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