Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/17/2004 08:05 AM House STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 394-COMMISSION ON AGING CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced that the first order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 394, "An Act extending the Alaska Commission on Aging." CHAIR WEYHRAUCH noted that before the committee is a fiscal note dated 2/12/04, and he requested the department review it. Number 0165 LAURA BAKER, Budget Chief, Division of Administrative Services, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), explained that the earlier fiscal note the committee had received reflected an imbalance between the expenditures and the fund sources. However, the fiscal note dated 2/12/04 should reflect the operating expenditures and funding in the total of $351.7, which is reflective of what is in the governor's fiscal year (FY) 2005 budget proposal. Ms. Baker clarified that the fiscal note is not an additional cost, rather it reflects the cost associated with the commission if it's extended. CHAIR WEYHRAUCH informed the committee that the committee packet includes pages 1-4 of the commission's plan. Number 0337 STEVEN P. ASHMAN, Director, Central Office, Division of Senior and Disability Services, Department of Health and Social Services, recalled that at the committee's prior hearing there was discussion regarding the 2/3/04 fiscal note analysis which specified: "If the ACoA [Alaska Commission on Aging] expires, the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) stands to lose $13 million in federal dollars for senior services." Under the Older American Act the State of Alaska is required to establish an advisory council and ACoA meets that requirement. He explained that ACoA is required to develop and administer an area plan, conduct public hearings, represent the interests of the older persons, and review and comment on community policies, programs, and actions that impact Alaskans. Without such an advisory commission as ACoA, the state would be in jeopardy of losing those funds. Number 0486 BARNARSI LAL, Chair, Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA), Department of Health and Social Services, recalled that at the last hearing clarification was requested regarding the need for a commission in order to receive federal dollars. Mr. Lal also recalled that there was concern with the fiscal note because it looked as if the ACoA was making a profit, which isn't the case. If one reviews the budget and compares it to the year 2004, one will discover that there is a reduction of about $56,000. In response to Chair Weyhrauch, Mr. Lal said that other members of ACoA should be arriving as there is a three-day meeting being held [in Juneau] in order to do the hiring for the executive director of ACoA. CHAIR WEYHRAUCH thanked Mr. Lal for his service on ACoA. MR. LAL assured the committee that all the members serving on ACoA are very dedicated seniors who represent a wide spectrum of society. Mr. Lal highlighted that the members must keep in mind that the senior population is going to double by 2010 and by 2025 the senior population will be about 25 percent higher. Mr. Lal said that it makes sense that seniors be provided with services that would allow them to live with dignity, grace, and in settings that are close to their homes. Number 0729 REPRESENTATIVE LYNN also thanked Mr. Lal for his service on ACoA. Representative Lynn asked if any legislation involving seniors has ever come before ACoA for advice. MR. LAL noted that most recently ACoA has supported the governor's senior care program. In the past ACoA has be asked to provide support for various pieces of legislation, including the advisory vote for the pioneers' homes and veterans' homes. In further response to Representative Lynn, Mr. Lal recalled that ACoA has been approached before legislation has been introduced with regard to whether it should be introduced or the content of such legislation. He recalled that one such piece of legislation dealt with the quality of life of senior citizens. Number 0921 REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG related his understanding that members of ACoA aren't confirmed by the legislature. MR. LAL agreed. In response to Representative Gruenberg's question regarding term limits for ACoA, Mr. Lal opined that seven or eight years of service is reasonable and provides others the opportunity to serve. Mr. Lal said that he didn't have any problems with the term limits for ACoA [as specified in AS 47.45.200(c)]. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG pointed out that under AS 47.45[.240](a)(2) one of the duties of ACoA is to: "(2) make recommendations directly to the governor and the legislature with respect to legislation, regulations, and appropriations for programs or services that benefit older Alaskans". Therefore, he asked if there is anything Mr. Lal would like to recommend. MR. LAL noted that ACoA is supporting the governor's senior care program. Number 1059 REPRESENTATIVE HOLM directed attention to the Division of Legislative Audit's audit of the Department of Health and Social Services Alaska Commission on Aging Sunset Review dated October 1, 2003. On page 16 of the audit, it specifies that in a number of cases the backup [to the financial reports] haven't been sent to the [Division of Legislative Audit]. Therefore, Representative Holm charged Mr. Lal with reviewing the aforementioned in order that the appropriate supporting backup is sent so that the federal funding is at the [correct level]. MR. LAL pointed out that until last year ACoA was in the grant- making role. However, the Department of Administration was providing support to ACoA for generating those type reports as well as timely submission of those reports. He assured Representative Holm that he would convey the charge to Mr. Ashman and the deputy commissioner. Number 1175 SAM TRIVETTE, Retired Public Employees of Alaska, testified in support of the continuation of ACoA, which is very important. He noted that he attends ACoA meetings on a fairly regular basis and receives the ACoA newsletter. The commissioners are very dedicated, he said. Mr. Trivette said, personally, he would like for ACoA to have a stronger voice. In response to Chair Weyhrauch, Mr. Trivette said that ACoA [meetings] are fairly easy to follow, although there has been some confusion regarding who is doing what since the changeover. CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked if there is a form available to provide input with regard to how to better facilitate the information coming out of ACoA to better benefit seniors and aging Alaskans. MR. TRIVETTE answered that he hadn't given that much thought. However, he suggested that trying to get the newsletter more widely distributed might be of benefit. He explained that he is notified via e-mail that the newsletter is available, which is probably a good process for those seniors connected to the [Internet]. However, less than half of the Retired Public Employees of Alaska are connected to the Internet. In further response to Chair Weyhrauch, Mr. Trivette said that [the Retired Public Employees of Alaska] newsletter sometimes references an article [from ACoA's newsletter]. Number 1340 RUTH SANDVIK said that she is coming from the point of view of a customer of ACoA. Ms. Sandvik commended the work of ACoA and urged everyone to watch and listen to this program because the need for this type of program will never end. As was pointed out, the population of elders [in Alaska] is increasing. Therefore, she encouraged the committee to continue ACoA. Number 1436 CHRISTINE EARHARDT, Administrative Health Assistant, Tanana Tribal Council, testified in support of extending ACoA, which is the exclusive funding agency for the Tanana elders residence. The Tanana elders' residence has been operated for over 20 years. Number 1552 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report HB 394 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
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