03/19/1996 03:38 PM Senate STA

                                                                               
            SB 304 ELIGIBILITY FOR LONGEVITY BONUS                           
                                                                               
 Number 025                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN SHARP brought up SB 304 as the first order of business               
 before the Senate State Affairs Committee.  He stated that SB 304             
 is a committee bill that incorporates a section that was in SB 217.           
 That section received unanimous support from senior citizens.  It             
 would establish that a cumulative total absence of 180 days from              
 the state would result in ineligibility to receive longevity                  
 bonuses.  That would pretty closely match current requirements for            
 the permanent fund dividend.                                                  
                                                                               
 Number 065                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR DONLEY asked if SB 304 would result in a dual system.                 
 Would seniors lose for months they were out, and then if they were            
 gone for more than 180 days, they would be permanently ineligible?            
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN SHARP responded that is correct.  If they are gone for               
 more than 180 days in a twelve-month period, they would be                    
 ineligible.  He asked if anyone wished to testify on the                      
 legislation.  Hearing none, the chairman stated SB 304 will have a            
 hearing in the Finance Committee, and asked the pleasure of the               
 committee.                                                                    
                                                                               
 Number 095                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR LEMAN made a motion to discharge SB 304 and accompanying              
 fiscal note from the Senate State Affairs Committee with individual           
 recommendations.                                                              
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN SHARP, hearing no objection, stated SB 304 was discharged            
 from the Senate State Affairs Committee.