2006-05-18                     House Journal                      Page 4049
HB 366                                                                                            
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                               
3:40 p.m., May 16, 2006:                                                                            
                                                                                                    
    CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 366                                                            
    "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."                                                  
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Also transmitted was a copy of the following letter dated May 15,                                   
2006, to John Pugh, Chair, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority:                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
"Dear Mr. Pugh:                                                                                     
                                                                                                    
In accordance with AS 37.14.005(c), this letter describes changes                                   
made by the legislature to the Governor's amended state's                                           
comprehensive mental health program for FY07 as appropriated in                                     
CCS HB 366. The enclosed reports compare CCS HB 366 to the                                          
Governor's proposal rather than to the Authority's proposal because the                             
Governor did not transmit the Authority's proposal to the Legislative                               
Finance Division.                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
The legislature appropriated nearly $8.6 million below the Governor's                               
request in mental health total funds. Overall a net reduction consists of                           

2006-05-18                     House Journal                      Page 4050
a $10,435.2 GF/MH and increase of $1,860.4 in Alcohol and Drug                                      
Abuse Treatment and Prevention funds. Highlights include a fund                                     
source change increasing the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment and                                   
Prevention and reducing general funds; no funding for the Substance                                 
Abuse Prevention initiative (approx. $2.3 million) or the Youth                                     
Success Program (approx. $5 million); additional reductions were                                    
directed toward Bring the Kids Home initiative of approximately $1.3                                
million.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
The legislature appropriated the Governor's capital request as                                      
transmitted, appropriating nearly $14.9 million. Highlights include                                 
funding for Bring the Kids Home (approx. $5 million); last installment                              
of Alaska Psychiatric Institute asbestos abatement (approx. $ 3                                     
million); Transitional Housing for Substance Abuse (approx $ 1.2                                    
million); Mental Health Trust Land Development and Facilities                                       
Maintenance (nearly $1 million); and Alaska Housing Finance                                         
Corporation Homeless Assistance Program ($ 1 million).                                              
                                                                                                    
We appreciate the good working relationship that has been established                               
between the Trust and the legislature enabling us to address many                                   
issues in creative and efficient ways that would not otherwise be                                   
possible.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
If you have additional questions, please contact Anna Kim of the                                    
Legislative Finance Division at 465-5410.                                                           
                                                                                                    
                               Sincerely,                                                          
                               /s/                                                                  
                               Representative Mike Chenault                                         
                               Vice Chair                                                          
                               /s/                                                                  
                               Senator Gary Wilken                                                  
                               Chair                                                                
                                                                                                    
Enclosures"                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Enclosed reports were transmitted to the Office of the Governor and                                 
they are on file in the Chief Clerk's office.