2020-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 1436
HB 206                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 206 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "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."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
A letter dated January 17 with an accompanying spreadsheet, to the                                                              
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees from                                                                     
Amanda Holland, Acting Director, Office of Management and Budget,                                                               
was attached (as required by AS 37.14.003) and is on file in the Chief                                                          
Clerk's office.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 17 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the State's                                                                  
comprehensive mental health program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. As                                                               
required by statute, it includes both operating and capital                                                                     
appropriations.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
This budget utilizes $157.8 million in Unrestricted General Funds                                                               
(UGF), $52.4 million in Designated General Funds (DGF) and $17.2                                                                
million in Mental Health Trust Authority Funds (Other State Funds).                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The FY 2021 proposed mental health budget reflects the requests that                                                            
were put forward to the Office of Management and Budget by the                                                                  
Alaska Mental Health Trust (Trust). The requests support programs                                                               
and activities in Trust focus areas that meet the identified treatment                                                          
and service needs of Trust beneficiaries and areas of system change to                                                          
improve the lives of beneficiaries. Trust focus areas include housing                                                           
and long-term services and supports, beneficiary employment and                                                                 
engagement, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and disability                                                            
justice.