SB 223-TAX CRED: CONTR. TO HOMELESS SHELT/DETOX    3:34:29 PM CHAIR OLSON announced the consideration of SB 223, which relates to a tax credit for homeless shelters and detoxification facilities. The bill was heard three previous times. DAVID SCOTT, Staff, Senator Donald Olson, Alaska State Legislature, said the committee amended the bill during the last hearing and it was held in committee to provide time for the public review the change and comment. The committee has since received letters of support from the Covenant House and the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence. CHAIR OLSON asked Mr. Scott to review the bill briefly. 3:35:50 PM SENATOR MENARD joined the meeting. MR. SCOTT explained that the bill provides a tax credit up to $200,000 to a business that donates to a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter for the homeless or a facility for alcohol or drug detoxification. He highlighted the changes from the original bill. The credit is only available to those nonprofits established on or before January 1, 2012; there is a five-year sunset so that a future legislature can evaluate the program; and DCCED, not the taxpayer, reports to the legislature the amounts of the contributions, the recipients, and the total credit claimed. 3:37:39 PM BRIDIE TRAINOR, Director, Kawerak Wellness Program, Kawerak, Inc., said she was also testifying on behalf of the regional wellness forum. She stated support for SB 223 and noted that a letter of support was also sent by the regional wellness forum. She said the tax credit bill is an excellent way for the state to increase funding for homeless or facilities that provide alcohol and drug detoxification services. MS. TRAINOR said the regional hospital in Nome is constantly helping people who should either be referred to a detoxification center or admitted to an inpatient treatment facility, but are instead held in jail temporarily. She cited alcohol-related statistics since the Nome treatment center closed in 2000. She said services to help the homeless population in Nome and throughout Alaska are also needed; many in this population have died of exposure. She urged passage of SB 223. CHAIR OLSON asked Mr. Williams what fiscal impact SB 223 will have for the state. 3:39:51 PM MICHAEL WILLIAMS, Auditor, Treasury Division, Department of Revenue, stated that the fiscal note is indeterminate; it would be based on the amount that corporations decide to give to these nonprofit organizations. CHAIR OLSON asked what DOR anticipates in five years. MR. WILLIAMS declined to speculate until a fiscal note is prepared for version E. CHAIR OLSON surmised that the impact would be negligible, given the size of the state's budget. MR. WILLIAMS responded that DOR believes it would be able to administer the provision under existing budgets and staff. The fiscal note would reflect zero cost, but there was no estimate at this time on the revenue impact. CHAIR OLSON asked Mr. Scott if he had closing comments. MR. SCOTT stated that there is a problem in Alaska with homelessness and chronic alcohol abuse. The bill seeks to encourage help from local philanthropic organizations. 3:42:05 PM SENATOR MENARD commented that homelessness and alcohol abuse affects everyone. She urged support for the bill. CHAIR OLSON found no further questions or discussion and asked the will of the committee. 3:43:03 PM SENATOR WAGONER moved to report CS for SB 223(CRA) from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 3:43:28 PM CHAIR OLSON announced that without objection CSSB 223(CRA) moved from the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.