Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/28/2023 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB12 | |
| SB57 | |
| HB62 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 62 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 28, 2023
9:10 a.m.
9:10:21 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Olson called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 9:10 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Ella Adkinson, Staff, Senator Jesse Kiehl; Lauree Morton,
Advocacy Initiatives Director, Alaska Network on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault; Ali Pedershoare, Acting
Director, Division of Shared Services, Department of
Administration; Tony Newman, Director, Senior and
Disabilities Services, Department of Health; Kim Champney,
Director, Alaska Association on Developmental Disabilities;
Representative Bryce Edgmon, Sponsor; Laib Allensworth,
Staff, Representative Bryce Edgmon.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Kirt Stage-Harvey, Alaska Peace Officers Association,
Juneau; Pamela Samash, Alaska Commission on Aging, Nenana;
Robert Nave, Program Manager, Division of Healthcare
Services, Department of Health, Anchorage; Michele Girault,
Executive Director, Hope Community Resources, Anchorage;
Jamie Kokoszka, Program Coordinator, Council on
Disabilities and Special Education, Palmer; Pamela Samash,
Alaska Commission on Aging, Nenana; Michael Jeffery, Self,
Utqiagvik; Marge Stoneking, Advocacy Director, AARP,
Anchorage; Tim Sandstrom, COO, Alaska Energy Authority,
Anchorage; Curtis Thayer, Executive Director, Alaska Energy
Authority, Anchorage; Michael Rovito, Deputy Director,
Alaska Power Association, Anchorage.
SUMMARY
SB 12 ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM
SB 12 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 57 ADULT HOME CARE; MED ASSISTANCE
SB 57 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 62 RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT FUND
HB 62 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 12
"An Act relating to confidentiality of information;
relating to the duties of the Department of
Administration; creating an address confidentiality
program; and providing for an effective date."
9:11:54 AM
SENATOR JESSE KIEHL, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation.
He stated the bill created an address protection program.
He remarked that Alaska was the only state that did not
have an address protection program.
9:15:40 AM
ELLA ADKINSON, STAFF, SENATOR JESSE KIEHL, discussed the
Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Sec. 1: Puts the program in the Department of
Administration.
Sec. 2: Creates the program.
(b) requires a Post Office Box as a substitute
mailing address for enrollees and instructs the
department to forward mail to participants. It
charges the department with protecting
confidentiality and requires regulations to
govern enrollment and withdrawal.
(c) describes eligible participants as people
sheltered by a protective order or qualifies by
other department standards, along with their
parents, guardians, children, and household
members. It also admits peace officers and
correctional officers.
(d)requires state and municipal agencies to
accept the P.O. Box.
(e) describes the eligibility period.
(f) forbids the department from charging a fee.
(g) allows access to confidential addresses
subject to a search warrant.
(h) establishes penalties for unlawfully
revealing a protected individual's address.
(i) defines certain terms.
Sec. 3: Establishes a transition period for the
department to adopt regulations to implement the
program.
Sec. 4: Lets the department begin its regulation
process immediately. Sec. 5: Sets an effective date of
Jan. 1, 2024 for the rest of the bill.
Senator Wilson wondered about the five year requirement
before renewing the program.
Senator Kiehl replied that it was a standard provision that
provided an extensive period of protection, at the end of
which an enrollee can decide whether to remain in the
program.
Senator Wilson asked whether the enrollee would then remain
in the program indefinitely.
Senator Kiehl replied in the affirmative.
Senator Wilson wondered why there was not a fee assigned
for the peace officers on active duty.
Senator Kiehl replied that it followed standard practice,
and was not aware of any state that charged a fee for the
service.
Co-Chair Olson queried the process to remove oneself from
the list.
Senator Kiehl replied that the department would provide the
process by regulation.
Co-Chair Olson wondered how successful the program had been
in getting to the end goal in other states.
Senator Kiehl replied that generally, participants in other
states were satisfied with their involvement in the
program.
Senator Merrick wondered who might unlawfully reveal a
protected individual's address.
Senator Kiehl stated that the bill was written to cover
most areas where it might happen.
9:21:23 AM
LAUREE MORTON, ADVOCACY INITIATIVES DIRECTOR, ALASKA
NETWORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, spoke in
support of the bill. She shared some history of the
program.
Co-Chair Olson wondered how the bill would protect the
children.
Ms. Morton replied that the victim's children would also be
enrolled in the program.
Senator Kiehl agreed that the household members would be
included in the program.
9:25:46 AM
Co-Chair Olson wondered what would happen if the parent
died, and the child wanted to reconnect.
Senator Kiehl replied that it would probably fall under a
child custody issue.
9:26:53 AM
KIRT STAGE-HARVEY, ALASKA PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION,
JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
legislation.
9:29:28 AM
ALI PEDERSHOARE, ACTING DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF SHARED
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, introduced herself.
She explained the fiscal note.
Co-Chair Olson queried the number of anticipated
participants.
Ms. Pedershoare replied that the model in the bill
following Arizona's modeling.
Co-Chair Olson wondered how many participants were in
Arizona's program.
Ms. Pedershoare replied that Arizona currently had 2072
participants.
9:31:39 AM
AT EASE
9:32:09 AM
RECONVENED
9:32:19 AM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
9:33:01 AM
AT EASE
9:33:30 AM
RECONVENED
9:33:49 AM
PAMELA SAMASH, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING, NENANA (via
teleconference), testified in support of the legislation.
She shared a story about stalking within her family.
9:36:35 AM
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Wilson wondered how the municipal property searches
would work within the legislation.
Senator Kiehl replied that the public records request would
return with the state address.
Senator Wilson stressed that an internet search would show
the property owner.
Senator Kiehl responded that many municipalities would
remove a person's name from a property owner search. He
agreed that it would be a good idea to work with
municipalities. He remarked that the person might need to
create a trust to own their property.
Senator Wilson looked at Section 2. He wondered what
department was referenced, and whether it referred to a
long-term or short-term protective order.
Senator Kiehl replied that either protective order could be
applied, and the department was the Department of
Administration (DOA).
9:40:42 AM
Senator Wilson wondered whether there could be an
examination of long-term versus short-term protective
orders. He also asked whether there could be involvement
with the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Senator Kiehl replied that he had worked with DPS, and
settled on DOA because of the Central Mail Services.
Ms. Adkison furthered that expanding the regulation aside
from protective orders, such as referrals, but only whether
the department could take on more victims.
Senator Wilson stressed that DOA did not seem the
appropriate department to set the standards for the
legislation.
SB 12 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
9:43:10 AM
AT EASE
9:45:25 AM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 57
"An Act relating to medical assistance for recipients
of Medicaid waivers; establishing an adult care home
license and procedures; providing for the transition
of individuals from foster care to adult home care
settings; and providing for an effective date."
9:45:58 AM
TONY NEWMAN, DIRECTOR, SENIOR AND DISABILITIES SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, discussed the presentation, "State of
Alaska Department of Health" (copy on file). He looked at
slide 2, "Senior and Disabilities Services Medicaid Home
and Community Based Waivers":
• Allow people with disabilities and seniors to remain
in their homes or local community settings when they
would otherwise need institutional care
• Home and Community Based Waivers receive a 50%
Federal and 50% General Fund Match
• Alaska provides five home and community-based
waivers:
•Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities waiver
(serving about 2,000 people)
•Alaskans Living Independently waiver (2,200 people)
•Children with Complex Medical Conditions waiver (225
people)
•Adults with Physical & Developmental Disabilities
waiver (144 people)
•Individualized Supports waiver (500 people)
Mr. Newman looked at slide 3, "Services available under
Alaska's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers":
• Residential Habilitation (Group Home, Family Home
Habilitation)
• In-Home Supports
• Supported Living
• Day Habilitation
• Adult Day Services
• Respite
• Supported Employment
• Transportation
• Environmental Modifications
• Meals
• Specialized Medical Equipment
• Nursing Oversight
• Intensive Active Treatment
• Specialized Private Duty Nursing
Mr. Newman pointed to slide 4, "Options for 24/7
residential care for people on Medicaid home and community-
based waivers":
Assisted Living Home
Available for four waivers
Alaskans Living Independently (ALI)
Alaskans with Physical and Developmental
Disabilities (APDD)
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
Children with Complex Medical Conditions (CCMC)
Number of residents only limited by size of facility
Multiple administrative requirements
Varying staffing patterns possible
Adult Care Home (proposed)
Available for four waivers:
Alaskans Living Independently (ALI)
Adults with Physical and Developmental
Disabilities (APDD)
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
Children with Complex Medical Conditions (CCMC)
1 to 2 residents
Less administrative requirements
Live-in caregiver
9:52:25 AM
Co-Chair Olson wondered how many other states had a similar
model, and how successful were those states.
Mr. Newman replied that many states had the model, but most
called the program different names. He stated that it was
determined that it was a positive situation.
Senator Kiehl surmised that the bill did not limit to
people aging out of the foster care system.
Mr. Newman agreed.
Senator Kiehl wondered whether it was a new form of care,
or filling a limited gap.
Mr. Newman replied that the goal was for two people to live
together, but it allowed for up to three people.
Senator Kiehl asked for a definition of "unusual
circumstances."
Mr. Newman replied that the situation would be for three
disabled people to want to stay together.
9:55:11 AM
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether there was an age limit.
Mr. Newman replied that any qualified individual over 18
was eligible for the service.
Senator Kiehl wondered who would draft the plan of care.
Mr. Newman replied that the plan of care was set up by the
recipient with help from a care coordinator and approved by
the department.
Senator Kiehl asked where the type of care home would have
an exemption.
Mr. Newman responded that Section 4 would add it to the
setting list.
Senator Kiehl noted that the department had recently
expanded its definition of "assisted living home" for a
number of facilities, so he hoped that it would not take
away care.
Co-Chair Olson queried the difficulty in receiving a
license.
Mr. Newman replied that Mr. Nave would be able to reply to
that question.
9:57:48 AM
ROBERT NAVE, PROGRAM MANAGER, DIVISION OF HEALTHCARE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), explained that the process to obtain a
license was not very cumbersome for providers.
Co-Chair Olson queried the difficulty for rural residents
to obtain a license.
Mr. Nave stated that the objective for the bill was to
relieve that difficulty.
Mr. Newman agreed.
10:00:08 AM
Mr. Newman provided an overview of the fiscal notes.
Senator Bishop wondered why the positions could not be
located in Anchorage.
Mr. Newman replied that they could be in Juneau or
Fairbanks.
10:03:19 AM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
10:03:48 AM
MICHELE GIRAULT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HOPE COMMUNITY
RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support
of the bill.
10:05:52 AM
JAMIE KOKOSZKA, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, COUNCIL ON
DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL EDUCATION, PALMER (via
teleconference), testified in support of the legislation.
10:08:46 AM
Mr. Nave stated that he did not need to testify.
10:09:02 AM
PAMELA SAMASH, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING, NENANA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill.
10:10:56 AM
MICHAEL JEFFERY, SELF, UTQIAGVIK (via teleconference),
testified in support of the bill.
10:13:35 AM
MARGE STONEKING, ADVOCACY DIRECTOR, AARP, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation.
10:16:16 AM
KIM CHAMPNEY, DIRECTOR, ALASKA ASSOCIATION ON DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES, spoke in support of the bill.
Mr. Newman thanked the committee for hearing the bill.
Senator Merrick wondered whether people had to pay to
become licensed as an assisted living home.
Mr. Newman replied that there was a small license fee, and
the bill proposed to eliminate that license fee.
10:20:18 AM
Senator Kiehl queried the definition of "business site" in
Section 5.
Mr. Newman agreed to provide that information.
Mr. Nave replied that there was requirement that stated
that no other business could be run from the home other
than the assisted living business, without the approval of
the department.
SB 57 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HOUSE BILL NO. 62
"An Act relating to the renewable energy grant fund
and recommendation program; and providing for an
effective date."
10:22:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON, SPONSOR, explained the
legislation.
10:24:44 AM
LAIB ALLENSWORTH, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON,
discussed the Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Sec 1. Amends Section 5, Ch. 31, SLA 2008, as
previously amended, to extend the repeal date of the
fund to June 30, 2033.
Sec 2. Makes the sunset extension retroactive to
June 30, 2023 if the bill takes effect after the Fund
sunsets on that date.
Sec 3. Establishes an immediate effective date under
AS 01.10.070(c).
10:25:29 AM
TIM SANDSTROM, COO, ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), discussed the fiscal note.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether there were no anticipated
funding needed in future years.
Mr. Sandstrom replied that the expectation was outlined as
an average.
Co-Chair Stedman wondered whether there was a review of the
old grants to see the impact and benefit to the meter.
Representative Edgmon replied that in the affirmative.
Co-Chair Stedman hoped that the benchmarks of diesel usage
would be used in the project.
Representative Edgmon agreed.
10:30:36 AM
Senator Merrick noted that the spreadsheet, and wondered
whether the unspent money would be returned to the
Renewable Energy Fund.
Mr. Allensworth deferred to Mr. Sandstrom.
Mr. Sandstrom stated that it went back to the fund.
10:31:54 AM
CURTIS THAYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), explained how that unspent
money would be returned to the fund.
Mr. Sandstrom stated that he had no further testimony.
10:33:31 AM
MICHAEL ROVITO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ALASKA POWER ASSOCIATION,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
bill.
Co-Chair Olson OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
10:35:30 AM
Senator Bishop wanted assurance that all available federal
dollars had been explored to leverage the state dollars.
HB 62 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
10:36:49 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB12 Sponsor Statement 1.25.23.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM SSTA 2/2/2023 3:30:00 PM |
SB 12 |
| SB 12 Summary of Changes Since Introduction.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 12 |
| SB12 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 12 |
| SB12 Letters of Support.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 12 |
| HB 62 Sponsor Statement Version A.pdf |
HENE 2/16/2023 10:15:00 AM SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| HB 62 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf |
HENE 2/16/2023 10:15:00 AM SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| HB 62 Additional Document - REF Update Letter to Legislature from AEA 02.24.2023.pdf |
HFIN 3/9/2023 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| HB62- Additional Document REF Fact Sheet by AEA 2.24.2023.pdf |
HFIN 3/9/2023 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| HB 62 Additonal Document - REF Projects by Energy Region by AEA 02.24.2023.pdf |
HFIN 3/9/2023 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| HB 62 Support Letter Packet as of 3.15.2023.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| SB 57 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM SHSS 3/2/2023 3:30:00 PM |
SB 57 |
| SB 57 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM SHSS 3/2/2023 3:30:00 PM |
SB 57 |
| SB 57 Summary Version A.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM SHSS 3/2/2023 3:30:00 PM |
SB 57 |
| SB 57 Presentation.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 57 |
| SB 57 Letter of Support.SB 57. LTCO 3.28.23.pdf |
SFIN 3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 57 |