1998-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 2308
HB 401                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 401 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act relating to contracts for the provision of state public               
assistance to certain recipients in the state; providing for regional          
public assistance plans and programs in the state; relating to grants          
for Alaska tribal family assistance programs; and providing for an             
effective date."                                                               
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional               
Affairs, Health, Education & Social Services and Finance Committees.           
                                                                               
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies:                                             
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Health & Social Services, 2/12/98                   
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 10, 1998, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               

1998-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 2309
HB 401                                                                       
"Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                        
                                                                               
In accepting the challenge of reforming Alaska's welfare system, the           
state must make every effort to build a successful public assistance           
program.  This bill I transmit today continues Alaska's efforts to             
implement effective and responsible welfare reform, particularly in            
rural areas.  This legislation takes advantage of a provision in federal       
welfare reform allowing regional non-profit Native corporations to             
develop and implement welfare programs.  Not only would this                   
promote local responsibility for program success, it will better tie           
program assistance to local economic and social conditions.  Under the         
bill, the Department of Health and Social Services may contract with           
regional Native organizations for operating family assistance plans.           
                                                                               
                                                                               
The federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity                       
Reconciliation Act of 1996, established that specifically named Alaska         
Native organizations could propose to operate tribal family assistance         
plans, independent of the state plan, to serve the native population           
within a specific geographical region.  A state- and federally-approved        
tribal family assistance plan will receive, directly from the federal          
government, a portion of Alaska's allocation of the Temporary                  
Assistance for Needy Families block grant funds to provide public              
assistance to the families the plan serves.  The federal funds, however,       
will only be about half of the funds that have historically been               
appropriated to serve this purpose.  This bill establishes standards by        
which the state will provide grants to these organizations to match the        
federal funds.                                                                 
                                                                               
The regional plans are expected to be custom designed to meet the              
economic conditions and needs of the area.  Regional plans may depart          
from some requirements of the state assistance program, as long as the         
plans contain specifically identified program elements.                        
                                                                               
Additional provisions in the bill address record sharing and                   
confidentiality, data reporting and financial records, program                 
termination, and procedures for appeal.                                        
                                                                               
                                                                               

1998-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 2310
HB 401                                                                       
This bill will contribute to making our public assistance programs             
more effective by considering regional conditions in plan                      
developments.  I urge your support of this bill.                               
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"