Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/22/2022 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB99 | |
| HB111 | |
| HB168 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 99 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 111 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 168 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 168
"An Act requiring the Department of Health and Social
Services to provide and allow submission of an
electronic application for certain state benefits; and
providing for an effective date."
1:39:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER, SPONSOR, introduced the
legislation. She detailed that the legislation required the
Department of Health and Social Services or soon to be
Department of Health to make applications for public
assistance available for completion and submission online.
The bill would keep all other existing paper-based and
email options available as well. The required deadline for
the action to occur was July 1, 2022. She stated that
online forms could increase accessibility and efficiency,
which would be beneficial to Alaskans and the Division of
Public Assistance. Online applications had been supported
by past and current administrations, as evidenced by the
stated goal to do such and by ongoing efforts; however,
efforts had not been consistent and had not been finalized.
She relayed that requiring online availability in statute
protected the department's current work to get the forms
online and ensures the effort would cross the finish line
after more than a decade of false starts.
1:40:40 PM
ARIELLE WIGGIN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER, reviewed
the Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Sec. 1: Adds a new subsection (19) to AS 47.05.010
Duties of Department requiring the Department of
Health and Social Services to create and provide an
entirely online application process for individuals
applying for public assistance and defines an online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act. It does not mandate
applicants apply online or remove the written option.
Sec. 2: Amends AS 47.08.150(b) Assistance For Chronic
or Acute Medical Conditions by adding language
requiring the Department of Health and Social Services
to establish an entirely online application process
for individuals applying for the Chronic and Acute
Medical Assistance program. Adds language requiring
the department inform applicants that making false
statements on the application is a punishable act.
Sec. 3: Adds a new subsection (6) to AS 47.25.001(a)
Powers and Duties that requires the department
establish an entirely online application process and
allows applicants to apply in any form required by
state and federal law. Adds language requiring the
department inform applicants that making false
statements on the application is a punishable act.
Sec. 4: Adds a new section (7) to AS 47.25.071(e)
Child Care Grant Program that requires the department
establish an entirely online application process for
assistance under the Child Care Grant Program. Adds
language requiring the department inform applicants
that making false statements on the application is a
punishable act.
Sec. 5: Amends AS 47.25.095 Definitions For Day Care
Assistance and Child Care Grant Programs to define
electronic application.
Sec. 6: Amends AS 47.25.150 Application For Assistance
by adding language requiring the Division of Public
Assistance to establish an entirely online application
process for individuals applying for assistance from
the department and defines an online application. Adds
language requiring the department inform applicants
that making false statements on the application is a
punishable act.
Sec. 7: Amends AS 47.25.440 Application For Assistance
by adding language requiring the Department of Health
and Social Services to establish an entirely online
application process for individuals applying to
receive Adult Public Assistance and defines an online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act.
Sec. 8: Adds a new subsection (4) to AS 47.25.622
Alaska Affordable Heating Program requiring the
Department of Health and Social Services to create and
provide an entirely online 4.9.2021 application
process for individuals applying for the Alaska
Affordable Heating Program and defines an online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act.
Sec. 9: Adds a new subsection (4) to AS 47.25.980(a)
Duties of Department requiring the Division of Public
Assistance to create and provide an entirely online
application process for individuals applying for the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and defines
an online application. Adds language requiring the
department inform applicants that making false
statements on the application is a punishable act.
Sec. 10: Amends AS 47.27.020(a) Application
Requirements by adding language requiring the Division
of Public Assistance to establish an entirely online
application process for individuals applying for the
Alaska Temporary Assistance Program. Defines online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act.
Sec. 11: Amends AS 47.45.302(a) Cash Assistance
Benefits by adding language requiring the Department
of Health and Social Services to establish an entirely
online application process for individuals applying
for the cash assistance program. Defines online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act.
Sec. 12: Adds a new section to the uncodified law of
the State of Alaska allowing the Department of Health
and Social Services to adopt regulations needed to
create and implement online applications.
Sec. 13: Requires Section 12 to take effect
immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).
Sec. 14: Provides an effective date of July 1, 2022.
1:42:04 PM
Senator Olson asked how the bill would help rural
applicants with poor internet connections.
Representative Snyder replied that in areas where
connectivity was not an issue, the demand for paper
services and associate assistance should go down, which
would free up additional time for the division to meet the
needs of rural Alaskans.
Senator Olson asked how the bill would help people in areas
of his district like Diomede or St. Lawrence Island.
Representative Snyder responded that the bill was not
necessarily designed to be particularly beneficial for
individuals without online access. She pointed out that the
division had a functional phoneline where it could walk
applicants through the forms. She relayed the demand for
the phone line had been very high. The bill aimed to free
up time for the division and make it faster to receive
service.
Co-Chair Bishop hoped it would be the case. He highlighted
that some people were waiting 45 minutes trying to get
services.
Representative Snyder agreed. She shared it was the
motivation of the legislation. Stakeholders reported
repeatedly on the challenging wait time. She stated that
the longer the delay, the odds of an eligible applicant
completing the form diminished. She had heard about the
issue for quite some time, and she had advocated in
subcommittees for additional positions to meet the gap
until applications were online. She hoped the bill would be
part of the solution to a persistent problem.
1:44:47 PM
Co-Chair Bishop moved to invited testimony.
RON MEEHAN, FOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. He shared
that the Food Bank of Alaska had a robust staff outreach
team that was federally funded in partnership with the
state. He provided detail about the work provided by the
Food Bank. He shared that almost one-quarter of the people
eligible in Alaska for SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program] benefits were not accessing the
program. He stated that Alaskans faced unique challenges in
accessing benefits. One of the major barriers was the lack
of options for how to apply. He stated the creation and
addition of an online program would reduce the problem. He
elaborated that Alaska currently used a paper application.
The current online option required someone to provide a
finger or stylus signature, which many people were unable
to do. He relayed that not all communities had a public
assistance office, and many offices were still currently
closed. He provided further detail about the difficulties
associated with the current system. He stated that the
current process could take weeks for individuals in rural
communities. He highlighted high wait times on the phone.
The bill would streamline the process and the application
could be simplified. He reviewed benefits of the bill. He
enthusiastically supported the legislation.
1:48:25 PM
Co-Chair Bishop OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
HB 168 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Bishop discussed the schedule for the following
Monday.
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