SB 184-SETTLEMENT TRUSTS & BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY  2:04:23 PM CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 184 "An Act relating to Alaska Native settlement trusts and eligibility for adult public assistance, senior benefits, and the Alaska Pioneers' Home." He asked Loki Tobin to give a brief overview of the bill before the committee considered a committee substitute (CS). 2:04:51 PM LOKI TOBIN, Staff, Senator Tom Begich, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, paraphrased the sponsor statement for SB 184. It read as follows: Historic in its application, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) sought to resolves indigenous land claims by transferring land titles to regional corporations for the benefit of Alaska Natives and their descendants. Part of the settlement included distributions or benefits to 1971 enrolled tribal members, compensating them for their portion of historic land ownership and in recognition that financial resources may be needed to preserve indigenous cultures and ensure Alaska Natives and their descendants are able to contribute to live in indigenous communities. Distributions or benefits from ANCSA settlements are meant to compensate Alaska Natives and their descendants for indigenous land claims and are separate from other benefits an individual may receive due to disability or age. Unfortunately, the law as it currently is written does not guarantee an Alaska Native can and will receive their rightful distribution as well as other benefits available to all Alaskans due to qualifying circumstances. Senate Bill 184 seeks by statute to exclude certain payments to aged or disabled Alaska Natives or their descendants from being used to determine eligibility for adult public assistance, senior benefits, and the Alaska Pioneers' Home. A similar bill is currently being considered in the United States Congress, introduced by Senator Murkowski and co-sponsored by Senator Sullivan. 2:06:02 PM CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion to adopt the CS. 2:06:07 PM SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt the Senate Health and Social Services CS for SB 184, work order 32-LS1473\B, as the working document. 2:06:19 PM CHAIR WILSON objected for purposes of discussion. He explained that the CS does two things. First, it removes the references to an Alaska Native individual or a descent of an Alaska Native individual and opens the legislation to any beneficiary of a trust settlement. Second, it places a $1,500 cap on the income. 2:06:55 PM SENATOR HUGHES asked him to confirm that the cap is not on individual income; it's the amount of interest in a settlement trust. CHAIR WILSON agreed. 2:07:08 PM SENATOR BEGICH agreed with Senator Hughes and added an individual who received a settlement or interest payment that was over $1,500 would lose their benefits. It's the same idea as the cap on the PFD [to determine certain eligibility]. CHAIR WILSON called in a hold harmless provision and the sponsor agreed. SENATOR HUGHES offered her belief that the CS made the bill a better product. She asked the sponsor if it resolves a problem and creates more fairness. 2:08:50 PM SENATOR BEGICH answered yes; it addresses a fairness issue about somebody continuing to receive public assistance when they are receiving consistently large dividends that remove the need for public assistance. He stated support for the changes. 2:09:31 PM CHAIR WILSON removed his objection; he found no further objection and the CS for SB 184, version B, was adopted as the working document. He asked the sponsor if he had any closing comments. SENATOR BEGICH said the law is nuanced and unintended consequences have to be addressed. He expressed appreciation for the committee's thoughtfulness. 2:10:26 PM SENATOR HUGHES moved to report SB 184, work order 32-LS1473\B, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 2:10:41 PM CHAIR WILSON found no objection and CSSB 184(HSS) was reported from committee.