Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/03/2008 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB289 | |
| SB303 | |
| HB366 | |
| SB214 | |
| SB255 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 214 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 255 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 289 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 303 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 366 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 366
An Act relating to an exemption from public disclosure
of certain appropriations from the dividend fund; and
providing for an effective date.
REPRESENTATIVE HARRY CRAWFORD, SPONSOR, explained that the
bill pertained to people without a voice. The Permanent Fund
Dividend (PFD) was taken away from children of certain
people in prison who had lost their PFD. The bill makes it
possible to use the PFD money for child support. It does not
take away the liability of the responsible person, but would
make sure the Dividend would get to the young instead of to
the Department of Corrections.
2:24:21 PM
Co-Chair Chenault asked for clarification regarding how the
bill would affect the parent's child support debt.
Representative Crawford answered the PFD money does not go
to the debt.
Representative Kelly queried as to the order of priority of
the distribution. Representative Crawford responded that in
all other cases, the Child Support Services Division is
first in line. The legislation puts them back into the list.
There is a system in place that the legislation does not
otherwise affect.
Representative Gara asked if the bill was trying to solve
the problem of those who owe legal child support or for all
parents.
2:27:53 PM
Representative Crawford answered some people are hard to
find. They might have to apply for the money. He thought the
change would not capture everyone but many.
Vice-Chair Stoltze noted that the Department of Public
Safety seemed unaware of the bill.
Co-Chair Chenault expressed questions regarding the zero
fiscal note.
JERRY BURNETT, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE (DOR), responded that while
there are 5,000 incarcerated people with active child
support cases, between 2000 and 3000 children not under
state foster care or public assistance would benefit from
the legislation. Currently when DOR garnishes the PFD, the
money goes to the State and is shared between the state and
the federal government. The Department does not want to
displace a shared state/federal program with an all-state
program. He said a lot of work needed to be done to
calculate the amount needed. Co-Chair Chenault did not want
a surprise in the next year. He asked the total number of
children involved.
2:32:33 PM
Mr. Burnett clarified that there are approximately 5,000
obligore parents involved. Generally, there are 1.6 children
per person who is obligated to pay. However, children can be
up to 40, because of back money owed. There are
approximately 2,000-3,000 children between 0 and 18 who are
not currently receiving public benefits.
Co-Chair Chenault asked how Department of Revenue would
address that if there was no General Fund increase in their
budget.
DWAYNE PEOPLES, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS, responded that the House version of the
Operating Budget has all of the PFD money allocated to
inmate health care. If that component comes up short, the
Legislature will have to address it.
2:35:39 PM
Representative Nelson thought the emphasis should be on the
children and not on the prisoners. She did not want the
children to go without. Co-Chair Chenault agreed and
clarified that he wanted people to see the cost associated
with the change.
Representative Hawker addressed the fiscal notes. He
wondered if the legislation would require the departments to
change the way they are currently budgeting the funds. Mr.
Burnett answered there is no requirement besides the
Legislature's intent. Mr. Peoples agreed there was no
obligation on his department.
Representative Hawker asked if the individual dividend would
have to show how much it was reduced as a result of the
budgetary change. Mr. Burnett said that was correct. Because
of the way the statute is constructed, the Department would
be limited to the amount calculated from the number of
people times the dividend paid.
Representative Hawker asked if the statutory authority was
broad enough. Mr. Burnett thought there was sufficient
authorization to provide for the grant program.
2:39:37 PM
Representative Hawker asked if DOR was accustomed to grant
programs paying money out. Mr. Burnett said the Department
does not have grant programs, but they do pay the money to
parents of custodial children. There is a disbursement
mechanism.
Representative Hawker asked if DOR wanted to create a grant
program with eligibility and compliance responsibilities.
Mr. Burnett stated that he had discussed the issue with the
Child Support Director and other staff. DOR was able and
willing to do that.
2:41:14 PM
There was a discussion about the requirements for the
program.
2:43:43 PM
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED.
2:46:14 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to REPORT HB 366 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note by Department of Corrections and Department of Revenue.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HB 366 was REPORTED out of Committee with no recommendation
and zero fiscal note by Department of Corrections and zero
fiscal note by the Department of Revenue.
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