02/16/2000 01:32 PM Senate HES

             SB 254-HEIRLOOM MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
ELMER LINDSTROM, Special Assistant to Commissioner Karen Perdue of                                                              
the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), gave the                                                                   
following testimony on SB 254. Several years ago the Legislature                                                                
passed legislation that allowed for the issuance of heirloom birth                                                              
certificates.  That program has been quite successful and has                                                                   
generated thousands of dollars for the Alaska Childrens' Trust.  SB
 expands that program to allow the sale of heirloom marriage                                                                 
certificates.  DHSS collects the funds for the Alaska Childrens'                                                                
Trust.  The DHSS fiscal note estimates additional revenues in the                                                               
amount of about $270,000.  That amount would be offset by the                                                                   
operating costs of issuing the certificates.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. LINDSTROM noted that Commissioner Perdue suggested, rather than                                                             
limiting the fee to $25, leaving the bill open-ended to allow DHSS                                                              
to issue limited or special edition certificates to commemorate                                                                 
particular events.  He offered a proposed amendment to allow DHSS                                                               
to establish the surcharge in regulation and set the amount at no                                                               
more than the estimated actual cost to DHSS not to exceed the                                                                   
estimated fair market value of comparable artistic rendition.  That                                                             
language would make the fee market driven.  He pointed out that the                                                             
fiscal note assumes that the surcharge will be $25 at the outset.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Number 302                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON said he believes SB 254 is a great idea but he is                                                                 
chagrin that an Alaska adopted child is not eligible for an                                                                     
heirloom birth certificate.  He asked DHSS staff to respond to his                                                              
concern at a later date.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CAROL BRICE, Chair of the Alaska Children's Trust, speaking via                                                                 
teleconference from Fairbanks, said the Trust needs to address                                                                  
Senator Elton's concern, as well as a concern expressed about                                                                   
making heirloom birth certificates available for people born in                                                                 
territorial days.  She then made the following comments.  At a cost                                                             
of $25 per marriage certificate, the Alaska Children's Trust could                                                              
deposit as much as $150,000 to $200,000 per year.  On the average,                                                              
5300 marriages take place in Alaska each year.  She asked for                                                                   
committee members' support of the legislation.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PETE KELLY moved to adopt Amendment 1 proposed by Mr.                                                                   
Lindstrom of DHSS.  Amendment 1 reads as follows.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
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          Delete "of $25"                                                                                                       
          Insert "established by regulation"                                                                                    
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          Following "registrar."                                                                                                
          Insert:                                                                                                               
               "(b) The department shall adopt regulations that                                                                 
establish the amount of the fee for each design of an heirloom                                                                  
certificate of marriage.  Notwithstanding AS 37.10.050(a), each fee                                                             
shall be set at an amount that is more than the estimated actual                                                                
costs to the department not to exceed the estimated fair market                                                                 
value of a comparable artistic rendition."                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
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          Delete "(b)"                                                                                                          
          Insert "(c)"                                                                                                          
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          Delete "(c)"                                                                                                          
          Insert "(d)"                                                                                                          
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          Delete "(d)"                                                                                                          
          Insert "(e)"                                                                                                          
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          Correct section number.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
There being no objection, CHAIRMAN MILLER announced Amendment 1 was                                                             
adopted.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
There being no further testimony or discussion, SENATOR PETE KELLY                                                              
moved SB 254 as amended to its next committee of referral with                                                                  
individual recommendations and its accompanying fiscal note.  There                                                             
being no objection, the motion carried.