Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/12/1993 01:35 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 12, 1993
1:35 p.m.
TAPE HFC 93-46, Side 1, #000 - 481.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee to order
at 1:35 p.m.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Larson Representative Hoffman
Co-Chair MacLean Representative Martin
Vice-Chair Hanley Representative Navarre
Representative Brown Representative Parnell
Representative Foster Representative Therriault
Representative Grussendorf
ALSO PRESENT
Mike Greany, Director, Legislative Finance Division; Arthur
H. Snowden, II, Administrative Director, Alaska Court
System; Sharon Peek, Staff, Representative Menard.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
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."
SUBCOMMITTEE CLOSEOUTS: ALASKA COURT SYSTEM
HB 117 "An Act naming the Manvil H. Olson Bridge."
HB 117 was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with a zero fiscal note by the
Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities, dated 3/1/93.
HB 144 "An Act relating to fees for certain costs of
administering the permanent fund dividend
program."
HB 144 was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with a zero fiscal note by the
Department of Revenue.
HOUSE BILL NO. 55
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"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and to
capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date."
ALASKA COURT SYSTEM
The House Finance Subcommittee for the Alaska Court System
consists of Chair Parnell with members Representatives
Barnes, Porter, Navarre and Grussendorf.
Representative Parnell provided members with a letter from
the Alaska Court System answering questions regarding their
budget (Attachment 1). Representative Parnell asked the
Alaska Court System to respond to the following questions:
* What specific areas of responsibility have
increased significantly in the past five years?
* What budgetary or planning action, if any has
taken place to address these demands?
* Over the next five to ten years, what areas of the
respective division or agency are anticipating
increased workloads?
* How does the department's proposed FY 94 budget
help to prepare the department for these demands.
Representative Parnell presented members with the Alaska
Court System FY 94 Operating Budget, Impact of House Budget
Reduction (Attachment 2).
Representative Parnell stressed that the Alaska Court System
is not just another department but a branch of government.
He pointed out that the Governor's proposed FY 93 Alaska
Court System budget is $44,362.5 million general fund
dollars. This is a 4.1 percent increase. The Subcommittee
was given a 2 percent reduction target. The Subcommittee's
proposed budget for the Alaska Court System is 2.1 percent
over FY 93 Authorized.
Representative Parnell provided members with the
Subcommittee's Transaction Summary for the Governor to House
(Attachment 3). He reviewed Attachment 3.
* Trail courts - <642.3 thousand dollars>
$140.4 thousand dollars in new positions were
deleted as prioritized by the Alaska Court System.
Other reductions were; new equipment <$10.1
thousand dollars> and office space <$23.4
thousand dollars>. The Subcommittee deleted a
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$401.2 thousand dollars request for jury fee
increases.
A $67.5 thousand dollars reduction was made to the
mediation pilot project. The project was
suggested by the legislature for divorce and
family law mediation. The project will be
conducted only in Anchorage.
* Administration and Support - <210.0 thousand
dollars>
New positions were deleted.
* Commission on Judicial Conduct - <$3.0 thousand
dollars>
An investigator position was eliminated. The
position's funds were transferred to contractual
with a $3.0 thousand dollar reduction.
* Judicial Council - <$68.0 thousand dollars>
Funding for a malpractice project was reduced.
Representative Hoffman noted that the court clerk position
was eliminated in Dillingham. He stressed that there has
been a 71 percent increase in caseload in Dillingham. He
emphasized that the area needs to have a district judge and
attorney. He asked why the Bristol Bay area is being
neglected.
ARTHUR H. SNOWDEN, II, ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COURT
SYSTEM agreed that problems in the Bristol Bay area need to
be addressed. He stated that the Alaska Court System had to
chose between deletions in court personnel or magistrate
training. He expressed his desire to reinstate the court
clerk position at a later date. Representative Hoffman
reiterated his concerns.
Representative Grussendorf expressed concern that 3 court
clerk positions were deleted in Ketchikan, Dillingham and
Craig. He also expressed concern that the Internal Auditor
position was deleted. He emphasized that the internal
auditor was requested through the Legislative Budget and
Audit Committee.
Representative Parnell MOVED to adopt and INCORPORATE into
HB 55 the proposals by the House Finance Subcommittee on the
Alaska Court System. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so
ordered.
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HB 55 was HELD in Committee.
HOUSE BILL NO. 117
"An Act naming the Manvil H. Olson Bridge."
SHARON PEEK, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MENARD explained that HB
117 would name a bridge located at Schrock Road over the
Little Su River after Manvil Olson. Mr. Olson spent many
years constructing the original bridge.
Ms. Peek noted that the local residents refer to the river
crossing as the Manvil Olson bridge.
Representative Foster MOVED to report HB 117 out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. Representative Grussendorf noted
that the fiscal noted did not include funding for signs. He
asked if the bridge would be have a sign. No one could
answer the question. There being NO OBJECTION, HB 117 was
moved from Committee.
HB 117 was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with a zero fiscal note by the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, dated
3/1/93.
HOUSE BILL NO. 144
"An Act relating to fees for certain costs of
administering the permanent fund dividend program."
Co-Chair Larson noted that HB 144 would transfer the costs
of administering permanent fund dividend assignments and
attachments back to the person whose financial obligations
are the cause of the assignment or attachment.
Representative Martin observed that minors are currently
having their permanent fund dividend checks attached for
obligations of their parents. Representative Martin MOVED
to RESCIND the Committees action of February 19, 1993, in
failing to report HB 144 out of Committee. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The original question to
report HB 144 out of Committee with individual
recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal note
remained before the Committee. There being NO OBJECTION, it
was so ordered.
HB 144 was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with a zero fiscal note by the
Department of Revenue.
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Co-Chair Larson noted that the Department of Education House
Finance Subcommittee's closeout was held in order that the
Subcommittee meet to amend a previous action.
Co-Chair Larson discussed the amendment schedule. Co-Chair
MacLean noted that the capital closeout will begin after the
operating budget has been closed. Input on capital projects
will be submitted through subcommittees.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.
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