SENATE BILL NO. 124 "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective date." 9:39:47 AM SENATOR BILL STOLTZE, SPONSOR explained that SB 124 would extend the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging. He stated that the commission was established in 1981. He remarked that the commission served the growing aging population of Alaska. He stated that the recommended 8 year extension was based on the recommendations of the Legislative Auditor to the Legislative Budget on Audit Committee. 9:42:25 AM Co-Chair MacKinnon solicited additional comments from the sponsor's support staff. 9:42:31 AM DANIEL GEORGE, STAFF, SENATOR BILL STOLTZE, replied that the bill had a second section that contained an immediate effective date. 9:43:02 AM KRIS CURTIS, AUDITOR, DIVISION OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, stated that the commission was serving the public interest by helping older Alaskans to lead dignifies, independent, and useful lives thorough advocacy, outreach, and education, Furthermore, the commission met the federal requirement that each state establish an advisory council to advise the state on aging matters including developing and administering a state plan, and operations conducted under the plan. She said that the maximum 8 year extension had been recommended. She noted that 2 recommendations had been made in an effort to improve operations: 1. The commission's executive director should implement and follow procedures to public notice all commission meetings. 2. The commission's chairperson should review and approve the legislation watch list prior to distribution. Ms. Curtis noted that the commission periodically held teleconferences to gather public input and discuss legislation affecting seniors. She added that to facilitate feedback the commission annually published a legislation watch list that identified legislative bills that were of interest to the commission. She stated that a review had found that the watch lists had contained several bill that were unrelated to the commission's responsibilities, which prompted a review of the watch list before distribution. 9:44:54 AM DENISE DANIELLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING, spoke in support of the legislation. She stated that the commission worked closely with the Division of Senior and Disability Services in assisting the Department of Health and Social Services, which was the sole state agency on aging as authorized by the governor, to fulfil those responsibilities. She relayed that the Division of Senior and Disability Services administered the majority of state and federally funded senior programs, while the commission was responsible for developing the state plan for senior services, advocacy, education, and interagency collaboration. She stated that the commission's last reauthorization was 8 years ago, at which time 3 state plans were developed for senior services, the most recent of which was completed in June 2015. She shared that all of the plans were available online, and satisfied the federal requirement to be able to draw down federal funds for senior programs. She furthered that the commission was a mandated statutory advisor to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and provided information, budget, and policy recommendations to the trust regarding the needs of older Alaskans with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. She spoke to the completion of the first ever state plan that focused on Alzheimer's disease, and shares that the document was available on the commission's website. She said that the commission supported the Medicaid Adult Dental Program for Senior Benefits and Medicaid Reform. She relayed that the commission hosted numerous events and activities to educate and support seniors and their communities. Co-Chair MacKinnon OPENED public testimony. 9:48:51 AM TERRY SNYDER, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS (AARP), MAT-SU (via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation. She represented 89,000 AARP members who urged the reauthorization of the Commission on Aging. She stressed the economic importance of what the senior population brought to the state's economy. She noted that seniors volunteers countless hours in communities. She requested quick passage of the bill through the committee for the reauthorization of the commission. 9:50:27 AM AMANDA LOFGREN, OFFICER, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH TRUST AUTHORITY, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of the legislation. She relayed that the trust supported program services and policies that would positively impact the lives of beneficiaries, including Alaskan's who experienced Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. She noted that AS 47.30.041 indicated that the commission should serve as a statutory advisory board to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and advised the authority and trustees on the needs of older Alaskans with cognitive impartments. She related that the commission, in partnership with the trust and other agencies, published the Alaska Roadmap for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia in 2015. She stated that the commission made recommendations to the trust board regarding mental health programs for senior trust beneficiaries, as well as how to use funds that benefitted the vulnerable population of beneficiaries. She asserted that the commission was integral in developing state plans for senior services, which leveraged Older American Act funding to support beneficiaries. 9:52:02 AM BANARSI LAL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of the legislation. He relayed that he was acting chair of the Fairbanks Northstar Borough Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. He said that the Fairbanks commission supported the work of the Alaska Commission on Aging. He lauded the commission for serving seniors in the areas of planning, education, and advocacy. He noted that the commission had fulfilled federal requirements under the Older Americans Act, which meant that Alaska would continue to receive funds for senior programs and services. He praised work of the commission and supported the 8 year extension. 9:55:12 AM JAN FENA, MEMBER, SOLDOTNA SENIOR CENTER, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), spoke in strong support of the legislation. She testified that the commission was vital in their advocacy, outreach, and support of older Alaskans, as well as their close work in collaboration with senior centers, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, ADRC, AARP, Agenet, and many other agencies to help older Alaskans live independently in the community of their choice. She lauded the commission's work to secure funding for senior programs and services. 9:57:46 AM MARIE DARLIN, AARP, JUNEAU, testified in support of the legislation. She echoed Ms. Snyder's comments. Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony. 9:59:24 AM Co-Chair MacKinnon solicited further questions from committee members. SB 124 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. 9:59:41 AM AT EASE 10:00:39 AM RECONVENED