SB 254-HEIRLOOM MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES ELMER LINDSTROM, Special Assistant to Commissioner Karen Perdue of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), gave the following testimony on SB 254. Several years ago the Legislature passed legislation that allowed for the issuance of heirloom birth certificates. That program has been quite successful and has generated thousands of dollars for the Alaska Childrens' Trust. SB 254 expands that program to allow the sale of heirloom marriage certificates. DHSS collects the funds for the Alaska Childrens' Trust. The DHSS fiscal note estimates additional revenues in the amount of about $270,000. That amount would be offset by the operating costs of issuing the certificates. MR. LINDSTROM noted that Commissioner Perdue suggested, rather than limiting the fee to $25, leaving the bill open-ended to allow DHSS to issue limited or special edition certificates to commemorate particular events. He offered a proposed amendment to allow DHSS to establish the surcharge in regulation and set the amount at no more than the estimated actual cost to DHSS not to exceed the estimated fair market value of comparable artistic rendition. That language would make the fee market driven. He pointed out that the fiscal note assumes that the surcharge will be $25 at the outset. Number 302 SENATOR ELTON said he believes SB 254 is a great idea but he is chagrin that an Alaska adopted child is not eligible for an heirloom birth certificate. He asked DHSS staff to respond to his concern at a later date. CAROL BRICE, Chair of the Alaska Children's Trust, speaking via teleconference from Fairbanks, said the Trust needs to address Senator Elton's concern, as well as a concern expressed about making heirloom birth certificates available for people born in territorial days. She then made the following comments. At a cost of $25 per marriage certificate, the Alaska Children's Trust could deposit as much as $150,000 to $200,000 per year. On the average, 5300 marriages take place in Alaska each year. She asked for committee members' support of the legislation. SENATOR PETE KELLY moved to adopt Amendment 1 proposed by Mr. Lindstrom of DHSS. Amendment 1 reads as follows. Page 1, line 6: Delete "of $25" Insert "established by regulation" Page 1, line 8: Following "registrar." Insert: "(b) The department shall adopt regulations that establish the amount of the fee for each design of an heirloom certificate of marriage. Notwithstanding AS 37.10.050(a), each fee shall be set at an amount that is more than the estimated actual costs to the department not to exceed the estimated fair market value of a comparable artistic rendition." Page 1, line 11: Delete "(b)" Insert "(c)" Page 1, line 14: Delete "(c)" Insert "(d)" Page 2, line 1: Delete "(d)" Insert "(e)" Page 2, line 5: Correct section number. There being no objection, CHAIRMAN MILLER announced Amendment 1 was adopted. There being no further testimony or discussion, SENATOR PETE KELLY moved SB 254 as amended to its next committee of referral with individual recommendations and its accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, the motion carried.