HB 430-APPROP: PALMER SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 4:15:20 PM CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 430, "An Act making an appropriation for the construction of the Palmer Senior Citizen Center; and providing for an effective date." 4:15:46 PM The committee took an at-ease from 4:16:10 PM to 4:20:01 PM. 4:20:04 PM CODY RICE, Staff to Representative Carl Gatto, introduced HB 430 on behalf of Representative Gatto, by paraphrasing from the sponsor statement as follows [original punctuation provided]: We are all aware the Mat-Su Borough is experiencing above average growth, but it may not be as commonly known that a subgroup of this population is growing even faster. According to the most recent Census data available, Alaska's senior population is both the fastest growing segment of Alaska's population and surprisingly also one of the fastest growing senior population in the nation. The number of Alaskans over age 60 is expected to triple from 53,000 (8.5% of Alaska's population) in the year 2000 to 165,000 (20% of Alaska's population) by 2025, less than 20 years away. More specifically, in the Mat-Su the senior population increased by 150% from 1990 to 1999 and is expected to double again before the year 2018. Palmer Senior Citizens Center (PSCC) currently serves 450 Mat-Su seniors every day. The current facility has problems including defective electrical systems. Interestingly, the Executive Director's computer loses power when the photocopier is used. There are fifty parking spots and a fleet of 15 vans for 35 on-site employees and 100 seniors at meal times. Many employees of PSCC work off-site due to limited space availability at the center. PSCC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, already owns the new site, and is only seeking funds for design and construction. I urge your support and favorable action on this legislation. 4:23:21 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if there is a funding priority list for the senior centers statewide and, if so, how does the Palmer Senior Citizens Center (PSCC) funding request rank. 4:24:00 PM MR. RICE responded that to his knowledge there is not a list of that type. 4:24:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report HB 430 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 430 was reported out of the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.