S.B. 281 Senior Nutrition Private Donation Incentives: transcript

Thank you, chair. I would like to, uh, speak, there's a substitute, uh, first substitute. I'd like to speak to that. Yeah. Um, I'd love to have it, uh, adopted and speak to it, or I can speak to it and we can handle that motion.

Thank you. This bill is intended to address a growing gap that we have in our social service, uh, space. You know, we have this very valued, uh, senior nutrition program that provides meals on wheels, and there's great stories of this. And with the strength of our economy right now and, and historically and, and, and going forward, there's an opportunity from my perspective, serving as chair of that appropriations committee is to look where we can draw from resources in the community to allow, uh, stronger and strengthening funding for these very dire needs that we have through donations and, and companies picking and, and, and looking at what they would like to do and what they would like to support in addition to their, their, uh, support through taxation. With this in mind, this is a straightforward bill. Initially, the substitute is intended to put in place some key aspects of recognizing that, uh, if, if we're fundraising, that we have differing abilities, depending upon our 29 counties across section of our state, have a lot of differing abilities to do that. And with this piece of legislation in place, it establishes a fund that can receive donations, and then a methodology for distributing those in lines 44. Uh, it requires the division to develop a formula to distribute the money in the fund, and based on the area need and accounting for the cost of providing the service and capacity to fundraising. So it's meant to be, uh, invite, uh, the, the rising tide to lift all ships in a way that that's helpful and consistent with the abilities, depending upon the county. So with that, we glad to answer any questions.

Um, thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you so much, Senator. This is such a critical gap in our, in our current services and to a very vulnerable community. Um, just a question. Do we have a restricted account or where those, if private funds actually come in private donation, will they go to a restricted account or to the general fund?

That's the thank you Ms. Chair. The, the thank you for the question. To be clear, this is setting up a fund that, that would go to the restricted and then go out inconsistent with that? Yes.

You have a matching fund follow up question, Mr. Chair, if that's okay. Please. Thank you. Uh, I love it. Thank you. This is a, a great way of also of encouraging, um, the public to support, and it gives, um, you know, a, a good mechanism to do that. I noticed you did change, uh, some of the appropriation pieces, which I think just gives more, uh, flexibility as things may look different pending, um, how much money we get. So, I, I, I think that's important just to note on, on your sub, but I, I think this is a great bill.

Thank you, Mr. Thank You. We did, we did have some feedback from our rural counties and didn't want, we want to put the right message. We're trying to lift, do as, as best we can. So, thank you.

Um, Mr. Chair, if it's appropriate, I wanna make a motion that we favorably recommend first substitute 2 81 to the Senate.

Appreciate the motion and the discussion. Uh, pass that I'll waive. Thank you.

So, senior nutrition, uh, private donation incentive this in our social service space is you are very aware there's a great deal of need. And what we're doing in this piece of legislation, SB 2 81, is setting up a private donation fund that allows, uh, contributions and then also distributions among the, the counties, uh, with a formula that is equitable. It's meant, it, it is not replacing our ongoing Meals on Wheels funding that we provide for senior nutrition, but there is a significant, uh, gap. And what we're doing here is looking for an opportunity for the great people of the state in the, in the, in the state holders that are non-government organizations to help that. There's, there's tens of thousands of hours donated in this, this area. And, and there's a lot of public interest in this space, and a lot of good things take place here. So this is an additional tool, uh, helping us to do something that we need to be engaged in this space as well, in, in providing, uh, additional opportunities to meet the needs that are, uh, are coming forward in, in today's world. So with that, I'll be glad to answer any questions.

We don't have a Sunset on this. Want, wanted to run this as, uh, as, as part of, of, of an effort? The state may or may not put money into it. Uh, we certainly would want to, uh, make sure we're funding through our state funding the, the, the needs as we have traditionally, but it's not going to, this will not, it will not remove our current pattern of, of cadence with, with what we're doing currently and the matching, matching funds. But the, but it will, we will be able to control through, uh, the appropriation process what, uh, what is going in and how it's coming out. And the idea is it's a fund that's set up for several other, uh, stakeholders to have a mechanism to contribute and help and, and lift, uh, bring the tide in and lift the, lift the ships with our 11 different providers across the state.

The state could appropriate, could, it's, it's different than, than I'd, I'd, Ima The opportunity would be to encourage the local, uh, providers to engage others, uh, in the community and, and put money in. And then this could be a, a match as well. So it's a, it's, it's an incentive to, uh, EE engage and left the left. The resources are available amount for those are in need.

Thank you, Madam Vice chair. So is there, I mean, the structure is to hope to get matching funds, right? Where some local group puts some funds in, and then the state matches

Would raise Yeah. A after, after July 20, 25, some counties choose to take funds and add to it. That would be one opportunity or others do fundraisers and, and allow whatever sources there are. It's, it, it, it centered around principles that we value, you know, self-reliance and, and, and taking ownership and self-determination. So

Is there any initial, so I think the fiscal note refers to the cost to operate the program, right? Right. Is there any appropriation up at this moment that the state is saying, look, if you put in 50,000, we'll put in 50,000. Or right now, a person, at least for the time being a person would put money in there, wouldn't really be a, a match on the part of the state. Where, where does that part,

There's not an appropriation at This point. At this point, yeah.

Um, okay. Thank you. Representative board. That begs one other question. So if there was funds put into it, then they would come through our appropriations or our RFA process and say, we have this much funds that have been donated to here.

We're asking for the state to, to potentially match. Yeah. We'll, our, we, we could ask, uh, our transportation folks or DCM to, to put some money towards that, and then it would be fine. I say that with tongue in cheek, but there is, there is a mechanism. So the, the state can fund and appropriate, yes. But again, I wanna be clear, it's not taken away from the program that's already in place. This is, uh, separate and apart and add, add addition.

Thank you. Um, just because senior nutrition programs are, uh, crucial, you know, critical services, I guess I'm just thinking about why, uh, we would be trying to rely on private donations instead of just creating more stable private funding. But, um, but the actual question that I have, um, is around parody and maybe whether there is a possibility that, you know, wealthier communities with stronger philanthropic networks, uh, might then receive more matching funds than our rural areas or lower income areas. That the, the language is, uh, negotiated very specifically to address those concerns. Not to discourage those that have the resources, but also provide a formula that allows the, the matching for those that are less affluent or in rural, that if they raise a dollar, the idea, you'd get five out of the fund, but somewhere else you raise a dollar, you'd get maybe two that that's the spirit of, of that.

And by the way, you'll be able, as a member of the social service committee be able to prove that funding mechanism that, that they come back and report.

Um, thank you. I would, um, move that we favorably recommend Senate Bill 2 81, substitute three.

I, yeah. I, I appreciate the, um, work that's gone into this. I think that there is a need. I think this is a way to, to address the need. Um, obviously I don't think it solves the problem a hundred percent, but I think it's a step in the right direction and, and gives, um, opportunities to help create paths to solve the problem. So I appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll waive and thank you again for your consideration.

What we're doing there is we're just asking the, uh, agency to come and report to the committee as they establish the rules, uh, for what we're doing here. Let me explain what we're doing here as well. So we're getting that together and I'll ask for motion to do that. Uh, what, what this does is we're setting up a restricted account, uh, for our, uh, meals on Wheels, a great, uh, program for our seniors. They're both home bound and, and, and, uh, those that, that are in need, we have a lot more need than we're able to meet many on the waiting list. And, uh, one of our agencies, uh, Utah County Mag was able to raise, raise some money, and able to decrease her waiting list by about half, uh, turned into thousands and thousands of meals that would be able to be delivered to those in need. It's not only the meal, but it's a lot of time. It's the social interaction. There's a story my brother-in-law used to help deliver and he was delivering one day, and the senior citizen said, it's my birthday today. The only time that, uh, he was the only one that was able to spend some time sat down and they, they had some good interaction. But what we're doing here is we're looking for some innovative ways to better meet the needs, uh, drawing upon the stakeholders in our community, uh, put together some fundraising opportunities and then distributed, distribute, distribute them out to the different, uh, agencies throughout the state as well as, uh, do some matching opportunities. There's not a, a a there is on the underlying bill a fairly, uh, it's about a hundred thousand dollars fiscal note that'll go away with this, uh, this amendment. So with that, I'll yield.

No. I really, uh, present it in, in, in the motion. So I'll, I'll, I'm done. That's great. We

Thank you Mr. Mr. President. Question to the sponsor if he yields.

Senator Escamilla. Thank You. And I, I know this bill came to committee and I applaud the efforts. We want more, um, you know, access to our, our seniors and meals for our seniors. Just we, I'm hearing from my county, I mean, in the, the largest county in the state, which is county, that they have some concerns. I want to check with the sponsor if his sub addresses that concerns, uh, related to multiple counties that are already, you know, prioritizing on, on funding on this piece. That the formula, the change in formula may have an impact. I don't know if the second sub addresses that concern.

Uh, thank, thank you for the question as clarification. This doesn't deal with any of our funding coming from any funding that we provide of a state or federal matching. It, it's, it's completely private sector and an opportunity. It doesn't change the funding mechanism. So the answer is no to the question, but little broader perspective. Hope clarification.

Thank you Senator Escamilla For the follow up question if that's okay. Go ahead. Just to clarify, on the second sub, and I'm reading it, it says only private funds. So am I clear to say that the second sub only addresses the private funds and it doesn't touch any of the current, um, state funding mechanisms? Yes.

Mr. President? That Is correct. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll waive summation and move that SB 2 81 third I think, or second What We on be read for third time.

Substitute. I'd like to, to move substitute in title and body. That number is three. And replace it. That's the motion.

Yes. This is, at this point, to my knowledge, this is a, this is now consensus, uh, with this language, been working with a good, good, uh, minority leader on this. I'd like to yield a minute to, to, to, to her. Uh, I think we're in a really good place and with this we should be able to move forward.

Thank you Mr. President Pro Temp. I just wanna thank the good sponsor for his patients. As we were trying to make sure that the intent behind this, this policy is being met and didn't have, uh, unintended consequences on some districts, some counties or, um, groups that already are meeting their needs, but they're, you know, doing a huge effort to get there, that they wanna be part of the solution as well. I, I think this, this wording, uh, really meets that criteria of not harming at the same time providing opportunity for everyone to participate and be part of the solution and keep more of our seniors accessing, uh, food, which is food security being a big priority for our state. So I just thank him for his efforts to work through this process and we, I'm very supportive of this changes. Thank you, Mr. President Prote.

Thank you. What, as a reminder of what, we've had a good discussion on this, but we're establishing a senior nutrition, private donation fund. It's, uh, separate and apart. This is a space that we really need to work on in our social services, allowing the public and stakeholders to, to engage. This is such a great, a wonderful, great program. And this helps us to, uh, create the community engagement in, in, uh, matching and incentives and lift across the board. I think that this, we're, we're bringing the tide in that's raising all ships with this at this point. So I've moved that Senate Bill third substitute Senate Bill 2 81 be passed.

Okay. That was a maybe, but I think Go ahead. President.

I, I conditional senator. I've been, I've been, I've sitting in my corner over here and, um, I just wanted to ask a question for a friend. Um, how do we define senior in the bill? We won't ask which friend? Uh, Senator Stratton.

If you look at line 5 85, you'll, you'll find the answer.

Oh, okay. Thank you. Thank you. That wasn't very specific, but thank you. I'll look at the bill. Thank You.

Thank you. I'll waive summation. Move that, uh, SB 2 81 pass.

Senator Spery le in pre AER bus Colmore Escamilla Aye. Fillmore Grover Aye. Harper Hankins Ipson Johnson. K Juab McKay Mikel Aye. Milner Musman Owens Pitcher Lum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Aye. Bickers Aye. Weiler Aye. Wilson. Aye. Winterton Aye. President Adams Aye. Third substitute Senate Bill three third substitute Senate Bill Fillmore Aye. Third substitute Senate Bill 2 81.

Thank you Mr. President. Um, this bill basically, uh, creates a, will make it a third degree felony, um, to knowingly marry a minor, uh, who's underage, uh,

Representative Chew Motion to circle.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, this is a pretty simple bill. It deals with mill on wheels in different counties and it's, it sort of comes from a little bit of a background where during those, the Christmas giving boxes, uh, they did a Meals on Wheels card in some of those and they raised $60,000 over the holiday season. So it created, uh, an incentive for them to reach out during the year and try to really make an effort to, uh, get donors and private donors from the outside community rather than rely on state funding. So, uh, this is putting into code that they can get matching funds and get a little bit of seed money to help, uh, turn that seed money to get private donors and try to get that less reliant on the state and get a lot more, uh, outside community help to support the mill on wills. And that's the, uh, the summary of the bill. I would welcome any questions or comments. Thank you.

Speaker Pro. Tim, I move that we encircle second substitute Senate bill 2 2 9. That motion is in order.

Yes. So I believe the, uh, substitute that was being proposed by my colleague is now ready. And we, I would like to encircle so he can present his substitute.