Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/04/2004 01:43 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 394
An Act extending the Alaska Commission on Aging.
BARBARA COTTING, STAFF TO REPRESENTATIVE JIM HOLM, explained
that Section 1 extends the sunset for the Alaska Commission
on Aging. Sections 2 and 3 reflect Executive Order 108 in
2003 which moved the commission from the Department of
Administration to the Department of Health & Social
Services. Ms. Cotting referred to page 13 of the audit
report (copy on file) recommending extension of the
commission. The fiscal note indicates that the Department
of Health & Social Services will receive $13 million in
federal funds because the commission meets the federal
requirements.
Co-Chair Harris asked for clarification of the federal funds
on the fiscal note.
PATRICK SIDMORE, COMMISSION ON AGING GRANTS, SENIOR AND
DISABILITY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES,
explained that the Commission on Aging is responsible for
planning for Title 3 federal money of the Older Americans
Act that provides for nutrition, transportation and support
services (NTS) for seniors. Title 3 funds Meals on Wheels,
congregate meals, rides for seniors, and the National Family
Caregiver program. The commission is tasked with allocating
the money to meet the targets of federal law.
Co-Chair Harris reiterated his question of whether federal
money is involved. Mr. Sidmore explained that interagency
receipts are administration money from the federal
government based on senior population. He said that Alaska
receives the minimum amount. Referring to Fiscal Note 1
dated 02/12/04, Mr. Sidmore stated that a portion of $202.4
in "Other (1007 Interagency Receipts)" is the federal
administration money.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM referred to the second page of the
fiscal note, "analysis continuation," that explains the
department would lose $13 million in federal dollars for
senior services if the commission expires.
Co-Chair Harris questioned that the fiscal note analysis
indicating the extension of the commission has no fiscal
impact because it is funded in the Governor's office, while
the second fiscal note shows an increase over the original
fiscal note to reflect changes in the amended Governor's
budget.
Representative Holm was unable to respond.
LAURA BAKER, BUDGET CHIEF, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (DHSS),
explained that when DHSS updated the fiscal note for the
Senate version [Senate Bill 263], the department realized it
had submitted a budget amendment for interagency receipts
for the commission that reflected what would have been in
the budget if the department had not proposed a
consolidation of several boards in the original proposal.
The $417.9 totals the cost of the four current full-time
positions in the commission. With the plan to consolidate,
the FY 05 budget had revised these to two part-time and two
full-time positions.
Co-Chair Harris asked if the department is proposing four
new permanent full-time members. Ms. Baker clarified that
the $417.9 reflects the Governor's amended budget, and while
there is a slight increase over FY 04 in interagency
receipts and retirement costs, it shows the cost of the
aging commission if it is extended. She said it is already
built into the budget.
Representative Hawker asked if these changes came through a
late amendment incorporated in the budget process rather
than in the Governor's budget. Ms. Baker affirmed, and
explained that the new fiscal note is a technical adjustment
showing the increase in interagency receipts in the budget
amendment. Representative Hawker advised that the budget
amendment resulted from a negotiated settlement over a
potential lawsuit regarding changes proposed to the boards
and commissions.
In response to a question by Co-Chair Harris, Representative
Hawker explained that the $417 thousand is already in his
subcommittee recommendations for the Department of Health &
Social Services.
Representative Fate brought up the Legislative Budget and
Audit report in FY 02 giving directives regarding the mixing
of funds for sub-recipients, and asked if those corrective
actions are on-going. Mr. Sidmore explained that corrective
actions have been taken. There was concern over the sub-
recipients not reporting their older workers in the federal
Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training (MASST) Program.
Each of the larger sub-recipient agencies is visited at
least once a year for an audit. The department also
corrected the reporting of federal monies. The department
is under a new system of managing grants, and the FY 02
audit is outdated.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CSHB 394(HES) out of
Committee with the accompanying fiscal note and individual
recommendations.
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