Legislature(2015 - 2016)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/06/2016 08:30 AM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB124 | |
| HB47 | |
| HB188 | |
| HCR4 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 124 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 241 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HCR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 188 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 124
"An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska
Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective
date."
8:50:48 AM
SENATOR BILL STOLTZE, SPONSOR, remarked that the only
outstanding conversation related to the bill was about the
fiscal notes. He noted the reduction of one, with a
recommendation of two position cuts. He stated that it was
a determination by the administration in the following
fiscal year. He shared that the commission had recommended
the sunset. He felt that there was broad public support of
the bill, and a strong constituency.
Co-Chair Thompson appreciated the bill being brought
forward.
8:52:07 AM
AT EASE
8:53:07 AM
RECONVENED
Representative Gara referred to the fiscal note. He asked
about the positions being deleted. Senator Stoltze stated
he was not at the epicenter of the finance. He thought
there was a suggestion for deeper cuts. He thought the
deletion of 2 positions presented a stark reality. He did
not think having a place holder for discussion was
necessary. He thought the legislature could use a reminder
of the
Co-Chair Thompson reiterated that the bill limited one
position, and shared that the following legislatures could
make more reductions.
Co-Chair Neuman agreed with Senator Stoltze that cuts were
necessary. He thought the fiscal note should remain as
written.
8:57:00 AM
Representative Guttenberg emphasized that the reduction in
the note reflected a 50 percent reduction of staff over 2
years. He spoke to the fact that the people on the
commission were overachievers and was concerned with
placing too much of a burden. He thought the cuts were too
steep. He suggested coming back in a year's time to
reevaluate.
Representative Kawasaki asked about moving to amend the
fiscal note. Co-Chair Thompson replied that he did not want
to amend the fiscal note.
Representative Kawasaki pointed out that the report (copy
on file) from the Commission on Aging spoke specifically to
state implementation of the plan. He stressed that the work
on the plan began in FY 14, which was two years ahead of
the work. It was anticipated that the commission would work
on the revised plan for submission to the federal
government.
Representative Gara thought the bill was too important to
hold up the commission. She thought it would be best to get
the bill passed and ready to move forward to get it to the
floor for a vote.
Vice-Chair Saddler relayed that the significant decline in
revenue was not a surprise to the commission.
9:03:23 AM
Representative Gara referred to the second page of the
fiscal note. He read a portion of the fiscal note memo. He
indicated that the reduction would diminish the agency's
ability to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. He felt
that the committee should only cut one position, and
evaluate whether or not to cut another position in the
future.
Representative Gara MOVED to ADOPT conceptual Amendment 1
to the fiscal note:
The fiscal note would only delete one position in the
current year, without the statement of intent that a
second position be deleting the following year.
Representative Wilson OBJECTED for discussion. She remarked
that the state plan was written, and updated with changes.
She felt that the commission would continue to progress and
make changes. She appreciated the reduction of one
position, and stressed that there would be an evaluation of
the impact of that reduction.
Representative Guttenberg reemphasized his position that it
would be easier to keep the third position currently and
cut next year. He was concerned of the
Representative Munoz remarked that it appeared that there
were three positions reduced, because $93,000 was cut from
FY 17 and an additional $200,000 in FY 18.
9:07:32 AM
Vice-Chair Saddler emphasized that the finance committee
made spending and reduction decisions.
Senator Stoltze was not anticipating a discussion about the
fiscal note. He relayed his conversations with the other
body. He relayed that there had been an array of
discussions.
Representative Wilson MAINTAINED her OBJECTION.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Guttenberg, Kawasaki, Munoz, Edgmon, Gara
OPPOSED: Gattis, Pruitt, Saddler, Wilson, Neuman, Thompson
The MOTION FAILED (5/6). Conceptual Amendment 1 failed to
be adopted.
Vice-Chair Saddler reviewed the fiscal note.
Co-Chair Neuman MOVED to REPORT SB 124 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note.
SB 124 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a previous fiscal impact note: FN3
(SFC for DHS).
9:13:36 AM
AT EASE
9:16:36 AM
RECONVENED