Legislature(2017 - 2018)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/01/2017 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| Indirect Expenditure Reports: Department of Revenue | |
| Indirect Expenditure Reports: Legislative Finance Division | |
| Public Testimony | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
BILL NO. 23
"An Act relating to major medical insurance coverage
under the Public Employees' Retirement System of
Alaska for certain surviving spouses and dependent
children of peace officers and firefighters; and
providing for an effective date."
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY
2:29:13 PM
Co-Chair Foster OPENED Public Testimony.
2:30:51 PM
BRANDY JOHNSON, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of HB 23.
She read a prepared statement (copy on file):
For the record, my name is Brandy Johnson. I am
testifying in support of HB 23 on behalf of myself, my
three daughters, my deceased husband, Scott Johnson,
surviving families of past and future line of duty
death state troopers as well as law enforcement
officers in the state of Alaska.
On May 1st, 2014, my husband, Scott Johnson and Gabe
Rich were murdered while in the performance of their
job in Tanana, Alaska.
Scott's job was that of a Sgt. with the Alaska State
Troopers. He had worked as a state trooper for over 21
years with a total of over 23 years vested in the
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). He could
have retired with 20 years of service. However, Scott
and I decided he should work another 5 years to gain
the medical benefits for our family at the 25-year
mark as a Tier II employee. It was while trying to
obtain this promised benefit goal that Scott was
ambushed and killed. Scott would have retired this
past October with major medical benefits for himself
and our family.
I had asked the state troopers assisting me after
Scott was killed if I had health insurance. I
initially was told I was set for life by one
Lieutenant. However, that was not the case. I was
later told that my family's benefits would expire at
the end of the month. I was disappointed and angry. My
choices were to pay $1, 150 per month for the
retirement major medical health care that we would
have received in a year and a half at no cost as a
retirement benefit or $1, 700 for full coverage COBRA.
What is frustrating, is that the person who shot my
husband to death and his father who desecrated my
husband's dead body, while incarcerated, have medical
care available at no cost to them as their families
also has free health care.
I felt Scott's last three years of service were all
for nothing.
Scott always took his responsibilities very seriously
to protect the people of Alaska. I had believed upon
his death, the State would also take responsibility to
now take care of his family. Graciously, the State of
Alaska has these past two and a half years until the
gap in law could be resolved.
Our family has paid the price for this benefit. We
have paid into the PERS retirement system; we have
paid with the endless callouts. Whether it be a K9,
SERT, homicide calls or one of the many other
emergency responses Scott was involved with. This is
called, to give of yourself for the sake of others.
I am here today asking for your support of HB 23. This
bill is more than what I have advocated the
legislature for as a health benefit. This bill
provides full coverage health insurance that takes
care of young surviving families that need well child
checkups. The retirement health care plan was not a
long-term solution. It was a "band-aide" so to say and
a safety net in case of a major medical emergency. It
did not take care of the family.
This legislation will ensure that another surviving
spouse does not have to experience what I have. They
will have the assurance that their children will be
taken care of if there was a health emergency.
Thank you for your time and your consideration of this
important legislation.
2:34:43 PM
JACOB WILSON, ALASKA CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION,
JUNEAU, spoke in favor of HB 23. He read a prepared
statement (copy on file):
My name is Jacob Wilson. I represent the 930
Correctional Officers in the State of Alaska. Last
year we provided a letter of support for what was then
SB 4002. We were encouraged that Officers' families
would no longer be hit twice if their husband or wife
was killed in the line of duty: first by the death,
and second by the loss of health insurance. The fact
is that Correctional Officers put their lives on the
line every day, just like any other Alaska Public
Safety Officer. Their families are just as important.
A few days ago Correctional Officers became aware that
they were no longer included in the new version of
this Legislation. While we are happy to see at least
some of our public safety families covered, it was a
tough blow to see other law enforcement officers in
the State covered because they are the ones who ...
"run to the fire". With all due respect, Correctional
Officers don't run to the fire, they live in it. The
dangers Correctional Officers face are the same that
every other Officer in the State of Alaska faces.
Police Officer and Troopers may arrest the criminals,
but it is Correctional Officers who keep them behind
bars every hour of every day.
This would not substantially increase the cost of this
legislation. While every year Correctional Officers
are assaulted, some permanently disabled, we have been
very fortunate not to have lost any Correctional
Officer in an institution as a result of an assault.
Because of this, I believe that the fiscal impact of
covering our Officers would be minimal, but the impact
on morale for the Officers would be immeasurable. It
would give them peace of mind knowing that should they
fall in the service of their State and give their life
protecting Alaskans, their families would have
insurance coverage.
In closing, I would like to say we support HB 23 and
hope that it passes. That being said, please include
Correctional Officers in this legislation.
We also appreciate Commissioner Dean Williams' support
of including Correctional Officers in this bill.
Please feel free to contact me if you need any
additional information.
Mr. Wilson reported that earlier in the day in Delaware
there was a hostage take over. Four correctional officers
were being held hostage. He encouraged legislators to
contact the association with any questions.
Co-Chair Seaton asked Mr. Wilson to provide a copy of his
written testimony.
2:38:45 PM
Vice-Chair Gara suggested that the bill could cover every
state employee. He asked where the legislature should draw
a legal line.
Mr. Wilson responded that any of the four officers being
held in Delaware could pass. When officers went into a
correctional facility, they were aware of the risks they
were taking. Alaska had been fortunate not to have a death.
However, there were deaths at the national level. Some of
Alaska's officers had been permanently disabled. Any of the
related injuries could have led to death. He reiterated
that when a person signed up to serve in Alaska in a public
safety role, they were cognizant of the risks. He would
leave the decision up to the legislature as to where to
draw the line. He thought correctional officers should be
included in the bill.
Vice-Chair Gara appreciated that correctional officers went
to work every day in dangerous environments.
Co-Chair Foster agreed that correctional officers lived in
danger every day.
2:41:14 PM
KATHIE WASSERMAN, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE (AML), JUNEAU,
opposed the unfunded mandate accompanying the legislation.
The burden would fall on the shoulders of municipalities
without a way of determining their costs. She asked for
additional detail about administrative costs noted in the
bill. She explained that insurance costs were handled
differently for different law enforcement employees. She
urged members to consider that municipalities were losing
revenue sharing and had already encountered many cost
transfers from the state. She conveyed the difficulty of
the municipalities taking on new expenses. She noted that
prior to the meeting she had spoken with a community that
reported owing about $300,000 to the state. She posed a
question about how municipalities were expected to handle
their debt. She wondered what would happen if, at some
point, the municipalities became unable to provide
insurance costs promised to survivors. She asked if the
state would provide assistance. She restated that the
municipalities could not face an unfunded mandate,
particularly without knowing the exact cost. She needed
additional information before AML could take a firm
position on HB 23.
Representative Kawasaki asked if AML had considered what
would happen if an option-in or option-out clause was
included for municipalities.
Ms. Wasserman thought that most communities had taken
responsibility when similar situations had arisen. She
thought communities would be responsible. She cited
Fairbanks as one of the communities that was already
contributing without a mandate in place. She mentioned that
Hoonah had also stepped up to the plate. She believed most
communities would step up without a mandate in place.
Representative Kawasaki explained that a municipality's
premium would be based on its size. He asked for her
feedback about size.
Ms. Wasserman indicated AML had discussed the issue with
Representative Josephson's office. She explained that the
size breakdown was a vague set of lines used by the league.
She relayed that there seemed to be a dividing line between
large and small communities. The league had moved it
between 7,500 to 10,000 people.
Co-Chair Seaton was trying to determine the parameters of
Ms. Wasserman's statement. He asked if she was interpreting
the bill to say that each municipality would be paying a
premium based on size or only after there was a death.
Ms. Wasserman responded that after talking with
Representative Josephson's office, the fund would be
initiated after a death. She indicated that some of the
league members thought money would be set aside ahead of
time and drawn from when needed.
Co-Chair Seaton asked if AML had a preference about paying
a smaller amount over time or a larger amount after a fatal
incident.
Ms. Wasserman reported that her members discussed the idea
of each municipality contributing to one fund. There were
some concerns about it being equitable. She added that her
response was in light of the shortage of funds at present.
She did not think it would be an issue under different
circumstances.
2:49:24 PM
Representative Guttenberg remarked that the bill pertained
only to police officers and firefighters. He asked if AML
had looked at the benefit of pooling a larger group of
employees.
Ms. Wasserman responded that AML had not specifically
discussed the topic. She believed that Representative
Josephson's bill included employees without Public
Employees' Retirement System (PERS). She relayed that
currently the municipalities were having difficulty paying
into the current and previous PERS and TERS system. She
reported that some of the small communities had not been
able to pay their worker's compensation insurance.
Representative Wilson pointed out that some firefighters
were hired as contractors rather than employees of
municipalities and would not be covered under HB 23. She
asked about the number of fire services areas where
firefighters were under contract rather than employees of
municipalities.
Ms. Wasserman thought there were only two boroughs that had
service areas - Fairbanks and Mat-Su. She noted that
Village Public Safety Officers (VPSO) either worked for the
state or for tribal organizations rather than for
municipalities.
Representative Wilson clarified that the state had 6 fire
service areas.
2:53:19 PM
Co-Chair Foster recognized that Amber Heinbaugh with the
state trooper families at the Glennallen Legislative
Information Office (LIO) was listening in.
SCOTT CARSON PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of HB 23. He felt the bill was very
important. He relayed a personal story as a state trooper.
He had been in a situation where he wanted someone to back
him up. He spoke to being in Ketchikan as a trooper and
responding to a call. He did not have the luxury of not
going to a dangerous call when he was required to go. He
wanted assurance for his family that they would be taken
care of. He thanked the committee and asked members for
their support.
2:57:23 PM
AT EASE
2:58:26 PM
RECONVENED
LONNIE MILLER, SELF, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference),
supported HB 23. She thought it was right to take care of
the families of firefighters and peace officers. She
believed that they deserved the assurance that their
families would be cared for if they gave the ultimate
sacrifice in the line of duty. She opined that peace of
mind for a surviving family member would be a small but
necessary part of recovering after a grave and painful
loss. She thanked members for their support of the
legislation.
3:00:33 PM
CAROL DUNLAP-AUSTIN, SELF, DELTA JUNCTION (via
teleconference), was an Alaska State Trooper. She was well
aware of the dangers of the job. She spoke of having lost
many friends in the line of duty. She thought it was
important for the state to make things right. She stated
that all gave some but some gave all.
3:02:24 PM
BONNIE WOLSTAD, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), was
the daughter and wife of retired Alaska law enforcement
personnel. She relayed some of the close calls her father-
in-law and husband both faced in the line of duty. She was
extremely fortunate to have never received a call or knock
at the door. She believed the legislation was headed in the
right direction and very needed. However, she believed that
all employees of the State of Alaska should be covered if
killed while on the job. She provided a number of examples
concerning equitability. She spoke of 5 Alaska Fish and
Wildlife enforcement officers and 26 Alaska Department of
Fish and Game employees that have died in the line of duty.
She thought all state employees should be allowed to
participate. She recommended monthly contributions or
Alaska Supplemental Annuity plan (SBS) options. By allowing
more employees to participate under HB 23, the survivor
benefit would have more people paying into a fund and would
be on a stronger financial footing. She urged the committee
to amend the legislation.
3:06:13 PM
MEGAN LISTER, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke
in support of HB 23. She was the wife of an Alaska State
Trooper with four young children. She thought it was the
right thing to do. She expressed sadness that the bill had
taken so long to get through the legislative process. She
asked members to pass HB 23 once and for all. The bill
provided peace of mind for the families of law enforcement
officers and firefighters.
3:08:42 PM
JASON HOLMGREN, WASILLA POLICE DEPARTMENT, WASILLA (via
teleconference), supported HB 23. He indicated he had been
working in law enforcement in various municipalities for 14
years. He had been involved with some search teams and with
some very dangerous calls. The bill provided peace of mind
to officers with families that their loved ones would be
cared for if they died on the job. He supported HB 23 and
urged others to support the bill as well.
3:09:46 PM
Co-Chair Foster recognized Commissioner Williams in the
audience and Representative Millet.
DAVID DUNCAN, KODIAK POLICE DEPARTMENT (via
teleconference), spoke in support of HB 23. He was a police
officer in Kodiak. He agreed with previous testifiers that
the bill was the right thing to do. He and his fellow
officers went to work each day not knowing what to expect,
yet, they did so diligently. The passage of the legislation
would provide a huge relief to officers knowing that their
families would be provided insurance benefits if they fell
in the line of duty.
3:11:15 PM
LISA ALBERT-KONECKY, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference),
spoke in favor of HB 23. She reported knowing families with
spouses that were injured in the line of duty. She spoke to
the difficulty of getting health insurance. She thought the
legislation was long overdue. Although doing the right
thing would cost money, it was important to provide a peace
of mind within the law enforcement community. She asked
members to support HB 23.
3:13:26 PM
DOUG MASSIE PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, WASILLA
(via teleconference), spoke in favor of the legislation. He
was a life-long Alaskan and presently an Alaska State
Trooper within the Wildlife Division. He had served the
State of Alaska for over 20 years. He relayed his personal
perspective as a trooper having dealt with several line-of-
duty deaths over the course of his career. He relayed a
particular story about a rescue. He told of several
thoughts that ran through his mind being the first
responder at the scene waiting for others to arrive. He
wondered if his family would be okay if he were the victim
of the situation. He also wondered who would take care of
them. He thought that surely the department and the state
would take care of his family. He continued that HB 23 was
right and just, and was a small way of providing peace of
mind for the families of those that paid the ultimate price
in protecting Alaskans. He asked the committee to support
passing the legislation.
3:16:15 PM
SHAUN KUZAKIN, PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, JUNEAU
(via teleconference), supported HB 23. He read from a
prepared statement:
I would like to thank the committee for taking the
time to listen to me today. My name is Shaun Kuzakin,
I am a resident of Juneau, Vice President of the
Public Safety Employees Association DPS Chapter
(represents Troopers and Court Service Officers), and
a husband and father of 2. I am here today in support
of HB 23.
"Officer shot and killed when she tried to
confront a murder suspect of a local Walmart".
"Officer shot and killed while responding to a
911 call about an armed man outside a home in the
Dallas suburb of Little Elm".
"A Louisiana Officer was shot and killed after he
stopped to check on what he thought was a car
accident".
"A Deputy Sherriff was shot and killed following
a vehicle pursuit of a stolen vehicle".
These are actual headlines of in the line of duty
deaths thus far in 2017. Reading these headlines cut
through me like a dull blade. There is the anxiety of
knowing that this can happen to any officer during the
course of their career and a far deeper anxiety of
knowing that your family must worry for you every day
you put on the uniform and badge.
I have proudly worn the badge of the Alaska State
Troopers on my chest for more than 15 years. Every day
the men and women of Law Enforcement in our great
state must have the courage to face dangerous calls.
Those men and women will run towards the danger when
others do not. They do it every day regardless of the
danger because of a commitment to the service of the
people of Alaska. In our profession we talk about a
warrior mentality, we train continuously, but we also
know when certain calls are very dangerous. Honor,
duty, and the drive to help others are what drive
peace officers into that danger.
When an officer dies in the line of duty, families
must adjust to life without their loved one. Often,
the family is faced with the loss of the primary
breadwinner. While there is no amount of money or
financial support that can compensate for the loss of
a loved one, we can honor their service and ensure
their families are not forgotten by providing survivor
benefits.
Please show your support for the men and women peace
officers of our great state by passing this bill.
3:19:03 PM
STEVEN CZAJKOWSKI, ALASKA STATE TROOPER, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of HB 23. He read a few
headlines from the current day having to do with officers
being killed in the line of duty. He explained that honor,
duty, and the drive to help others were what drove peace
officers into potential danger. He thought HB 23 would
provide a bubble of safety for their peace of mind. He
thanked the committee members for supporting the
legislation.
3:20:57 PM
JAKE METCALFE, PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (PSEA),
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported HB 23. He thanked
Representative Josephson, Representative Millet, and others
for supporting the legislation. He reported that PSEA had
been advocating for the legislation for years. The
organization thought the bill addressed an issue that
should be a priority for the legislature to pass. Members
of PSEA included the Alaska State Troopers and the police
departments in several Alaskan communities. They went into
danger every day, unlike other employees. The association
believed that when an employer sent an employee into danger
- like police officers and firefighters - it should be a
priority for the state and the respective communities to
take care of them and their families. He asked the
committee, the House, and the Senate to pass HB 23.
3:23:21 PM
DAN GRIMES, ALASKA STATE FIRE ASSOCIATION, SOLDOTNA (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of the legislation. He had
worked in emergency services since 1981 as a firefighter
and a law enforcement officer. He emphasized how much the
passage of HB 23 would mean to the men and women who
dedicated their lives to serving others. They served with
the knowledge that on any given day they might have to give
their lives to save another. He confirmed that the dangers
of their work were real. He wanted to impress upon members
that the same men and women who were willing to tackle evil
and to sacrifice much for those in need, lived with the
fear of leaving their loved ones without a provider. He saw
HB 23 as an opportunity for the legislature to help make a
difference. He urged members to support HB 23.
3:26:06 PM
ANNE MOEN SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference), supported
HB 23. She was the widow of James Moen, a fallen Fish and
Wildlife Protection Officer for the Alaska State Troopers.
She spoke of her experience in seeking help after her
husband's death. Her husband had been a Tier 1 employee and
was able to receive help. She emphasized that she could not
have gone out and immediately found full-time employment
that would have provided adequate medical coverage for
herself and her four children. Nor were her children ready
to have their only surviving parent working full-time. She
was saddened to find out that coverage for a fallen
officer's family was no longer available. She encouraged
members to do the right thing by passing HB 23.
3:28:02 PM
ARN SALAO, ANCHORAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), urged members to support HB 23. He shared
that he had been shot in the line of duty and about his
fears around whether his family would have been taken care
of if he had died. He asked members to support the
legislation.
3:29:12 PM
DARCY PERRY, ANCHORAGE AIRPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in favor of HB 23. She realized
that her husband would not be covered if she were killed on
the job after hearing Brandy Johnson speak about her
troubles 30 days after her husband died in the line of
duty. She relayed that it was comforting to know a
potential coverage would be available for his surviving
family members. She thought that providing medical
insurance was the least the state could provide for
employees that protected the state.
Co-Chair Foster confirmed that there were no other
testifiers online or in the committee room. He encouraged
the public to provide their written testimony.
Co-Chair Foster CLOSED Public Testimony.
HB 23 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Foster asked members to submit any amendments by
Friday afternoon at 5:00 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| House Finance - DOR IER Presentation - 1.31.17.pdf |
HFIN 2/1/2017 1:30:00 PM |
INdirect Expenditure Report DOR |
| 2 1 IE Report Overview HFin.pdf |
HFIN 2/1/2017 1:30:00 PM |
Indorect Expenditure Report LFD Corrected |
| HB 23 PSEA Support.pdf |
HFIN 2/1/2017 1:30:00 PM |
HB 23 |
| HB23 Supporting Document Law Letter to RepFoster 1.31.17.pdf |
HFIN 2/1/2017 1:30:00 PM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Letter Opposition.pdf |
HFIN 2/1/2017 1:30:00 PM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Letters of Support PKT 1.pdf |
HFIN 2/1/2017 1:30:00 PM |
HB 23 |
| DOR Response to House Finance Committee - 2.23.17.pdf |
HFIN 2/1/2017 1:30:00 PM |
Indirect Expenditure Report |