1994-01-14                     Senate Journal                      Page 2508
SB 250                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 250 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
"An Act relating to the Older Alaskans Commission                             
and staff of the commission; changing the name of                              
the Older Alaskans Commission to the Alaska                                    
Commission on Aging and extending the termination                              
date of the commission; relating to the Alaska                                 
Pioneers' Homes Advisory Board; relating to                                    
services and programs for older Alaskans; and                                  
providing for an effective date."                                              
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and              
Social Services, State Affairs and Finance Committees.                         
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note from Department of Administration published today.            
                                                                               
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14:                                
                                                                               
Dear Mr. President:                                                            
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution,          
I am transmitting a bill relating to the Older  Alaskans Commission,           
the Alaska Pioneers' Homes Advisory Board, and certain programs                
and services for older Alaskans.                                               
                                                                               
The bill changes the name of the Older Alaskans Commission to the              
Alaska Commission on Aging, decreases the number of required                   
yearly commission meetings, and extends the termination date of the            
commission.  The bill also makes changes in the allocation of                  
functions of the commission, the commission's executive director,              
and the commissioner of administration.  For example, the                      
commission, with the approval of the commissioner of administration,           

1994-01-14                     Senate Journal                      Page 2509
SB 250                                                                       
will set policy for the administration of federal programs under the           
federal Older Americans Act.  The executive director, with the                 
commissioner of administration's approval, will administer those               
programs.  The executive director for the commission also will be              
responsible for the formulation and presentation to the commission             
of the comprehensive statewide plan that identifies the concerns and           
needs of older Alaskans.  The commission will be responsible for               
approving a final plan.                                                        
                                                                               
The bill also makes certain changes in the composition and duties              
of the Alaska Pioneers' Homes Advisory Board.  The board will be               
increased from seven to eight members; the new member will be the              
chairperson of the Alaska Commission on Aging.  (Under existing                
law, the chair of the Alaska Pioneers' Homes Advisory Board is a               
member of the Older Alaskans Commission.)  The bill also decreases             
the number of board meetings that must be held during a year.                  
                                                                               
Additionally, the Department of Administration plans to                        
administratively establish a division of senior services to better             
coordinate services to older Alaskans.  The Alaska Commission on               
Aging and the Alaska Pioneers' Homes Advisory Board would be                   
located administratively in that new division.  The new division               
would replace the existing division of pioneers' benefits and would            
assume responsibility for activities currently assigned to that division,      
which include administration of the pioneers' homes and the                    
longevity bonus program.                                                       
                                                                               
The enactment of this bill into law, along with the administrative             
creation of the new division, will assure improved, coordinated                
efforts to address the varied problems confronting older Alaskans.             
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Walter J. Hickel                                                          
					Governor