Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/02/1994 01:30 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 2, 1994
1:30 p.m.
TAPE HFC 94-45, Side 1, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94-45, Side 2, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94-46, Side 1, #000 - #501.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee to order
at 1:30 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; Shelby
Stastny, Director, Office of Management and Budget, Office
of the Governor; Nancy Slagle, Director, Division of Budget
Review, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the
Governor; Kevin Brooks, Director, Division of
Administration, Department of Fish and Game; Janet Clarke,
Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department of
Health and Social Services; Jeff Morrison, Director,
Administrative and Support Services, Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs; Nico Bus, Acting Director, Support
Services Division, Department of Natural Resources; Jill
Sandleben, AGENET, Juneau.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
HB 441 An Act reducing certain appropriations for fiscal
year 1994; and providing for an effective date.
HB 441 was HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HB 455 An Act making and amending operating and capital
appropriations and ratifying certain state
expenditures; and providing for an effective date.
HB 455 was HELD in Committee for further
discussion.
1
HB 505 An Act making appropriations to and from the
constitutional budget reserve fund under art. IX,
sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska,
for operating and capital expenses of state
government for fiscal year 1994; and providing for
an effective date.
HB 505 was HELD in Committee for further
discussion.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Co-Chair Larson provided the Committee with an updated House
Finance Committee - FY95 Operating Budget Schedule,
[Attachment #1]. He provided an overview of the schedule
beginning on Page 4, the Non Formula and General Fund
reductions. An itemized reduction scenario per agency
allocation was listed.
Representative Brown asked how program receipts would be
addressed in the department cap proposals. Co-Chair Larson
responded that program receipts would be included in the
reduction projection. Representative Brown urged Committee
members not to consider program receipts as part of the
reduction scenario.
Representative Therriault stated that program receipts are
general funds to the state treasury. Representative Larson
provided the Committee with a letter from the House Finance
Co-Chairs to the Subcommittee Chairs explaining the intent
of budget reductions resulting from program receipt
reduction goals. [Attachment #2].
Co-Chair Larson continued the overview of Attachment #1,
Page 2, listing the FY94 and FY95 expenditures and the
necessary sources of revenue. Page 3 lists legislation
required for the budget package, including HB 441, HB 455,
HB 454, HB 456 & 457, HB 370, HB 361 and HB 505. He
explained that the education component would be handled
separately with a funding source decision. Also included
were amounts necessary to fund the HESS budget, Alaska Court
System and the Longevity Bonus Program. Pages 5-8 of
Attachment #1 provide a list of the taxation legislation
currently being proposed.
HOUSE BILL 505
"An Act making appropriations to and from the
constitutional budget reserve fund under art. IX, sec.
17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, for
operating and capital expenses of state government for
2
fiscal year 1994; and providing for an effective date."
SHELBY STASTNY, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET,
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, provided an overview of the
Governor's position on HB 505. The Governor does not
support the changes made by the House Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Stastny explained the Administration's concerns with the
Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund amendment which directs
the amount necessary to be placed into that fund. He
pointed out the history of prior action regarding the fund.
Last Year the Attorney General was consulted and stated that
informal settlements were not "administrative proceedings".
The Attorney General added that those funds should be placed
into the General Fund and not into the Constitutional Budget
Reserve Fund. Mr. Stastny advised that the Governor
accepted the opinion of the Attorney General. This decision
was challenged in court.
Mr. Stastny continued, that there has been a decision by the
Supreme Court regarding the placement of the funds into the
budget reserve fund. This decision has been upheld.
Litigants recommended that an injunction be placed upon the
Administration in order that the funds be placed into the
Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund. The judge issued a
supplemental opinion stating that the money should have been
transferred into that fund. The judge observed that:
1. This was not only an Administration problem
because the Legislature knew the money had been
placed into the general fund and had appropriated
from the general fund rather than placing the
funds into the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund;
and that
2. The Legislature's involvement in appropriating the
money was improper.
HB 505 provides that the Legislature participate with the
Administration in appropriating the money from the general
fund into the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund. The
legislation would then appropriate that money out of the
Budget Reserve Fund into the general fund in two increments.
One amounting to $416 million dollars, the calculation of
the necessary amount to the Budget Reserve Fund as
appropriated last year.
Co-Chair Larson inquired where settlement money received
since May, 1993, is located. Mr. Stastny understood funds
to be in the constitutional Budget Reserve Fund.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-46, Side 2).
3
Mr. Stastny discussed the legal interpretation of
transferring money from the Budget Reserve Fund for public
purposes. He stated that the House Judiciary version of the
legislation would create a legal problem for the State.
Representative Brown asked which funds had been improperly
placed in the General Fund in FY91. Mr. Stastny understood
that when the attorney general's opinion was issued, the
Department of Revenue returned the settlements received
after the constitutional amendment's passage and then tried
to conform the deposits into the appropriate account. Co-
Chair Larson asked that a financial sheet be submitted to
the Committee explaining which funds are available for
distribution and where those funds are located. Mr. Stastny
provided the Committee with a handout of FY94 fund
sufficiency balances in the General Fund group dated
1/28/94. [Attachment #4].
Representative Brown questioned the status of the Governor's
employment and fish tax legislation. Mr. Stastny replied
that the employment tax will be introduced very soon,
although the fisheries tax might not be introduced this year
as a result of the current difficulties facing Alaskan
fisheries. He added that passing a tax bill in an election
year would be difficult.
Co-Chair Larson opened for discussion the subject of
repayment of a loan which had been forgiven by legislative
action. The $441 million dollar loan originated to the
Permanent Fund Corporation and was distributed.
Representative Brown provided the Committee with an
amendment to HB 505 (JUD) which would delete "findings".
[Attachment #3]. She asked that the amendment be considered
and incorporated into the House Finance Committee substitute
version of the legislation.
HB 505 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
HOUSE BILL 455
"An Act making and amending operating and capital
appropriations and ratifying certain state
expenditures; and providing for an effective date."
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
JILL SANDLEBEN, ALASKA GERIATRICS EXCHANGE NETWORK (AGENET),
JUNEAU, testified in opposition to the proposed Medicaid
reduction in HB 455. She explained how the Medicaid program
affects the Home Waivers Program. This program provides
4
services to clients in order to bring seniors out of nursing
home facilities and into home care services. She emphasized
that the program provides more services at a lower per
client cost.
NANCY SLAGLE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF BUDGET REVIEW, OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, provided a
sectional overview of HB 455, the supplemental legislation.
* Sec. 21 Medicaid State Programs $7,000.0
This request provides for the disproportionate
share payments for API operations.
JANET CLARKE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, provided the
Committee with a handout which explains the Medicaid
disproportionate share payments made to state hospitals
which serve a disproportionate share of low income patients.
The payments are matched 50/50 by the federal government and
the State. [Attachment #5].
* Sec. 22 Waivers Services $0.0
This request would transfer funds from Waivers
Authorization to the Community DD grants.
Ms. Clarke explained that whatever remains from the waivers
will be distributed to the grantees. Representative Hanley
pointed out that 10% of the final quarterly advance is held
from the grant money until all bills are received by the
Department. Ms. Clarke stated that was not the policy this
year due to cash flow problems. Grantees would receive all
the money available for the appropriation.
Representative Brown requested that the Committee consider
introducing a House Fiance Committee bill which would
address Section #22 of the proposed legislation to expedite
the net zero appropriation.
* Sec. 23 McLaughlin Youth Center $215.0
This request would cover the increased costs due
to the increase in gang-related violent
admissions.
* Sec. 24 Johnson Youth Center $41.0
This request would cover the increased costs due
to a population increase in violent youth crimes
resulting in contractual services.
5
* Sec. 25 Laboratory Services $358.7
This request would move money from program
receipts to the general fund to cover a delayed
implementation of a program for collecting lab
fees resulting in the loss of program receipts.
Ms. Clarke explained that the Department tried to adopt
regulations for the laboratory fees. There was public
concern regarding the fee schedule. Regulations were
withdrawn due to public concern and testimony. The fee
schedule is currently being reworked in order to match what
Medicaid has paid.
* Sec. 26 Post Mortem Examinations $201.8
This request would cover costs related to delayed
implementation of the Medical Examiner Program.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-46, Side 1).
* Sec. 27 Designated Evaluation & Treatment
$271.0
This request would cover the costs of increased
client caseload and inpatient days.
Ms. Clarke stated that the Department has been unable to
come to an agreement with the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on
a daily rate. The Department has contracted with the North
Star Hospital in Anchorage for an interim agreement to
handle any of the Fairbanks overflow. Currently, Sitka and
Anchorage are the only sites being covered. Representative
Hanley questioned why the program was running over cost when
so few sites were being covered. Ms. Clarke stated that the
program pays for psychiatric designated treatment services
in hospitals. Last year there were unforeseen late bills
from hospitals which the Department was responsible to pay.
* Sec. 28 Alaska Psychiatric Institute $624.6
This request would cover costs of an eighteen
percent increase in admissions and a fund change
due to the Disproportionate Share Program.
Ms. Slagle explained that this was a transfer of money from
the Medical Assistance Division to API where it will be used
for operations. At that time, given the availability of
mental health funds, they will be used elsewhere.
Representative Hanley pointed out that a large portion of
the funds would replace Mental Health Trust money. This
6
will be a cost savings to the State.
* Sec. 29 Harborview Development Center $598.2
This request would cover the costs related to
certification deficiencies and heating.
Ms. Slagle stated that the request would address the steam
heat plant obligations and problems encountered with the
fast-track certification which Harborview encountered last
year.
Ms. Clarke noted that $100 thousand dollars of the requested
amount resulted from a construction delay in the steam heat
plant at Harborview, a joint project between the Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) and
Harborview. The remaining amount will cover personnel
services.
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
* Sec. 30 Veteran's Death Gratuity $37.5
This request would cover the death gratuity claims
received in FY93.
Ms. Slagle pointed out that the program is no longer being
funded although these applicants were not considered in the
appropriation requests last year. This request would
conclude the program.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
* Sec. 31 Fire Suppression $4,643.8
This request would cover fire suppression costs.
NICO BUS, ACTING DIRECTOR, SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, stated that the total
request would include 1,754 actual fires and the remaining
would cover the fixed costs owed to the federal government
for fighting fires on state land.
Mr. Bus explained that the front section of the budget
itemized the amount of money used for fixed costs and would
not cover any fire activity. The average fire suppression
costs for the past five years is $9.5 million general fund
dollars.
* Sec. 32 Various $0.0
This request addresses the ratification of prior
7
year expenditures.
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
* Sec. 33 Administrative Services $20.0
This request would grant additional compensation
to vendors for king salmon tag sales.
* Sec. 34 Subsistence $60.5
This request would provide a fund source change
from federal to general fund program receipts.
Ms. Slagle pointed out this would be a fund source change to
program receipts from federal receipts resulting from an
anticipated federal grant but in reality received from the
University of Utah. This would correct the funding source.
* Sec. 35 Various $0.0
This component would clarify ratification of prior
year expenditures.
KEVIN BROOKS, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION,
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, explained that Section #35
resulted from an audit by Legislative Audit, OMB and the
Division of Finance to clean up old balances. Many of the
balances have been over-spent and some are uncollected
revenues. All items listed in Section #5 occurred between
1985 and 1991. The expenditures have already occurred and
the fund balance is not affected yet the expenditures did
exceed appropriation levels.
* Sec. 36 Fisheries Management ($10.0)
This request would address the Wood River project,
reappropriation and reduction in those funds.
Ms. Slagle stated that Section 36 would change the project
title and reduce the amount by $10 thousand dollars.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
* Sec. 37 Motor Vehicle Administration $331.9
This request would cover the data processing
charge back.
Ms. Slagle explained that when the charge back process was
initiated, the amount provided to the Division of Motor
Vehicles was less that required. Consequently, DMV was
8
short funded last year.
* Sec. 38 Contract Jails $70.4
This request would fully fund prisoner
transportation costs negotiated in FY94.
HB 455 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 P.M.
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 2, 1994
1:30 p.m.
TAPE HFC 94-45, Side 1, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94-45, Side 2, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94-46, Side 1, #000 - #501.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee to order
at 1:30 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; Shelby
Stastny, Director, Office of Management and Budget, Office
of the Governor; Nancy Slagle, Director, Division of Budget
Review, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the
Governor; Kevin Brooks, Director, Division of
Administration, Department of Fish and Game; Janet Clarke,
Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department of
Health and Social Services; Jeff Morrison, Director,
Administrative and Support Services, Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs; Nico Bus, Acting Director, Support
Services Division, Department of Natural Resources; Jill
Sandleben, AGENET, Juneau.
9
SUMMARY INFORMATION
HB 441 An Act reducing certain appropriations for fiscal
year 1994; and providing for an effective date.
HB 441 was HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HB 455 An Act making and amending operating and capital
appropriations and ratifying certain state
expenditures; and providing for an effective date.
HB 455 was HELD in Committee for further
discussion.
HB 505 An Act making appropriations to and from the
constitutional budget reserve fund under art. IX,
sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska,
for operating and capital expenses of state
government for fiscal year 1994; and providing for
an effective date.
HB 505 was HELD in Committee for further
discussion.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Co-Chair Larson provided the Committee with an updated House
Finance Committee - FY95 Operating Budget Schedule,
[Attachment #1]. He provided an overview of the schedule
beginning on Page 4, the Non Formula and General Fund
reductions. An itemized reduction scenario per agency
allocation was listed.
Representative Brown asked how program receipts would be
addressed in the department cap proposals. Co-Chair Larson
responded that program receipts would be included in the
reduction projection. Representative Brown urged Committee
members not to consider program receipts as part of the
reduction scenario.
Representative Therriault stated that program receipts are
general funds to the state treasury. Representative Larson
provided the Committee with a letter from the House Finance
Co-Chairs to the Subcommittee Chairs explaining the intent
of budget reductions resulting from program receipt
reduction goals. [Attachment #2].
Co-Chair Larson continued the overview of Attachment #1,
Page 2, listing the FY94 and FY95 expenditures and the
necessary sources of revenue. Page 3 lists legislation
required for the budget package, including HB 441, HB 455,
10
HB 454, HB 456 & 457, HB 370, HB 361 and HB 505. He
explained that the education component would be handled
separately with a funding source decision. Also included
were amounts necessary to fund the HESS budget, Alaska Court
System and the Longevity Bonus Program. Pages 5-8 of
Attachment #1 provide a list of the taxation legislation
currently being proposed.
HOUSE BILL 505
"An Act making appropriations to and from the
constitutional budget reserve fund under art. IX, sec.
17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, for
operating and capital expenses of state government for
fiscal year 1994; and providing for an effective date."
SHELBY STASTNY, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET,
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, provided an overview of the
Governor's position on HB 505. The Governor does not
support the changes made by the House Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Stastny explained the Administration's concerns with the
Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund amendment which directs
the amount necessary to be placed into that fund. He
pointed out the history of prior action regarding the fund.
Last Year the Attorney General was consulted and stated that
informal settlements were not "administrative proceedings".
The Attorney General added that those funds should be placed
into the General Fund and not into the Constitutional Budget
Reserve Fund. Mr. Stastny advised that the Governor
accepted the opinion of the Attorney General. This decision
was challenged in court.
Mr. Stastny continued, that there has been a decision by the
Supreme Court regarding the placement of the funds into the
budget reserve fund. This decision has been upheld.
Litigants recommended that an injunction be placed upon the
Administration in order that the funds be placed into the
Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund. The judge issued a
supplemental opinion stating that the money should have been
transferred into that fund. The judge observed that:
1. This was not only an Administration problem
because the Legislature knew the money had been
placed into the general fund and had appropriated
from the general fund rather than placing the
funds into the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund;
and that
2. The Legislature's involvement in appropriating the
money was improper.
11
HB 505 provides that the Legislature participate with the
Administration in appropriating the money from the general
fund into the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund. The
legislation would then appropriate that money out of the
Budget Reserve Fund into the general fund in two increments.
One amounting to $416 million dollars, the calculation of
the necessary amount to the Budget Reserve Fund as
appropriated last year.
Co-Chair Larson inquired where settlement money received
since May, 1993, is located. Mr. Stastny understood funds
to be in the constitutional Budget Reserve Fund.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-46, Side 2).
Mr. Stastny discussed the legal interpretation of
transferring money from the Budget Reserve Fund for public
purposes. He stated that the House Judiciary version of the
legislation would create a legal problem for the State.
Representative Brown asked which funds had been improperly
placed in the General Fund in FY91. Mr. Stastny understood
that when the attorney general's opinion was issued, the
Department of Revenue returned the settlements received
after the constitutional amendment's passage and then tried
to conform the deposits into the appropriate account. Co-
Chair Larson asked that a financial sheet be submitted to
the Committee explaining which funds are available for
distribution and where those funds are located. Mr. Stastny
provided the Committee with a handout of FY94 fund
sufficiency balances in the General Fund group dated
1/28/94. [Attachment #4].
Representative Brown questioned the status of the Governor's
employment and fish tax legislation. Mr. Stastny replied
that the employment tax will be introduced very soon,
although the fisheries tax might not be introduced this year
as a result of the current difficulties facing Alaskan
fisheries. He added that passing a tax bill in an election
year would be difficult.
Co-Chair Larson opened for discussion the subject of
repayment of a loan which had been forgiven by legislative
action. The $441 million dollar loan originated to the
Permanent Fund Corporation and was distributed.
Representative Brown provided the Committee with an
amendment to HB 505 (JUD) which would delete "findings".
[Attachment #3]. She asked that the amendment be considered
and incorporated into the House Finance Committee substitute
version of the legislation.
12
HB 505 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
HOUSE BILL 455
"An Act making and amending operating and capital
appropriations and ratifying certain state
expenditures; and providing for an effective date."
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
JILL SANDLEBEN, ALASKA GERIATRICS EXCHANGE NETWORK (AGENET),
JUNEAU, testified in opposition to the proposed Medicaid
reduction in HB 455. She explained how the Medicaid program
affects the Home Waivers Program. This program provides
services to clients in order to bring seniors out of nursing
home facilities and into home care services. She emphasized
that the program provides more services at a lower per
client cost.
NANCY SLAGLE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF BUDGET REVIEW, OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, provided a
sectional overview of HB 455, the supplemental legislation.
* Sec. 21 Medicaid State Programs $7,000.0
This request provides for the disproportionate
share payments for API operations.
JANET CLARKE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, provided the
Committee with a handout which explains the Medicaid
disproportionate share payments made to state hospitals
which serve a disproportionate share of low income patients.
The payments are matched 50/50 by the federal government and
the State. [Attachment #5].
* Sec. 22 Waivers Services $0.0
This request would transfer funds from Waivers
Authorization to the Community DD grants.
Ms. Clarke explained that whatever remains from the waivers
will be distributed to the grantees. Representative Hanley
pointed out that 10% of the final quarterly advance is held
from the grant money until all bills are received by the
Department. Ms. Clarke stated that was not the policy this
year due to cash flow problems. Grantees would receive all
the money available for the appropriation.
Representative Brown requested that the Committee consider
introducing a House Fiance Committee bill which would
address Section #22 of the proposed legislation to expedite
13
the net zero appropriation.
* Sec. 23 McLaughlin Youth Center $215.0
This request would cover the increased costs due
to the increase in gang-related violent
admissions.
* Sec. 24 Johnson Youth Center $41.0
This request would cover the increased costs due
to a population increase in violent youth crimes
resulting in contractual services.
* Sec. 25 Laboratory Services $358.7
This request would move money from program
receipts to the general fund to cover a delayed
implementation of a program for collecting lab
fees resulting in the loss of program receipts.
Ms. Clarke explained that the Department tried to adopt
regulations for the laboratory fees. There was public
concern regarding the fee schedule. Regulations were
withdrawn due to public concern and testimony. The fee
schedule is currently being reworked in order to match what
Medicaid has paid.
* Sec. 26 Post Mortem Examinations $201.8
This request would cover costs related to delayed
implementation of the Medical Examiner Program.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-46, Side 1).
* Sec. 27 Designated Evaluation & Treatment
$271.0
This request would cover the costs of increased
client caseload and inpatient days.
Ms. Clarke stated that the Department has been unable to
come to an agreement with the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on
a daily rate. The Department has contracted with the North
Star Hospital in Anchorage for an interim agreement to
handle any of the Fairbanks overflow. Currently, Sitka and
Anchorage are the only sites being covered. Representative
Hanley questioned why the program was running over cost when
so few sites were being covered. Ms. Clarke stated that the
program pays for psychiatric designated treatment services
in hospitals. Last year there were unforeseen late bills
from hospitals which the Department was responsible to pay.
14
* Sec. 28 Alaska Psychiatric Institute $624.6
This request would cover costs of an eighteen
percent increase in admissions and a fund change
due to the Disproportionate Share Program.
Ms. Slagle explained that this was a transfer of money from
the Medical Assistance Division to API where it will be used
for operations. At that time, given the availability of
mental health funds, they will be used elsewhere.
Representative Hanley pointed out that a large portion of
the funds would replace Mental Health Trust money. This
will be a cost savings to the State.
* Sec. 29 Harborview Development Center $598.2
This request would cover the costs related to
certification deficiencies and heating.
Ms. Slagle stated that the request would address the steam
heat plant obligations and problems encountered with the
fast-track certification which Harborview encountered last
year.
Ms. Clarke noted that $100 thousand dollars of the requested
amount resulted from a construction delay in the steam heat
plant at Harborview, a joint project between the Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) and
Harborview. The remaining amount will cover personnel
services.
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
* Sec. 30 Veteran's Death Gratuity $37.5
This request would cover the death gratuity claims
received in FY93.
Ms. Slagle pointed out that the program is no longer being
funded although these applicants were not considered in the
appropriation requests last year. This request would
conclude the program.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
* Sec. 31 Fire Suppression $4,643.8
This request would cover fire suppression costs.
NICO BUS, ACTING DIRECTOR, SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION,
15
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, stated that the total
request would include 1,754 actual fires and the remaining
would cover the fixed costs owed to the federal government
for fighting fires on state land.
Mr. Bus explained that the front section of the budget
itemized the amount of money used for fixed costs and would
not cover any fire activity. The average fire suppression
costs for the past five years is $9.5 million general fund
dollars.
* Sec. 32 Various $0.0
This request addresses the ratification of prior
year expenditures.
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
* Sec. 33 Administrative Services $20.0
This request would grant additional compensation
to vendors for king salmon tag sales.
* Sec. 34 Subsistence $60.5
This request would provide a fund source change
from federal to general fund program receipts.
Ms. Slagle pointed out this would be a fund source change to
program receipts from federal receipts resulting from an
anticipated federal grant but in reality received from the
University of Utah. This would correct the funding source.
* Sec. 35 Various $0.0
This component would clarify ratification of prior
year expenditures.
KEVIN BROOKS, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION,
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, explained that Section #35
resulted from an audit by Legislative Audit, OMB and the
Division of Finance to clean up old balances. Many of the
balances have been over-spent and some are uncollected
revenues. All items listed in Section #5 occurred between
1985 and 1991. The expenditures have already occurred and
the fund balance is not affected yet the expenditures did
exceed appropriation levels.
* Sec. 36 Fisheries Management ($10.0)
This request would address the Wood River project,
reappropriation and reduction in those funds.
16
Ms. Slagle stated that Section 36 would change the project
title and reduce the amount by $10 thousand dollars.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
* Sec. 37 Motor Vehicle Administration $331.9
This request would cover the data processing
charge back.
Ms. Slagle explained that when the charge back process was
initiated, the amount provided to the Division of Motor
Vehicles was less that required. Consequently, DMV was
short funded last year.
* Sec. 38 Contract Jails $70.4
This request would fully fund prisoner
transportation costs negotiated in FY94.
HB 455 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 P.M.
17
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