2024-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1284
HB 270                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 270 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 December 14, 2023, with accompanying spreadsheets,                                                               
to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority from Lacey Sanders.                                                                 
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 15 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Tilton:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
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) 2025. As                                                               
required by statute, this bill includes both operating and capital                                                              
appropriations.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
This budget totals $246.8 million and includes $179.7 million in                                                                
unrestricted general funds, $45.8 million in designated general funds,                                                          
and $21.2 million in Mental Health Trust Authority funds.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                

2024-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1285
The FY 2025 proposed mental health budget includes 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.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
I look forward to working with the Legislature on the timely passage                                                            
and implementation of the FY 2025 budget for Alaska’s                                                                           
comprehensive mental health program.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"