Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
05/13/2024 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB347 | |
| HB202 | |
| HB111 | |
| HB148 | |
| HB347 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 202 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 347 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 111 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 217 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 148 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
May 13, 2024
9:09 a.m.
9:09:00 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Olson called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 9:09 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick [via teleconference]
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Nils Andreassen, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal
League; Representative DeLena Johnson, Sponsor; Savaya
Bieber, Staff for Representative Johnson; Lindsey Kato,
Director, Division of Public Health, Department of Health
and Social Services; Ken Alper, Staff to Co-Chair Olson;
Representative Jamie Allard, Sponsor.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Anna Brawley, Self, Anchorage; Jack Gadamus, Municipal
Assessor, Municipality of Anchorage; Sharon Fishel, School
Health and Safety Lead, Department of Education and Early
Development; Sandy Snodgrass, CEO, Alaska Fentanyl
Response; Richard Saville, Governor's Council on
Disabilities and Special Education, Department of Health.
SUMMARY
SB 217 INTEGRATED TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
SB 217 was SCHEDULED but not HEARD.
CSHB 111(EDC)
EDUCATION FOR DEAF and HARD OF HEARING
CSHB 111(EDC) was REPORTED out of committee with
four "do pass" recommendations and with one "no
recommendation" recommendation, and with one
previously published fiscal impact note: FN
2(EED).
CSHB 202(EDC)
OPIOID OVERDOSE DRUGS IN SCHOOLS
SCS CSHB 202(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee
with five "do pass" recommendations and with two
previously public fiscal notes: FN 1(EED), FN
3(DOH).
CSHB 347(CRA)am
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
SCS CSHB 347(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee
with three "do pass" recommendations, two no
recommendation recommendations, and with one
amend recommendation; and with one new zero
fiscal note from the Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development.
CSHB 148(FIN)
AK PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP; ELIGIBILITY
SCS CSHB 148(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee
with five "do pass" recommendations and with one
"amend" recommendation; and with two new fiscal
impact notes from the Department of Education and
Early Development, three new fiscal impact notes
from the Department of Labor and Workforce
Development, one new fiscal impact note from the
Department of Revenue, one new fiscal note from
the University, and three previously published
fiscal impact notes: FN 4(EED), FN 5(EED), FN
6(EED).
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 347(CRA) am
"An Act relating to assessment of property, boards of
equalization, and certification of assessors; and
providing for an effective date."
9:09:38 AM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
9:09:53 AM
NILS ANDREASSEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA MUNICIPAL
LEAGUE, (AML) spoke in opposition to the bill. He remarked
that he had a positive experience working with the sponsors
on the Senate version of the bill. He spoke against the
mandatory exemption increases.
Co-Chair Stedman remarked that the issue should be related
to inflation proofing. He stressed that there were some
challenges with escalating property values.
9:14:26 AM
Senator Kiehl wondered if Mr. Andreassen could speak to how
the bill would go into effect.
Mr. Andreassen replied that the exception currently applied
to about 25 percent of households, and did not accrue to 80
percent across the state. He stressed that there were other
ways to address inflation, such as an exemption for
homeowners that went beyond current options for residents.
Senator Kiehl wondered whether there was a cap for
municipalities' option for senior tax exemptions.
Mr. Andreassen replied that there were many options for
local governments to make adjustments and flexibility to
address the issue.
Co-Chair Hoffman stressed that the problem had existed for
over thirty years, and stressed that AML had not
represented the seniors of the state. He wondered why there
had not been previous work on addressing the issues related
to seniors in the state.
Mr. Andreassen appreciated Co-Chair Hoffman's remarks, and
lamented not being prepared to answer all of the Senator's
questions.
9:21:24 AM
Senator Kiehl noted that Mr. Andreassen had addressed one
of the optional programs, and noted that municipalities did
not cap the program. He asked if the fastest growing
demographic in Alaska was seniors.
Mr. Andreassen replied that the number of exemptions had
almost doubled in the last ten years.
Co-Chair Stedman did not think the state was concerned
about the hypothetical scenario described by Senator Kiehl,
which involved two Tier 1 retirees that enjoyed salary
replacement benefits. He pointed out that it was different
for the vast majority of Alaskans, which the inflation-
proofing would effect.
Co-Chair Hoffman thought a possible solution would be to
implement the bill section with an effective date of two
years, prior to which AML would have the opportunity to
offer a better solution. He reiterated that the senior
demographic had not gained the attention of AML. He was
concerned that AML would not take action, after being
ignored for so long.
Senator Kiehl agreed with Co-Chair Stedman's comments about
those enjoying good retirements.
9:26:31 AM
ANNA BRAWLEY, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in opposition to the legislation. She thought the
bill did not consider the distributional effects on other
taxpayers, nor did it help all seniors.
Senator Merrick shared some information she had received
from the Municipality of Anchorage.
9:31:05 AM
AT EASE
9:31:46 AM
RECONVENED
JACK GADAMUS, MUNICIPAL ASSESSOR, MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke against the bill. He echoed
previous comments. He continued that the Municipality of
Anchorage would appreciate more time to identify the
ramifications and unintended consequences of the bill
provisions.
Co-Chair Stedman thought the subject was worthy of
discussion. He thought Co-Chair Hoffman had identified a
good compromise in delaying the implementation for two
years.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
HB 347 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 202(EDC)
"An Act relating to the availability and
administration of opioid overdose drugs in public
schools."
9:36:06 AM
Co-Chair Olson relayed that it was the first hearing on the
bill.
9:36:26 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DELENA JOHNSON, SPONSOR, introduced the
legislation.
Senator Bishop wanted to speak to the Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED).
9:39:01 AM
SAVAYA BIEBER, STAFF FOR REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, spoke to
the details of the bill.
9:40:14 AM
LINDSEY KATO, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, discussed FN 3
from the Department of Health, OMB Component 2818.
9:41:39 AM
AT EASE
9:43:25 AM
RECONVENED
SHARON FISHEL, SCHOOL HEALTH AND SAFETY LEAD, DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference),
introduced herself.
Senator Bishop asked for the position of DEED.
Ms. Fishel replied that DEED did not have a position on the
bill.
Senator Bishop wondered why DEED did not have a position on
the bill.
Ms. Fishel agreed to provide further information.
Senator Wilson stressed that the Department of Health (DOH)
had done work on preventative efforts.
9:45:42 AM
SANDY SNODGRASS, CEO, ALASKA FENTANYL RESPONSE (via
teleconference), testified in support of the legislation.
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kiehl MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee substitute
for CSHB 202(FIN), Work Draft 33-LS0705\R (Bergerud,
5/11/24).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for discussion.
9:48:13 AM
KEN ALPER, STAFF TO CO-CHAIR OLSON, spoke to the changes
within the committee substitute.
Co-Chair Olson WITHDREW his objection.
Co-Chair Olson asked the sponsor to comment on the CS.
Representative Johnson agreed with the changes, and noted
that the intent of the bill was to get the opioid overdose
kits into schools throughout the state.
Senator Kiehl MOVED to report SCS CSHB 202(FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes.
SCS CSHB 202(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with five
"do pass" recommendations and with two previously published
fiscal notes: FN 1(EED), FN 3(DOH).
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 111(EDC)
"An Act relating to public school students who are
deaf or hard of hearing."
9:51:59 AM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
9:52:20 AM
RICHARD SAVILLE, GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES AND
SPECIAL EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
9:55:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE ALLARD, SPONSOR, spoke to her personal
experience.
Senator Wilson MOVED to report CSHB 111(EDC) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSHB 111(EDC) was REPORTED out of committee with four "do
pass" recommendations and with one "no recommendation"
recommendation, and with one previously published fiscal
impact note: FN 2(EED).
9:57:14 AM
AT EASE
9:57:31 AM
RECONVENED
9:57:37 AM
RECESSED
5:13:20 PM
RECONVENED
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 148(FIN)
"An Act relating to the Alaska performance scholarship
program."
5:13:32 PM
Co-Chair Olson MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1, 33-LS0624\Y.5
(Bergerud, 5/13/24).
Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion.
5:14:04 PM
KEN ALPER, STAFF TO SENATOR OLSON spoke to Amendment 1.
Co-Chair Stedman MAINTAINED his OBJECTION. He asked for a
brief explanation
Mr. Alper relayed that HB 89 was a childcare bill that was
heard in the committee several weeks previously.
Mr. Alper explained that the bill expanded upon the
criteria and made it easier.
Co-Chair Stedman WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
5:18:03 PM
Co-Chair Olson MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 3, 33-LS0624\Y.3
(Bergerud, 5/13/24).
Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion.
Mr. Alper spoke to Amendment 3.
Senator Bishop noted that the funds came from employee
contributions.
Co-Chair Stedman WTIHDREW his objection.
Senator Kiehl MOVED to report SCS CSHB 148(FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
SCS CSHB 148(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with five
"do pass" recommendations and with one amend
recommendation; and with two new fiscal impact notes from
the Department of Education and Early Development, three
new fiscal impact notes from the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development, one new fiscal impact note from the
Department of Revenue, one new fiscal note from the
University, and three previously published fiscal impact
notes: FN 4(EED), FN 5(EED), FN 6(EED).
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 347(CRA) am
"An Act relating to assessment of property, boards of
equalization, and certification of assessors; and
providing for an effective date."
5:20:36 PM
AT EASE
5:20:59 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to ADOPT Conceptual Amendment 1. He
explained that the amendment would change the amount in
Section 1 from $450,000 down to $250,000.
5:23:08 PM
KEN ALPER, STAFF TO SENATOR OLSON noted that the new
effective date for Conceptual Amendment 1 was January 1,
2027. He added that when the bill moved from committee, it
would be helpful to authorize the Legislative Legal
Department to make legal and conforming changes.
Co-Chair Hoffman affirmed Mr. Alper's remarks regarding
Conceptual Amendment 1.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Conceptual
Amendment 1 was ADOPTED.
Senator Bishop MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1, 33-LS1430\T.1
(Dunmire, 5/12/24).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for discussion.
Mr. Alper explained Amendment 1.
Co-Chair Olson WITHDREW his objection. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
5:25:19 PM
AT EASE
5:25:32 PM
RECONVENED
5:25:32 PM
AT EASE
5:27:10 PM
RECONVENED
Senator Kiehl MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 3, 33-LS1430\T.2
(Dunmire, 5/12/24).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for discussion.
Senator Kiehl spoke to Amendment 3.
Co-Chair Stedman pondered that there was a lot of pride in
home ownership and hoped that there would be a mandate
within the bill.
Senator Wilson felt that there should be more availability
to impacted folks to maintain their home.
Senator Kiehl strongly disagreed, and thought
municipalities had budgets to balance and citizens to
satisfy to ensure that there was a healthy economy.
Senator Kiehl moved to WITHDRAW Amendment 3. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Senator Wilson MOVED to report SCS CSHB 347(FIN) as amended
out of Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes.
SCS CSHB 347(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with three
"do pass" recommendations, two no recommendation
recommendations, and with one amend recommendation; and
with one new zero fiscal note from the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
5:32:32 PM
RECESSED
5:32:52 PM
RECONVENED
ADJOURNMENT
5:33:04 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 5:33 p.m.