HOUSE BILL NO. 168 "An Act requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to provide and allow submission of an electronic application for certain state benefits; and providing for an effective date." 1:39:16 PM REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation. She detailed that the legislation required the Department of Health and Social Services or soon to be Department of Health to make applications for public assistance available for completion and submission online. The bill would keep all other existing paper-based and email options available as well. The required deadline for the action to occur was July 1, 2022. She stated that online forms could increase accessibility and efficiency, which would be beneficial to Alaskans and the Division of Public Assistance. Online applications had been supported by past and current administrations, as evidenced by the stated goal to do such and by ongoing efforts; however, efforts had not been consistent and had not been finalized. She relayed that requiring online availability in statute protected the department's current work to get the forms online and ensures the effort would cross the finish line after more than a decade of false starts. 1:40:40 PM ARIELLE WIGGIN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER, reviewed the Sectional Analysis (copy on file): Sec. 1: Adds a new subsection (19) to AS 47.05.010 Duties of Department requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to create and provide an entirely online application process for individuals applying for public assistance and defines an online application. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. It does not mandate applicants apply online or remove the written option. Sec. 2: Amends AS 47.08.150(b) Assistance For Chronic or Acute Medical Conditions by adding language requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to establish an entirely online application process for individuals applying for the Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance program. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. Sec. 3: Adds a new subsection (6) to AS 47.25.001(a) Powers and Duties that requires the department establish an entirely online application process and allows applicants to apply in any form required by state and federal law. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. Sec. 4: Adds a new section (7) to AS 47.25.071(e) Child Care Grant Program that requires the department establish an entirely online application process for assistance under the Child Care Grant Program. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. Sec. 5: Amends AS 47.25.095 Definitions For Day Care Assistance and Child Care Grant Programs to define electronic application. Sec. 6: Amends AS 47.25.150 Application For Assistance by adding language requiring the Division of Public Assistance to establish an entirely online application process for individuals applying for assistance from the department and defines an online application. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. Sec. 7: Amends AS 47.25.440 Application For Assistance by adding language requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to establish an entirely online application process for individuals applying to receive Adult Public Assistance and defines an online application. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. Sec. 8: Adds a new subsection (4) to AS 47.25.622 Alaska Affordable Heating Program requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to create and provide an entirely online 4.9.2021 application process for individuals applying for the Alaska Affordable Heating Program and defines an online application. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. Sec. 9: Adds a new subsection (4) to AS 47.25.980(a) Duties of Department requiring the Division of Public Assistance to create and provide an entirely online application process for individuals applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and defines an online application. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. Sec. 10: Amends AS 47.27.020(a) Application Requirements by adding language requiring the Division of Public Assistance to establish an entirely online application process for individuals applying for the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program. Defines online application. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. Sec. 11: Amends AS 47.45.302(a) Cash Assistance Benefits by adding language requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to establish an entirely online application process for individuals applying for the cash assistance program. Defines online application. Adds language requiring the department inform applicants that making false statements on the application is a punishable act. Sec. 12: Adds a new section to the uncodified law of the State of Alaska allowing the Department of Health and Social Services to adopt regulations needed to create and implement online applications. Sec. 13: Requires Section 12 to take effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). Sec. 14: Provides an effective date of July 1, 2022. 1:42:04 PM Senator Olson asked how the bill would help rural applicants with poor internet connections. Representative Snyder replied that in areas where connectivity was not an issue, the demand for paper services and associate assistance should go down, which would free up additional time for the division to meet the needs of rural Alaskans. Senator Olson asked how the bill would help people in areas of his district like Diomede or St. Lawrence Island. Representative Snyder responded that the bill was not necessarily designed to be particularly beneficial for individuals without online access. She pointed out that the division had a functional phoneline where it could walk applicants through the forms. She relayed the demand for the phone line had been very high. The bill aimed to free up time for the division and make it faster to receive service. Co-Chair Bishop hoped it would be the case. He highlighted that some people were waiting 45 minutes trying to get services. Representative Snyder agreed. She shared it was the motivation of the legislation. Stakeholders reported repeatedly on the challenging wait time. She stated that the longer the delay, the odds of an eligible applicant completing the form diminished. She had heard about the issue for quite some time, and she had advocated in subcommittees for additional positions to meet the gap until applications were online. She hoped the bill would be part of the solution to a persistent problem. 1:44:47 PM Co-Chair Bishop moved to invited testimony. RON MEEHAN, FOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. He shared that the Food Bank of Alaska had a robust staff outreach team that was federally funded in partnership with the state. He provided detail about the work provided by the Food Bank. He shared that almost one-quarter of the people eligible in Alaska for SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] benefits were not accessing the program. He stated that Alaskans faced unique challenges in accessing benefits. One of the major barriers was the lack of options for how to apply. He stated the creation and addition of an online program would reduce the problem. He elaborated that Alaska currently used a paper application. The current online option required someone to provide a finger or stylus signature, which many people were unable to do. He relayed that not all communities had a public assistance office, and many offices were still currently closed. He provided further detail about the difficulties associated with the current system. He stated that the current process could take weeks for individuals in rural communities. He highlighted high wait times on the phone. The bill would streamline the process and the application could be simplified. He reviewed benefits of the bill. He enthusiastically supported the legislation. 1:48:25 PM Co-Chair Bishop OPENED and CLOSED public testimony. HB 168 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. Co-Chair Bishop discussed the schedule for the following Monday.