03/17/1999 01:35 PM Senate CRA

        SB  80-PUB.ASSISTANCE:PROGRAMS/GRANTS/CONTRACTS                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN KELLY announced a proposed committee substitute was before                                                             
the committee.  SENATOR MACKIE moved to adopt CSSB 80(CRA).  There                                                              
being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HOFFMAN moved to adopt an amendment, to be explained by                                                                 
Mike Walleri.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN KELLY objected for the purpose of an explanation.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Number 051                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MIKE WALLERI, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), stated TCC's main                                                                 
concern is to assure that people who receive benefits from a tribal                                                             
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program also be                                                                  
eligible to receive benefits from unrelated State-funded programs,                                                              
such as Medicaid and food stamps.  The amendment clarifies that                                                                 
certain state services will be available to eligigle TANF clients                                                               
since those services are not funded with TANF dollars.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked Mr. Walleri to provide an example.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. WALLERI explained some clients are not eligible for TANF cash                                                               
benefits but are eligible for Medicaid.  Other clients are eligible                                                             
for food stamps but are not eligible for TANF cash payments. Those                                                              
clients were determined to be ineligible to receive food stamps                                                                 
because they were not eligible for the TANF cash payments.  TCC was                                                             
advised by the Administration that the denial of state program                                                                  
services was an unintended problem.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The committee took a brief at-ease.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN KELLY maintained his objection to the amendment on the                                                                 
basis that it might be too broad as written.  He noted a clearer                                                                
amendment could be adopted in another committee or on the floor.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HOFFMAN withdrew his motion to adopt the amendment.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MACKIE moved CSSB 80(CRA) from committee with individual                                                                
recommendations.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.