"An Act relating to the membership and duties of and quorum requirements for the Alaska Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective date. "

The mission of the Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA) is to ensure dignity and independence for Alaska's seniors and to assist them, through programs and services funded by the Commission, in leading useful and meaningful lives.

Two years ago, Executive Order No. 108 transferred the ACoA from the Department of Administration to Health and Social Services.

This year the Commissioner of the Department of Administration has indicated he is not able to participate as a member of the ACoA and supports removing DOA's seat. At its February 2005 quarterly meeting, the ACoA passed a motion requesting that the seat vacated by DOA be filled by a senior services provider, regardless of age, insuring that service providers are represented on the Commission and that age specifications already in existing statute do not limit choices for the service provider's seat. HB 156 makes that change.

In addition, HB 156 removes the duty of the ACoA to "evaluate grant applicants and make grant awards" from existing statute. The Commission currently does not exercise that duty and this change makes it clear that having a senior services provider on the Commission, who could possibly be a grant recipient, presents no conflict of interest.

CS HB 156

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