Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/13/2018 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HB236 | |
HB79 | |
HB287 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+= | HB 176 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 213 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 215 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 236 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 287 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 236(FIN) "An Act extending the Alaska senior benefits payment program." 9:26:38 AM REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI, STAFF, introduced himself MERCEDES COLBERT, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI, introduced herself. Representative Kawasaki stated that the fiscal note represented a slight change. He remarked that the sunset extension should occur, and thanked the committee for its attention to detail. 9:28:50 AM MONICA WINDOM, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, JUNEAU, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES (via teleconference), introduced herself. Co-Chair MacKinnon wished Ms. Windom a happy birthday. 9:29:33 AM JESSICA BOGARD, DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS MANAGER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, discussed the fiscal note. She noted that, for FY 2019, the requested amount was $19.9 million; which would hold steady the funding from FY 2018. The possible impact to seniors in Alaska would be a reduction of the top tier benefit of $125 to an amount of $66 a month. She stated that the FY 2020 showed an increase, which was an acknowledgement of the increase in senior population in the state who would possibly be eligible for the benefit. She shared that it would fully fund, back to $125 a month. She stated that it was estimated that the $125 a month benefit would go to 5171 seniors in 2020. The acknowledgement of the increase would be a total appropriation request of $24.5 million. She outlined the requests: in 2022, a request of $25 million; in 2023, a request of $25.5 million; and 2024, a request of $26 million. She announced that the logic was focused on the benefit to the seniors, and the calculation of the poverty levels related to program eligibility and acknowledgement of the growth. Co-Chair MacKinnon wanted information about the fiscal note from Vice-Chair Bishop. Vice-Chair Bishop outlined the fiscal note. He stated that the department was the Department of Health and Social Services, and the appropriation was Public Assistance. The allocation was the Senior Benefits Program. The OMB component number was 2897. He stated that the cost for 2019 was $19.980 million; 2020 was $24.044 million; and the projected growth for the out years was at 2 percent. Vice-Chair Bishop MOVED to REPORT CSSB 236(FIN) out of committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 236(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one new fiscal note from the Department of Health and Social Services. 9:33:13 AM AT EASE 9:35:07 AM RECONVENED