Legislature(1993 - 1994)
04/19/1994 03:00 PM House HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
Number 396
CHAIR TOOHEY brought CSSB 70 to the table.
SB 70 - ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY LOAN GUARANTEES
CHAIR TOOHEY asked Roxanne Stewart to testify.
Number 400
ROXANNE STEWART, Legislative Aide to Sen. Jim Duncan,
testified in support of CSSB 70. She stated that the
legislation is similar to HB 139, but indicated that further
clarifications had been made in the Senate bill based on a
report that was received in January from the Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). She indicated that Rep.
Kott had a copy of the report that could be passed around.
She explained that the clarifications that occurred from the
results of the report pertain to the respective
responsibilities of the banking institutions "versus what
happens in the Division of Voc. Rehab." She said the issue
was somewhat unclear in the previous legislation. She
referred to page 2, line 6, and indicated that the language
"lays out the way the loans would be handled." Page 2, line
21, would establish an assistive technology loan committee
within the DVR. She further explained that unlike the House
version, CSSB 70 would prohibit the spending of any state
money on the program. She said if federal funds are no
longer available, the program would no longer be available.
Number 479
REP. KOTT reminded the committee that when HB 139 was heard,
Rep. Vezey had some concerns, but indicated that CSSB 70
addressed those issues as the state would not assume any
financial liability.
CHAIR TOOHEY clarified and said that the loan committee is
not the banking committee.
MS. STEWART said the committee is within the Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation.
CHAIR TOOHEY asked who the loan committee is comprised of.
Number 485
MS. STEWART stated that the loan committee would consist of
the director or the director's designee, a representative of
a financial institution that has experience with consumer
loans, and at least one but not more than three persons with
disabilities.
Number 520
CHAIR TOOHEY indicated that the bill would be capitalized
with a minimum of $250,000 instead of the $100,000 that was
specified in HB 139. She asked Ms. Stewart if the issue has
been addressed.
MS. STEWART said, "I think that it has not been explicitly
addressed. I think that at this point, the assistive
technology loan committee, they're not a loan committee,
their actual name evades me at this point. But, Stan
Ridgeway could address that, has indicated that they can
afford to put up $100,000 a year for this program. Any more
than that I think may be difficult. And, Stan Ridgeway from
Voc. Rehab. would probably be a better person to address
that in particular."
REP. KOTT commented that DVR probably has a better gauge of
determining the amount they can put forth than the
legislature does, or whoever is suggesting the $250,000
amount.
CHAIR TOOHEY asked for Stan Ridgeway to testify.
Number 573
STAN RIDGEWAY, Deputy Director, Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation, Department of Education, testified in
support of CSSB 70. He stated that he was available for any
questions. Although, he did offer that during the time that
the two bills had been introduced, DVR has had a group of
consumers working in Anchorage with the banking industry.
During that time the Community Reinvestment Act regulations
have continually changed. He stated that in order for banks
to receive credit for community reinvestment through the
loan program, they must "put up some money." He indicated
that Northrim Bank and Key Bank are willing to deposit money
into the fund if the legislation passes.
Number 608
CHAIR TOOHEY related to Mr. Ridgeway that several visitors
from several groups that "have used or are associated with
the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the main
consensus or feeling down there is that they're, and I'm
sure that you have known this, there are groups out there
that feel they're not being represented. And, I think that
was the reason for increasing the number of people on this
committee. I don't know very much about you're department,
but I need to learn more, because there's definite concern
out there of people that feel they're not being equally
treated. And, I don't know if this, raising this more than
three persons will help or not. I just don't know."
Number 636
MR. RIDGEWAY explained that the division has four programs,
Vocational and Rehabilitation, Assistive Technology, Social
Security Claims, and the "ADA (Americans with Disabilities
Act) for the state government." He stated that two of the
programs require that the division have consumer controlled
boards to act as advisory boards that work with Vocational
and Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology. The Vocational
and Rehabilitation Advisory Board, which is made up of 15
members, are all either persons with disabilities or
business representatives that meet four times each year to
advise the division on policy. He asserted that not
everyone that is disabled can be on the board and indicated
that it costs approximately $70,000 to convene the board.
He said the money comes "out of the pot" to serve people
with disabilities. He explained that the advisory board for
Assistive Technology consists of nine members and convenes
four times yearly to provide input. They also have provided
funds for assistive technology loans. He further explained
that the loan committee is a small committee that determines
how much money can be loaned and how much money can be set
aside to buy down interest on loans. He asserted that the
division is trying to operate the loan program so that most
of the funds can be used to leverage loans. He maintained
that the five person committee consisting of one
representative from the Department of Education, one from
the banking industry, and three people with disabilities
should be ample representation.
Number 691
CHAIR TOOHEY asked Earl Clark to testify.
Number 692
EARL CLARK, Independent Living Specialist, Southeast Alaska
Independent Living Center, testified in support of CSSB 70.
He stated that he personally has used the services of DVR as
they facilitated him with a computer. He said the
conversion from a typewriter to computer allowed him to
continue his professional work as he was having much
difficulty with a typewriter. He said DVR taught him how to
use the computer effectively and not only helped him along
in his career, but also perhaps saved him from unnecessary
psychological difficulties. He maintained that he is only
one example "of the type of good that this particular bill
will do for a number of people in this state who can use and
will use assisted devices to help them in employment." He
strongly urged the committee's support of CSSB 70.
Number 756
CHAIR TOOHEY closed public testimony and asked the pleasure
of the committee.
REP. B. DAVIS made a motion to pass CSSB 70 out of committee
with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note.
CHAIR TOOHEY, hearing no objections, stated that CSCSSB 70
was so moved.
Number 768
Seeing no further business before the committee, CHAIR
TOOHEY adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
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