SENATE BILL NO. 209 An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective date. 3:12:22 PM TOM OBERMEYER, STAFF, SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, explained that under AS 44.21.200, a number of the Alaska boards and commissions have an expiration date. SB 209 is an act extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging and providing for an effective date. In accordance with the Alaska Statutes as part of the legislative oversight responsibility, the Division of Legislative Budget and Audit (LBA) conducted a sunset review of the Commission in 2007. The purpose of that review was to access the demonstrated public need for the continuation of the Commission. As a result, LBA determined that the Commission on Aging is helping older Alaskans. The audit recommended that the Legislature adopt legislation extending the commission's termination date to June 30, 2016. SB 209 makes that amendment. 3:14:53 PM DENISE DANIELLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING, voiced support for SB 209. The Alaska Commission on Aging was established in 1982 to be a voice for older Alaskans. The Commission satisfies a federal requirement of the Older Americans Act, Section 306(AD), requiring a commission council compromised of individuals of senior status and funded by Older Americans Act. The Commission satisfies that State requirement and the State is able to bring forth $4.7 million federal dollars to support senior services. 3:16:19 PM Vice-Chair Stoltze asked for reflections on the audit regarding the mission of the Commission. Ms. Daniello responded that the audit contained a requirement taken up under SB 243 to update the statutes to reflect current practice. In 2003, under previous Governor Murkowski's Administration, there was a change in the way grants for senior services were administered. Under Executive Order (EO) 103, established a new division called Division of Senior and Disability Services, which assumed the grant making authority from the Alaska Commission on Aging. The statues were never updated to reflect that change. Vice-Chair Stoltze corrected that the Executive Order was EO 108 not EO 103. He pointed out that was the only question the audit raised. 3:18:22 PM MARIE DARLIN, AARP TASK FORCE, testified on behalf of over 90,000 members in AARP in Alaska, who voice support for SB 209. She reiterated that it had been the recommendation of a recent audit. She commented on the work of the Commission, which helps determine the important issues and vision for the best interest for the State. She urged support for the bill. 3:20:38 PM Representative Gara applauded the work done by Ms. Darlin and the members of AARP. PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED Representative Thomas inquired the age restriction. Ms. Daniello responded that for the Alaska on Aging, it is 60 years of age or older as defined by the Older Americans Act. Co-Chair Meyer referenced the fiscal notes. Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to REPORT SB 209 out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 209 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with fiscal notes #1 & #2 by the Department of Health and Social Services.