CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 301(FIN)   An Act relating to the Alaska Pioneers' Home and the Alaska Veterans' Home; relating to eligibility for admission to the Alaska Pioneers' Home and Alaska Veterans' Home; relating to the eligibility of residents for the Alaska Pioneers' Home and the Alaska Veterans' Home for general relief assistance; relating to state veterans' home facilities; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date. Co-Chair Harris MOVED to ADOPT Work Draft Version U. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. DENNIS DEWITT, SPECIAL STAFF ASSISTANT, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, explained that the differences between the proposed Committee Substitute Version U and SB 301 are found on pages 6 and 7. The amendment substantively named all of the Pioneers Homes currently in operation instead of just the Sitka Home, on page 7, line 1. On page 6, line 31, and page 7, lines 2 and 5, the words "and operate" were added to "may maintain." He pointed out that those amendments make SB 301 identical to HB 440, which the House Finance Committee has heard. Representative Stoltze questioned the amendment made in HESS and whether Mr. DeWitt agrees with the rationale that Mat-Su is the most appropriate place for a veterans' home. Mr. DeWitt explained that the selection of the Palmer Pioneers Home was based on several factors including the LB&A Committee study that reported the most advantageous way to finance a veterans' home was to convert a pioneers' home. He stated that if another conversion were considered in the future, it would be a policy issue brought before the Legislature. For that reason, language was added in Section 15 to limit the conversion process only to the Palmer Pioneers Home at this time. Co-Chair Harris referred to the fiscal notes, and asked if the federal money is a factor in the conversion. Mr. DeWitt explained that the Veterans Administration (VA) provides funding for veterans who are in a state veterans' home at $26.95 per day. Alaska needs a state veterans' home for its vets to access those benefits to which they're entitled. This bill allows the conversion under the U.S. Veterans Administration. The veterans in the Palmer veterans home could receive the benefit of about $800 a month. The advantages would be to offset General Fund contributions to individuals with subsidized care, and to offset the cost to individuals paying for their own care. Co-Chair Harris asked if the veterans would be eligible for care at Palmer medical facilities or the hospital on the base. Mr. DeWitt replied that routine care would be offered through the Veterans Administration, but the Administration will address the process of moving the veterans who need care. In response to a question by Co-Chair Harris, Mr. DeWitt confirmed that the bill simply authorizes the Palmer conversion. In response to a question by Representative Fate, Co-Chair Harris noted that the language designating the Palmer Pioneers Home conversion is on page 7, line 5. Representative Stoltze commented that he had gotten assurances of a slow transition and that no one would be forced to move out of existing senior housing. Mr. DeWitt referenced language in Sec. 26 on page 13, lines 6-13, which provides that a resident may not be evicted or required to relocate to a different Alaska Pioneers' Home or Alaska Veterans' Home facility. The Governor's Office is working with the VA to gain assurances that it will not violate this portion of state law. It is a high priority for Governor Murkowski. Representative Croft questioned if relatives in the Palmer area would have to go to the Anchorage Pioneers Home. Mr. DeWitt explained under the VA requirement, 75% or 62 of the beds would be reserved for vets, with the remaining 20 beds filled by the existing Pioneers Home waiting list. He noted that today one individual is on the waiting list for the Palmer Pioneers Home. Co-Chair Harris asked if the bill has the support of the Pioneers of Alaska and the military veterans groups. Mr. DeWitt affirmed that his office had worked out all their concerns and has the support of both groups. Representative Foster MOVED to report HCS CSSB 301(FIN) out of Committee with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HCS CSSB 301(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal impact note.