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Location:
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
United States
Work:
AARP
Hometown(s):
Sioux Falls-State Office
Rapid City-Information Center
My Websites:
aarp.org/sd

My Journals (17)

AARP is seeking nominations for its 2008 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors those individuals who are sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members. 

“Volunteerism is clearly a new way of looking at retirement for older Americans. Many are finding that they want to remain active and involved and that volunteerism fulfills this need and the desire to help others,” said Leni Healy, AARP South Dakota Associate State Director for Outreach and Service.  “Through this recognition, AARP encourages members and prospective members to use their skills and assistance as a way to remain vital as well as make a difference in their community.”

The screening of nominees will be performed by AARP South Dakota and involves a range of criteria, including positive impact on the lives of individuals age 50 and over, improvement of the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspiration of others to volunteer. 

AARP Andrus Award for Community Service nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Nominees must be current AARP volunteers or AARP members; or must have been AARP volunteers or members during 2007.
• The accomplishments, achievements or service on which the nomination is based must include the year 2007, but it need not be exclusive to 2007.
• Couples or partners who perform service together are also eligible, however teams are not eligible.
• The accomplishments, achievements, or service on which the nomination is based must have been performed on a volunteer basis, without pay.  
• The accomplishments, achievements or service on which the nomination is based must reflect AARP’s priority issues of Health, Livable Communities and/or Economic Security.

Please contact Leni Healy, at 605-362-3044 or email clhealy@aarp.org for further information and a nomination form.  The application deadline is June 2, 2008.

The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is an annual awards program developed to honor individuals whose service is a unique and valuable contribution to society.  Last year, AARP recognized 53 outstanding individuals from around the country.

Added: April 8, 2008
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Join us on May 8, 2008 for AARP's Eighth Annual Day of Service. On this day, we hope you'll join thousands of people around the country to make a difference in local communities.

Once a year, on the second Thursday in May, thousands of AARP employees, volunteers, and members make time to serve their community. Last year, more than 33,000 people participated, including more than 400 in South Dakota! This year, we want you to join us.

“AARP volunteers give back to their communities day after day, throughout the year,” says AARP South Dakota Interim State Director Sam Wilson.  “On our Day of Service, volunteers across the state, as well as the state office staff join together in putting aside regular duties to emphasize AARP’s long-standing commitment and dedication to serving others.”

This year, as service to the community of Sioux Falls, the AARP state office will sponsor a “Spring Cleaning/Shred It” event May 8, from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Arena parking lot. It’s a FREE, confidential document destruction service.  Dakota Data Shred will collect and shred documents and papers containing personal information, providing residents an easy, safe and secure way to protect their identity.  Results Radio of Sioux Falls has graciously offered to assist in promoting this event.

In communities across South Dakota, AARP volunteers will be participating in a variety of service projects, from supporting local law enforcement and fire personnel, volunteering at museums and local charities, and providing unique educational experiences for school children.

If you’d like to participate in the 2008 AARP Day of Service let us know about your planned activities by contacting Leni Healy, Associate State Director of Outreach and Service at 605-362-3044, or by e-mail to clhealy@aarp.org.   Following Day of Service, send your photos and details of your project to Cathy McLeer, cmcleer@aarp.org, and we’ll post them on the South Dakota Community page of aarp.org.

 

Added: April 8, 2008
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An AARP Driver Safety Class will be offered in Springfield, South Dakota Tuesday, April 22 and Wednesday, April 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Classes will be held at St. Vincent's Church, 1203 Wood Street in Springfield.  The classroom is handicapped accessible.

To sign up for the class call 605-369-2825.

The class is nationally endorsed and improves driving skills for people 50 and older.   The cost is $10.  Attendees are encouraged to check with their insurance company to determine whether completion of the class is a qualification for a premium discount on auto insurance. 

 

Added: March 31, 2008
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The IRS Invites Taxpayers to Apply for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel; Applications Now Being Accepted; Deadline Is April 30

 

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service and the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel are committed to creating the most user-friendly, customer-oriented tax administration system possible. 
Interested civic-minded individuals are needed to help improve the nation’s tax agency by applying to be members of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP).  The Panel provides a forum for citizens from each state to make suggestions regarding IRS decision making.
The mission of the panel is to listen to taxpayers, identify taxpayers’ issues and make recommendations for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction. TAP members:
  • Provide opportunities for citizen input and make recommendations to the IRS on customer service issues;
  • Identify and prioritize taxpayer issues; 
  • Report annually to the Treasury Dept., the IRS and the National Taxpayer Advocate;
  • Participate in meetings where taxpayers are invited to raise issues about their experiences with the IRS; and
  • Participate in taxpayer outreach opportunities by speaking to individuals and groups about the panel.
“As the IRS continues to examine taxpayers’ needs in the area of service, the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel has emerged as a vital source for gathering and providing information from the perspective of taxpayers,” said Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate. “TAP’s role will ultimately aid taxpayers by helping the IRS to provide them with the top quality service they deserve."
To qualify as a TAP member, applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year to the panel. In addition, they must be current with their tax obligations and pass a criminal background check. 
This year the TAP is accepting applications from U.S. citizens who reside in the following locations:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
To apply, complete and submit an application online, at www.improveirs.org  between March 17, 2008 and April 30, 2008.  You may also apply by calling 1-888-912-1227 to request a paper application form.
All applications must be received no later than April 30, 2008. 
Added: March 24, 2008
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Public Education Efforts Continue on the Long-Term Care Partnership Program
 
 The South Dakota Department of Social Services continues with efforts to educate and inform residents on the Long-Term Care Partnership Program. In March, education sessions will be held in the following communities: Vermillion, Tyndall, Yankton, Parkston, Parker, Sioux Falls, Canton and Brandon.
 
If you, a family member, friend or co-worker would like to find out more about long-term care, the costs related to it, how to plan for long-term care needs, what Medicare and Medicaid will cover and how the Long-Term Care Partnership Program can help you, now is your chance. The education sessions are free and open to the public. Below are the times, dates and locations for the month of March. Each session is scheduled for one hour.
 
·         VERMILLION:Monday, March 10, 2008
Location: Vermillion Public Library,
18 Church Street
Time: Sessions will be held at
9 a.m., noon and 7 p.m.  
 
·         TYNDALL:Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Location: Good Samaritan Center,
2304 Laurel Street
Time: Sessions will be held at
9 a.m. and noon 
 
·         YANKTON:Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Location: Minerva's Convention Center, 1607 East Highway 50
Time: Sessions will be held at
3 p.m. and 7 p.m.  
 
·         PARKSTON:Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Location: Parkston Public Library,
110 West Main Street
Time: Sessions will be held at
9 a.m. and noon 
 
·         PARKER:Wednesday, March 12, 2008   
Location: Parker Senior Center, Inc.,
100 E. Sanborn Street
Time: Sessions will be held at
3 p.m. and 7 p.m.  
 
·         SIOUX FALLS:Thursday, March 13, 2008
Location: YWCA, downtown location,
300 W. 11th Street
Time: Sessions will be held at
7 a.m., 9 a.m., noon and 7 p.m.  
 
·         CANTON:Friday, March 14, 2008
Location: Canton Public Library,
225 North Broadway Street
Time: Sessions will be held at
9 a.m. and noon. 

·         BRANDON:Friday, March 14, 2008
Location: Pizza Ranch, Wood Shed Room, 202 South Splitrock Blvd
FREE PIZZA will also be served!
Time: Sessions will be held at
3 p.m. and 7 p.m.  
 
If you are unable to attend a live session, a free educational conference call is also available and will be conducted on:
·         Friday, March 28, 2008 at 9 a.m. and noon (CT); each call will last one hour. 
 
To participate in this call, dial: 1-866-809-6529 and enter the following ID number followed by the pound key: 8448656#. Callers can also download and print a copy of the presentation at www.ltcpartnership.sd.gov that will be used during the call.

About the Long-Term Care Partnership Program: The Long-Term Care Partnership Program is a public-private partnership offering individuals quality, affordable long-term care insurance. Once private insurance benefits are used, special Medicaid eligibility rules are applied if additional coverage is necessary. The Department will continue to offer community education sessions, educating and informing citizens on the Long-Term Care Partnership Program and the need to plan ahead and prepare for long-term care. To date we have visited: Harrisburg, Sioux Falls (2), Madison (2), Brookings, Watertown, Milbank, Belle Fourche, Spearfish (2), Rapid City (2), Deadwood, Sturgis (2), Aberdeen, Mobridge, Eagle Butte, Gettysburg, Pierre (2), Redfield, Miller, Huron, Mitchell, Chamberlain, Platte, Winner, Murdo, Wall, Hot Springs and Custer. In April, education sessions will be held in: McIntosh, Lemmon, Buffalo, Spearfish, Custer, Hot Springs and Rapid City.

To find out when we will be in a community near you, log onto www.ltcpartnership.sd.gov or call 1-800-597-1603 to learn more.
Added: March 4, 2008
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The AARP South Dakota Information Center is now open in a new location within the Rushmore Mall. The AARP Information Center is now in the J.C. Penney Wing, near Diamond Dave’s. 
 
AARP Tax Aide currently offers tax preparation service at the Information Center, through April 15,2008. The Black Hills Chapter holds meetings at the Information Center the first Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. AARP Driver Safety also periodically holds classes at the Information Center. 
 
The Rapid City Information Center is one of 20 Information Centers across the nation offering AARP members and the general public an opportunity to explore AARP’s vast array of programs, issues and volunteer opportunities. For information about hours, volunteer opportunities and activities at the Information Center, call 605-394-7798.
 
For additional information on AARP activities in South Dakota visit www.aarp.org/sd or contact the state office toll free, 1-866-542-8172.
Added: February 29, 2008
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Week Six

Sam Wilson, Associate State Director--Advocacy

Week Six has come and gone and the last two weeks of the legislative session are now upon us. I want to thank all of you who have made phone calls and sent emails over the last week as we attempted to smokeout the payday lending bill and pass the auto claims consumer protection bill. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in both endeavors but your willingness to make those contacts has shown the legislature the reach that AARP has all across the state. Their determination, that neither payday loan restrictions or consumer protections for auto claims are priorities for South Dakotans, is contrary to what we hear from our members all across the state and it is our hope that the legislature will revisit these issues in future years.

The legislature still has a bunch of very contentious issues to debate in the coming weeks but in addition, greater focus will be drawing upon the General Bill, which is the technical term for the state's budget bill. Legislators will be getting updated revenue projections and will use those to look for opportunities to fund new and on-going programs proposed by both the legislative and executive branches. AARP will be looking closely to see what the legislature will be doing to adequately fund our state's health and long-term care systems so that they have the resources necessary to meet our state's needs in these areas.

Throughout the 2008 legislative session, we identified several bills each week as having an **ALERT** status, which meant that we were asking you to contact you legislator immediately and share AARP's position with them. At this juncture, we no longer have any **ALERT** status bills but be sure to stay tuned as we receive updated funding projections and share those with you.

Health and Long Term Care

SB182- An act to expand the disclosure of inpatient hospital charges

--Hospitals shall report to the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations the average cost, median cost, payment mix, and other factors that are derived from all procedures for which that hospital had 10 or more cases in the previous 12 months.

--This information shall be shared publicly through a web-based system to be rolled-out to the public by July 1, 2010.

--This bill has passed the Senate and has not yet be scheduled for House committee. AARP is supportive of this bill.

 

Governor's Signature

--All of these bills have been signed by the Governor or are at his desk after passing both Houses of the Legislature.

SDRS

HB1019- Provides for benefit formulary increases

--Increase to 1.7% of Final Average Compensation (cost to system $351 million)

HB1020- Creates Supplemental Retirement Plan

--Allows for conversion of SRP or Special Pay Plan dollars to guaranteed lifetime benefits

HB1021- Allows units to auto-enroll employees into Supplemental Retirement Plan

--In order to increase personal savings in system, auto-enrollment will increase participation for those units and employees that voluntarily choose to participate.

HB1022- Revises appeals process for SDRS beneficiaries

--Provides for eliminating Board of Trustees from appeals process and inserting the SDRS administrator and professional hearing examiner.

HB1023- Technical fixes bill

--General Counsel Wade Hubbard frequently peruses statute to ensure uniformity. These are technical fixes that accomplish that goal.

HB1024- Revises definition of child for benefits purposes

--Expand SDRS definition to whenever the child graduates from high school or is 19 years of age.

HB1025- Provides special exception for Mitchell firefighters brought into system in 1996

--Clarifies that these beneficiaries will receive 3.1% annual compounded COLA just like all other beneficiaries in the system.

Consumer Protection

HB1059- Eliminating restrictions on Attorney General's Office of Consumer Complaints

--Currently, the Office of Consumer Complaints is limited to 4 full-time equivalents (FTEs). This bill would eliminate this limitation so that the Attorney General can adequately staff this office to meet the growing need for more staff to investigate consumer complaints.

HB1060- Revising statute of limitations on filing actions against deceptive practices

--Currently, the statute of limitations for the Attorney General to file action in a deceptive practices case is two years from discovery. This would raise that time period to four years from discovery, which will assist in allowing the state to join in multi-state actions that sometimes require more time than currently allowed in statute.

Taxation

HB1276-Provides for the Elderly and Disabled Tax Credit

--This bill authorizes $800,000 for a property and sales tax refund to the lowest income elderly and disabled citizens in South Dakota. The bill also raises the income limits for receiving the income by $250 to reflect rising inflation since the last income adjustment was made.

 

The Circular File

The following bills were being followed by AARP and have met their demise:

HB1066- Revising definition of unfair and deceptive practices

--Sent to 36th Day (kills the bill) 11-2. AARP supported this bill.

HB1297- Payday Lending

--This bill was defeated in committee 12-2. AARP supported this bill.

SB33- An act to require hospitals to report certain adverse health care events

--This bill was tabled in lieu of SB182, which was an alternate bill proposed. AARP is supportive of greater transparency in both cost and quality measures and we will be following this bill closely during session. AARP did not take a position on this bill.

SB35- Consumer Protections on Auto Insurance Claims

--This bill passed the Senate but was defeated in the House Commerce Committee. AARP supported this bill.

HB1310- An act to authorize construction of nursing facilities on American Indian reservations

--This bill was passed by the House Local Government Committee but failed on the House floor. AARP did not take a position on this bill.

Again, thank you to all of you for your contributions to our advocacy efforts. As always, if you have any questions on these or other legislative issues, please contact me at swilson@aarp.org.

 

Added: February 19, 2008
Views: 357 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP South Dakota State Legislative Update
Week Five
Sam Wilson, Associate State Director--Advocacy

Week Five is in the books and things are really heating up.  Crossover Day, the point at which all bills must have had final action in their house of origin, is coming up on Wednesday next week and as usual, some of the most contentious issues are being held onto until next week.  The Senate is well positioned to meet this deadline but the House is going to have to either burn the midnight oil and have some 6AM committee meetings to get their work done.  Some committees are obviously more busy than others at this stage but look for a lot of fireworks this week as crunch-time puts the pressure on legislators.

We will have added a couple of bills to our list this week that previously were excluded as we've been putting our emphasis on other areas.  However, several bills that we had been following up until this point have now either been signed by the Governor or killed so we've got some new focal points for the remaining weeks.  As a reminder, any bill that has **ALERT** next to it means that we are asking you to contact you legislator immediately and share AARP’s position with them.  We will rarely have more than two **ALERT** bills at any one time, which will make it easier to know exactly which bills need your immediate attention

Consumer Protection

**ALERT** SB35- Consumer Protections on Auto Insurance Claims
(Press the ctrl button and click this link 2008 Session simultaneously to access the 2008 South Dakota Legislature.  Type in bill number for bill text and history.)
 --AARP strongly supports this legislation that provides South Dakotans clear   protections when filing auto insurance claims.  The following protections are    proposed by the law and do not currently exist: 
 o No unreasonable travel can be required by insurance company to fix vehicle
 o Insurance claims must be responded to in a reasonable time period by the insurance company
 o  Market value of a vehicle claim must be determined using fair standards established in this bill.
 o All replacement parts must be of like kind and quality.
While many of these protections seem obvious, South Dakota has some the weakest consumer protection laws around auto insurance claims not only in our region but across the entire country.  This measured approach strikes a good balance between protecting consumers and keeping unnecessary regulations in check.  This bill has passed the Senate 26-9. No House committee action has been scheduled yet. 


Health and Long Term Care

SB182- An act to expand the disclosure of inpatient hospital charges
--Hospitals shall report to the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations the average cost, median cost, payment mix, and other factors that are derived from all procedures for which that hospital had 10 or more cases in the previous 12 months.
--This information shall be shared publicly through a web-based system to be rolled-out to the public by July 1, 2010.
--AARP is supportive of this bill.

HB1310- An act to authorize construction of nursing facilities on American Indian reservations
--This bill would authorize the Pine Ridge Reservation to build a nursing home without being subject to the nursing home moratorium that is set in place to "right size" long-term care in South Dakota.
--AARP has not taken a position on this bill.  However, there is some concern that no consideration was given by the bill sponsors as to creating a more balanced long-term care proposal that includes alternative care environments such as assisted living, congregate housing, and home and community-based services.  A pilot project was authorized several years ago by the South Dakota Legislature on the Cheyenne River Reservation to attempt a similar initiative but that has yet to be completed and operable.

Taxation

HB1276-Provides for the Elderly and Disabled Tax Credit
--This bill authorizes $800,000 for a property and sales tax refund to the lowest income elderly and disabled citizens in South Dakota.
--The bill also raises the income limits for receiving the income by $250 to reflect rising inflation since the last income adjustment was made.
--AARP strongly supports this appropriation as it targets tax relief to our state's most vulnerable citizens.  The current income guidelines are less than the federal poverty guidelines, which indicates severe financial need.

Governor's Signature

--All of these bills have been signed by the Governor or are at his desk after passing both Houses of the Legislature.

SDRS

HB1019- Provides for benefit formulary increases
--Increase to 1.7% of Final Average Compensation  (cost to system $351 million)
HB1020- Creates Supplemental Retirement Plan
--Allows for conversion of SRP or Special Pay Plan dollars to guaranteed lifetime benefits
HB1021- Allows units to auto-enroll employees into Supplemental Retirement Plan
--In order to increase personal savings in system, auto-enrollment will increase participation for those units and employees that voluntarily choose to participate.
HB1022- Revises appeals process for SDRS beneficiaries
--Provides for eliminating Board of Trustees from appeals process and inserting the SDRS administrator and professional hearing examiner. 
HB1023- Technical fixes bill
--General Counsel Wade Hubbard frequently peruses statute to ensure uniformity.  These are technical fixes that accomplish that goal.
HB1024- Revises definition of child for benefits purposes
--Expand SDRS definition to whenever the child graduates from high school or is 19 years of age.
HB1025- Provides special exception for Mitchell firefighters brought into system in 1996
--Clarifies that these beneficiaries will receive 3.1% annual compounded COLA just like all other beneficiaries in the system.

Consumer Protection

HB1059- Eliminating restrictions on Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Complaints
--Currently, the Office of Consumer Complaints is limited to 4 full-time equivalents (FTEs).  This bill would eliminate this limitation so that the Attorney General can adequately staff this office to meet the growing need for more staff to investigate consumer complaints. 

HB1060- Revising statute of limitations on filing actions against deceptive practices
--Currently, the statute of limitations for the Attorney General to file action in a deceptive practices case is two years from discovery.  This would raise that time period to four years from discovery, which will assist in allowing the state to join in multi-state actions that sometimes require more time than currently allowed in statute. 


The Circular File

The following bills were being followed by AARP and have met their demise:

HB1066- Revising definition of unfair and deceptive practices
--Sent to 36th Day (kills the bill) 11-2.
HB1297- Payday Lending
--This bill was defeated in committee 12-2.
SB33- An act to require hospitals to report certain adverse health care events
--This bill was tabled in lieu of SB182, which was an alternate bill proposed.  AARP is supportive of greater transparency in both cost and quality measures and we will be following this bill closely during session.


As we communicated last week, many communities are holding legislative coffees or “cracker barrels” on the weekends where legislators make themselves available for questions from their constituents on legislative issues.  I would encourage all of you attend these events as they are a valuable source of information, particularly on our legislative priorities.  If you do attend one of these events and some of AARP’s priority issues are discussed, I would invite you to share those comments with me at swilson@aarp.org so that I know what legislators are talking about back in their home communities.  

Again, thank you to all of you for your efforts and contributions to our advocacy efforts. 

Added: February 8, 2008
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AARP Welcomes Senate’s Inclusion of Older Americans in Economic Stimulus Package

Bipartisan package includes older Americans in rebate program
 
AARPSouth Dakota KEY VOTE NEWS ALERT
ATTENTION NEWS DESKS: AARP is recording House and Senate roll call votes on key issues throughout the 110th Congress, and informing its 39 million members of the results of these key votes.
 
SUMMARY: By an overwhelming majority, the U.S. Senate today passed an amendment to the economic stimulus package that will provide stimulus support to approximately 20 million older Americans who depend primarily on Social Security. This vote is a critical step toward passing a fair and targeted stimulus package that would put money into the hands of people who will quickly put it into the economy and provide support to those who need it most.
 
The amended stimulus package would provide a $300 rebate check to any American with $3000 of qualifying income – including Social Security income – in 2007, and up to $600 for individuals who pay income taxes.  Rebates would be doubled for married couples filing jointly, and families would receive an additional $300 per child under age 17. It would also count veterans’ disability payments as qualified income, extending rebate eligibility for up to 250,000 disabled veterans. 
 
South Dakota
VOTED YES
TO GIVE REBATES TO OLDER AMERICANS
VOTED NO
TO GIVE REBATES TO OLDER AMERICANS
Johnson, Tim
                 X
 
Thune, John
                 X
 
*Did not vote
** How a legislator votes on issues is only one factor in evaluating his or her legislative performance, which should also include such things as constituency services and committee work.
 
“AARP applauds Senators Johnson and Thune for voting to include older Americans in the stimulus package,” said Sam Wilson, Associate State Director for Advocacy for AARP South Dakota.  “Theyunderstand that Americans of all ages are feeling financial pressure and can play a role in stimulating the economy. This bipartisan package is timely and targeted – putting money in the hands of people who will spend it quickly and providing support to those who need it most. We look forward to the President’s signature on the final package.
 
AARP has supported a stimulus package that includes older Americans with an aggressive campaign on Capitol Hill and through grassroots volunteers, who have contacted the Senate with more than 220,000 emails and phone calls. 
 
AARP notified the 110th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its 39 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members. “We believe people make the right choices when they understand the issues and position taken by their elected officials. AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information,” Wilson concluded.
 
AARP
Serving 102,982 members in South Dakota, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50 + educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
 
###
Added: February 7, 2008
Views: 288 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP South Dakota State Legislative Update
Week Four
Sam Wilson, Associate State Director--Advocacy
 
What a fantastic AARP Lobby Days we had this year! With an attendance of over 350 over three days, the “red vests” filled the House and Senate galleries and made a tremendous impact on making legislators aware of our legislative priorities for the 2008 legislative session. I want to thank everyone who was involved in organizing the events, including State President Pat Gross, Executive Council members Dennis and Shirley Eisnach, the entire AARP staff, RAT team leaders from each region, Shirley Halleen and the OLLI staff, and a multitude of other volunteers who helped in a hundred different ways to make each of the three days run smoothly. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
 
As I have mentioned previously, AARP will be involved in a variety of issues this session, including the areas of consumer protection, South Dakota Retirement System revisions, health care, and long-term care. Below you will find a list of the bills that AARP is currently tracking. Some of these bills have already had committee and/or floor action and that is indicated in their description. Any bill that has **ALERT** next to it means that we are asking you to contact you legislator immediately and share AARP’s position with them. We will rarely have more than two **ALERT** bills at any one time, which will make it easier to know exactly which bills need your immediate attention
 
Consumer Protection
 
**ALERT** SB35- Consumer Protections on Auto Insurance Claims
(Press the ctrl button and click this link 2008 Session simultaneously to access the 2008 South Dakota Legislature. Type in bill number for bill text and history.)
·         AARP strongly supports this legislation that provides South Dakotans clear protections when filing auto insurance claims. The following protections are proposed by the law and do not currently exist: 
o       No unreasonable travel can be required by insurance company to fix vehicle
o       Insurance claims must be responded to in a reasonable time period by the insurance company
o        Market value of a vehicle claim must be determined using fair standards established in this bill.
o       All replacement parts must be of like kind and quality.
While many of these protections seem obvious, South Dakota has some the weakest consumer protection laws around auto insurance claims not only in our region but across the entire country. This measured approach strikes a good balance between protecting consumers and keeping unnecessary regulations in check. This bill has passed the Senate Commerce committee 7-0.  
 
**ALERT** HB1297- Payday Lending
·         AARP strongly supports this legislation that would curb the excessive interest rates charged to individuals who seek payday and title loans.
o       The bill would place a cap of 36% on the rate, expressed as an annual percentage rate, allowed in the making of these types of loans.
o       Last November, the United States Congress passed legislation that placed a similar cap nationwide on payday loans that are made to our military personnel.
o       This bill seeks to institute a similar cap in place for all South Dakota residents not currently in the armed forces.
This bill has been referred to the House Commerce Committee and has been scheduled for hearing on Monday, February 4th at 10AM.
 
HB1059- Eliminating restrictions on Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Complaints
  • Currently, the Office of Consumer Complaints is limited to 4 full-time equivalents (FTEs). This bill would eliminate this limitation so that the Attorney General can adequately staff this office to meet the growing need for more staff to investigate consumer complaints. AARP strongly supports. Passed House Judiciary 13-0. Passed the House 69-1.
 
HB1060- Revising statute of limitations on filing actions against deceptive practices
  • Currently, the statute of limitations for the Attorney General to file action in a deceptive practices case is two years from discovery. This would raise that time period to four years from discovery, which will assist in allowing the state to join in multi-state actions that sometimes require more time than currently allowed in statute. AARP strongly supports. Passed House Judiciary 8-5. Passed the House 64-6.
 
South Dakota Retirement System(SDRS)
 
            -- All of these bills have passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate and are on their way to be signed by Governor Rounds
 
HB1019- Provides for benefit formulary increases
  • Increase to 1.7% of Final Average Compensation (cost to system $351 million)
HB1020- Creates Supplemental Retirement Plan
  • Allows for conversion of SRP or Special Pay Plan dollars to guaranteed lifetime benefits
HB1021- Allows units to auto-enroll employees into Supplemental Retirement Plan
  • In order to increase personal savings in system, auto-enrollment will increase participation for those units and employees that voluntarily choose to participate.
HB1022- Revises appeals process for SDRS beneficiaries
  • Provides for eliminating Board of Trustees from appeals process and inserting the SDRS administrator and professional hearing examiner. Circuit court appeals process still applies if initial appeal is unsatisfactory to beneficiary.
HB1023- Technical fixes bill
  • General Counsel Wade Hubbard frequently peruses statute to ensure uniformity. These are technical fixes that accomplish that goal.
HB1024- Revises definition of child for benefits purposes
  • Expand SDRS definition to whenever the child graduates from high school or is 19 years of age.
  • Adopts Uniform Probate Code definition of child for purposes of family benefit payments.
HB1025- Provides special exception for Mitchell firefighters brought into system in 1996
  • Clarifies that these beneficiaries will receive 3.1% annual compounded COLA just like all other beneficiaries in the system.
 
Health and Long Term Care
 
            --AARP has taken no position on either of these bills at this point.
 
SB33- An act to require hospitals to report certain adverse health care events
  • The following instances would be included in reporting:    (1)    The list of adverse health events required to be reported, including hospital-acquired infection events and surgical events; (2)    The method and reporting requirements for a hospital to report an adverse health event; and (3)    The format for making a report of an adverse health event available to the public. Each report of an adverse health event shall identify the hospital but may not include any identifying information for any health care professional, hospital employee, or patient involved.
  • There are several discussions going on considering this bill and we except several changes to be made during the committee process. AARP is supportive of greater transparency in both cost and quality measures and we will be following this bill closely during session.
 
SB182- An act to expand the disclosure of inpatient hospital charges
·         Hospitals shall report to the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations the average cost, median cost, payment mix, and other factors that are derived from all procedures for which that hospital had 10 or more cases in the previous 12 months.
·         This information shall be shared publicly through a web-based system to be rolled-out to the public by July 1, 2010.
 
The Circular File
 
The following bills were being followed by AARP and have met their demise:
 
HB1066- Revising definition of unfair and deceptive practices
·         Sent to 36th Day (kills the bill) 11-2.
 
 
There are 19 legislative days remaining in the 2008 session and each chamber is working feverishly to complete the work on bills that originated in their specific chamber. Committees will try to get all originating bills out of committee by next Thursday so that all floor action can be completed by Crossover Day on February 13th. A lot of bills have yet to see action so everyone can expect the pace of the Legislature to speed up dramatically over the next week.
 
Many communities are also holding legislative coffees or “cracker barrels” on the weekends where legislators make themselves available for questions from their constituents on legislative issues. I would encourage all of you attend these events as they are a valuable source of information, particularly on our legislative priorities. If you do attend one of these events and some of AARP’s priority issues are discussed, I would invite you to share those comments with me at swilson@aarp.org so that I know what legislators are talking about back in their home communities.  
 
Again, thank you to all of you that attended AARP’s Lobby Days and made those events such a great success. For those of you who were not able to attend but are communicating with your legislators back home, your efforts are equally valuable and I thank you for your contributions to our advocacy efforts. 
Added: January 31, 2008
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