The spring semiannual meeting of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens Executive Committee was held on Thursday, April 10, 2008, at 1:30 PM, in Room 171 of the Capitol Annex. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Laurel True.
Present were:
Members: Laurel True, Bertha Daniels, Ed Flanagan, Bill Harned, Norman Pallarito, Lillian Rice, Jeane Robertson, Berton Sisk, Fred Smith, and Ernest Taylor.
LRC Staff: Sheila Mason, Kenny Bishop, Miriam Fordham, Rhonda Franklin, Adanna Hydes, Charlotte Quarles, Jim Roberts, Katie Carney and Jennifer Hays.
Chairman True welcomed everyone and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss agendas for the upcoming May 8-9, 2008, general session of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens (the Advisory Commission) and the five subcommittees.
Ms. Bertha Daniels made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2007, Executive Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bill Harned. The motion was adopted.
Chairman True reviewed the tentative agenda for the May meeting of the Advisory Commission. He advised of his intent to extend an invitation to Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Janie Miller to address the opening general session.
Chairman True referred members to a handout reflecting the 2008 General Assembly's actions on recommendations that had been adopted at the Advisory Commission's November 2007 meeting. He advised that the handout would be distributed at the upcoming May meeting and asked members and staff to review the sheet and provide any additional information that he may have overlooked. With regard to specific recommendations, Mrs. Jeane Robertson asked if a cigarette tax had been passed. Chairman True responded that to date no cigaette tax increase has been passed. Ms. Daniels recommended that HB 373 relating to the Kentucky Housing Corporation be added to the handout under the “other legislation” section. Mr. Harned informed members that HB 500 relating to deferred deposit transactions had been gutted from its introduced version. He also asked members to encourage the passage of HB 553 relating to identity theft as it is currently written. Ms. Robertson asked LRC staff if there was any additional information regarding income tax credits for individuals who care for the elderly. Staff member Ms. Charlotte Quarles responded that Representative Carolyn Belcher had sponsored the legislation in previous sessions. However, such a bill was not introduced in the 2008 Regular Session, and a new sponsor for the legislation would need to be found. Mrs. Quarles asked if HB 538 relating to a sales tax exemption should be added to the handout as well. Ms. Daniels asked if there was a bill that doubled the debt amount of the Kentucky Housing Corporation.
Ms. Sheila Mason was asked by Chairman True to explain the election process that will take place during the May meeting. Ms. Mason informed members that the voting for Commission Chair and Commission Vice Chair would be by secret ballot. She reviewed the candidates for both positions and stated that biographical sheets for each would be mailed to the full membership prior to the May meeting. She asked members if they would prefer two ballots, one for each position, or one ballot listing both. Mr. Ernest Taylor and Ms. Robertson both stated that one ballot should be fine and the remaining members agreed. Ms. Mason reminded members that during the November 2007 meeting nominations were asked for from the floor. She asked if there were any objections to not opening the floor for nominations during the May meeting. There were none. Ms. Mason then informed members that the Regional Coordinating Committees would have time at the end of the opening general session to meet and select a coordinator. Chairman True and Ms. Mason reminded members of some of the Coordinating Committee's goals and objectives.
Mr. Harned was recognized by Chairman True to report on the Consumer Affairs subcommittee's agenda for the May meeting. Mr. Harned reminded members that his subcommittee met jointly with the Insurance subcommittee at the November 2007 meeting. Because of its success, staff and members of both subcommittees are discussing the possibility of another joint meeting in May 2008. Other items to be discussed during the subcommittee meeting are check cashing services, reverse mortgages and home foreclosures. He added that high interest loans and tax law assistance programs may be placed on the agenda as well. Mr. Harned announced that Mr. Cordell Lawrence, Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Financial Institutions may speak to the subcommittee during the meeting, and added that he hopes the May meeting will serve as a springboard for the November 2008 meeting. Chairman True asked if the subcommittee plans to discuss annuities during the May meeting. Mr. Harned said the topic will probably be mentioned, and that the Department of Insurance has published a new informational brochure for seniors purchasing annuities.
Mr. Flanagan was recognized by Chairman True to report on the Insurance subcommittee's agenda for the May meeting. Mr. Flanagan reported that the subcommittee may address the need for funeral insurance, and added that Don May with the Office of Insurance has been invited to discuss that topic. Because age is a factor in determining actuarial risks, Mr. Flanagan announced that Randy Peppers of the Office of Insurance has been invited to address the subcommittee on that issue.
Ms. Robertson was recognized by Chairman True to report on the Health and Human Services subcommittee's agenda for the May meeting. Ms. Robertson announced that the subcommittee would first hold elections for Subcommittee Chair and Vice Chair. Following elections, the subcommittee will discuss legislation from the 2008 General Assembly with Representative Tom Burch. Ms. Robertson added that the subcommittee also plans to have a discussion with Debbie Anderson, Commissioner of the Department for Aging and Independent Living and possibly Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Janie Miller to talk about the 2008-2010 budget as it affects aging services. Ms. Robertson informed members that the subcommittee plans to review the information received by the speakers and develop recommendations for adoption by the full Advisory Commission.
Mr. Norman Pallarito was recognized by Chairman True to report on the Transportation subcommittee's agenda for the May meeting. Mr. Pallarito informed members that cell phone usage and all terrain vehicles have been on the subcommittee’s agenda for about the past two years and the subcommittee continues to believe that stricter guidelines for each should be passed by the General Assembly. He announced that the subcommittee has invited Ms. Gale Reece, Executive Director of the Independent Transportation Network in the Bluegrass to discuss HB 204 relating to the transportation of persons of age or with visual impairment. He added that Representative Jimmie Lee or a member of his staff may be invited to discuss taxi service cooperation between cities and counties, and stated that HB 79 and HB 192 are two pieces of legislation related to the topic. Mr. Pallarito announced that representatives from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department for Agriculture may speak to the subcommittee regarding ATV training. Medical cards for drivers of larger passenger vehicles may be a possible topic of discussion during the meetings as well.
Ms. Daniels was recognized by Chairman True to report on the Taxation subcommittee's agenda for the May meeting. Ms. Daniels announced that her subcommittee would be agreeable to a joint meeting with the Consumer Affairs subcommittee to discuss the topics previously mentioned by Mr. Harned. She added that the subcommittee is also interested in holding discussions on the sale of delinquent property tax bills and HB 538, which relates to sales tax exemptions.
Ms. Robertson informed the Executive Committee that the Health and Human Services subcommittee also has an interest in check cashing services and may want to be involved in those discussions. Ms. Rhonda Franklin, LRC staff, advised that it might be better to discuss the issue at the Senior Advisory Commission's November 2008 meeting so the subcommittee could have the benefit of possibly hearing testimony related to the subject. She added that Representative Johnny Bell may be available at that time to present information on the topic as it relates to financial institutions. Ms. Mason informed members that another advantage of waiting to discuss the issue in November is the shorter time frame before the 2009 General Assembly session. Mr. Harned added that the subcommittees could do some of the legwork now and be more prepared to have a broader discussion on the topic at the November meeting.
Chairman True asked Ms. Robertson if her subcommittee would be able to discuss SB 240, an Act relating to personal services, sponsored by Sen. Julie Denton. SB 240 would impose fees that would be used for funding the Department for Aging and Independent Living.
Chairman True reviewed the remainder of the May meeting agenda and stated that Governor Steve Beshear had been invited to be the speaker at the dinner session. However, if he is not able to attend invitations will be sent to Al Smith and Attorney General Jack Conway. Chairman True added that he hopes to have the dinner speaker confirmed prior to mailing the final agenda to the full membership. He announced that Commissioner Debbie Anderson would again be the speaker at the Friday morning closing general session and will give an update on programs provided by the Department for Aging and Independent Living.
Ms. Daniels asked if the Taxation and Consumer Affairs subcommittees were planning to meet jointly on Thursday afternoon of the May meeting. Mr. Harned asked members if they felt it would be best to meet jointly in May or if a larger November meeting that includes the check cashing topic would be better. Ms. Daniels said that the Taxation subcommittee would plan on discussing delinquent property taxes on Thursday afternoon if the joint meeting is not placed on the agenda.
Ms. Robertson asked about the status of the Advisory Commission’s membership. Ms. Mason responded that the Advisory Commission currently has three vacancies and LRC staff has contacted the appointing authorities to try to fill them.
Chairman True recognized Mr. Bert Sisk who addressed the need for additional funding at local senior citizen centers. He stressed that the Advisory Commission should utilize all of its opportunities to educate legislators on what the local centers do and need. Chairman True thanked Mr. Sisk for his comments and reiterated that senior citizen centers are in need of additional support.
Chairman True thanked members and staff for their reports on the upcoming May subcommittee meetings. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to adjourn.