Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/02/2003 09:00 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 124
"An Act relating to grants for alcoholism and drug abuse
programs; and providing for an effective date."
AT EASE 10:06 AM / 10:07 AM
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
Co-Chair Wilken explained that this bill, sponsored by the
Governor, proposes to increase the required local match levels for
alcohol and drug abuse programs from ten percent to twenty-five
percent. He noted that this change would result in a $1.61 million
reduction in State spending.
ELMER LINDSTROM, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department
of Health and Social Services, affirmed Co-chair Wilken's
explanation of the bill, and he added that this is "the appropriate
time" to change the level of local match specified in statute. He
stated that while the statute regarding the local match level would
be changed, language would remain "that would allow the Department
to waive the local match in whole or in part, upon a determination
that it would not be feasible in fact for the grantee to generate
that local match." He referenced the Department of Health and
Social Services seven-page listing of grant programs titled "SB
124\HB 167 Increase Local Match Requirement for Substance Abuse
Grants (Revised 3/12)" [copy on file] that would be subject to the
provisions of this bill. He noted that some entities, specifically
small rural based programs such as rural based suicide prevention
programs, would be exempt from the local match requirement.
Additionally, he qualified, some programs such as the substance
abuse treatment programs for women and children would be held
harmless from the increase.
Senator Taylor surmised that tax-based communities would be subject
to the increased match levels; however, he noted, most other
entities are exempt.
Mr. Lindstrom expressed that while there is no expectation that
"local governments would necessarily be stepping in to provide the
local match; …there is an underlying assumption that larger
communities, where many of these non-profits organizations operate,
have a greater ability to raise funds."
Senator Taylor asked how local match funds are currently provided.
Mr. Lindstrom responded that client fees, grants, foundation
funding, and local community fundraising are among the variety of
methods that non-profits use to raise funds. He acknowledged that
while the increased match level would be a challenge for some
programs, he opined that, "the programs would be successful…in
generating this additional match."
Senator Bunde asked why the Anchorage domestic violence program, as
specified on page four of the aforementioned list of grantees,
would be exempt from the local match requirement.
Mr. Lindstrom verified that the program is exempt from the local
match. He explained that certain programs for women and children
would be exempted; although he was uncertain whether this program
is one of them.
Senator Bunde further questioned why the suicide prevention program
on St. George Island, as specified on page six of the list, was
exempt from the match, as he contended, the community's gambling
revenue equates to $15,000 per person per year. He suggested that
the list of grantees be further reviewed.
Senator Olson specified that the gambling revenue referred to was
in response to a fundraising endeavor.
Senator Taylor asked why an Anchorage program for Services for
Families-Women with Children was exempt from the local match as
identified on page four of the list, while a similar program in the
smaller community of Sitka was specified for the ten percent match
level.
Co-Chair Wilken asked for information regarding the 10%(A) and
10%(B) notations designated on the grantee listing.
Mr. Lindstrom explained that these notations are footnoted on page
seven of the aforementioned grantee list as follows: "10%(A)
Community Action against Substance Abuse programs receiving grant
awards of $30,000 or less; and 10%(B) designates treatment for
youth, woman and children and special projects."
KAREN PEARSON, Acting Director, Division of Alcoholism and Drug
Abuse, Department of Health and Social Services responded to
Senator Taylor's question regarding the equitable methodology for
determining which programs are exempt or specified to remain at the
ten percent level by responding that she was newly appointed to
this position and would supply the requested information to the
Committee upon further research.
Co-Chair Wilken asked that the Fairbanks Native Association
program, another similar program specified at the ten percent level
listed on page three of the report, also be included in the
research.
Co-chair Wilken ordered the bill HELD in Committee.
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