ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
HB96 unanimously passed legislature, ensures affordable Pioneer Home rates
JUNEAU – A bill lowering Pioneer Home and Veteran Home rates and limiting future rate increases to inflation became law on Wednesday with the governor’s signature. House Bill 96 reverses massive rate increases imposed by the Department of Health and Social Services last fall.
Senate President Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) co-sponsored the bill and fast-tracked its passage through the Senate. She said, “This new law will provide stable and affordable housing for Alaska’s elders – the men and women who built our great state.”
“House Bill 96 sends a clear message that the Legislature intends to protect the Pioneer Home system for the next hundred years,” added Rep. Zack Fields (D-Anchorage), who sponsored the legislation.
“After serving their state and country, our pioneers and veterans have earned security and peace of mind, and this bill provides it,” said Rep. Laddie Shaw (R-Anchorage), who co-managed the bill on the House floor. Representative Shaw also established the Palmer home as the first Veterans Home during his tenure as Director of Veterans Affairs during the Knowles Administration.
Alaskans established the first Pioneer Home in Sitka in 1913. Over the last century, Alaskans have expanded the Pioneer Home system to include homes in Anchorage, Ketchikan, Fairbanks, Palmer, and Juneau. In some communities, the homes offer the only opportunity for seniors to remain in their communities with family. Pioneer Homes also provide critical dementia care that in many cases is unavailable elsewhere in the state.
Co-sponsors of the bill include Reps. Laddie Shaw, Andy Josephson, Chris Tuck, Dan Ortiz, Harriet Drummond, Ivy Spohnholz, Andi Story, Neal Foster, Sara Hannan, Gabrielle LeDoux, and Sens. Cathy Giessel, Tom Begich, Donny Olson, Scott Kawasaki, Bill Wielechowski, Elvi Gray-Jackson, and Jesse Kiehl.
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SENATE PRESIDENT
CATHY GIESSEL
Alaska Senate Majority
Daniel McDonald
Daniel.McDonald@akleg.gov
907-465-4066
REPRESENTATIVE
ZACK FIELDS
Alaska House Majority
Austin Baird
Austin.Baird@akleg.gov
907-465-6791
REPRESENTATIVE
LADDIE SHAW
Alaska House Minority
Zachary Freeman
Zachary.Freeman@akleg.gov
907-868-7378
