CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 147(HSS) "An Act relating to eligibility requirements of the Alaska senior benefits payment program; and providing for an effective date." 1:39:34 PM SEAN O'BRIEN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, relayed that the bill was a result of an omission by error. The provision added qualifying criterion to the eligibility requirements specifying that an individual must be a citizen or qualified alien for the senior benefits program. The change aligned the eligibility requirements with all other programs in the Division of Public Assistance. He reported that approximately 16 individuals would be excluded from the program with adoption of the bill. He noted that the fiscal note showed a potential savings of $43.2 thousand. Representative Guttenberg asked about the bill's inception. He wondered how eligibility would be determined if the bill passed. MONICA WINDOM, POLICY CHIEF, DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, responded that the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) was not required to collect citizen information on recipients of the program. She explained that the department performed a "cross match" with other programs where citizenship was required and discovered the 16 recipients in the senior benefits program were not eligible based on their ineligibly for the other programs. Representative Guttenberg commented that the cost of the legislation was more than the savings the department would gain. 1:43:10 PM Representative Kawasaki surmised that the saving would come from the elimination of the 16 disqualified persons. Ms. O'Brien affirmed the statement. Representative Munoz was curious about the "status of the payment for the highest income bracket." Ms. O'Brien stated that a payment of $47 per month for the highest income bracket went into effect on March 1, 2016. Representative Munoz asked about the 16 that would lose the benefits and asked what income bracket the individuals were in. Ms. Windom responded that there were some that fell in each of the brackets and she could not remember specifics. Representative Gattis asked how many of the 16 individuals were on a fixed income. She stated concerns regarding seniors on a fixed income receiving little or no notice regarding the issue. Representative Wilson interjected a point of order. She noted that eligibility was not the subject of the bill. Representative Kawasaki asked whether any audits were done on eligibility. Ms. Windom answered that the program had an annual renewal policy and the department reviewed the recipient's qualifications each year. Since citizenship was not a qualifier the department never checked on status. Representative Kawasaki asked whether proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate was required in the future. Ms. Windom stated that DHSS verified citizenship in a variety of ways including an interface with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and would become routine for the senior benefits program. 1:47:27 PM Co-Chair Thompson OPENED public testimony. Co-Chair Thompson CLOSED public testimony. Mr. O'Brien appreciated consideration of the bill. Co-Chair Thompson noted the fiscal note (FN2 (DHS) attached to the bill. Representative Kawasaki asked whether the 16 individuals received notification of their impending removal from the program. Ms. Windom replied in the negative. She stated that when the bill was adopted by the legislature the division would notify the individuals. Representative Munoz MOVED to REPORT CSSB 147 (HSS) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note(s). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSB 147 (HSS) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal note: FN2 (DHS). 1:49:39 PM AT EASE 1:51:47 PM RECONVENED