Legislature(2005 - 2006)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/01/2005 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB51 | |
| SB98 | |
| SB97 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 97 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 51 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 51
"An Act relating to contracts for the provision of state
public assistance to certain recipients in the state;
providing for regional public assistance plans and programs in
the state; relating to grants for Alaska Native family
assistance programs; relating to assignment of child support
by Alaska Native family assistance recipients; relating to
paternity determinations and genetic testing involving
recipients of assistance under Alaska Native family assistance
programs; and providing for an effective date."
This was the second hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
Co-Chair Green stated that this legislation would expand the
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to new groups
desiring to participate in the Tribal Communities program. Some of
these programs have experienced "diminished" federal funding, and
therefore, the concern is that the State might be required to both
supplant further federal funding decreases and increase State
funding in order to continue the programs.
Amendment #1: This amendment inserts a new section into the bill on
page nine, following line 18 as follows.
(p) Nothing in this section requires the department to
continue to fund an Alaska Native family assistance grant
program at a level funded before the current grant period or
to replace federal funds for the program with state funding.
Co-Chair Wilken moved to adopt Amendment #1.
Co-Chair Green read the Amendment language.
Senator Olson asked whether alternate plans have been developed
through which to assist families were federal funding discontinued.
Co-Chair Wilken responded that, in that event, the program would
either require adjusting or alternate funding must be identified.
He expressed concern that were the federal funding for this and
other programs to continue to erode, that "the default position of
this Committee" would be to "just automatically backfill with
general fund money." Were a reduced funding situation to arise, it
should be understood that instead of being the time to write
checks, it would be the time to re-analyze the program, its funding
mechanisms, and its funding levels. This amendment would allow that
process to begin.
Senator Olson asked whether the adoption of the amendment would
preclude the State from providing replacement funding.
Co-Chair Green clarified that rather than prohibiting that from
occurring, the language would clarify that there would be "no
assumption that the State will continue the program to the extent
in that current period." Diminishing federal support of programs
would continue to place "tremendous pressure" on the State's
general fund.
There being no objection, Amendment #1 was ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Wilken moved to report the bill, as amended, from
Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal
notes.
There being no objection, CS SB 51(FIN) was REPORTED from Committee
with four Division of Public Assistance, Department of Health and
Social Services fiscal notes, dated December 10, 2004: Fiscal Note
#1 in the amount of $4,093,800, Tribal Assistance Program; Fiscal
Note #2 in the amount of negative $1,346,400, Work Services
Program; Fiscal Note #3 in the amount of negative $6,727,000, the
Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP); and Fiscal Note #4 in
the amount of negative $931,500, Child Care Benefits Program.
AT EASE: 9:13:10 AM / 9:14:40 AM
Co-Chair Wilken chaired the remainder of the meeting.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|