2003-03-05                     House Journal                      Page 0431
HB 161                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 161 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act allowing expenses of the correctional industries program                               
     that may be financed from the correctional industries fund to                                  
     include the salaries and benefits of state employees."                                         
                                                                                                    

2003-03-05                     House Journal                      Page 0432
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Corrections                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 5, 2003, follows:                                     
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                           
transmitting a bill that would allow the administrative costs of the                                
Correctional Industries Program to be paid from product revenues                                    
instead of the general fund.                                                                        
                                                                                                    
Currently, 14 Correctional Industries positions are paid from the                                   
general fund. By allowing employee salaries to be paid from the                                     
correctional industries fund, we are taking the first step toward making                            
the program self-sufficient.  This charge is consistent with my FY04                                
amended budget.  A legislative change is required to allow state                                    
employees' salaries to be paid from the Correctional Industries Fund.                               
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Frank H. Murkowski                                                 
                                  Governor"