HJR 19-SUPPORT 2020 DECENNIAL CENSUS  8:03:18 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19, Urging the United States Congress to fully fund the United States Census Bureau for the 2020 Census; urging the governor to prioritize an accurate count for the 2020 Census; and urging local governments to establish local complete count commissions. [Before the committee was CSHJR 19(TRB).] 8:03:52 AM REPRESENTATIVE TIFFANY ZULKOSKY, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented HJR 19. She stated that the 2020 Census is vital to Alaska. Required under Article I, Section II of the Constitution of the United States, the goal of the Census is to count every resident in the U.S. at their residence "as a basis for sharing resources and determining political representation." She continued as follows: Dependent on federally established formulas tied to Census data, Alaska receives $3.2 billion in federal funding each year across 70 programs. In a time of state and local budget constraints, maintaining the amount of federal investment is crucial to Alaska's economies, communities, and programs. Organizations across public, private, and nonprofit sectors rely on funding allocations determined by the Census information, illustrating the importance of accurate account data. ... [Each] uncounted individual results in a loss of roughly $3,000 of federal funding for Alaska per year, equivalent to a loss of $30,000 of federal funding for Alaska over a 10-year period, for every person who is not counted. This results in reduced essential services, like health, housing, road repairs, and education. It compounds harm to local and state budget gaps, and it results in improper enforcement in voting in civil rights laws. For these reasons, it is imperative Census data is accurate and we have done everything that we can to ensure Alaskans, communities, and the state ... [are] ready to be counted. In partnership with the Alaska Census Working Group, a public/private partnership of local organizations in our state, the [House] Special Committee on Tribal Affairs sponsored HJR 19 to highlight the importance of the decennial Census. The resolution also urges the federal delegation to fully fund the Census [and] encourages the state to prioritize outreach, to ensure the accuracy of data, and invite local governments to engage in the count by establishing local complete count commissions. With significant geographic, language, and connectivity barriers, Alaska is considered one of the most difficult states to count in the country. 8:06:45 AM The difficulty of counting Alaska is even greater in the 2020 Census with the borough's decision to eliminate three things: the notification mailing to [United States Postal Service mailboxes] ("P.O. Boxes"), translation support for materials into Native languages, and transitioning to a mostly online response system. With the Census Bureau launching its count in my home district in Toksook Bay, on January 21, 2020, it is vital that Alaska's leadership, at all levels of government and organizations across the state, prioritize an accurate count before starting conversations about how the data will be used. REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY, in conclusion, related that HJR 19 had been unanimously moved out of the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs. 8:08:11 AM REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY added that her work on the issue has increased her awareness of its importance. 8:09:09 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN asked the sponsor if she was aware of any discussions that had been held in terms of the capital budget and an appropriation to support local Census committees. REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY offered her understanding that Governor Mike Dunleavy put in resources for "the Census work following the count," but she is not aware of any additional resources designated "to help develop community readiness around the Census." CO-CHAIR HANNAN asked Representative Zulkosky how the legislature could [help the state prepare for the Census] other than passing a resolution. REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY deferred to invited testifiers to answer that question. She mentioned the confidentiality aspect of Census data gathering and fines resulting from breaching that confidentiality. She said the proposed joint resolution is important, because it would educate Alaskans on how Census information is used to secure resources that support communities. 8:12:17 AM ELIZABETH MEDICINE CROW, President/CEO, First Alaskans Institute, by way of introduction, gave the names of her grandparents and parents, as well as her Native affiliation. She said the institute is a statewide, nonprofit organization whose vision is "progress for the next 10,000 years." She remarked upon the combined strengths of Native and non-Native Alaskans and all entities, and she emphasized the importance of counting all Alaskans in the Census. She said Alaska takes in about $3.2 billion over the ten years between each Census, which calculates to approximately $31,000 per person annually. She said a household with two parents, a grandparent, and three children, [which does not participate in the Census], would result in a loss of $186,000 annually, which equals almost $2 million in a 10-year period. She said these figures are significant when considering the amount of money in the state's budget that may be "a lifesaving amount of money" for programs and services. She referred to an article in The Juneau Empire, in which the author wrote that every 1 percent - or 7,500 people - who don't respond to the Census results in a loss to the state of approximately $22 million annually. She said the nonresponse rate of the 2010 Census was 36 percent, which equated to $798.93 million dollars per year for a total of nearly $8 billion lost over the course of 10 years. 8:17:58 AM MS. MEDICINE CROW said in her community of Kake, Alaska, a break in the waterline resulted in half the community without water, and federal funding would be necessary to get it fixed, and those federal funds are allocated [as a result of] Census information. She emphasized that accurate Census counts are imperative for education funding and housing dollars. She talked about the importance of listing the head of household as Alaska Native in mixed race households, because that helps to ensure that federal funding connected with tribal governments is allocated. She said for Alaska Natives, "those are actually political rights, not racial rights." She explained that she came before the committee on behalf of First Alaskans Institute, which ensures that "our community is at the table and able to participate in decision-making that's impacting our community," to share "how these things really affect us on the ground and how it also affects our neighbors all the way across the state of Alaska." 8:21:20 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked for clarification regarding "the numbers" related to the Census in Alaska. MS. MEDICINE CROW mentioned Eddie Hunsinger, with the State of Alaska. She said the U.S. Census Borough has shared data about the impact [of the Census] on the states. She relayed that the George Washington University has published a series of data points on the impact on Alaska specifically, and that is the source of the aforementioned $3.2 billion figure. She recollected that that number includes 55 federal programs whose funding allocations are to Alaska annually. She noted that Mike Walsh was available to testify and could add further illumination regarding the statistics. 8:22:59 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN, in response to a question from Representative Jackson regarding a fiscal note, confirmed there is no money being sought through HJR 19. 8:23:40 AM MS. MEDICINE CROW said the Census is busy setting up complete count committees (CCCs) across Alaska, and anyone interested could form a committee. She stated that "the Census has no money"; therefore, HJR 19 urges Alaska's delegation to fight for full funding in Washington, D.C., as well as urges the Alaska State Legislature to "get behind that complete count committee process." She said there is opportunity for the Census Borough, the state, and tribes to partner. 8:24:59 AM MIKE WALSH, Ph.D., Vice President, Public Policy, Foraker Group; Staff Support, Alaska Census Working Group, said he and Laurie Wolf testified before the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs two weeks ago regarding Census 2020. He reminded committee members that the Foraker Group serves as the state nonprofit association for Alaska and the nonprofit capacity- building organization for nonprofits across the state. He said the Foraker Group gives voice to nonpartisan public policy issues that affect Alaska's nonprofit sector, which directly employs approximately 44,000 people, who provide "services that touch, virtually, every Alaskan, every day." He said nonprofits organizations rely on Census data to do their work. He said it is the Foraker Group's public policy and focus to ensure every Alaskan is counted, which brings him before the committee to speak in support of HJR 19. He stated, "We get one chance every 10 years to get this right, and HJR 19 will certainly help with that." DR. WALSH mentioned some of the people who had testified during the aforementioned House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs hearing on HJR 19, including Mr. Hunsinger, a state demographer, and others affiliated with the Alaska Census Working Group. They spoke on the importance of having a complete and accurate Census 2020 in Alaska and how the $3.2 billion in federal funds are allocated to dozens of federal programs based on Census data. Also discussed at that meeting were specific enumeration issues facing Alaska, especially those communities in rural Alaska that are the most difficult to count. He stated, "We were really pleased to be able to include that figure - about $3.2 billion - in our 2018 report on the economic impact of the nonprofit sector on Alaska's economy." 8:28:19 AM DR. WALSH said no community in the state goes untouched by the federal programs that operate with Census-driven funding. He said that data is used to determine allocations for roads, marine transportation, water, wastewater systems, housing programs, education, substance abuse prevention and treatment, among others. He said the working group is pleased that HJR 19 addresses the importance of participation in the 2020 Census in all levels of government. He said the group believes that HJR 19 would support the growing efforts within Alaska to ensure that complete and accurate count and appreciates the language within the proposed joint resolution that encourages active participation and coordination by the state. He said the group also supports the language encouraging local governments establishing CCCs. He echoed Ms. Medicine Crow's statement that creating CCCs is an excellent way for tribes and local governments to effectively coordinate and cooperate with the U.S. Census Borough. Local CCCs can create trust in residents and educate them as to why the Census matters. He said the working group and the Foraker Group have found Alaska's congressional delegation to be 100 percent supportive of the efforts aimed at counting all Alaskans, including the "pursuit of full and adequate funding." 8:30:23 AM DR. WALSH addressed previously posed questions. He indicated that Governor Dunleavy had removed money from his proposed budget that had been included in former Governor Bill Walker's budget, and he offered his understanding that the Senate Finance Committee "put forward a $250,000 line item to support Census activities on behalf of the state." In terms of what could be done to support the work of the Census, he named several things, including that legislators could, with each e-mail, Facebook post, and newsletter, make the public aware of the upcoming Census and the importance of it in terms of funding. He said some legislators have said they will go door to door to spread the word. Other ways to lend support, he suggested, include notice in state correspondence, publications, and applications, including the permanent fund dividend (PFD) application. Mr. Walsh noted that the Alaska Census Working Group has been ramping up its activities in terms of rural outreach to those communities where it is most difficult to get accurate counts. The campaign will include social media, web sites, public radio advertising, and a PO Box outreach campaign. 8:33:15 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND, regarding the mentioned of the $250,000 line item, asked which budget contained it and what the current status is. DR. WALSH offered his understanding that the funds were included in the Senate Finance Committee's proposed operating budget. He said he does not know the current status, but hoped it would remain. In response to follow-up questions, he reiterated that the funds had originally been in Governor Walker's budget, and said there have been a couple of studies highlighting the importance of state support of Census activities. He said approximately $1.5 million would be adequate for Census funding in Alaska; therefore, $250,000 is "woefully inadequate" but "any number is important ... to ensure a fair and accurate account through those outreach activities." He said the Alaska Census Working Group has put forward a budget of approximately $690,000 that would target the outreach activity. He said Foraker Group, along with its partner, the Cook Inlet Housing Authority, has put forward well over $200,000 in in-kind support. He said that "a national funder interested in a fair and accurate count" has given $175,000. He remarked that other dollars are still needed. He noted that the job of the Census Working Group is to supplement - not supplant - the work of the state. 8:37:27 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN opened public testimony on HJR 19. 8:37:50 AM MARY DAVID emphasized the importance of the Census to a region where the cost of infrastructure is so high. She talked about "the cost benefit of funding efforts on the Census for our state." She relayed that a Bering Straits Region Complete Count Committee has been formed and many volunteers are supporting the Census effort. She said she sees the importance of forming regional complete count committees and applauds the statewide efforts; each region knows what will work best [in supporting the Census]. She said in her region the Internet does not always work well. She noted that homes in the region hold multi-generations, so getting an accurate count through the Census is important. 8:40:31 AM REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON noted that the Census has taken place every 10 years "forever," and she questioned whether it was just [the 2010 Census] where Ms. David feels there was "a big undercount." MS. DAVID answered that there are about 10,000 residents in her region, and that number is increasing; therefore, she believes it is important for an accurate count to occur. In order for that to happen, she said, it is important for individuals to understand the benefits they can receive by partaking in the Census. She talked about the importance of outreach beginning long before the Census takes place. She ventured that [people] may be reticent in giving information to a stranger without knowing why the questions are being asked and how the information will be used. She said the Bering Straits Region Complete Count Committee is encouraging local people to apply for Census jobs, because the people being asked questions will feel more comfortable giving the information to someone from their community. 8:42:51 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN closed public testimony on HJR 19. 8:43:02 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND echoed Ms. David's remark about the importance of beginning outreach long before Census data collecting begins. She urged that the committee not delay in passing out HJR 19. She indicated that two of Alaska's congressional delegation have expressed encouragement toward receiving resolutions. She said, "If we wait until next year to push this out, it will have no meaning." 8:44:05 AM REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN said he supports HJR 19 and thinks it makes sense to move it out of committee after just one hearing. He stressed the importance of Census-related work, especially to rural communities in Alaska. 8:44:48 AM REPRESENTATIVE REVAK asked whether the committee had reached out to the U.S. Census Borough and received a response. He said he is interested "to hear what they have to say about it." He asked the bill sponsor if "this was requested by the delegation." [AN UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER] from the back of the room, in response to Co-Chair Hannan, said she was not authorized to testify before the committee but would be willing to come to individual offices to speak with Representatives. REPRESENTATIVE REVAK said he was not asking for the joint resolution to be held; he just wants the U.S. Census Borough to "know what we're doing and is in support." CO-CHAIR HANNAN noted that representatives from the U.S. Census Borough were present during the joint meeting of the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs and the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee two weeks ago; they spoke on the hiring of local Census workers, among other things. She said she does not have an answer regarding whether the joint resolution is in response to a request from Alaska's delegation. 8:46:26 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND observed that the sponsor was not available to answer Representative Revak's question, because she was currently chairing the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs. She said [the Census] happens only every 10 years and there is pressure to get it "done right." She said a resolution simply tells the delegation that the issue is important to "us." 8:47:04 AM REPRESENTATIVE REVAK asked if the joint resolution is aimed at informing the administration that the legislature wants to work with the administration "to augment the Census." 8:47:26 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN pointed to the "BE IT RESOLVED" portions of HJR 19, which ask to work with the executive branch agencies and the Alaska Census Working Group for the purpose of establishing complete counts and to encourage every municipality [to participate]. Copies of HJR 19 would be sent to the governor, the Alaska Municipal League, and the congressional delegation. She offered her understanding that the federal government is funding the Census but not any outreach efforts prior to the Census; this includes notifications and alerts to communities. She said the state has not "picked that up as an effort." She then noted that translation to Alaska Native languages is not being done. She recollected that the federal government has in the past supplied translation to some indigenous languages, but would not be doing so this time around. Finally, she said the Census would be largely conducted online, and because this is primarily a new method, the complete count commissions are important to getting the word out. 8:49:41 AM REPRESENTATIVE REVAK said he appreciates knowing the intent behind the proposed joint resolution. 8:49:54 AM REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON suggested the information Representative Revak is asking for be made available for him to see. She offered her understanding that the federal government "does advertise," and there will be jobs available that pay up to $31 per hour. She said, "So, if we can ... focus people to check that out - get a job - then they can communicate the languages of their neighbors, as well. [I'm] just leveraging what we have to make sure we get that to count." 8:51:02 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND shared that Governor Dunleavy has already appointed 9-10 people to the 2020 Census Alaska Complete Count Commission through Administrative Order 303. The state demographer is one of those people appointed. She said, "I think we need to find out where that funding is, but I don't think that has anything to do with moving this particular resolution out today and getting it through ... the legislature before we adjourn." REPRESENTATIVE REVAK emphasized that he thinks it is imperative to ensure everyone is counted [in the Census], and he clarified that he wanted to understand the intent of HJR 19. He remarked that if all the documents were distributed to the former joint committee hearing, he had not seen them. 8:52:41 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN suggested Representative Revak could listen to the recording of the joint meeting. She recalled some of the presenters from that meeting and suggested the handouts could be collected for Representative Revak. REPRESENTATIVE REVAK assured Co-Chair Hannan that he could obtain the information. 8:53:26 AM REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON noted that Representative Zulkosky's staff had returned, thus was available to respond to questions. 8:53:44 AM REPRESENTATIVE REVAK restated his question. 8:53:58 AM GRACE SINGH, Staff, Representative Tiffany Zulkosky, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Zulkosky, prime sponsor of HJR 19, in response to Representative Revak's concerns, noted that the U.S. Census Borough has been involved in the Alaska Complete Census Working Group. She said, "We didn't have them testify, because we would need to call the D.C. office for that, but they are very involved in the working group; they're invested in making sure that we do have a complete count in Alaska." She continued, "On the federal delegation, we made them aware of this resolution; they're excited; they're also invested in ensuring that Alaska has a complete count, ... especially [for] the federal funding formulas." 8:55:07 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND moved to report CSHJR 19(TRB) out of committee with individual recommendations [and the accompanying zero fiscal notes]. There being no objection, CSHJR 19(TRB) was reported out of the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.