SENATE BILL NO. 243 "An Act relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska Commission on Aging and the Department of Health and Social Services." 10:29:24 AM TOM OBERMEYER, STAFF, SENATOR DAVIS, read from the sponsor statement: The CS for Senate Bill 243(HES), 25-LS1351\E, has a zero fiscal note. As required by a 2007 Legislative Audit, this "clean-up" bill brings into alignment grant duties and responsibilities that were previously given to the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), when the Commission on Aging (ACoA) and Division of Senior Services became part of DHSS. For this reason, statutory changes repeatedly replace "Commission" (ACoA) with "Department" (DHSS) to properly recognize the duties and responsibilities of each. This bill, which mirrors CSHB 279(HES), 25-LS1106\E, assigns authority for establishing state policy related to the Older Americans Act federal programs and state programs for Older Alaskans to the Department of Health and Social Services. DHSS is recognized as the state "Unit on Aging." The bill also transfers grant authority related to senior service grants, adult day care, and family respite care grants from the Alaska Commission on Aging to DHSS. DHSS has assigned these grant administrative duties to Senior and Disabilities Services. As background to the importance of the duties and responsibilities recognized in this bill, the Alaska Commission on Aging is responsible for planning, advocacy, and community education activities related to the health and welfare of older Alaskans. It has relationships with state departments and agencies across the state, including the governor's office, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation, and non-governmental organizations. The need for senior programs and services is rapidly increasing, Per the State plan for Senior Services FY 2008-FY 2011, Alaska already has the highest proportion of baby boomers (32%) in the nation, and its senior population is growing faster than almost any other state. By 2030 seniors 60+ will comprise 17% of the Alaska population, with a doubling of the number of those 65+. 10:32:33 AM Co-Chair Stedman asked if the bill was created as a response to the audit. Mr. Obermeyer confirmed and added that the language in the statute did not reflect the changes in responsibilities when the transfer took place. Co-Chair Stedman asked if the provision complies with federal requirements of the Older Americans Act. Mr. Obermeyer informed the Committee that "Alaska's state plan for senior services" was signed by the state and federal Departments of Health and Social Services, as well as the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. He noted "the importance of the federal government signing off on the plan is that a significant portion of the financial aspects are paid for by the federal government." The federal government reviews every plan before it authorizes the release of funds. 10:35:42 AM Senator Dyson questioned the language on page 6 line 10; "contract for necessary services". He asked if the language is for the commission to contract services for the commission. Mr. Obermeyer deferred to Ms. Daniello. 10:36:53 AM DENISE DANIELLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING, said the language allows the commission to contract for services with other entities. She provided an example: The commission contracted with DHSS, the Mental Health Trust Authority and the University of Alaska to produce Report on Economic Wellbeing of Alaska Seniors. 10:38:06 AM Senator Dyson commented that the commission has no authority under the provision to contract for services for seniors. The services they have authority to contract are those that serve the mission and execute the duties of the commission. He would have preferred clarity in the law outlining that the commission is to encourage independence, not dependence on government. Ms. Daniello reported that currently there are 81,000 seniors in Alaska that make significant contributions to the state. This population contributes significantly to the state economically through retirement incomes and social security. She added that seniors also contribute thousands of volunteer hours to organizations throughout the state. She underlined that the commission is helping people to lead independent lives. The commission was established in 1982. The average age of a Pioneer home resident was late 60s; now the average age is 82. This illustrates that seniors are entering nursing homes at a later age, which saves the state money. 10:41:40 AM JOANNE GIBBONS, PROGRAM MANAGER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, testified in support of the bill. She explained that the current structure is a collaborative effort between the department and the commission and is working very well. Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to Report CSSB 243(HES) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, CSSB 243(HES) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and fiscal note #1 & #2 from Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. 10:43:27 AM