Legislature(2015 - 2016)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/16/2016 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB69 | |
| SB124 | |
| SB196 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 69 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 124 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 196 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 124
"An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska
Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective
date."
9:39:47 AM
SENATOR BILL STOLTZE, SPONSOR explained that SB 124 would
extend the termination date of the Alaska Commission on
Aging. He stated that the commission was established in
1981. He remarked that the commission served the growing
aging population of Alaska. He stated that the recommended
8 year extension was based on the recommendations of the
Legislative Auditor to the Legislative Budget on Audit
Committee.
9:42:25 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon solicited additional comments from the
sponsor's support staff.
9:42:31 AM
DANIEL GEORGE, STAFF, SENATOR BILL STOLTZE, replied that
the bill had a second section that contained an immediate
effective date.
9:43:02 AM
KRIS CURTIS, AUDITOR, DIVISION OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, stated
that the commission was serving the public interest by
helping older Alaskans to lead dignifies, independent, and
useful lives thorough advocacy, outreach, and education,
Furthermore, the commission met the federal requirement
that each state establish an advisory council to advise the
state on aging matters including developing and
administering a state plan, and operations conducted under
the plan. She said that the maximum 8 year extension had
been recommended. She noted that 2 recommendations had been
made in an effort to improve operations:
1. The commission's executive director should
implement and follow procedures to public notice all
commission meetings.
2. The commission's chairperson should review and
approve the legislation watch list prior to
distribution.
Ms. Curtis noted that the commission periodically held
teleconferences to gather public input and discuss
legislation affecting seniors. She added that to facilitate
feedback the commission annually published a legislation
watch list that identified legislative bills that were of
interest to the commission. She stated that a review had
found that the watch lists had contained several bill that
were unrelated to the commission's responsibilities, which
prompted a review of the watch list before distribution.
9:44:54 AM
DENISE DANIELLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON
AGING, spoke in support of the legislation. She stated that
the commission worked closely with the Division of Senior
and Disability Services in assisting the Department of
Health and Social Services, which was the sole state agency
on aging as authorized by the governor, to fulfil those
responsibilities. She relayed that the Division of Senior
and Disability Services administered the majority of state
and federally funded senior programs, while the commission
was responsible for developing the state plan for senior
services, advocacy, education, and interagency
collaboration. She stated that the commission's last
reauthorization was 8 years ago, at which time 3 state
plans were developed for senior services, the most recent
of which was completed in June 2015. She shared that all of
the plans were available online, and satisfied the federal
requirement to be able to draw down federal funds for
senior programs. She furthered that the commission was a
mandated statutory advisor to the Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority, and provided information, budget, and
policy recommendations to the trust regarding the needs of
older Alaskans with Alzheimer's disease and related
dementias. She spoke to the completion of the first ever
state plan that focused on Alzheimer's disease, and shares
that the document was available on the commission's
website. She said that the commission supported the
Medicaid Adult Dental Program for Senior Benefits and
Medicaid Reform. She relayed that the commission hosted
numerous events and activities to educate and support
seniors and their communities.
Co-Chair MacKinnon OPENED public testimony.
9:48:51 AM
TERRY SNYDER, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED
PERSONS (AARP), MAT-SU (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the legislation. She represented 89,000 AARP
members who urged the reauthorization of the Commission on
Aging. She stressed the economic importance of what the
senior population brought to the state's economy. She noted
that seniors volunteers countless hours in communities. She
requested quick passage of the bill through the committee
for the reauthorization of the commission.
9:50:27 AM
AMANDA LOFGREN, OFFICER, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH TRUST
AUTHORITY, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in
support of the legislation. She relayed that the trust
supported program services and policies that would
positively impact the lives of beneficiaries, including
Alaskan's who experienced Alzheimer's disease and related
dementia. She noted that AS 47.30.041 indicated that the
commission should serve as a statutory advisory board to
the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and advised the
authority and trustees on the needs of older Alaskans with
cognitive impartments. She related that the commission, in
partnership with the trust and other agencies, published
the Alaska Roadmap for Alzheimer's disease and related
dementia in 2015. She stated that the commission made
recommendations to the trust board regarding mental health
programs for senior trust beneficiaries, as well as how to
use funds that benefitted the vulnerable population of
beneficiaries. She asserted that the commission was
integral in developing state plans for senior services,
which leveraged Older American Act funding to support
beneficiaries.
9:52:02 AM
BANARSI LAL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of the legislation. He relayed that he
was acting chair of the Fairbanks Northstar Borough Senior
Citizens Advisory Commission. He said that the Fairbanks
commission supported the work of the Alaska Commission on
Aging. He lauded the commission for serving seniors in the
areas of planning, education, and advocacy. He noted that
the commission had fulfilled federal requirements under the
Older Americans Act, which meant that Alaska would continue
to receive funds for senior programs and services. He
praised work of the commission and supported the 8 year
extension.
9:55:12 AM
JAN FENA, MEMBER, SOLDOTNA SENIOR CENTER, SOLDOTNA (via
teleconference), spoke in strong support of the
legislation. She testified that the commission was vital in
their advocacy, outreach, and support of older Alaskans, as
well as their close work in collaboration with senior
centers, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, the Department
of Health and Social Services, the Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority, ADRC, AARP, Agenet, and many other
agencies to help older Alaskans live independently in the
community of their choice. She lauded the commission's work
to secure funding for senior programs and services.
9:57:46 AM
MARIE DARLIN, AARP, JUNEAU, testified in support of the
legislation. She echoed Ms. Snyder's comments.
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony.
9:59:24 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon solicited further questions from
committee members.
SB 124 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
9:59:41 AM
AT EASE
10:00:39 AM
RECONVENED