SB 40 - LONGEVITY BONUS REAPPLICATIONS    9:39:42 AM CHAIR MCGUIRE announced consideration of SB 40. SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, bill sponsor, was available to respond to any questions from the committee. CHAIR MCGUIRE closed public testimony on SB 40. 9:40:29 AM CHAIR MCGUIRE asked for an opinion whether a needs-based program could be offered as an amendment. TAMARA COOK, Director, Legal Services Division, Legislative Affairs, said a needs-based amendment could replace the longevity bonus program but it would be problematic if it was limited to former applicants because of equal protection. The committee would have to consider a program that was open to new applicants under a needs-based scenario. Also, the residency issue would need to be considered. Most needs-based programs cannot have a durational residency as long as a year, which is the current longevity bonus program. Essentially, the committee would be faced with creating a new needs-based program available to all who qualify under whatever criteria are established. 9:42:01 AM SENATOR FRENCH said the policy choice is to embrace this model or embrace the senior care model which is essentially the needs- based program being discussed. He supports both. SENATOR BUNDE said he has no interest in amending the bill to a needs-based plan. He believes the reinstatement of the longevity bonus is highly unlikely and he does not support it. He prefers the senior care program. Moving this bill forward provides false hope. The policy statement should clearly state that there will be some type of senior care, but the longevity bonus will not reappear. CHAIR MCGUIRE said her concern is that the senior care package is stalled. A case has been made that seniors need help and the senator believes that elders in a society should be taken care of. Discussion of what the state will do for its seniors needs to continue. 9:45:26 AM SENATOR FRENCH said he wants to see the legislature do something. He supports the bill moving on to the Finance Committee where discussion will continue. SENATOR FRENCH moved to report CSSB 40(HES), from committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note. SENATOR BUNDE objected. He said he believes the longevity program is not viable, but he will support a senior care program when it comes forward. He expects a solution at the end of the session but this bill is not it. 9:46:34 AM A roll call vote was taken on the motion of passing CSSB 40(HES) out of committee. Senators Green, French, Stevens, and McGuire voted in favor and Senator Bunde voted against. Therefore CSSB 40(HES) and the attached fiscal notes moved from committee with individual recommendations.