The 1st meeting of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens was held on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at 1:00 PM, in the Assembly Ballrooms 1 & 2 of the Capital Plaza Hotel, Frankfort, Kentucky. Laurel True, Chair, called the meeting to order.
Present were:
Members: Laurel True, Chair; Frances Baccus, Rebecca Baird, Mary Barlow, Joyce Bruce, Ruth Bryant, Aaron Cardwell, Velma Childers, Douglas Cole, Maxine Cummins, Bertha Daniels, Leon Dodge, Joe Doebler, Marsha Dufeck, Carole Dunn, Bob Elliott, Rowena Emerson, Carol Fausz, Finnell Fields, Jane Fugate, Rufus Fugate, Larry Gatewood, Barbara Germain, Margaret Gilland, Gloria Hall, Bill Harned, Edna Hawkins, Bobby Hazen, Don Helton, Faye Hensley, Marty Herbert, Jim Heth, Eleanor Holbrook, Carolyn Horn, Betty Huff, James Huff, Argene Jones, Gayle King, Ray Kremer, Gayle Lawson, Phillip Martin, Denver Moore, Larry Morrow, Jerry Moser, Henry Mosley, Betty Olson, Elmer Olson, Kenneth Overhults, Norman Pallarito, Joy Payne, Mary Lou Perry, Jean Phelps, Nancy Purvis, Stanley Ramey, Lillian Rice, Clarence Richardson, Jeane Robertson, John Schreiber, John Searcy, Clayton Shannon, Dennis Shaw, Martha Shircliffe, Berton Sisk, Ted Smith, Paul Steenbergen, Donald Stethen, Pat Sutton, Jim Terrell, Claude Tiller, Mary Trimble, Joan Veazey, Joe Wahlen, Joe Westerfield, Lillian Weston, Alban Wheeler, Lillian Wheeler, and Ken Willis.
Guests: Cordell Lawrence, Executive Director, Office of Financial Institutions; Representative Tom Burch; Deborah Anderson, Commissioner, Department for Aging and Independent Living; Karen Hinkle, Executive Director, Kentucky Home Health Association; Frank Goins, Kentucky Office of Insurance; Sue Hicks, Kentucky Office of Insurance; Don May, Kentucky Office of Insurance; Gale Reece, Director, Independent Transportation Network of the Bluegrass; John Sommons, Executive Director, Franklin County Senior Citizen Center; Captain Tim Lucas, Kentucky State Police; Dale Dobson, Kentucky Department of Agriculture; Janie Miller, Secretary, Cabinet for Health and Family Services; Bill Cooper, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Aging and Independent Living; Jack Conway, Attorney General, Commonwealth of Kentucky; Senator Joey Pendleton; Representative Derrick Graham; Representative Carl Rollins; Representative Charlie Siler
LRC Staff: Sheila Mason, Kenny Bishop, Katie Carney, Adanna Hydes, Miriam Fordham, Rhonda Franklin, Charlotte Quarles, Jim Roberts, Betsy Bailey, Cindy Smith, Jamie Griffin, Jennifer Hays, Sheri Mahan, Linda Hughes, Janice Clark, Sally Everman, Rick Devers, Bud Kraft, Tim Lowry, Karen Lile, Mustapha Jammeh, Andrew Coyle
Chairman True welcomed everyone to the Advisory Commission’s first semiannual meeting for 2008 and introduced the head table.
Chairman True recognized Debbie Anderson, Commissioner of the Department for Aging and Independent Living to introduce the afternoon’s speaker. Commissioner Anderson introduced Janie Miller, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to speak about the 2008 General Assembly’s actions as they related to the Cabinet.
Secretary Miller thanked the Advisory Commission for inviting her to be a part of the meeting and for their efforts to educate legislators on the importance of senior citizen's programs and services. She reminded the Advisory Commission of the very lean budget the Cabinet will work with during the next biennium and advised that the Cabinet will have to focus on its core mission and service.
Secretary Miller advised that the Department for Aging and Independent Living has established a set of goals for providing leadership on issues affecting Kentuckians over the age of 60. One goal is to support elder Kentuckians' wishes to remain at home as they age. Secretary Miller cited The Consumer Directed Option, which gives eligible Medicaid waiver recipients a choice in their service delivery, as one method to achieve that goal. She stated that more than 1,200 people were served during the program's first year. Other methods aimed at this goal include a nursing home diversion program for older adults at high risk of going into a nursing home, grants that enable the Department to focus on allowing consumer choice and direction in homecare programs, transitioning initiatives like "Money Follows the Person", and placing coordination of services of the long-term care system within a single agency. Secretary Miller said that this will bridge the disparity between the policies and core principles of institutional care with those of community based care.
Secretary Miller also advised of the importance of giving Kentuckians easy access to a full range of health and long-term care supports. Two options currently available to achieve that are the Kentucky Resource Market, which provides a single point of information on aging and disability services at no cost to consumers; and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides education, assistance and protection on matters related to health insurance. Secretary Miller advised that Kentucky's SHIP recently received more than $700,000 in additional funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to conduct targeted, community-based outreach to an increasing number of beneficiaries who may be unable to access other sources of information.
The last goal that Secretary Miller addressed was the need to give Kentuckians the choice of high-quality, flexible services and supports that can respond to the unique and ever-changing needs of individual consumers and their family caregivers.
Secretary Miller then commended the General Assembly on its passage of the Golden Alert System law, which alerts local media outlets, search and rescue coordinators, and the Division of Emergency Management when an impaired adult has wandered away. She also applauded HB 259, which permits establishment of a Kentucky Long Term Care Partnership. Secretary Miller stated that the Cabinet believes that this public/private partnership will encourage individuals to purchase long-term care insurance..
Finally, Secretary Miller reiterated the need for Kentucky to prepare for the aging of the baby boom population. She advised that the Cabinet will continue work on the Kentucky Elder Readiness Initiative (KERI). The data processed from statewide meetings and surveys will enable the state to set new policies and regulations as the older population increases. Secretary Miller announced a recent partnership formed by KERI, the University of Kentucky Graduate Center for Gerontology and the Long-Term Policy Research Center to share data resources. She also shared statistics that reflect that Kentucky is ranked fifth highest in the nation for heart disease mortality and 12th in the nation for stroke mortality; that 27.5 percent of the state's population smokes; that adult obesity figures have recently jumped from 23.5 percent to more than 26 percent, and that Kentucky is spending $1.16 billion annually on obesity-related illnesses.. She then reiterated the Cabinet's commitment to focused coordinated systems of care for aging Kentuckians.
Chairman True thanked Secretary Miller for speaking to the Advisory Commission. He then directed the members’ attention to a handout in their folders titled “Update on Recommendations to the 2008 General Assembly”. Chairman True explained that he had compiled this handout with the Executive Committee and LRC staff to provide a status report on the Advisory Commission recommendations that were adopted in November 2008.
Chairman True opened the floor for questions for Secretary Miller or Commissioner Anderson. Mrs. Mary Trimble asked if any information would be made available regarding the recently passed Golden Alert Legislation. Commissioner Anderson responded that the Department’s public relations and marketing office would start collaborating to provide appropriate information on the legislation to the Kentucky Resource Markets and the Area Agencies on Aging.
Mrs. Jeane Robertson asked for the total amount of money cut from the Cabinet’s operating budget in the recently enacted Executive Branch Budget. Secretary Miller stated that the differences between the efficiency savings, the general government efficiencies, and the debt restructuring would result in a budget reduction ranging between 2%-12%; however, based upon the Cabinet’s analysis it probably would not be a 12% cut. Secretary Miller further explained that the enacted budget also gives her the authority to move money around within the Cabinet. This will allow her to thoroughly examine all services provided and prioritize spending based upon the total amount allocated to the Cabinet. Secretary Miller stressed that her goal is to mitigate reductions on the most vulnerable people.
Mrs. Robertson asked that the Cabinet do everything they could to capture any federal matching funds that are available to Kentucky.
Chairman True again thanked Secretary Miller and Commissioner Anderson for their time and insightful information.
Chairman True introduced the new members appointed to the Advisory Commission since the November 2007 meeting. They are:
Rebecca Baird, nominated by the Green River Area Development District;
Cluster Belcher, nominated by the Green River Area Development District;
Carole Dunn, nominated by the Barren River Area Development District;
Bob Elliott, nominated by the KILDA Area Development District;
Carol Fausz, nominated by NERVE;
Larry Gatewood, nominated by the Lincoln Trail Area Development District;
Marty Herbert, nominated by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District;
Gayle King, nominated by the Buffalo Trace Area Development District;
Gina Loxley, nominated by the Green River Area Development District;
Larry Morrow, nominated by the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association;
Jerry Moser, nominated by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District;
Henry Mosley, nominated by the FIVCO Area Development District;
Mary Lou Perry, nominated by the FIVCO Area Development District;
Dennis Shaw, nominated by AARP;
Joe Westerfield, nominated by the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association; and
Lillian Weston, nominated by the Lake Cumberland Area Development District.
Chairman True informed members that a copy of the minutes from the Advisory Commission’s November 1-2, 2007, meeting had been mailed earlier and were in their folders. He asked if there were any proposed additions or deletions. Chairman True asked for a motion to adopt the minutes as presented. A motion was made and seconded, and the minutes were adopted.
Chairman True recognized Ms. Sheila Mason, LRC staff, to conduct the elections for Commission Chair and Vice Chair for the 2008-09 interim. Ms. Mason informed members that candidate biographical sketches of the members who had been nominated for each position were in their folders. Ms. Mason thanked the Nominating Committee for their work and then read the names of those members nominated for Commission Chair and Vice Chair. Ms. Mason allowed each nominee to make a few comments highlighting their interest in the positions. After each candidate made a few comments, Ms. Mason asked staff to distribute ballots to the advisory commission. Ms. Mason announced that the ballots would be tabulated during the subcommittee meetings and the candidates would be notified of the results prior to the dinner session. The results for the elections for the two positions would be announced to the full advisory commission at the dinner session.
Following the elections Ms. Mason announced procedures for the Subcommittee and Regional Coordinating Committee meetings, discussed some housekeeping items, and made several announcements.
Chairman True made a few concluding remarks and announcements before adjourning the opening general session to allow the Regional Coordinating Committees and Subcommittees to convene.
Chairman True convened the dinner session and welcomed everyone and their guests. Chairman True recognized Mr. Elmer Olson to give the invocation. Following the invocation, Chairman True introduced those seated at the head table.
After dinner, Chairman True recognized Ms. Mason for introduction of the legislative hosts for the evening. Ms. Mason recognized Senator Joey Pendleton, Representative Derrick Graham, Representative Carol Rollins, and Representative Charles Siler. Ms. Mason added that Representative Tom Burch spoke to the Health and Human Services Subcommittee during its afternoon meeting, but was unable to attend the dinner session. Chairman True thanked all the legislators for their support and asked for support of the recommendations the Advisory Commission would adopt on Friday morning.
Chairman True introduced Jack Conway, Attorney General, Commonwealth of Kentucky to speak about the Office of Attorney General and its programs relating to senior citizens.
General Conway thanked the advisory commission for the opportunity to speak about issues facing Kentucky's aging population. He discussed his office's work on senior issues such as keeping pharmaceutical companies honest, Medicaid fraud, cases of elder abuse and protection from fraud artists among other things
General Conway talked discussed identity theft, saying that more than 8.5 million Americans were victims, costing consumers about $45 billion in 2007. The crime costs the average Kentuckian around $3,200. He mentioned ways to prevent identity theft and invited members to visit the state attorney general's web site for information on stopping unsolicited pre-approved credit card offers and junk mail. He also mentioned the AG's Identity Theft Hotline and the formation of a cyber crimes unit that will investigate Internet crimes. General Conway also encouraged members to talk to their grandchildren about Internet safety.
Finally, General Conway talked about HB 367, which addresses several concerns related to registered sex offenders, their access to social networking sites with children, sex offender databases, stalking and other issues. The bill passed the House but not in the Senate. General Conway urged the Advisory Commission to talk to legislators about the bill.
Chairman True thanked General Conway for his remarks and his service to the Commonwealth. Chairman True asked General Conway to stay for the remainder of the program and to assist in recognition of the outgoing officers.
Chairman True asked Ms. Mason to introduce the newly elected officers and committee members for the 2008-09 interim. They are as follows:
Nominating Committee:
Argene Jones,
Nancy Purvis,
Mary Barlow,
Douglas Cole, and
Jean Phelps.
Subcommittee Chairmen and Vice Chairmen:
Consumer Affairs Chair, Mr. Claude Tiller;
Consumer Affairs Vice Chair, Laurel True;
Health and Human Services Chair, Edna Hawkins;
Health and Human Services Vice Chair, Jeane Robertson;
Insurance Chair, Barbara Germain;
Insurance Vice Chair, Ken Willis;
Taxation Chair, James Huff;
Taxation Vice Chair, Bertha Daniels;
Transportation Chair, Fred Smith; and
Transportation Vice Chair, Joe Wahlen.
Advisory Commission Vice Chair, Norman Pallarito
Advisory Commission Chair, Lillian Rice.
Attorney General Jack Conway, the speaker for the evening, presented Certificates of Appreciation to the outgoing commission and subcommittee officers and Nominating Committee members. Ms. Mason presented a plaque to Mr. True for his service as Chair to the Advisory Commission.
Chairwoman Lillian Rice thanked General Conway for his remarks and assistance. Chairwoman Rice adjourned the dinner session with a few remarks and announcements.
Following the conclusion of the subcommittee meetings on Friday, May 9, 2008, Chairwoman Rice convened the closing general session at 10:30 a.m. Chairwoman Rice welcomed members and guests to the closing session and introduced those seated at the head table. She then introduced Commissioner Debbie Anderson to provide an update on the Department for Aging and Independent Living.
Commissioner Anderson thanked members of the Advisory Commission for their service and the opportunity to speak with them again. She mentioned Kentucky's economic picture and the impact it will have on aging services. She challenged the advisory commission to not allow the information to impede their work, but to continue working hard and fight even harder for the people they are represent.
Commissioner Anderson then took questions from the commission members.
Ms. Robertson informed the members that according to Commissioner Anderson’s comments to the Health and Human Services subcommittee on Thursday, the Department for Aging and Independent Living currently serves 17,465 seniors and there are an additional 13,607 seniors on a waiting list. Of those on the waiting list, 3,279 seniors are on the list for meals on wheels services. Ms. Robertson asked Commissioner Anderson if she knew the amount of money available for individual area development districts. Commissioner Anderson responded that the Cabinet and the Department are working together to figure out how the retirement and general government efficiencies will affect the services the Department provides to citizens.
Mr. Norman Pallarito asked how the higher cost of gasoline was affecting services throughout the state. Commissioner Anderson responded that the higher cost of gasoline is devastating the meals on wheels program.
An Advisory Commission member asked what individuals could do to influence the future decisions made by the Cabinet so there are not too many cuts to senior citizen services. Commissioner Anderson responded that individuals should express their concerns to their respective area development districts and the area agencies on aging.
An Advisory Commission member asked if there would be any advertisements or flyers distributed to explain any future changes that will be made to services provided by the Department for Aging and Independent Living and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Ms. Bertha Daniels asked if senior citizen centers are allowed to do food drives, and added her concern as to whether federal and state nutrition standards apply to donated food. Commissioner Anderson replied that she is not aware of the specifics regarding donating food to senior citizen centers. She added that her response to staff is always to show her where it is said on the state and federal level regarding what can and cannot be done.
Mr. Bert Sisk commented on the home care programs through the local senior citizen centers. Commissioner Anderson responded that one of the department’s goals is to continue implementing nursing home diversions to allow senior citizens to stay in their own homes as long as they are able to.
Chairwoman Rice thanked Commissioner Anderson for her time and insightful comments regarding the Department for Aging and Independent Living.
Chairwoman Rice announced the coordinators selected for each Regional Coordinating Committee, as follows:
Barren River Regional Coordinating Committee - Ms. Joyce Bruce;
Big Sandy Regional Coordinating Committee - Ms. Lillian Wheeler;
Bluegrass Regional Coordinating Committee - Mr. Aaron Cardwell;
Buffalo Trace Regional Coordinating Committee - Ms. Lillian Rice;
Cumberland Valley Regional Coordinating Committee - Ms. Jean Phelps;
FIVCO Regional Coordinating Committee - Mr. Douglas Cole;
Gateway Regional Coordinating Committee - Mr. Alban Wheeler;
Green River Regional Coordinating Committee - Ms. Mary Barlow;
Kentucky River Regional Coordinating Committee - Mr. Argene Jones;
KIPDA Regional Coordinating Committee - Mr. Norman Pallarito;
Lake Cumberland Regional Coordinating Committee - Mr. Claude Tiller;
Lincoln Trail Regional Coordinating Committee - Mr. Ernest Taylor;
Northern Kentucky Regional Coordinating Committee - Vacant;
Pennyrile Regional Coordinating Committee - Ms. Margaret Gilland; and
Purchase Regional Coordinating Committee - Vacant.
The officers elected by the Nominating Committee were announced as follows:
Mr. Douglas Cole, Chair;
Mr. Argene Jones, Vice Chair; and
Ms. Nancy Purvis, Secretary.
Chairwoman Rice introduced each of the subcommittee spokespersons who, in turn, presented their subcommittee’s report for adoption by the full membership. The advisory commission adopted the following subcommittee reports.
Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs
and
Subcommittee on Taxation
(Reported by Bill Harned and James Huff)
The Consumer Affairs Subcommittee and the Taxation Subcommittee met jointly on Thursday to hear testimony from Cordell Lawrence, Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Financial Institutions. Mr. Lawrence spoke on financial practices and trends and their impact on seniors, and provided information on payday lending practices, reverse mortgages, and home mortgage foreclosures.
Mr. Lawrence provided an overview of the practices of payday lending businesses, also known as "deferred deposit" or "check cashing." He explained that Representative Johnny Bell introduced HB 500 to place restrictions on payday lending companies and establish a data tracking system. The legislation was not enacted. Mr. Lawrence indicated that the data tracking system would provide consumer protection to those pursuing payday loans. He stated that the data tracking system remains a high priority for his office.
Mr. Lawrence explained the complexities of reverse home mortgages, stating that the primary concern regarding reverse mortgages is that homeowners may be making uninformed decisions when entering into contracts. Reverse mortgages may be a useful product for some seniors, however education remains the key element in determining whether it is a viable solution to financial problems.
Mr. Lawrence stated the 2008 General Assembly enacted HB 552 relating to variable rate mortgages and providing consumer protection, industry regulation and enforcement. The legislation is not retroactive, and homeowners with variable rate mortgages in place will still face volatile markets. The March rate for home foreclosures in Kentucky is one in 2,733, while Nevada leads in the nation with 1 in 139 home foreclosures.
The Consumer Affairs subcommittee adopted the following recommendation:
1) That the General Assembly direct the appropriate state agencies to establish an “800” phone number to provide consumer education and protection for citizens entering into financial markets.
2) That the topic of payday lending remain on the agenda for the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission in November to pursue additional information for recommendations.
3) That the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly enact the comprehensive legislative proposal regarding identity theft (same as 2008 HB 553).
Mr. Huff reported that Charlotte Quarles, LRC Staff, provided information on HB 538, enacted by the 2008 General Assembly. This legislation will exempt over-the-counter drugs that are prescribed from the 6% Kentucky sales and use tax and will take effect on August 1, 2008. Mr. Huff presented the following recommendations of the Taxation subcommittee:
1) That the General Assembly increase state funding for Area Agencies on Aging to support senior programs by at least 20 percent by looking for new funding sources;
2) That the General Assembly enact legislation to increase the cigarette tax, two cents of which shall be earmarked for senior services; and
3) That the General Assembly enact legislation to provide income tax credits to those who care for the elderly in the elderly person’s home, or in the caregiver’s home.
A motion to adopt the reports and recommendations of both subcommittees was made and seconded, and passed on a voice vote.
Subcommittee on Health and Human Services
(Reported by Ms. Edna Hawkins, Subcommittee Chair)
The Health and Human Services subcommittee focused on the following areas during its Thursday meeting:
1) A presentation on the 2008 legislation affecting services to seniors, provided by Representative Tom Burch, Co-chair, Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare;
2) A presentation on the 2008-2010 biennium budget for senior services, provided by Deborah Anderson, Commissioner, Department for Aging and Independent Living; and
3) A presentation on proposed legislation to certify personal care services agencies, provided by Karen Hinkle, Executive Director, Kentucky Home Health Association.
Ms. Hawkins presented the following recommendations adopted by the Health and Human Services subcommittee:
1) Urge the 2009 General Assembly to increase funding by 20 percent to the Department for Aging and Independent Living to provide services to seniors and continue to look for additional revenue sources;
2) Support legislation to establish a certification process for personal care services agencies;
3) Support legislation to establish a conservator program to assist incapacitated veterans; and
4) Urge expansion of the Western Kentucky Veterans Home.
A motion to adopt the subcommittee’s report and recommendations was made, seconded, and passed on a voice vote.
Subcommittee on Insurance
(Reported by Barbara Germain, Subcommittee Chair)
The subcommittee heard testimony from representatives of the Office of Insurance regarding age as a risk factor in actuarial risk classification for insurance and “pre-need” funeral insurance. The officials from the Office of Insurance were Frank Goins, Director, Property and Casualty Division; Sue Hicks, Property and Casualty Division; and Don May, Director, Life Insurance Division.
Mr. Goins and Ms. Hicks addressed automobile insurance and senior drivers, specifically how age is one of a number of factors used by insurance companies to determine an individual’s premium.
Mr. May explained that pre-need insurance is a life insurance product, but that there is no insurance specifically identified as “funeral insurance”. He stated that pre-payment of funeral costs is a matter of contract law regulated by the Office of the Attorney General. He added that often the two offices work cooperatively to assist consumers who have purchased funeral expenses in advance of need. Mr. May stated that paying for funeral expenses in advance locks in the cost of the funeral whenever it may occur and that funeral homes are required to place the funds in a special trust account approved by the Attorney General.
Ms. Germain announced that the subcommittee had adopted the following recommendations:
1) That the General Assembly increase state funding for Area Agencies on Aging to support senior programs by at least 20 percent for each year beginning in 2009;
2) That the General Assembly enact legislation to require long-term care insurance carriers to submit rate increases to the Attorney General, as well as the Office of Insurance, to allow intervention by the Attorney General as needed; and
3) Urge the General Assembly to address the state employee and other state supported retirement system funding including insurance benefits.
A motion to adopt the subcommittee’s report and recommendations was made, seconded, and passed on a voice vote.
Subcommittee on Transportation
(Reported by Mr. Joe Wahlen, Subcommittee Vice Chair)
The Subcommittee on Transportation heard testimony from Ms. Gail Reece, Executive Director, Independent Transportation Network (ITN Bluegrass). Ms. Reece discussed Lexington/Bluegrass’s community ITN model. She said ITN Bluegrass will officially begin serving Fayette County in the fall of 2008 and the surrounding counties in the near future. The purpose of ITN is to offer 24 hour/7 day a week door-to-door transportation service for individuals 60 years of age or older or visually impaired adults. ITN provides a dignified transportation alternative for senior citizens.
Following Mrs. Reece the subcommittee heard testimony from Mr. John Sammons, Executive Director for the Franklin County Senior Citizen Center regarding that Center's transportation concerns. He discussed the Center’s operations and how today’s gas prices are placing a burden on the Center’s budget. He mentioned that the Franklin County Center was cited during a routine traffic stop because the 15-passenger bus weighed over 10,000 lbs and did not have a DOT sticker; nor did the driver have a medical certificate displayed. He was unaware of this law and cautioned the members to make sure their respective Centers were aware of this legal stipulation. However, the passage of HB 204, which is effective on July 15, should remedy this particular situation.
On Friday morning, Captain Tim Lucas of the Kentucky State Police and Dale Dobson with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture addressed the subcommittee about training procedures for all-terrain vehicle operations. One of the major recommendations of the Transportation Subcommittee is a registration system for ATVs. Captain Lucas supports and agrees with the concept, however he cautions that problems associated with registering such vehicles – from passing legislation to identifying visible locations on an ATV may arise. Mr. Dobson also discussed a free, none mandatory, ATV safety training course offered by the Department of Agriculture. He stated that teaching a person to respect their life and another person’s property are among the main points that the Department of Agriculture teaches.
Mr. Wahlen presented the following recommendations adopted by the subcommittee:
1) That the General Assembly increase state funding for Area Agencies on Aging to support senior programs by at least 20 percent for each year of the 2008-2010 biennium;
2) That the General Assembly enact legislation to prohibit the use of hand-held communication devises while operating a motor vehicle;
3) That the General Assembly appropriate sufficient funds to ensure available federal matching funds for use in the state’s public transportation programs; and
4) That a procedure be developed to register all-terrain vehicles to provide law enforcement and property owners the opportunity to identify ATVs being operated in violation of the law. The registration system should continue to prohibit the use of ATVs on public roadways.
A motion to adopt the subcommittee’s report and recommendations was made, seconded, and passed on a voice vote.
Chairwoman Rice made a few announcements and thanked all for taking time to attend the May meeting. She announced that the next semiannual meeting will be held on November 6-7, 2008. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.