SENATE BILL NO. 124 "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective date." 8:50:48 AM SENATOR BILL STOLTZE, SPONSOR, remarked that the only outstanding conversation related to the bill was about the fiscal notes. He noted the reduction of one, with a recommendation of two position cuts. He stated that it was a determination by the administration in the following fiscal year. He shared that the commission had recommended the sunset. He felt that there was broad public support of the bill, and a strong constituency. Co-Chair Thompson appreciated the bill being brought forward. 8:52:07 AM AT EASE 8:53:07 AM RECONVENED Representative Gara referred to the fiscal note. He asked about the positions being deleted. Senator Stoltze stated he was not at the epicenter of the finance. He thought there was a suggestion for deeper cuts. He thought the deletion of 2 positions presented a stark reality. He did not think having a place holder for discussion was necessary. He thought the legislature could use a reminder of the Co-Chair Thompson reiterated that the bill limited one position, and shared that the following legislatures could make more reductions. Co-Chair Neuman agreed with Senator Stoltze that cuts were necessary. He thought the fiscal note should remain as written. 8:57:00 AM Representative Guttenberg emphasized that the reduction in the note reflected a 50 percent reduction of staff over 2 years. He spoke to the fact that the people on the commission were overachievers and was concerned with placing too much of a burden. He thought the cuts were too steep. He suggested coming back in a year's time to reevaluate. Representative Kawasaki asked about moving to amend the fiscal note. Co-Chair Thompson replied that he did not want to amend the fiscal note. Representative Kawasaki pointed out that the report (copy on file) from the Commission on Aging spoke specifically to state implementation of the plan. He stressed that the work on the plan began in FY 14, which was two years ahead of the work. It was anticipated that the commission would work on the revised plan for submission to the federal government. Representative Gara thought the bill was too important to hold up the commission. She thought it would be best to get the bill passed and ready to move forward to get it to the floor for a vote. Vice-Chair Saddler relayed that the significant decline in revenue was not a surprise to the commission. 9:03:23 AM Representative Gara referred to the second page of the fiscal note. He read a portion of the fiscal note memo. He indicated that the reduction would diminish the agency's ability to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. He felt that the committee should only cut one position, and evaluate whether or not to cut another position in the future. Representative Gara MOVED to ADOPT conceptual Amendment 1 to the fiscal note: The fiscal note would only delete one position in the current year, without the statement of intent that a second position be deleting the following year. Representative Wilson OBJECTED for discussion. She remarked that the state plan was written, and updated with changes. She felt that the commission would continue to progress and make changes. She appreciated the reduction of one position, and stressed that there would be an evaluation of the impact of that reduction. Representative Guttenberg reemphasized his position that it would be easier to keep the third position currently and cut next year. He was concerned of the Representative Munoz remarked that it appeared that there were three positions reduced, because $93,000 was cut from FY 17 and an additional $200,000 in FY 18. 9:07:32 AM Vice-Chair Saddler emphasized that the finance committee made spending and reduction decisions. Senator Stoltze was not anticipating a discussion about the fiscal note. He relayed his conversations with the other body. He relayed that there had been an array of discussions. Representative Wilson MAINTAINED her OBJECTION. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Guttenberg, Kawasaki, Munoz, Edgmon, Gara OPPOSED: Gattis, Pruitt, Saddler, Wilson, Neuman, Thompson The MOTION FAILED (5/6). Conceptual Amendment 1 failed to be adopted. Vice-Chair Saddler reviewed the fiscal note. Co-Chair Neuman MOVED to REPORT SB 124 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. SB 124 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a previous fiscal impact note: FN3 (SFC for DHS). 9:13:36 AM AT EASE 9:16:36 AM RECONVENED