Legislature(1999 - 2000)
05/16/1999 11:14 PM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 161
"An Act relating to reduction in payments to
individuals under certain benefit programs; and
providing for an effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 161(FIN)
"An Act relating to reduction in payments to
individuals under certain benefit programs; and
providing for an effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 161(FIN)(efd fld)
"An Act relating to reduction in payments to
individuals under certain benefit programs."
Senator Parnell MOVED SCS CSHB 161() version "H" and noted
amendment #1. WITHOUT OBJECTION version "H" was ADOPTED as
working draft before the committee.
Senator Parnell MOVED amendment #1 with technical change to
delete "9" and insert "11". WITHOUT OBJECTION it was
ADOPTED.
(The arrival of Senator Phillips was noted for the record.)
KAREN PERDUE, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social
Services was invited to join the committee. There were
issues she did not see addressed in the bill that she had
previously brought up before the committee. One of her
concerns was for Adult Public Assistance. She believed
that this bill would require them to pro-rate the Adult
Public Assistance payment.
She further testified to the committee that the department
did not support this bill and felt that it was a very bad
bill. Longevity Bonus has contributed monies back to the
State. There were a few other divisions also contributing
monies to the State.
Senator Parnell questioned the Commissioner as to how this
bill would change the law regarding Foster Care.
Commissioner Perdue said she did not know at this time how
Foster Care would be affected. Senator Parnell said he did
not think the bill would change Foster Care. The
Commissioner asked if Senator Parnell thought these
regulations would not affect Foster Care? Senator Parnell
responded that was not what he said. Commissioner Perdue
said they could not control the number of children that
would come into their care and the only way for them to
save money was to cut payments to foster parents.
In response to a question by Senator P. Kelly she explained
they had reached the limits as to Federal block grants.
Senator Kelly asked what statute applied to this matter?
He did not understand why the bill was necessary if the
pro-ration was according to regulation. Senator Donley
said regulation suggested they pro-rate, but this bill
would mandate it.
Senator Green asked the Commissioner to provide copies of
letters that were sent to individuals about the impact of
this. Commissioner Perdue said she would be happy to
provide a copy of the letter.
ALISON ELGEE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Administration was invited to join the committee. She said
that with passage of this bill they would have to begin
pro-rating Longevity Bonus as of 1 July.
Senator Parnell asked if she read the bill to start pro-
rating at the beginning of the fiscal year even if they had
fully funded the request. Ms. Elgee said they would have
to operate on their best estimates on these programs. If
she was assured their best estimate had been fully funded
they could do it later. Otherwise they must begin 1 July.
Senator Parnell MOVED SCS CSHB 161 (FIN). Senator Adams
OBJECTED. He voiced concern to class action suits by those
entitled to specific programs if they were not fully
funded. The bill would then cost money due to the fact
they must pay legal costs. He thought the bill needed more
work.
Senator Phillips asked if a program had to be pro-rated
what was this based on? He commented on the language on
page one, at line six. He wanted to make sure he fully
understood the "shall".
Senator Leman said he believed this bill would give the
Administration a very good tool to assist in the
administration of their programs.
Senator Parnell asked unanimous consent to remove his
motion to move SCS CSHB 161(FIN). WITHOUT OBJECTION it was
REMOVED.
MANYA PUUGOWI, testifying on her own behalf, was invited to
join the committee. She was a disability specialist and
also had a disabled child. She did not feel the benefits
of people that need them the most would really bring a long
term savings to the State.
Senator Phillips briefly commented.
Senator Parnell MOVED SCS CSHB 161(FIN) and Senator Adams
advised the he MAINTAINED his OBJECTION. By a roll call
vote of 8 yeas (Torgerson, Parnell, Donley, Leman, Wilken,
P. Kelly, Green, Phillips) and 1 nay (Adams) SCS CSHB
161(FIN) was REPORTED OUT with individual recommendations
and zero fiscal note applying to all State agencies.
Co-chair Torgerson advised that tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. the
committee would take up HB 84, HB 87, HB 227, HB 231 and HB
151, however, not necessarily in that particular order.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Torgerson recessed the committee at approximately
11:45 P.M.
SFC-99 -1- 05/16/99 pn
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