Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/03/2008 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB289 | |
| SB303 | |
| HB366 | |
| SB214 | |
| SB255 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 214 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 255 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 289 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 303 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 366 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 289
An Act relating to home energy conservation and
weatherization for purposes of certain programs of the
Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation.
1:54:02 PM
Representative Kelly asked how the $300 million would be
spent in the first years of the project.
DAN FAUSKE, CEO/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE
CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, thought $20-40 million
would be spent the first year. He said the goal is to get
people involved as soon as possible.
BOB BREAN, ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF
REVENUE (testified via teleconference), emphasized that
there would be a ramping up period. The Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation (AHFC) was looking at twenty
contractors. Mr. Fauske added that he had spoken to vendors
and wanted to take into consideration the barge schedule to
remote areas.
1:56:28 PM
Representative Thomas asked if there was a cap on the grant.
Mr. Fauske responded that the loan amount would be $30,000.
People would borrow money and there would be a rebate at the
$5,000 level. Representative Thomas asked about the grant
portion.
BRYAN BUTCHER, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE
CORPORATION, said the rebate program would be capped at the
number that would give incentives to Alaskans to use the
program. The $5,000 amount is flexible. In terms of the
weatherization, AHFC is looking at an average amount. Funds
are limited, so the average would around $4,000. With more
funding, the program could do more in individual homes, but
the average would still only be around $8,000.
Representative Thomas asked if there were restrictions since
the value of the house would be increased. Mr. Butcher
answered that the goal of the program is to make houses more
energy efficient. If the person sold the home, it would
still be more energy efficient. Representative Thomas
reiterated concerns about people taking advantage of the
program to increase the re-sale value of homes. He suggested
a restriction such as not being able to sell the home for
two years.
Mr. Brean said that in the early days, there were no
restrictions and people took advantage of loopholes to
install solariums and hot tubs. A lot was learned. The uses
of the money have been reconfigured to focus more accurately
on energy efficiency. There are no restrictions on the sale
of the home. The value is the return on investment to the
State. Energy efficient homes benefit the State as a whole.
This could be adjusted if there were strong concerns.
2:00:53 PM
Representative Thomas wanted the issue to be looked at so
that people could not take advantage of the program. Mr.
Fauske thought a pre-payment penalty on a loan could be
built into the regulations.
Representative Kelly thought that it would help to have a
list of all the programs that provide assistance for
heating, listing the number of people impacted. He was
concerned about fraud.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED.
SB 289 was HEARD and HELD by the Committee for further
consideration.
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