CHAIRMAN RIEGER called the Senate Health, Education and Social Services (HESS) Committee to order at 1:45 p.m. He introduced HB 331 (USE PFD'S TO RECOVER WELFARE OVERPAYMENTS) as the first order of business before the committee. REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA TOOHEY, Prime Sponsor, explained that HB 331 "would give the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) the authority to collect delinquent public assistance overpayments by administrative garnishment of an individual's permanent fund dividend." She noted that at present, there are in excess of $50 million in outstanding delinquent debts. HB 331 would allow DHSS to recover overpayments through less expensive and less time- consuming administrative procedures. She informed the committee that DHSS and the Department of Revenue support HB 331. She pointed out the two positive fiscal notes by DHSS and the zero fiscal note by the Department of Revenue. She urged the committee's support of HB 331. SENATOR LEMAN moved HB 331 out of committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objections, it was so ordered.