Legislature(1997 - 1998)
05/02/1997 04:40 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
MAY 2, 1997
4:40 P.M.
TAPE HFC 97 - 120, Side 1, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 97 - 120, Side 2, #000 - #489.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Gene Therriault called the House Finance Committee
meeting to order at 4:40 P.M.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Therriault Representative Kohring
Representative Davies Representative Martin
Representative Davis Representative Moses
Representative Foster Representative Mulder
Representative Kelly
Representatives Grussendorf and Hanley were not present for
the meeting.
ALSO PRESENT
Patti Swenson, Staff, Representative Con Bunde; Mike
Tibbles, Staff, Representative Gene Therriault; Diane
Worley, Director, Division of Family and Youth Service,
Department of Health and Social Services; Stephanie
Szymanski, Staff, Senator Drue Pearce; Joe Ambrose, Staff,
Senator Robin Taylor; Jeff Bush, Deputy Commissioner,
Department of Commerce and Economic Development; Guy Bell,
Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department of
Commerce and Economic Development; Jens Saakvitre,
(Testified via teleconference), Director, LIFE-Alaska,
Anchorage; Paula Haley, (Testified via teleconference),
Anchorage.
SUMMARY
SB 38 An Act relating to anatomical gifts, living wills,
and do not resuscitate orders.
HCS CS SB 38 (JUD) was reported out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and with a fiscal
note by the Department of Health and Social
Services dated 2/3/97 and a zero fiscal note by
the Department of Public Safety dated 2/3/97.
SB 55 An Act relating to the definition of certain state
receipts; and providing for an effective date.
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SB 55 was RESCHEDULED for a latter hearing.
SB 103 An Act relating to hearings before and authorizing
fees for the State Commission for Human Rights;
and providing for an effective date.
SB 103 was HELD for further discussion.
SB 177 An Act relating to the international trade and
business endowment; and providing for an effective
date.
SB 177 was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with fiscal notes by the
Department of Revenue dated 4/28/97, the
Department of Commerce and Economic Development
dated 4/22/97 and the Statewide Budget Office.
HB 127 An Act relating to the citizen review board and
panels for permanency planning for certain
children in state custody; renaming the Citizens'
Review Panel For Permanency Planning as the
Citizens' Foster Care Review Board; extending the
termination date of the Citizens' Foster Care
Review Board; and providing for an effective date.
CS HB 127 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with fiscal notes
by the House Finance Committee, the Department of
Administration dated 4/23/97 and a zero note by
the Department of Health and Social Services dated
4/23/97.
SENATE BILL 103
"An Act relating to hearings before and authorizing
fees for the State Commission for Human Rights; and
providing for an effective date."
PAULA HALEY, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ANCHORAGE,
spoke in support of the legislation and explained that in an
effort to reduce budgets, some actions that save money also
create efficiencies which better meet public service goals
as is the case with the Human Rights Commission.
The bill would allow the Human Rights Commission to hold
hearings at the office in Anchorage rather than where the
alleged discrimination occurred, as is required under
current law. She suggested that it would save time and
money in travel costs. The Commissioner would continue to
ensure that complainants may participate in the hearings.
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Ms. Haley continued, the bill would also allow the
Commission to charge fees to cover the costs of services,
information and materials and to provide tapes rather than
transcriptions of the hearings. The changes would reduce
the cost and time involved in resolving cases, helping the
Commission to work through its tremendous backlog of cases,
and better respond to the public's increased requests for
its services. The result would be better human rights
protection for Alaskans.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CS SB 103 (STA)am out
of Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS SB 103 (STA)am was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with two fiscal notes by the Office
of the Governor dated 4/29/97 and 3/24/97.
HOUSE BILL 127
"An Act relating to the citizen review board and panels
for permanency planning for certain children in state
custody; renaming the Citizens' Review Panel For
Permanency Planning as the Citizens' Foster Care Review
Board; extending the termination date of the Citizens'
Foster Care Review Board; and providing for an
effective date."
PATTI SWENSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE, spoke to the
changes between CS HB 127 (HES) and the proposed House
Finance version of the legislation, 0-LS0496\L, Lauterbach,
5/2/97.
Referencing Page 4, Line 25, she asked if the new language
referring to when the board meets "telephonically" would
also include video. Representative G. Davis understood that
it would. Representative J. Davies suggested clarifying
that language on Page 4, Line 26, inserting: "And may meet
by video conference".
MIKE TIBBLES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GENE THERRIAULT,
recommended that the enclosed amendment, [Amendment #1-Copy
on file], which was included in the members packets would be
the appropriate place to incorporate that language.
Representative Foster MOVED that 0-LS0496\L, Lauterbach,
5/2/97, be the version before the Committee. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Foster MOVED to adopt Amendment #1.
Representative G. Davis OBJECTED for the purpose of
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discussion, while suggesting to change the wording.
Representative J. Davies MOVED to add the language: "And
may meet by video conference", to Amendment #1. There being
NO OBJECTION to the addition of the new language, the
amended Amendment #1 was incorporated. There being NO
further OBJECTION to the amended Amendment #1, it was
adopted.
Ms. Swenson spoke to the change from executive director to
program coordinator. Representative J. Davies voiced
concern with that change. He felt that an executive
director implied a higher level of expertise. He asked if
those terms were defined in the Administrative Code.
Mr. Tibbles explained that the fiscal note spoke to the
change of that position. The social service program
coordinator would be a range 20. A program coordinator, the
previous title, was used before the funding was reduced and
that position was phased out. Ms. Swenson agreed, she
thought that there would be a difference between what a
program coordinator and an executive director. She advised
that a program coordinator is a classified position within
the State, whereas, an executive director is not and could
serve at the pleasure of the board; a program coordinator
would be a State directed position.
DIANE WORLEY, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF FAMILY AND YOUTH SERVICE
(DFYS), DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, clarified
that when a department is referenced in the proposed
legislation, that reference is to the Department of
Administration (DOA). Currently, there exists within the
State, a social service project coordinator job class for
upper level and senior management positions. Some boards
are run by a classified executive director position. She
understood that also was a State job classification.
Ms. Swenson noted that when the panel was first appointed,
it was run by a program coordinator with no problems.
Representative J. Davies pointed out that initially, the
program was a pilot project in a portion of Anchorage,
whereas, the current proposal is a statewide program with a
much broader scope. Ms. Swenson pointed out that the
functions would basically continue to be the same.
She continued, the change to Page 6, Lines 10-11, would
address the State board making recommendations to the
Department regarding regulations for out-of-home placement
of children. She understood that the State board would be
allowed to continue that procedure which would make a
difference for DFYS. The new language would further clarify
the legislation.
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Mr. Tibbles spoke to the deletion of transitional language
at the end of the bill. Ms. Swenson commented that the
Department has indicated support for that change.
Representative G. Davis referenced Page 6, Line 26, with
regard to the report being sent to the Governor and
Legislature. He suggested that these bodies should be
"notified" of the availability of the report. Ms. Swenson
noted that Representative Bunde would support that change in
wording as it would save printing and mailing costs.
Representative G. Davis MOVED to change the language on Page
6, Line 26 to: "Shall notify the governor and the
legislature that the report is available". There being NO
OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Mr. Tibbles explained the revised fiscal note. The personal
service line was changed to $45 thousand dollars, funding
the program coordinator for a nine month period, in
addition, it would bring the social worker II position from
10.5 month funding to 12 month funding. The social worker
IV position would be eliminated and an additional
administrative clerk would be added.
Representative J. Davies questioned if additional funding
exists as the quoted numbers amount to more than $45
thousand dollars allocated. Ms. Swenson replied, currently,
there is staff functioning in the Anchorage panel office
with funding through FY98.
Representative J. Davies asked if it was the Chair's intent
that the program coordinator position work only nine months
a year. Ms. Swenson stated that the program coordinator
position would be a full twelve month position.
Representative J. Davies asked why the amount had not been
increased in the personal service line following FY98. Mr.
Tibbles interjected that was an oversight and that the
personal service line had been copied without changing the
numbers. The difference would be an additional $17 thousand
dollars for a full year funding of an executive director
position, and an additional $6 thousand dollars for full
year funding of the clerk position. He recommended changing
the FY99 through FY03 by increasing personal services for an
additional $23 thousand dollars.
Representative J. Davies MOVED that the personal services
line through FY03 be changed to reflect $68 thousand
dollars. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CS HB 127 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
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so ordered.
CS HB 127 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with fiscal notes by the House
Finance Committee, the Department of Administration dated
4/23/97 and a zero note by the Department of Health and
Social Services dated 4/23/97.
SENATE BILL 177
"An Act relating to the international trade and
business endowment; and providing for an effective
date."
STEPHANIE SZYMANSKI, STAFF, SENATOR DRUE PEARCE, explained
that the legislation would establish an International Trade
and Business Endowment in the Alaska Science and Technology
Foundation. The principal and income of the endowment will
be invested by the Permanent Fund Corporation and net income
from the endowment will be held in a separate account
subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
The intended purpose of the endowment income would be to
cover a portion of the State's annual expenditure on
international trade promotion. In the Senate version of
FY98 budget, it is envisioned that the Department of
Commerce and Economic Development, Division of Trade and
Tourism's international trade staff and offices and the
World Trade Center would receive support from the endowment
income.
Ms. Szymanski concluded that keeping the Department's trade
specialists and overseas offices fully funded, the bill
would make sure the State maintains the longstanding links
with key trading partners in Asia, the Russian Far East and
elsewhere.
Representative Martin suggested that in order to receive the
maximum from our money, it should be placed in a treasury
rather than permanent fund.
JEFF BUSH, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, replied that there was nothing
scientific about placing the money in Alaska Science
Technology Foundation (ASTF); it was decided that this would
be a safe investment with a large foundation, and invested
by the permanent fund. Placing the money was an add-on
investment in a simple way. He acknowledged that there is a
trade off with which the fund would be faced and the changes
that it will bring. The Department has been comfortable
with the permanent fund investments over the years, and
would be investing some money there.
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Mr. Bush, in response to Representative Martin, explained
that the money would be earned and then set-up in an account
within ASTF. It would then be subject by an appropriation
to the Department for international trade efforts. It would
be a separately maintained fund. Mr. Bush noted that the
Department is in support of the bill. He added that Alaska
Center for International Business (ACIB) recognizes that
there has been discussion regarding the over-lapping and
lack of coordination in international trade activities. The
Administration sees the bill as an effort to better
coordinate those activities.
(Tape Change HFC 97-120, Side 2).
Mr. Bush suggested that the merger would create a better
international trade organization. ACIB has done a lot of
international trade research, whereas, the Department has
done a lot of international trade activities over the past
years, in which they have used ACIB for research. To have
the two groups working together will better coordinate the
research, providing a more stable funding source.
Representative Martin MOVED to report SB 177 out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
SB 177 was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with fiscal notes by the Statewide
Budget Office, the Department of Revenue dated 4/28/97 and
the Department of Commerce and Economic Development dated
4/22/97.
SENATE BILL 38
"An Act relating to anatomical gifts, living wills, and
do not resuscitate orders."
JOE AMBROSE, STAFF, SENATOR ROBIN TAYLOR, noted that the
legislation would modify existing statutes dealing with
living wills and would add a provision by which those who
execute a living will can choose through that document to
become an organ donor. By adding the provision to the
statutory language suggested for a living will, loved ones
and health care professionals would be fully informed as to
the wishes of family members and patients.
In addition to adding anatomical gifts to the language of a
living will, SB 38 would instruct the Division of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) to indicate on drivers' licenses not only the
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fact that the bearer has elected to become an organ donor,
but also that the individual has a living will. The
provision generated a fiscal note on the bill, which will
total $2 thousand dollars for the design of a logo.
Mr. Ambrose noted that SB 38 has been thoroughly examined in
the committee process and has been amended to address
concerns raised by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Section of the State Division of Health as well as organ
banks in Alaska and Washington state.
JENS SAAKVITRE, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), DIRECTOR,
LIFE-ALASKA, ANCHORAGE, spoke in support of the proposed
legislation.
Representative Martin MOVED to report HCS CS SB 177 (JUD)
out of Committee with individual recommendations and with
the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it
was so ordered.
HCS CS SB 177 (JUD) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with fiscal notes by the Department
of Health and Social Services dated 2/3/97 and the
Department of Public Safety dated 2/3/97.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 P.M.
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**FIN125PM
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