SENATE BILL NO. 96 "An Act relating to nonpayment of child support; relating to certain judicial and administrative orders for medical support of a child; relating to periodic review and adjustment of child support orders; relating to relief from administrative child support orders; relating to child support arrearages; relating to medical support of a child and the Alaska Native family assistance program; amending Rule 90.3, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date." 9:25:52 AM Co-Chair Stedman stated the goal today to introduce and adopt work draft version P for SB 96. Senator Ellis MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee substitute, work draft #26-LS0485\P, Mischel, 4/7/09. Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED. LYNDA ZAUGG, STAFF, SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, discussed the change in the CS representing a definition of legislative intent. The language conforms to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act as approved by the American Bar Association. She informed that SB 96 is designed to bring Alaska in compliance with the federal regulations allowing the child support enforcement division to continue receiving federal funds. She noted that SB 96 represents the addition of Indian tribes under definition of state. 9:29:42 AM Senator Huggins asked about the terms "states must order either parent" and for the tribal section "give the authority". He asked how authority can be given without orders. GINGER BLAISDELL, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE noted that members of the department were available to speak to the bill. She thought the Department of Law (DOL) best to answer Senator Huggins' questions. Senator Huggins asked if the DOL was available. 9:31:52 AM STACY STEINBURG, CHIEF ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATEWIDE SECTION SUPERVISOR, DEPARTMENT OF LAW admitted that she did not understand the question. She required further direction regarding the section. Senator Huggins explained that he was reading the sponsor statement which notes that the federal government requires states have guidelines noting "under the federal regulations states must order either or both parents to purchase reasonably priced health insurance." He continued that the next paragraph states "this bill adds to existing law the authority for a tribe to order either or both parents to pay cash medical support. He asked about the terms "order" and "authority." Ms. Steinburg responded that there are three distinct parts of the bill. One part addresses cash medical support, which under federal regulations must include orders for either or both parents to provide for cash medical support. She noted the reference to existing authorities providing for medical support refers to the tribunal's consideration of whether either or both parents have health insurance. A separate portion of the bill addresses the addition of "Indian tribe" to the definition of state in our Uniform Family Support Act, which is separate from the cash medical support bill. 9:35:04 AM Senator Huggins informed about the location of the portion nd of the sponsor statement Page 1, 2 paragraph, line 1 stating "adds to the existing law the authority." Ms. Steinburg noted that she did not have the sponsor statement, but sought a copy. Senator Huggins repeated that the first sentence in the sponsor statement notes that "states must order" and the second paragraph notes that "this bill adds to existing law the authority for a tribe to order either or both parents to pay cash medical support." He opined that the statements appear to be incongruent. Ms. Steinburg responded that she found the sponsor statement and believed that a typographical error exists. She noted that her copy states that "this bill adds to existing law the authority for a tribunal to order either or both parents to pay cash medical support." She noted that the word was not tribe but tribunal. Senator Huggins agreed with Ms. Steinburg and asked to stand corrected. Ms. Steinburg stated that the law is such because in certain circumstances the agency has the authority to set an administrative child support order through their procedure. Co-Chair Stedman asked if the administration supports the bill. Ms. Blaisdell answered yes. Co-Chair Stedman removed his OBJECTION. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 9:38:48 AM BOB LOESCHER, REPRESENTATIVE, CENTRAL COUNCIL TLINGIT HAIDA INDIAN TRIBES OF ALASKA (CCTHITA), spoke in support of the legislation including the words "Indian tribes and US Virgin Islands" and the intent language. He understood that the recognition was for the purpose of inclusion in the Uniform Child Support Act. Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report CSSB 96/P out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSB 96 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a previously published zero fiscal note.