Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/18/1993 01:31 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 55 An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date. LEGISLATURE The Legislature Subcommittee was Chaired by Representative Larson and Representative MacLean with members Representative Barnes and Representative Grussendorf. The Committee was provided with handouts. [Attachments #1 - * Legislative Audit received a 1.8% restoration deletion in the amount of $49.5 thousand dollars. * The Subcommittee recommended a total decrement of $270.1 thousand dollars to the Legislative Finance component. * Committee Expenses received a $20 thousand dollar deletion to the State Office Compensation Commission. * Legislative Council, Executive Administration received a 1.8% restoration deletion in the amount of $42.1 thousand dollars. * Public Services received an unallocated reduction of $33.4 thousand dollars. * Administrative Services received a 1.8% restoration decrement in the amount of $27.1 thousand dollars. 2 * Legal Services also received a 1.8% restoration decrement in the amount of $41.4 thousand dollars. * Co-Chair Larson noted the only increment to the Legislative proposed budget would be to Session Expenses. This would be a transfer from Department of Public Safety to Legislative Council in the amount of $73.2 thousand dollars for the funding of Security Services for the Capitol Building. * General Services received a 1.8% deletion for restoration in the amount of $33.8 thousand dollars. * Legislative Research Agency also received the 1.8% restoration reduction in the amount of $14 thousand dollars. Representative Brown asked which services would be lost for the Legislature given the proposed budget reductions. Co- Chair Larson referenced Attachment #1, Component Summary - Operating Budget. He noted the full reduction to the Legislature would be $2.8 million dollars with significant reductions to the LIO component and will result in closing the Tok Office. Co-Chair Larson MOVED to incorporate the Legislative Subcommittee's recommendations into HB 55. There being NO OBJECTION, it was incorporated. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR The Office of the Governor Subcommittee was Chaired by Representative Larson and Representative MacLean with members Representative Hanley and Representative Navarre. The Committee was provided with handouts. [Attachments #4 & approved by the Subcommittee was the Governor's budget as requested with one change. Due to EO 84, which consolidates the Alaska Women's Commission and Youth to a new Commission called the Alaska Human Rights Commission, the Subcommittee transferred $60.7 thousand dollars to that new Commission. She noted that the Subcommittee accepted the Governor's proposed budget as proposed in all remaining components. There is a reduction to the Governor's FY 94 request in the amount of $3,111.7 thousand dollars general funds from the FY 93 authorized level. The reduction resulted from the elimination of funding for the Alaska Sentencing Commission which completed work as of 6/30/93. 3 Co-Chair MacLean noted the ANWR funding deletion in the amount of $1,279.2 thousand dollars. The original appropriation was $3 million dollars. There was an additional general fund deletion for the contractual component and to equipment in the Audit and Management Services Division in the amount of $289.9 thousand dollars. The only increment to the budget was $391.3 thousand dollars for the continuation of the Media Center. The increment would supply the Media Center with five full time and one part time employee. The Governor has requested one additional budget amendment for $580.6 thousand dollars for the Division of Elections (Attachment #5). The Division needs these funds in order to implement the final reapportionment plan after it is approved by the Governor and the Department of Justice. Representative Brown asked the status of the International Trade Office. Co-Chair MacLean stated that office would be transferred next fiscal year. Co-Chair MacLean MOVED to incorporated the recommendations made by the Office of the Governor Subcommittee into HB 55. Co-Chair Larson emphasized the importance of Attachment #5, the letter to the Division of Elections from the House Finance Co-Chairs. There being NO OBJECTION, the recommendations were incorporated. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES The Department of Health and Social Services Subcommittee was Chaired by Representative Hanley with members Representative Toohey, Representative Gail Davis, Representative Nordlund and Representative Brice. Representative Hanley provided the Committee with handouts. [Attachments #6 -11]. Representative Hanley noted that the budget was separated into non-formula and non-Mental Health Trust dollars in order to reach the $2,189 million dollars 2% reduction. Representative Hanley referenced Attachment #6, an explanation summery sheet prepared by his office and Attachment #7, Transaction Summary for Governor to House. * Medical Assistance - Medicaid-Facilities amendment from Resident Child Care increment for $1,510 million dollars, resulting from Mental Health Trust dollars. * Mental Health Trust dollar increment to Waivers 4 Services for $1,664 million dollars. * Public Assistance Administration received a travel reduction of 3% for $19.8 thousand dollars. * Eligibility Determination received a total decrement of $868.7 thousand dollars. The component consists of a decrement to self- sufficiency staff for $187.5 thousand dollars; reduced caseload increment for $245.8 thousand dollars; deny under funding increment for $415.4 thousand dollars; and the Commissioner's Office decrement for $20 thousand dollars. * Alaska Work Programs - Establishing child care component decrement for $3,703.9 thousand dollars; JOBS Training increment for $200 thousand dollars; amendment - JOBS Supportive Services increment for $200 thousand dollars. * Public Assistance Data Processing which will update computer systems total increment in the amount of $779.1 thousand dollars. * Child Care Benefits from the Alaska Work Programs which would be a transfer of $3,703.6 thousand dollars. * Medical Assistance Administration - Medical Assistance Central Administration received a 3% travel reduction for a total decrement of $17.8 thousand dollars. * Claims Processing received an amendment from the Governor's Office which the Subcommittee accepted for the Medicaid Management Information System decrement in the amount of $911.8 thousand dollars. * Certification and Licensing total decrement for $228.1 thousand dollars to the CLIA Implementation. * Medicaid Rate Advisory Commission decrement for $198.9 thousand dollars. * Medicaid Waivers Authorization for Better Match Rate for Nurses would receive a 25/75 match from the federal government for nursing, which would reduce general funds in the amount of $15.9 thousand dollars. 5 * Purchased Services - Residential Child Care total component reduction of $1,510 thousand dollars which would affect residential child care. He noted that Mental Health Trust beneficiaries would be identified in the program. [Attachment #11] which is a letter to Janet Clarke, Director, Division of Administrative Services from Deborah Wing regarding Mental Health Dollars and the Foster Care Component. * Southcentral Region - Family and Youth Services received a $10.1 thousand dollar decrement. Northern Region received a $7.2 thousand dollar decrement. Southeastern Region received a $3.1 thousand dollar decrement. The Central Office - Division of Family and Youth Services received an increment of $100 thousand dollars for the permanency planning RSA/DOA. The Central Office received a travel reduction of $44.1 thousand dollars and a reduction to the Commissioner's Office for $9.9 thousand dollars. * McLaughlin Youth Center - Youth Facility Services received a 3% travel reduction component decrement in the amount of $85 thousand dollars. * Fairbanks Youth Facility received a decrement of $2.7 thousand dollars. The Nome Youth Facility received a decrement in the amount of $1.3 thousand dollars. The Johnson Youth Center received an increment of $27 thousand dollars for the Juneau school district to hire a youth counselor at that facility. The same line received a decrement for $1.3 thousand dollars to the Commissioner's Office. The Bethel Youth Facility received a total reduction of $77 thousand dollars which will eliminate treatment at that center and ten employee positions. * The Human Services Community Matching Grant received a 5% reduction of $100 thousand dollars, and will encourage the local communities to match with 10%. * Public Health Services-Community Health Aide Training has received a 3% reduction to Maniilaq, Norton Sound, SEARHC, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Yukon-Kuskokwin Health Corporation. * State Health Services received reduced Public Health Services for a total component reduction of $171.3 thousand dollars. The Women, Infants and 6 Children component would receive an increment in the amount of $600 thousand dollars federal funds. The Maternal, Child and Family Health component would move six kids to the Waivers Program resulting in a decrement of $127.4 thousand dollars. Laboratory Services received a decrement of $4.9 thousand dollars. * Public Health Administrative Services received a federal fund increment to amend the Toxic Substance Disease Regulations for $205.8 thousand dollars. Epidemiology -Hemophilus B Program will absorb a three year federal grant for hepatitis. The Commissioner's Office will receive a decrement of $8.1 thousand dollars. * EMS Training & Licensing total reduction of $116.8 thousand dollars. The Bureau of Vital Statistics received a reduction of $2.5 thousand dollars. * Health Services/Medicaid component would receive a reduction to the Commissioner's Office in the amount of $4.3 thousand dollars. Post Mortem Examinations amendment of funding for autopsies would receive an increment of $340 thousand dollars. Home Health Services received a reduction in the amount of $1.1 thousand dollars. * Health Grants for Community Health Aide Training reduction of $19 thousand dollars. * Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services received a decrement to the Administration component for $7 thousand dollars and an Alcohol/Drug Grants reduction in the amount of $442 thousand dollars. * Community Mental Health Grants - Services/Chronically Mentally Ill component total reduction of $288 thousand dollars. (Tape Change, HFC 93-50, Side 1). Representative Hanley continued: * Community DD Grants received a reduction in the amount of $1,428.4 thousand dollars. * Institutions & Administration - Mental Health/DD Administration RSA OAC -Treatment Services increment for $200 thousand dollars and a decrement to the Commissioner's Office in the amount of $39.5 thousand dollars. The Alaska 7 Psychiatric Institute reduction to personal services for $100 thousand dollars and an increment to the Psychiatrists from the Department of Corrections in the amount of $152.1 thousand dollars. The Harborview Development Center received a decrement of $924 thousand dollars for the expansion of the Sourdough Unit. There was an additional decrement to Community DD Grants in the amount of $300 thousand dollars and a shift in the Fund Source increment in the amount of $172.3 thousand dollars. * Administrative Services - Commissioner's Office received a total component decrement of $87 thousand dollars. Regulatory compliance increment to Bloodborne Pathogens, a federal requirement for $212 thousand dollars. The Commissioner's Office received a decrement of $1.3 thousand dollars. Personnel and Payroll miscellaneous received a reduction in the amount of $56.7 thousand dollars. Budget and Finance received a miscellaneous total component reduction in the amount of $111.7 thousand dollars. Representative Brown referenced line #21, the Public Assistance Data Processing component and asked how many positions are necessary. JAN HANSEN, DIRECTOR, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, noted there would be seventeen positions. Ten of those positions would be for Systems Operations for the EIS System. The remaining seven positions from the capital budget would be for ongoing projects to redesign the data system. Representative Brown questioned the impact of not funding the project. Ms. Hansen replied all the positions are tied into the aspects of the project in the capital budget. Representative Brown referenced Line #24, the Claims Processing component and asked which project was being referenced. Representative Hanley replied the Medicaid Management Information System which is a proposed Governor's amendment. Representative Brown asked if the project would be covered in any other capital budget project. KIM BUSCH, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, stated that it would not be covered in the capital budget. The contract was extended for one year and at the time received a contract reduction price. She added, the federal government requires reprocurement for contracts every few additional years. The feds have already allowed the contract to be 8 extended an additional year. Representative Brown referenced Line #43, the DYS Central Office, and asked the total amount to be RSA'ed. Representative Hanley replied that amount would be $200 thousand dollars. Representative Brown recommended that "intent" be written to address this concern. Representative Brown referenced Line #85, Women, Infants and Children component and asked what the project would cover. DWAYNE PEEPLES, DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, stated that Line #85 would be federal funds for the development of a WIC automated data base and vouchering issue systems. This program is required by the federal government as the current system is inadequate. Representative Brown asked for further backup material to be provided. Representative Brown referenced Line #90, and asked the intention of 470 funding for emergency response. Representative Therriault noted that the Department of Environmental Conservation Subcommittee did not deal with this amendment. Representative Brown referenced Line #104, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Grants and questioning the impact of those reductions. LOREN JONES, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ALCOHOL ABUSE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, stated with the funding sources currently available through federal funds, Mental Health Trust Funds and State general funds, the $200 thousand dollar reduction would affect training programs, reductions in prevention and the prevention of drug treatment programs. Mental Health Trust money is issued for alcohol treatment programs specified in the conditions of that funding. As this is a grant program, the decision of which programs will receive a reduction has not yet been decided. With all proposed grant cuts nine hundred fewer clients will be served. Representative Grussendorf advised that the referenced grants have reduced juvenile delinquency in the small communities. Representative Therriault asked if the reduction originated from the same area of funding as the officers in the school programs. Mr. Jones stated that it was, although, that program would not be affected. Representative Brown referenced Line #109 and asked the reduction for the KIVA House. Representative Hanley noted this was Mental Health money; there has been a report issued 9 made which suggests that these funds were not being used for mental health purposes. Representative Brown referenced Line #84 and asked the impact of the reduction to Public Health Nursing. Mr. Peeples stated the reduction would be one nurse in Anchorage with small reductions to other areas. He stated that 700 hours would be eliminated for children, 480 hours of service communicable disease work and 150 hours of service for general health concerns. Representative Hoffman referenced Line #89, the Epidemiology component expressing his concern in addressing the disease in rural Alaska. Mr. Peeples replied the intent of the Department was to use federal funds to support rural Alaska. Representative Martin recommended eliminating the permanent fund "hold harmless" clause. Representative Hanley MOVED that the Department of Health and Social Services Subcommittee recommendations be adopted for non-formula, non-Mental Health Trust with the exception of $800 thousand dollars/transfer of Mental Health Trust in the Residential Facilities and that these recommendations be incorporated into HB 55. Representative Hoffman questioned the $75 thousand dollar reduction for the youth facility in Bethel. RANDAL HEINZE, DIVISION OF FAMILY AND YOUTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, stated that as long as the population of the facility remained at it's current rate, the accreditation process will not be jeopardized. He added, that there is additional administrative documentation necessary for the standard compliances which can be covered by the existing personnel. There be NO OBJECTIONS to the specified recommendations, the motion was adopted. THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR The Department of Labor Subcommittee was Chaired by Representative MacLean with members Representative Hudson, Representative Vezey, Representative Sitton and Representative Finkelstein. Co-Chair Larson WITHDREW his original OBJECTION. There being NO FURTHER OBJECTIONS, the Subcommittee recommendations were incorporated into HB 55. 10
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