Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/15/2017 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB23 | |
| HB141 | |
| SB80 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 37 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 141 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 23(FIN) am
"An Act creating a fund in the Department of Public
Safety; providing for payment of certain medical
insurance premiums for surviving dependents of certain
peace officers or firefighters who die in the line of
duty; relating to contributions from permanent fund
dividends to the peace officer and firefighter
survivors' fund; and providing for an effective date."
1:02:45 PM
Vice-Chair Bishop MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee
substitute for CSHB 23(FIN)am, Work Draft 30-LS0258\N
(Wayne, 4/14/17).
Co-Chair MacKinnon OBJECTED for DISCUSSION.
1:03:01 PM
JULI LUCKY, STAFF, SENATOR ANNA MACKINNON, looked at the
"Overview" (copy on file):
Overview: SCS HB 23 (FIN) creates the peace officer
and firefighter survivors' fund to pay medical
insurance premiums to continue health insurance
coverage for an eligible surviving spouse or dependent
child of a peace officer or firefighter killed in the
line of duty. The benefit is only available to a
surviving dependent of a permanent, full-time employee
who was covered by employer-sponsored medical
insurance at the time of death. The premium payments
will allow surviving dependents to remain in their
current health plan and are paid to the applicable
employer medical insurance provider.
The state is required to pay the benefit for state
employees; a municipality may elect to participate by
entering into an agreement with the state to pay the
cost of the program for its recipients. By December 1,
the commissioner of public safety will determine the
amount needed to pay the premiums and associated
administrative costs. Once appropriated, funds do not
lapse and can be spent without further appropriation.
A surviving dependent is "presumed eligible" for 60
days after the death of the peace officer or
firefighter, to allow time for the dependent to get
documents together and apply for the benefit. Within
30 days of the application, the commissioner shall
determine eligibility; which is reconfirmed annually.
Surviving spouses are eligible to receive the benefit
for 10 years, until eligible to receive other major
medical coverage, or until eligible for Medicare. If
a surviving spouse is the parent of an eligible child,
the spouse can continue to receive the benefit until
the child is no longer eligible.
Except for a child who is totally and permanently
disabled, a surviving child is eligible to receive the
benefit until eligible to receive other major medical
coverage or age 26.
Surviving dependents who become ineligible due to
receiving other major medical coverage can reapply for
benefits if that coverage is lost.
The definition of "peace officer" is identical to the
definition in CS SB 48 (STA).
The fund is eligible for donations through "Pick,
Click, Give."
Ms. Lucky also looked at the "Major Policy Differences"
(copy on file), which talked about the differences between
the versions of the bills.
Co-Chair MacKinnon stressed that she hoped that the bill
was a collaboration of efforts between the entire
legislature and public.
1:09:46 PM
SENATOR JOHN COGHILL, SPONSOR, remarked that the ten-year
limit was an important addition. He also stated that the
medical coverage death benefit was appropriate. He felt
that the "sticking point" would be the municipal opt-in. He
encouraged the committee to include that opt-in.
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered whether Senator Coghill was in
opposition to the committee substitute.
Senator Coghill replied that he would approve the committee
substitute.
Co-Chair MacKinnon queried comments from Representative
Josephson's staff.
1:11:17 PM
LISA WEISSLER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON,
expressed appreciation on the work on the bill. She stated
that Representative Josephson supported requiring
municipalities to provide coverage to their employees. He
supported all the other provisions.
Senator Olson queried the seriousness of the opt-in issue.
Ms. Weissler replied that Representative Josephson would
discuss the issue with the members of the House.
Co-Chair MacKinnon WITHDREW her OBJECTION. There being NO
further OBJECTION, the proposed committee substitute was
adopted.
Vice-Chair Bishop MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1 (copy on
file):
Page 3, line 6:
Delete "spouse"
Insert "dependent"
Page 3, line 7, following "(c)(2)":
Insert "or (d)(1)"
Co-Chair MacKinnon OBJECTED for DISCUSSION.
Ms. Lucky explained the amendment.
Co-Chair MacKinnon WITHDREW the OBJECTION. There being NO
further OBJECTION, Amendment 1 was adopted.
1:14:57 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF THE
GOVERNOR, explained the fiscal note.
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered whether the $70,100 would
continue through FY 23 with an estimated cost of coverage
of $70,100 per year. Ms. Robb replied in the affirmative.
1:17:48 PM
KELLY HOWELL DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC SAFETY, explained the fiscal note.
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered whether there was someone to
discuss the Department of Administration (DOA) fiscal note.
Senator Hughes asked whether the medical insurance premiums
would remain flat. Ms. Howell replied that the language
required that the commissioner determine the amount of
funding available. She stated that they would monitor a
possible increase, and factor those costs into any future
budget requests. She stated that the current amount was the
only known amount.
1:20:22 PM
MICHELE MICHAUD, CHIEF HEALTH OFFICIAL, DIVISION OF
RETIREMENT AND BENEFITS, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION,
explained that it was a zero fiscal note. There was only
one change in the narrative as related to the community
opt-in.
1:20:50 PM
AT EASE
1:22:58 PM
RECONVENED
1:23:15 PM
Vice-Chair Bishop MOVED to ADOPT Conceptual Amendment 2
(copy on file):
The intent ofthis amendment is to allow all
dependents, not just a spouse, the opportunity to
reapply for benefits if they become ineligible due to
being eligible for other insurance then subsequently
lose that insurance.
Page 3, line 31, following "becomes"
DELETE "permanently"
Co-Chair MacKinnon OBJECTED for DISCUSSION.
Ms. Lucky explained the amendment.
Co-Chair MacKinnon WITHDREW her OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered. here being NO OBJECTION, it
was so ordered.
Vice-Chair Bishop MOVED to REPORT SCS CSHB 23(FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal notes.
Senator Micciche OBJECTED. He wondered whether there was a
definition of "dependence" that covered unborn dependents.
Co-Chair MacKinnon replied in the negative. She stated that
the department would include that definition in regulation.
Senator Micciche WITHDREW the OBJECTION.
There being NO further OBJECTION, the bill moved from
committee.
SCS CSHB 23(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new zero fiscal note from
the Department of Administration, a new fiscal note from
the Governor's Office, and a previously published zero
fiscal note: FN 2(DPS).
1:26:04 PM
AT EASE
1:27:03 PM
RECONVENED
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 23 SCS HB 23 FIN v. N.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 SCS HB23 FIN Overview.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 141 - DOLWD Response 2017.04.14.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 141 |
| HB 23 Amendment 2 MacKinnon.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Amendment 1 MacKinnon.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Support Letter Olsen.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Support for Municipals Hallett.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Public Testimony Dupee.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB141 - Amendment 1 Bishop, Hoffman, Olson, Micciche, MacKinnon.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 141 |
| SB 80 Support Letter - Statewide Independent Living Council of Alaska.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| HB 23 Major Policy Differences.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |