SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE February 23, 2010 2:32 p.m. 2:32:16 PM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order at 2:32 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair Senator Johnny Ellis Senator Dennis Egan Senator Donny Olson Senator Joe Thomas MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Joe Paskvan, Sponsor. SUMMARY SB 159 WORKERS' COMPENSATION FUNERAL EXPENSES SB 159 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new zero note by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. SB 163 MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM FISHERMEN'S FUND SB 163 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and a new zero note by the Department of Fish and Game. SB 199 MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR DENTURES SB 199 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new zero note by the Senate Finance Committee and a previously published fiscal note: FN2 (HSS). SENATE BILL NO. 159 "An Act increasing the maximum funeral expenses payable as a workers' compensation death benefit; and providing for an effective date." 2:33:06 PM Co-Chair Stedman provided history of the legislation in committee and pointed to additional information requested from the department on February 11 in the form of a February 18 letter from Commissioner Bishop. He referred to the zero note. Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report SB 159 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 159 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new zero note by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. SENATE BILL NO. 163 "An Act increasing the allowances for injury, disability, or heart attack payable from the fisherman's fund; and providing for an effective date." 2:34:34 PM Co-Chair Stedman provided an overview of the legislation in committee. Additional information requested at the February 8 hearing was in the packet. He referred to the zero note from the Department of Fish and Game, and a fiscal note from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development estimating an additional $63.7 thousand in claims from the Fisherman's Fund. He noted that the fund was able to absorb the increase. Senator Olson expressed concerns regarding Alaska Native health system beneficiaries, who pay into the Fisherman's Fund but are unable to take advantage of it. SENATOR JOE PASKVAN, SPONSOR, replied that the fund helped those without other coverage available to them. He acknowledged an inherent unfairness but reported that the measure was intended to cover people with no medical coverage. Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report SB 163 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 163 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and a new zero note by the Department of Fish and Game. SENATE BILL NO. 199 "An Act providing for a two-year funding cycle for medical assistance coverage for dentures." 2:37:28 PM Co-Chair Stedman provided a history of the bill in committee. He noted that at the first hearing on February 11, the bill was held for the department to work on the fiscal notes. The Department of Health and Social services had two fiscal notes, one for the audit of the preventive dental program showing the impact of combining two years worth of services in one fiscal note; the Finance Committee had adopted the note. The second fiscal note represented the department's request for one additional staff person; the Finance Committee ascertained that the position was not necessary and adopted a zero note to replace it. Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report SB 199 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 199 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new zero note by the Senate Finance Committee and a previously published fiscal note: FN2 (HSS). 2:39:52 PM ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 PM.