Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/15/2008 10:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB120 | |
| SB209 | |
| SB243 | |
| SB254 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 120 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 209 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 243 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 254 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 243
"An Act relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska
Commission on Aging and the Department of Health and
Social Services."
10:29:24 AM
TOM OBERMEYER, STAFF, SENATOR DAVIS, read from the sponsor
statement:
The CS for Senate Bill 243(HES), 25-LS1351\E, has a
zero fiscal note. As required by a 2007 Legislative
Audit, this "clean-up" bill brings into alignment grant
duties and responsibilities that were previously given
to the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS),
when the Commission on Aging (ACoA) and Division of
Senior Services became part of DHSS. For this reason,
statutory changes repeatedly replace "Commission"
(ACoA) with "Department" (DHSS) to properly recognize
the duties and responsibilities of each. This bill,
which mirrors CSHB 279(HES), 25-LS1106\E, assigns
authority for establishing state policy related to the
Older Americans Act federal programs and state programs
for Older Alaskans to the Department of Health and
Social Services. DHSS is recognized as the state "Unit
on Aging."
The bill also transfers grant authority related to
senior service grants, adult day care, and family
respite care grants from the Alaska Commission on Aging
to DHSS. DHSS has assigned these grant administrative
duties to Senior and Disabilities Services. As
background to the importance of the duties and
responsibilities recognized in this bill, the Alaska
Commission on Aging is responsible for planning,
advocacy, and community education activities related to
the health and welfare of older Alaskans. It has
relationships with state departments and agencies
across the state, including the governor's office, the
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Alaska
Housing and Finance Corporation, and non-governmental
organizations.
The need for senior programs and services is rapidly
increasing, Per the State plan for Senior Services FY
2008-FY 2011, Alaska already has the highest proportion
of baby boomers (32%) in the nation, and its senior
population is growing faster than almost any other
state. By 2030 seniors 60+ will comprise 17% of the
Alaska population, with a doubling of the number of
those 65+.
10:32:33 AM
Co-Chair Stedman asked if the bill was created as a response
to the audit. Mr. Obermeyer confirmed and added that the
language in the statute did not reflect the changes in
responsibilities when the transfer took place.
Co-Chair Stedman asked if the provision complies with
federal requirements of the Older Americans Act. Mr.
Obermeyer informed the Committee that "Alaska's state plan
for senior services" was signed by the state and federal
Departments of Health and Social Services, as well as the
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
He noted "the importance of the federal government signing
off on the plan is that a significant portion of the
financial aspects are paid for by the federal government."
The federal government reviews every plan before it
authorizes the release of funds.
10:35:42 AM
Senator Dyson questioned the language on page 6 line 10;
"contract for necessary services". He asked if the language
is for the commission to contract services for the
commission.
Mr. Obermeyer deferred to Ms. Daniello.
10:36:53 AM
DENISE DANIELLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON
AGING, said the language allows the commission to contract
for services with other entities. She provided an example:
The commission contracted with DHSS, the Mental Health Trust
Authority and the University of Alaska to produce Report on
Economic Wellbeing of Alaska Seniors.
10:38:06 AM
Senator Dyson commented that the commission has no authority
under the provision to contract for services for seniors.
The services they have authority to contract are those that
serve the mission and execute the duties of the commission.
He would have preferred clarity in the law outlining that
the commission is to encourage independence, not dependence
on government.
Ms. Daniello reported that currently there are 81,000
seniors in Alaska that make significant contributions to the
state. This population contributes significantly to the
state economically through retirement incomes and social
security. She added that seniors also contribute thousands
of volunteer hours to organizations throughout the state.
She underlined that the commission is helping people to lead
independent lives. The commission was established in 1982.
The average age of a Pioneer home resident was late 60s; now
the average age is 82. This illustrates that seniors are
entering nursing homes at a later age, which saves the state
money.
10:41:40 AM
JOANNE GIBBONS, PROGRAM MANAGER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
SOCIAL SERVICES, testified in support of the bill. She
explained that the current structure is a collaborative
effort between the department and the commission and is
working very well.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to Report CSSB 243(HES) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note.
There being NO OBJECTION, CSSB 243(HES) was REPORTED out of
Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and fiscal note #1
& #2 from Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development.
10:43:27 AM
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