Legislature(1993 - 1994)
02/04/1994 01:30 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
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 4, 1994
1:30 P.M.
TAPE HFC 94 - 24, Side 2, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 25, Side 1, #000 - end.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:30 P.M.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Larson Representative Hoffman
Co-Chair MacLean Representative Martin
Representative Navarre Representative Foster
Representative Brown Representative Parnell
Representative Grussendorf Representative Therriault
Representative Hanley was not present for the meeting.
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Tom Brice; Representative Ed Willis; Margaret
Lowe, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social
Services; Deborah K. Smith, Executive Director, Alaska
Mental Health Board, Department of Health and Social
Services; Loren Jones, Director, Division of Alcoholism and
Drug Abuse, Department of Health and Social Services; Alicia
Iden, Chair, Alaska Mental Health Board; Kathy Alely, Chair,
Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education;
Reggie Joule, Chair, Kotzebue, Governor's Advisory Board on
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse; Don Hoover, Chair, Older Alaskans
Commission; Kathy Fitzgerald, Parent; Susan Loudan, Parent;
Ernie Drumman, Parent; Leslie Yamamito, Parent.
SUMMARY
MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING BRIEFING:
Alaska Mental Health Board
Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education
Older Alaskans Commission
Governors Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
HB 231 An Act relating to aggravating and mitigating
factors at sentencing.
CS HB 231 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with zero fiscal
notes by the Department of Law, the Alaska Court
1
System, the Department of Administration and the
Department of Public Safety.
HOUSE BILL 231
"An Act relating to aggravating and mitigating factors
at sentencing."
Representative Brown MOVED the title change as requested by
the House Finance Committee to HB 231. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Parnell MOVED to report CS HB 231 (FIN) out
of Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying zero fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION,
it was so ordered.
CS HB 231 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with zero fiscal notes by the
Department of Law, the Alaska Court System, the Department
of Administration and the Department of Public Safety.
MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING BRIEFING
ALICIA IDEN, CHAIR, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH BOARD, introduced
the Board members for the Governor's Council on Disabilities
and Special Education, the Older Alaskans Commission, and
the Governor's Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
She proceeded to present the Alaska Mental Health Board's
FY95 funding recommendations for comprehensive mental health
programs originating from the Alaskan Mental Health Trust.
Ms. Iden explained the Mental Health Board's responsibility
to fulfill the trust purpose in establishing a comprehensive
and integrated mental health program which adequately meets
the needs of those citizens. The project would be
accomplished through a needs assessment, the planning and
evaluation of programs, followed by implementation from
budget recommendations.
Ms. Iden provided the Committee with a handout, "Alaska
Mental Health Board FY95 Funding Recommendations for
Alaska's Comprehensive Mental Health Program From the Mental
Health Lands Trust -- February 4, 1994". (Copy on file).
Beneficiaries and providers have agreed that the first
priority would be granting a budget which would allow
programs to continue providing services at the present
level, restore service cuts, fund services necessary as a
result of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act and
fund programs for victims of Alzheimer's Disease and related
disorders. Most programs for Mental Health Trust
2
beneficiaries have not received any increases in the past
three years through grant funds. Many programs have had to
cut back on services to cover cost increases. She added,
increments for the home and community based services through
the Older Alaskans Commission component are necessary to
allow that population to reach parity with other beneficiary
groups within the Trust.
Ms. Iden asked the Committee to support the proposed
requests made by the Alaska Mental Health Board.
REGGIE JOULE, CHAIRMAN, ADVISORY BOARD ON ALCOHOLISM AND
DRUG ABUSE, KOTZEBUE, presented testimony on alcohol and
drug abuse and the problems created by these addictions.
(Testimony provided -Copy on file).
Mr. Joule emphasized that the State can not afford to not
fund substance abuse. He added, that past reductions to the
substance abuse budget have caused emotional and financial
damage within the State.
Mr. Joule itemized legislation that the Advisory Board on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse supports:
SB 42, HB 2, HB 28, HB 61, SB 221 (HB 344),
SB 19, SB 220, HB 413 (SB 369), HB 195
Representative Brown asked if taxation of substances would
deter users. Mr. Joule thought it would not make a
difference to the addict, although, he supported taxation
and use of the tax revenue funds by the Mental Health Board
to support mental health related programs.
(Tape Change HFC 94-25, Side 1).
DON HOOVER, CHAIR, OLDER ALASKANS COMMISSION, FAIRBANKS,
presented testimony addressing the Pioneer's needs in
Alaska. (Testimony provided - Copy on file).
He pointed out that the Older Alaskans Commission (OAC)
serves as an advocacy agency for adults with alzheimer's
disease, which carefully plans to provide the best services
possible for ADRD clients and their families. With the help
of communities, nonprofit agencies, and Pioneers' Homes; OAC
has helped relieve the suffering and burden of care for
families experiencing Alzheimer's disease in loved ones.
Mr. Hoover urged the Committee's continued support for the
proposed FY95 funding for mental health needs in Alaska.
KATHY ALELY, CHAIR, GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES &
SPECIAL EDUCATION, EAGLE RIVER, explained the needs of
people in the State with disabilities and the needs of their
3
families. She added, that the Council members are
volunteers.
The Board has the responsibility for planning statewide
services for people with all disabilities. There are
twenty-six members on the Council, half of which have a
disability or are a parent of a child with a disability.
Recommendations are made to the Mental Health Board on how
expenditures from the Trust should be allocated.
Ms. Alely insisted that having programs available to
families is more cost effective for the State in keeping
families intact and leads to less children being placed in
homes. She remarked that the common thread binding all
families involved with a person having a disability is
stress.
LESLIE YAMAMOTO, PARENT, provided the Committee with
pictures of her child who has benefited from programs in the
Infant Learning Program provided by the State. She stressed
the need for continued funding.
KATHY FITZGERALD, PARENT, provided the Committee with photos
of her child who has benefited from programs provided by the
State and urged continued support.
SUSAN LOUDAN, PARENT, provided the Committee with
photographs of her daughter and urged continued support of
programs which address the needs of the disabled.
ERNIE DRUMMAN, PARENT, provided the Committee with a
photograph of his son, Stewart, who has suffered extreme
disabilities and who has benefited from programs provided by
the State. He urged continued funding of Respite and Shared
Care Programs and others which address the needs of the
disabled.
Representative Brown asked if the Board had success in
working with Alaska Housing Finance Corporation in
addressing "special needs" housing. Ms. Iden explained the
Special Needs Task Force which has been meeting to develop a
State plan. The Task Force is currently working on policy
and implementation with Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.
Representative Brice asked incentives used by the Department
of Education for children in the schools with special needs.
MARGARET LOWE, M.ED.ED.S., COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, explained that the Education
Committee Task Force has been working on intent language
4
addressing special education and how that would affect the
foundation program. Currently, there is no legislation
available to address those needs.
Representative Hoffman commented on the lack of attention to
developmental disabilities among people living in the rural
areas of the State. Commissioner Lowe pointed out the large
increase of services to the developmentally disabled in the
rural areas in the past five years. Currently, services
exist to persons in one hundred and seventy (170) villages.
Co-Chair Larson summarized the existing FY95 budget
constrictions in relationship to the Mental Health Board's
request for needed funds for the State's disabled. He
encouraged a cooperative relationship between the board and
committee in developing a budget to address mental health
needs.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:00 P.M.
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 4, 1994
1:30 P.M.
TAPE HFC 94 - 24, Side 2, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 25, Side 1, #000 - end.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:30 P.M.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Larson Representative Hoffman
Co-Chair MacLean Representative Martin
Representative Navarre Representative Foster
Representative Brown Representative Parnell
Representative Grussendorf Representative Therriault
Representative Hanley was not present for the meeting.
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Tom Brice; Representative Ed Willis; Margaret
Lowe, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social
Services; Deborah K. Smith, Executive Director, Alaska
Mental Health Board, Department of Health and Social
5
Services; Loren Jones, Director, Division of Alcoholism and
Drug Abuse, Department of Health and Social Services; Alicia
Iden, Chair, Alaska Mental Health Board; Kathy Alely, Chair,
Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education;
Reggie Joule, Chair, Kotzebue, Governor's Advisory Board on
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse; Don Hoover, Chair, Older Alaskans
Commission; Kathy Fitzgerald, Parent; Susan Loudan, Parent;
Ernie Drumman, Parent; Leslie Yamamito, Parent.
SUMMARY
MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING BRIEFING:
Alaska Mental Health Board
Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education
Older Alaskans Commission
Governors Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
HB 231 An Act relating to aggravating and mitigating
factors at sentencing.
CS HB 231 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with zero fiscal
notes by the Department of Law, the Alaska Court
System, the Department of Administration and the
Department of Public Safety.
HOUSE BILL 231
"An Act relating to aggravating and mitigating factors
at sentencing."
Representative Brown MOVED the title change as requested by
the House Finance Committee to HB 231. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Parnell MOVED to report CS HB 231 (FIN) out
of Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying zero fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION,
it was so ordered.
CS HB 231 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with zero fiscal notes by the
Department of Law, the Alaska Court System, the Department
of Administration and the Department of Public Safety.
MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING BRIEFING
ALICIA IDEN, CHAIR, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH BOARD, introduced
the Board members for the Governor's Council on Disabilities
and Special Education, the Older Alaskans Commission, and
the Governor's Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
She proceeded to present the Alaska Mental Health Board's
6
FY95 funding recommendations for comprehensive mental health
programs originating from the Alaskan Mental Health Trust.
Ms. Iden explained the Mental Health Board's responsibility
to fulfill the trust purpose in establishing a comprehensive
and integrated mental health program which adequately meets
the needs of those citizens. The project would be
accomplished through a needs assessment, the planning and
evaluation of programs, followed by implementation from
budget recommendations.
Ms. Iden provided the Committee with a handout, "Alaska
Mental Health Board FY95 Funding Recommendations for
Alaska's Comprehensive Mental Health Program From the Mental
Health Lands Trust -- February 4, 1994". (Copy on file).
Beneficiaries and providers have agreed that the first
priority would be granting a budget which would allow
programs to continue providing services at the present
level, restore service cuts, fund services necessary as a
result of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act and
fund programs for victims of Alzheimer's Disease and related
disorders. Most programs for Mental Health Trust
beneficiaries have not received any increases in the past
three years through grant funds. Many programs have had to
cut back on services to cover cost increases. She added,
increments for the home and community based services through
the Older Alaskans Commission component are necessary to
allow that population to reach parity with other beneficiary
groups within the Trust.
Ms. Iden asked the Committee to support the proposed
requests made by the Alaska Mental Health Board.
REGGIE JOULE, CHAIRMAN, ADVISORY BOARD ON ALCOHOLISM AND
DRUG ABUSE, KOTZEBUE, presented testimony on alcohol and
drug abuse and the problems created by these addictions.
(Testimony provided -Copy on file).
Mr. Joule emphasized that the State can not afford to not
fund substance abuse. He added, that past reductions to the
substance abuse budget have caused emotional and financial
damage within the State.
Mr. Joule itemized legislation that the Advisory Board on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse supports:
SB 42, HB 2, HB 28, HB 61, SB 221 (HB 344),
SB 19, SB 220, HB 413 (SB 369), HB 195
Representative Brown asked if taxation of substances would
deter users. Mr. Joule thought it would not make a
7
difference to the addict, although, he supported taxation
and use of the tax revenue funds by the Mental Health Board
to support mental health related programs.
(Tape Change HFC 94-25, Side 1).
DON HOOVER, CHAIR, OLDER ALASKANS COMMISSION, FAIRBANKS,
presented testimony addressing the Pioneer's needs in
Alaska. (Testimony provided - Copy on file).
He pointed out that the Older Alaskans Commission (OAC)
serves as an advocacy agency for adults with alzheimer's
disease, which carefully plans to provide the best services
possible for ADRD clients and their families. With the help
of communities, nonprofit agencies, and Pioneers' Homes; OAC
has helped relieve the suffering and burden of care for
families experiencing Alzheimer's disease in loved ones.
Mr. Hoover urged the Committee's continued support for the
proposed FY95 funding for mental health needs in Alaska.
KATHY ALELY, CHAIR, GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES &
SPECIAL EDUCATION, EAGLE RIVER, explained the needs of
people in the State with disabilities and the needs of their
families. She added, that the Council members are
volunteers.
The Board has the responsibility for planning statewide
services for people with all disabilities. There are
twenty-six members on the Council, half of which have a
disability or are a parent of a child with a disability.
Recommendations are made to the Mental Health Board on how
expenditures from the Trust should be allocated.
Ms. Alely insisted that having programs available to
families is more cost effective for the State in keeping
families intact and leads to less children being placed in
homes. She remarked that the common thread binding all
families involved with a person having a disability is
stress.
LESLIE YAMAMOTO, PARENT, provided the Committee with
pictures of her child who has benefited from programs in the
Infant Learning Program provided by the State. She stressed
the need for continued funding.
KATHY FITZGERALD, PARENT, provided the Committee with photos
of her child who has benefited from programs provided by the
State and urged continued support.
SUSAN LOUDAN, PARENT, provided the Committee with
photographs of her daughter and urged continued support of
programs which address the needs of the disabled.
8
ERNIE DRUMMAN, PARENT, provided the Committee with a
photograph of his son, Stewart, who has suffered extreme
disabilities and who has benefited from programs provided by
the State. He urged continued funding of Respite and Shared
Care Programs and others which address the needs of the
disabled.
Representative Brown asked if the Board had success in
working with Alaska Housing Finance Corporation in
addressing "special needs" housing. Ms. Iden explained the
Special Needs Task Force which has been meeting to develop a
State plan. The Task Force is currently working on policy
and implementation with Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.
Representative Brice asked incentives used by the Department
of Education for children in the schools with special needs.
MARGARET LOWE, M.ED.ED.S., COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, explained that the Education
Committee Task Force has been working on intent language
addressing special education and how that would affect the
foundation program. Currently, there is no legislation
available to address those needs.
Representative Hoffman commented on the lack of attention to
developmental disabilities among people living in the rural
areas of the State. Commissioner Lowe pointed out the large
increase of services to the developmentally disabled in the
rural areas in the past five years. Currently, services
exist to persons in one hundred and seventy (170) villages.
Co-Chair Larson summarized the existing FY95 budget
constrictions in relationship to the Mental Health Board's
request for needed funds for the State's disabled. He
encouraged a cooperative relationship between the board and
committee in developing a budget to address mental health
needs.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:00 P.M.
9
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