widow or widower of a senior or disabled veteran." 3:35:24 PM LAURA CRAMER, STAFF, SENATOR ANNA MACKINNON explained that the committee had removed the property tax exemption language, so the name was changed from Community Revenue Sharing to Community Assistance. She remarked that the bill would have funding, should SB 196 become law. 3:36:30 PM AT EASE 3:36:35 PM RECONVENED 3:36:37 PM Vice-Chair Micciche MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1, 29- LS1593\H.1, Shutts, 4/4/16 (copy on file): Page 6, line 3: Delete "revenue sharing" Insert "assistance [REVENUE SHARING]" Co-Chair MacKinnon OBJECTED for DISCUSSION. Ms. Cramer explained the amendment. She remarked that Legislative Legal did not catch the name change. Co-Chair MacKinnon WITHDREW the OBJECTION. There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment 1 was ADOPTED. WAYNE ADERHOLD, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), testified against the legislation. He shared that he was a senior who received the exemption. He felt that he should be taxed. He remarked that the constitution provided rights, but also outlined duties. He announced that seniors must be engaged in the financially in the state's current budget problem. He felt that any exemption should be needs-based, rather than age-based. He shared that there was a 2009 Pugh Trust report, which showed that over the 25-year period up to 2009 people over the age of 65 were performing 42 percent better at the end of that period. He noted that people under the age of 35 were performing 68 percent worse, in regards to net worth. Co-Chair MacKinnon explained that the exemption was no longer in the bill. SUSANNE FLEEK-GREEN, CHIEF OF STAFF, MAYOR'S OFFICE, MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified against the current version of the legislation. She felt that the bill would result in a $9 million reduction to the current amount of Community Revenue Sharing. She shared that the municipality had taken responsible action with the passage of its budget. The municipal budget allowed for a $5 million cut in municipal assistance. She felt that cutting the Anchorage assistance by $9 million would have significant consequences. The municipality would need to add to burden to counteract the effects of the legislation. JOHN J. PIERCE, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in support of the elimination of the property tax exemption. He reassured the committee that targeting the fixed income seniors, disabled military, and veterans was wrong. Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony. 3:46:45 PM AT EASE 3:47:12 PM RECONVENED Co-Chair MacKinnon SB 210 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.