SB 149-FOOD STAMP PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:31:09 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 149                                                                 
"An  Act  relating  to   the  supplemental  nutrition  assistance                                                               
program; and providing for an effective date."                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WILSON  stated the  initial  hearing  for  SB 149  was  on                                                               
February  13, 2024.  The  bill was  introduced,  and invited  and                                                               
public testimony were heard. No amendments were received.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:31:51 PM                                                                                                                    
PAIGE  BROWN,   Staff,  Senator   Cathy  Giessel,   Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature,  Juneau, Alaska,  offered  closing  comments for  SB                                                               
149. She clarified that SB 149  would not cost the state money in                                                               
terms of  the actual  benefit. The  federal government  covers it                                                               
100  percent.  The  state  currently   pays  50  percent  of  the                                                               
operating cost for the program, which  is the reason for a fiscal                                                               
note.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:32:43 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON solicited the will of the committee.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:32:46 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN moved  to report SB 149,  work order 33-LS0854\A,                                                               
from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  attached                                                               
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:33:00 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON found no objection and  SB 149 was reported from the                                                               
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.