Legislature(2019 - 2020)CAPITOL 106
04/25/2019 08:00 AM House TRIBAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB78 | |
| HJR19 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HJR 19-SUPPORT 2020 DECENNIAL CENSUS
8:22:49 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19, Urging the United States
Congress to fully fund the United States Census Bureau for the
2020 Census; urging the governor to prioritize an accurate count
for the 2020 Census; and urging local governments to establish
local complete count commissions.
8:23:10 AM
GRACE SINGH, Staff, Representative Tiffany Zulkosky, presented
HJR 19 on behalf of Representative Zulkosky, prime sponsor. She
said Alaska receives $3.2 billion in federal funding each year,
and the receipt of that funding is tied to U.S. Census data.
She said the maintenance of that federal funding during times of
budget constraint is critical to Alaska's economy. Lack of
accurate census data "discourages investments in communities
across the state." Organizations across the state rely on the
funds. The undercounting of Alaskans in the U.S. Census can
result in a loss of $3,000 per person annually, which amounts to
$30,000 per person over a 10-year period. She said Alaska is
considered one of the most difficult states to count in the U.S.
Census because of its geographic, language, and connectivity
barriers.
MS. SINGH stated that Alaska needs a count commission that can
prioritize an accurate count of the population "before starting
conversations about how the data will be used." She concluded,
"As the 2020 Census launches its count in Toksook Bay, on
January 21, 2020, it is imperative that Alaska's leadership at
all levels of government prioritize an accurate count."
8:25:06 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY related that HJR 19 was crafted in response to a
presentation heard by the House Community and Regional Affairs
Standing Committee on Tuesday.
8:25:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP noted that the Department of Commerce,
Community & Economic Development (DCCED) uses information from
the U.S. Census for state revenue sharing purposes.
8:26:34 AM
GREG BRINGHURST, Director, Public Policy and External Affairs,
Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA), testified in support of HJR
19. He said the data gained through the U.S. Census is used to
determine allocations for many programs, including those
pertaining to roads, transportation, housing programs, water and
wastewater systems, education, and substance abuse prevention
and treatment. He said CIHA believes that HJR 19 would support
the ongoing efforts in Alaska to ensure a complete and accurate
count. He expressed appreciation for language in the joint
resolution that encourages participation and coordination with
the State of Alaska, as well as encouraging local governments to
establish complete count commissions (CCCs), many of which are
ongoing or being established currently. He said a CCC is an
excellent way for tribal and local governments to "coordinate
and cooperate with the U.S. Census Borough in a formal way."
Local knowledge can be used to build trust in communities and
educate residents on why the U.S. Census really matters and to
promote full participation.
8:29:57 AM
MIKE WALSH, Ph.D., Vice President, Public Policy, The Foraker
Group, testified in support of HJR 29. He relayed his
involvement with the Alaska Census Work Group. He echoed the
point about Alaska being difficult to count in the U.S. Census
because of its remote locations. He stated that The Foraker
Group believes HJR 19 emphasizes the importance of a fair and
accurate count, highlights the important role the federal
government plays in funding the U.S. Census Borough effort and
the essential role of the state in engaging all Alaskans to be
counted, and brings attention to the importance of local
governments to establish the CCCs. He expressed appreciation
for the related discussion heard during the joint meeting of the
House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee and the
House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs early this week.
8:32:24 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY opened public testimony on HJR 19.
8:32:39 AM
NILS ANDREASSEN, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League
(AML), emphasized the importance of ensuring an accurate count
in the U.S. Census. He listed the amounts other states are
considering investing toward ensuring a complete count:
Colorado, $12 million; Virginia, $1.5 million; Maryland, $4
million; Washington, $12 million; Nevada, $5 million;
California, $90 million; and North Carolina, $1.5 million. He
said even though the Office of Management & Budget has confirmed
the availability of "some" funding, he feels HJR 19 and the
legislature's support of a complete count is important. He said
AML is encouraged that the CCC includes local governments but
encourages "increased and meaningful cooperation and
coordination" between the Office of the Governor, the United
States Census Bureau, and AML. Mr. Andreassen related that AML
is offering incentives to local governments to form CCCs and
will continue to do so in the next months. More importantly,
AML will encourage communities to try to change the numbers from
the 2010 United States Census. He expressed AML's support of
"your" efforts.
8:34:49 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HJR 19.
8:35:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HJR 19, as
follows:
On page 3, line 3:
Following "shall be sent to"
Insert "Governor Michael J. Dunleavy"
There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
8:35:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LINCOLN moved to report HJR 19, as amended, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying zero fiscal note.
8:36:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO objected for the purpose of discussion.
He emphasized the importance of an accurate census toward
ensuring equal representation throughout Alaska. He then
removed his objection.
8:37:09 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced that there being no further objection
[CSHJR 19(TRB)] was reported out of the House Special Committee
on Tribal Affairs.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Census 2020 Sponsor Statement .pdf |
HTRB 4/25/2019 8:00:00 AM |
|
| SB 78 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HTRB 4/25/2019 8:00:00 AM |
SB 78 |
| SB0078A.PDF |
HTRB 4/25/2019 8:00:00 AM |
SB 78 |
| HJR019A.PDF |
HTRB 4/25/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 19 |