Legislature(1999 - 2000)
1999-07-28 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1999-07-28 House Journal Page 1765 HB 51 The following was engrossed and enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, President and Secretary of the Senate, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 11:55 a.m., June 9, 1999: CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 51 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." The following letter, dated May 27, 1999, from Representative Mulder, Conference Committee Chair and Senator Parnell, Vice Chair, to Nelson Page, Chair, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, was attached: "Dear Mr. Page: The 21st Legislature adopted Conference Committee Substitute for House Bill 51, making FY00 appropriations for Alaska's integrated comprehensive mental health program. Because appropriations in CCS for HB 51 differ from those proposed by the Board in the Governor's 1999-07-28 House Journal Page 1766 HB 51 amended budget request, this letter describes changes per the requirements of AS 37.14.005(c). As you know, the legislature received the Mental Health Budget (HB 51) from the Governor rather than directly from the Board. A description of changes from the Board's request to the Governor's amended budget should come from the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. CAPITAL PROJECTS Due to a sizable gap between budget requests and the amount of state revenue available to fund those requests, the legislature, after discussion with and agreement from representatives of the trust, substituted Mental Health Trust Authority Authorized Receipts (MHTAAR) for general fund/mental health (GF/MH) funds for three projects. The substitutions allowed a larger capital program and the use of general funds to preserve alcohol and drug abuse grants. The total amount of substitution in the capital budget is $400,000, as described below. Department of Health and Social Services Change the source of funding for $225,000 for API stop-gap repairs from GF/MH to MHTAAR. Change the source of funding for $25,000 for Mental Health trust beneficiary equipment from GF/MH to MHTAAR. Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Change the source of funding for $150,000 (of $300,000 total funding) for coordinated transportation and vehicles from GF/MH to MHTAAR. OPERATING BUDGET Department of Administration Add $167,500 MHTAAR to the Protection, Community Services and Administration component of the Senior Services Budget Request Unit (BRU). This provides additional protection to seniors who are Trust beneficiaries. 1999-07-28 House Journal Page 1767 HB 51 Move $1,871,600 GF/MH and $600,000 MHTAAR from the Senior Services Grants component to the Home and Community Based Care component of the Senior Services BRU. This will help effectively provide services to seniors needing home and community based services. Department of Corrections Add $7,800 MHTAAR to the Inmate Health Care component of the Administration and Operations BRU. This will provide added psychiatric services to Trust beneficiaries in the correctional system. Department of Health and Social Services Within the Purchased Services BRU, add $135,000 MHTAAR to the Foster Care Special Need component, $590,400 MHTAAR to the Subsidized Adoptions/Guardians component and $100,000 MHTAAR to the Residential Child Care component. This will provide more expeditious placement of Trust beneficiaries. Delete $177,000 MHTAAR from the Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Youth component of the Community Mental Health Grants BRU. These funds were found to be more necessary to beneficiaries in other categories. Add $360,000 MHTAAR and delete $361,000 GF/MH from the Community Developmental Disabilities Grants BRU. This fund source change allowed for a greater level of service to those receiving grants. Add $390,400 GF/MH to the Rural Services Grants component of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services BRU. This is a response to a significant need identified in the legislative budget process. Delete $164,200 GF/MH from the Mental Health/DD Administration component of the Institutions and Administration BRU. The legislature felt the reduction in overhead activities was in keeping with reductions required by projected budget deficits. 1999-07-28 House Journal Page 1768 HB 51 Within the Mental Health Trust Boards BRU, delete a total of $45,800 GF/MH: $24,000 GF/MH from the Alaska Mental Health Board component; $5,000 GF/MH from the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education component; and $16,800 GF/MH from the Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse component. The legislature felt the reduction in overhead activities was in keeping with reductions required by projected budget deficits. Department of Natural Resources Delete $46,400 MHTAAR from the Mental Health Lands Administration component of the Resource Development BRU. This was done at the request of the Trust, as the funds were not being effectively used. Department of Revenue Delete $17,400 MHT Administration funds from the Mental Health Trust Authority component and BRU. The legislature felt the reduction in overhead activities was in keeping with reductions required by projected budget deficits. Sincerely, /s/ Representative Eldon Mulder Conference Committee Chair /s/ Senator Sean Parnell Conference Committee Vice-Chair"