Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/05/2025 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB13 | |
| SB46 | |
| Presentation(s): Special Education in Alaska | |
| SB93 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 46 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 93 | ||
SB 13-SUMMER EBT BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN
3:32:46 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 13
"An Act relating to the summer electronic benefits transfer
program for children."
3:33:03 PM
SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR, District J, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 13 paraphrased the following
statement:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SPONSOR STATEMENT SB 13: SUMMER EBT BENEFITS FOR
CHILDREN
Version N
February 5, 2025
"An Act relating to the summer electronic benefits
transfer program for children."
When the school year comes to an end each summer,
children from low-income households lose access to the
consistent and reliable school meals that they rely
on. The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer
EBT) for children program is a federal program that
was designed in order address summer hunger throughout
the country by providing $40 per summer month per
child in low-income families to be used for food
assistance.
Beyond simply ensuring that Alaskan children have
access to food, an analysis by the USDA looking at
SNAP benefits shows that every dollar that is spent
during an economic downturn on SNAP actually generates
between $1.50 and $1.80 in local economic activity.
For our state, that would be an expected economic
impact between $10,440,000 and $12,528,000 from Summer
EBT benefits for the summer of 2025.
This program would go especially far in serving urban
Alaskans. Last year, the State of Alaska declined to
participate in the federal Summer EBT program, leaving
the estimated 58,000 children who would be eligible to
receive these benefits without this option.
USDA evaluations have shown that Summer EBT decreased
the number of kids with very low food security by one-
third; increased whole grain, dairy, fruit, and
vegetable consumption; and decreased sugar-sweetened
beverage consumption.
To help assure that at-risk children have food on the
table, the Department of Education should take the
opportunity to apply for the federal funds that are
available for the Summer EBT program. Through SB 13,
we can provide hunger relief for children from food
insecure families across the state and ensure the
health and well-being of the young people of Alaska.
CHAIR DUNBAR emphasized that SB 13 proposes using federal funds,
when they are available, to feed students. It does not propose
using state funds.
3:35:54 PM
CHAIR TOBIN chose to skip the short sectional analysis of SB 13.
3:36:32 PM
GAVIN NORTHEY, Manager, Child Nutrition Programs, Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska,
paraphrased the analysis of SB 13 fiscal note OMB component
1955, dated March 4, 2025:
[Original punctuation provided.]
The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program,
established under the federal Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023, provides crucial benefits to
Alaskan families and communities. While its
implementation would bring significant financial
assistance, it imposes a substantial administrative
burden on the Department.
For the summer of 2024, the program could have
delivered between $156 and $240 per eligible child,
benefiting an estimated 53,000 to 58,000 children in
Alaska. These figures, derived from data from DEED and
the Food Research Action Center, translate to a
potential total benefit of up to $10.5 million
statewide. The benefit structure mirrors the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),
ensuring higher benefits for children in remote rural
communities where grocery prices are significantly
higher.
3:37:42 PM
MR. NORTHEY continued paraphrasing the sectional analysis of SB
13:
[Original punctuation provided.]
The total benefit amount of $10,472.0 will be fully
funded by the USDA.
Staffing Needs $413.2
The program requires four full-time positions to
ensure compliance and effective administration:
Program Coordinator I: Responsible for overseeing the
program, including training, contract management,
verification, and reviews.
Education Associate II: Focused on eligibility
determination and maintenance of contracts, including
EBT card management.
Education Associate I (2 positions): Primarily
responsible for eligibility processing and potential
support for card-related issues.
One-Time Costs $491.0
Regulations Development: $6.0
Office Supplies and Equipment for New Staff: $20.0
Contracted EBT and Eligibility Platform Development:
$465.0
Ongoing Administrative Costs $1.8M annually
Federal assistance will provide a 50 percent match for
ongoing administrative expenses, leaving $902.7 to be
funded by nonfederal sources. Key costs include:
Travel: $15.0 for federal compliance training for
staff and training for grantees.
Department Administrative Support: $70.4
Contracts and Maintenance: $1,096.3 for EBT card
management and eligibility platform maintenance, as
well as postage.
Participant Communication Commodities: $210.5
The Summer EBT program represents a significant
opportunity to address food insecurity for children
across Alaska, particularly in remote areas. However,
implementing and maintaining the program comes with
considerable administrative and financial challenges.
To sustain the program, additional non-federal funding
of $902.7 annually will be required to match federal
assistance and ensure compliance with program
requirements
MR. NORTHEY stated that cities in Alaska are defined into three
categories: Urban, Rural I, and Rural II. The category Rule II
receives the highest benefit level. He said in the first year
the state could expect $296,000. The coordinator position is a
Range 13. The Education Associate II position is a Range 15,
with a fiscal impact of $106,200. He said the two Education
Associate I positions are Range 13, with a total fiscal impact
of $190,500. He provided a breakdown on the costs for items such
as travel, training, and contracting.
3:41:31 PM
MR. NORTHEY said the total fiscal impact for 2026 is
$12,768,400; the federal government would provide $11,620,200
and $1,148,200 from the general fund match. From FY27 onward the
expected impact is $12,277,400; the federal government would
provide $11,374,700 and $902,700.
3:42:24 PM
SENATOR CRONK asked what will happen to the positions and the
UGF match of nearly $1 million if no federal funds are
available.
3:42:48 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR stated that the fiscal note was received late the
previous day and had not yet been discussed with the department.
He expressed concern that the administrative costs appeared high
and expressed his intent to work with the department to reduce
the amount. He noted internal debate over whether the Department
of Health (DOH), Division of Children and Family Services
(DCFS), or Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
should administer the funds. He recognized the state's existing
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) infrastructure and expressed
hope that the summer program could piggyback on existing
infrastructure to reduce costs. He added that SB 13 might
require an amendment since it currently assigns responsibility
to DCFS instead of DEED.
SENATOR DUNBAR acknowledged the possibility of layoffs if the
federal government discontinues the program, noting similar
funding uncertainties affecting Medicaid, education, and rural
internet. He emphasized that these federal funds have been
available to states for years and expressed hope they will
continue, citing the program's success in other states. He
mentioned that invited testifiers could speak about the
program's impact. He reiterated his concerns about the fiscal
note.
3:44:38 PM
SENATOR KIEHL stated that the narrative in the fiscal note did
not align with the figures presented. He suggested asking the
department to provide a breakdown clarifying what expenses fall
into each category and which are eligible for matching funds. He
expressed interest in the bill, noting the appeal of providing
over $10 million in food for needy children. However, he
questioned the department's cost estimate and emphasized the
need for further analysis.
CHAIR TOBIN expressed significant concerns about the fiscal note
and requested a more detailed and thorough explanation. She
questioned why the contributions of tribal partners, who also
support Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) programs in the state,
were not reflected in the fiscal note. She said the bill appears
to focus on adopting regulation and is curious why an entire
division is propped up instead of trying to work within the
existing structure.
3:46:30 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN said he is unsure why additional investigation
to support the program is needed. He asked how many students
would benefit from the program who are not already in families
receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
benefits. He questioned the need for additional employees to
manage what appears to be a simple increase in benefits for
students who already qualify for free and reduced lunch. He
asked for the difference in the number of households receiving
free and reduced lunch compared to those receiving SNAP
benefits.
3:47:52 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR shared from personal experience that he received
reduced-price lunches as a child while his parents did not
receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
benefits. He suggested some families may not qualify for both or
another possibility was the program could function as an
increase to an existing benefit during a different month. He
deferred the question.
3:48:19 PM
SENATOR TOBIN stated that she also received free and reduced
lunch, but her family did not participate in SNAP benefits.
3:48:29 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced invited testimony on SB 13.
3:48:34 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR thanked the members of the committee for their
comments regarding the fiscal note.
3:49:03 PM
RACHEL LORD, Advocacy and Policy Director, Alaska Food Policy
Council, Homer, Alaska, testified by invitation on SB 13. She
stated that the Alaska Food Policy Council is a nonpartisan
statewide organization focused on strengthening Alaska's food
systems through cross-sector collaboration. She emphasized that
Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an effective tool in
reducing childhood food insecurity, which affects one in six
Alaskan children. She supported the program for its dual impact:
relieving pressure on overburdened food banks and injecting
funds into local food systems, including grocery stores, farmers
markets, and agricultural businesses.
MS. LORD noted that her own children qualified for free and
reduced lunch but not Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) benefits, highlighting a gap the program could address.
She emphasized the need for serious consideration of program
administration, including interdepartmental coordination between
the Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, and the
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) Child
Nutrition Program. She stated that improved staffing and
coordination should be a legislative and administrative
priority, and pointed to the governor's proposed budget, which
includes additional eligibility technicians.
3:51:54 PM
MS. LORD explained that families already receiving SNAP benefits
could have summer EBT funds added to existing cards, and
flexibility exists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) regarding program
implementation. She stressed that understanding the difference
between students eligible for free and reduced lunch and those
not enrolled in SNAP is crucial for planning. With proper
staffing and coordination, she believes Alaska can successfully
manage the program and capture significant economic and social
benefits that outweigh the state's 50 percent administrative
cost share.
MS. LORD responded to Senator Cronk's concern about federal
uncertainty, stating that the application deadline to enroll in
Summer EBT is typically January 1 or February 1, meaning that
even after the bill passes, implementation would be delayed
until the following year. She added that the bill appears to
require state participation only when funding is available,
allowing for ample preparation time.
3:54:19 PM
KELSEY BOON, Senior Child Policy Analyst, Food Research Action
Center, Washington, District of Columbia, testified by
invitation on SB 13. She stated that the Food Research and
Action Center is a national nonprofit focused on ending hunger
and undernutrition through improved public policy. She
highlighted the organization's long-term work on federal child
nutrition programs and its recent collaboration with states and
anti-hunger advocates to implement the Summer Electronic Benefit
Transfer (EBT) program. She stressed that childhood hunger leads
to negative health outcomes, making programs like Summer EBT
essential.
MS. BOON reported that in 2024, 37 states, Washington, D.C., two
tribal organizations, and all five U.S. territories participated
in Summer EBT, providing $2.5 billion in benefits to over 21
million children. She explained that traditional summer meal
programs face access challenges due to transportation and site
limitations, which Summer EBT helps address by providing grocery
benefits directly to families.
MS. BOON stated that approximately 58,000 Alaskan children could
qualify for Summer EBT, which would bring in $7 million in
benefits and create an estimated $12.5 million in economic
impact. She clarified that SNAP eligibility requires family
income below 130 percent of the federal poverty level, while
free and reduced-price meal eligibility extends up to 185
percentmeaning many children qualify for Summer EBT without
receiving SNAP. She urged support for SB 13 to close the summer
nutrition gap and invest in the well-being of Alaska's children.
3:57:40 PM
JEN GRIFFIS, Vice President, Policy and Advocacy, Alaska
Childrens Trust, Homer, Alaska, testified by invitation on SB
13. She stated that as the statewide lead organization focused
on preventing child abuse and neglect, Alaska Children's Trust
(ACT) supports policies that help families access the resources
they need to thrive. She said Alaska's participation in the
federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program would
strengthen families by improving children's health, education,
and overall family economic well-being.
MS. GRIFFIS cited Kids Count data from the Annie E. Casey
Foundation indicating that nearly 20 percent of Alaskan children
live in food-insecure homes. She noted that while many of these
children receive free or reduced-price lunches during the school
year, those supports often do not extend into summer. She said
Summer EBT could provide nutrition assistance to approximately
58,000 children, helping them return to school nourished and
ready to learn.
MS. GRIFFIS emphasized that the program would support healthy
child development by improving access to nutritious food and
would also reduce financial stress on families. She concluded
that SB 13 would positively impact the health, education, and
economic stability of families throughout Alaska.
3:59:41 PM
CHAIR TOBIN opened public testimony on SB 13.
4:00:08 PM
ALAN BUDAHL, Executive Director, Lutheran Social Services of
Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 13. He
said he operates one of the largest food pantries in the state.
He expressed strong support for SB 13, which would establish the
Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program to help
families and school-age children access food when schools are
closed. He noted that summer is the busiest time for their
pantry due to increased food insecurity caused by the absence of
school-provided meals. He emphasized that SB 13 offers a
sustainable solution by providing direct support to families,
reducing reliance on emergency food assistance, and helping
children remain healthy and prepared for the next school year.
4:02:31 PM
VANESSA THOMPSON, Board President, Helping Hands Food Bank, Tok,
Alaska, testified in support of SB 13 on behalf of the board and
clients of Helping Hands Food Bank. She stated that the food
bank serves an average of 90 families each month, including 40
families with one or more school-aged children, and highlighted
the gap left when school meals are unavailable. She noted that
while younger children may qualify for the Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) program, there are no alternatives that replace
school meal nutrition for older children. She emphasized that
implementing the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
program at the Tok School would help keep children nourished and
engaged during the summer months.
4:03:59 PM
CHAIR TOBIN closed public testimony on SB 13.
4:04:11 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR thanked the committee for hearing SB 13 and
acknowledged concerns raised about the fiscal note. He stated
his intention to work with the department and reach out to
committee members, particularly Senator Kiel of the Finance
Committee, where the bill is headed next. He encouraged
collaboration on any needed changes and emphasized that
testimony had shown the bill would help children across Alaska.
He noted that while $40 per student is not a complete solution,
it would make a meaningful difference in addressing child
hunger.
4:05:12 PM
CHAIR TOBIN held SB 13 in committee.