Legislature(2023 - 2024)ADAMS 519
03/05/2024 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB268 || HB270 | |
| Subcommittee Closeout Reports | |
| Department of Law | |
| Judiciary | |
| University of Alaska | |
| Department of Labor and Workforce Development | |
| Department of Environmental Conservation | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 268 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 270 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 5, 2024
1:34 p.m.
1:34:49 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Johnson called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bryce Edgmon, Co-Chair
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative DeLena Johnson, Co-Chair
Representative Julie Coulombe
Representative Mike Cronk
Representative Alyse Galvin
Representative Sara Hannan
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Dan Ortiz
Representative Will Stapp
Representative Frank Tomaszewski
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Sue Stancliff, Staff, Representative Mike Cronk; Paul
Menke, Staff, Representative Will Stapp; Zach Young, Staff,
Representative Frank Tomaszewski; Valerie Rose, Fiscal
Analyst, Legislative Finance Division.
SUMMARY
HB 268 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP; AM
HB 268 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HB 270 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
HB 270 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SUBCOMMITTEE CLOSEOUT REPORTS:
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
JUDICIARY
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA
Co-Chair Johnson reviewed the meeting agenda.
HOUSE BILL NO. 268
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; making capital appropriations; making
supplemental appropriations; making reappropriations;
making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 270
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing for
an effective date."
1:35:42 PM
^SUBCOMMITTEE CLOSEOUT REPORTS
1:35:46 PM
^DEPARTMENT OF LAW
1:35:54 PM
Representative Cronk relayed that his staff would provide
the subcommittee report for the Department of Law.
SUE STANCLIFF, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CRONK, reviewed
the finance subcommittee recommendations for the Department
of Law (copy on file):
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the
Department of Law held a total of two meetings and
submits the following recommended operating budget for
FY25 to the House Finance Committee:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands)
Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $76,935.3
Designated General Funds (DGF) $2,969.9
Other Funds $35,102.5
Federal Funds $2,307.1
Total $117,314.8
Compared to the FY 25 Adjusted Base, the Subcommittee
recommendations represent an increase of $6,928.0
million (+9.9 percent) in Unrestricted General Funds,
$774.9 thousand (+2.3 percent) in Other Funds for a
total increase of $7,702.9 million (+7.0 percent) all
funds.
Positions:
Permanent Full-time 600
Permanent Part-time 1
Temporary 29
Total 630
BUDGET ACTIONS:
After reviewing and discussing each of the Governor's
proposed transactions in detail, the subcommittee made
the following changes unanimous consent:
• In the Criminal Division Authorized 11 of 23
requested Paid Internships. $277.7 in the Civil
Division, Authorized 18 of 35 requested Paid
Internships. $261.6
• Civil Division - Reduced Increment for Statehood
Defense from $2,018.0 to $1,500.0 GF
• Civil Division - Denied the fund source change in
the Government Services allocation for regulation
review. (-$448.0 UGF; $448.0 IA Receipts)
Highlights of items accepted from the Governor's
request include:
Criminal Division:
• Funded Consent Law Changes from HB 325 (2022) -
$2,328.6 GF and 12 PFTs;
• Funded Prosecutor and Paralegal Training
Academies - $100.0 UGF;
• Authorized Six Full-Time Investigators for
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. $1,142.9 GF
Civil Division:
• Approved the requested budget structure change
consolidating fifteen allocations to five;
• Added Attorney and Paralegal for Child Protection
cases in Fairbanks - $352.4 and 2 PFTs;
• Added positions and funding for Consumer
Protection - $598.7 and 3 PFTs
SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The Chairman set an amendment deadline, welcomed
amendments from all members, the subcommittee received
two amendments, neither were adopted.
1:41:39 PM
Ms. Stancliff clarified that the committee did not receive
any amendments. She listed the attached reports:
• Law Agency Totals
• Law Transaction Compare: Adjusted base + to House
Subcom
• Law Wordage
Representative Hannan asked about the number of positions
added in the budget, excluding the 29 interns. She looked
the operating budget agency totals on page 1 of the Budget
Analysis sheet (copy on file) showing an increase of 29
employees from 571 to 600. She noted there was a separate
line showing temporary interns. She calculated there were
23 additional positions [according to the above narrative].
She wondered about the difference between the two figures
and asked what the other six positions were.
1:43:18 PM
AT EASE
1:46:12 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Johnson noted follow up information on the
question would be provided at a later time.
^JUDICIARY
1:46:34 PM
SUE STANCLIFF, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CRONK, reviewed
the finance subcommittee recommendations for the Judiciary
(copy on file):
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Courts
held a total of two meetings and submits the following
recommended operating budget for FY25 to the House
Finance Committee:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands)
Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $140,690.2
Designated General Funds (DGF) $518.0
Other Funds $2,530.0
Federal Funds $1,805.3
Total $145,543.5
Compared to the FY 25 Adjusted Base, the Subcommittee
recommendations represent an increase of $2,991.9
million (+2.2 percent) in Unrestricted General Funds,
$125.0 thousand (+5.2 percent) in Other Funds, $525.0
thousand (+41.0 percent) in Federal Funds, for a total
of $3,641.9 million for a total increase of 2.6
percent all funds.
Positions:
Permanent Full-time 754
Permanent Part-time 39
Temporary 6
Total 799
BUDGET ACTIONS:
After reviewing and discussing each of the Governor's
proposed transactions in detail, the subcommittee
adopted all items by unanimous consent.
Some of the highlights of these items are:
• Trial Courts - Court Visitor Program Recent
Actuals/Projections. $127.4 GF
• Trial Courts - Added 3 New Positions for
Monitoring Guardianship Appointments, Education,
and Supportive Help for Guardians. $417.0
• Therapeutic courts - Authorized Receipt Authority
for Projects Involving Data Collection, Program
Evaluations, and Case Management Improvements Fed
Rcpts $375.0 I/A Rcpts $125.0
SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The Chairman set an amendment deadline, welcomed
amendments from all members, the committee received no
amendments.
ATTACHED REPORTS
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for Judiciary
adopted the attached reports:
• JUD Agency Totals
• JUD Transaction Compare: Adjusted Base + to House
Subcom
• JUD Wordage
1:50:03 PM
^UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA
1:50:41 PM
Representative Stapp relayed that his staff would provide
the subcommittee report for the University of Alaska.
PAUL MENKE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE WILL STAPP, reviewed the
finance subcommittee recommendations for the University of
Alaska (copy on file):
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the
University of Alaska held a total of three meetings.
The subcommittee made a few changes to the Governor's
operating budget and submits the following recommended
operating budget for the FY 25 to the House Finance
Committee:
Fund Source (dollars are in thousands)
Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $329,322.7
Designated General Funds (DGF) $313,545.4
Other Funds $75,530.5
Federal Funds $190,842.7
Total $909,241.3
RECOMMENDATIONS
Compared to the FY25 adjusted base, the subcommittee
recommendations represent an increase of $14,781.1
(4.7 percent) in Unrestricted General Funds, a
decrease of $1,585.1 (-0.5 percent) in Designated
General Funds, an increase of $20.0 (0 percent) in
Other funds, and no adjustment to Federal Funds for a
total increase of $13,216.0 (1.5 percent).
POSITIONS
Permanent Full-time: 3,664
Permanent Part-time: 207
Temporary: 0
Total: 3,664
Compared to the FY 25 Adjusted Base, the Subcommittee
recommendations represent no change in Permanent Full-
Time positions, Permanent Part-Time positions, or
Temporary positions.
BUDGET ACTION
After reviewing and discussing each of the Governor's
proposed transactions, the subcommittee adopted all
items in the Budget Action sheet by unanimous consent.
Some of the highlights of these items are:
• Fixed cost increases: Increased UGF funding for
fixed cost increases to $8,431,100.
• Faculty and Staff Compensation: Increased UGF
funding for faculty and staff compensation to
$12,230,600.
• Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP):
Supported a $200,000 grant to ACEP to facilitate
the Energy Education Working Group, the Carbon
Capture, Utilization and Storage Group, and the
Hydrogen Working Group.
• Maintain Tuition Assistance: Declined the
Governor's proposal to reduce Alaska tuition
assistance for Alaska National Guard and Naval
Militia members.
SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The Chair set an amendment deadline and received five
total amendments. After discussion, none of the
amendments were adopted.
ATTACHED REPORTS:
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the
University of Alaska adopted the attached reports:
• Agency Totals
• Transaction Compare: Adjusted Base to House
Subcom
• Transaction Compare: Gov Amended House Subcom
1:54:19 PM
Representative Stapp concluded the overview of the
University of Alaska budget.
^DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
1:54:49 PM
ZACH YOUNG, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI,
reviewed the finance subcommittee recommendations for the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD)(copy
on file):
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development held a
total of three meetings, made no changes to the
Governor's request or amended budget, and submits the
following recommended operating budget for FY 25 to
the House Finance Committee:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands)
Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $22,156.9
Designated General Funds (DGF) $32,022.4
Other Funds$19,762.0
Federal Funds $92,646.8
Total $166,588.1
Compared to the FY 25 adjusted base, the subcommittee
recommendations represent an increase of $535.3 (+2.5
percent) in Unrestricted General Funds, $1631.1 (+5.4
percent) in Designated General Funds, and $3,811.6 (-
1.4 percent) in other funds, with no change in Federal
Funds for a total increase of $5,978.0 (+3.7 percent)
of all funds.
Positions:
Permanent Full-time 680
Permanent Part-time 43
Temporary 21
Total 744
BUDGET ACTION:
After reviewing and discussing each of the Governor's
proposed transactions in detail, the subcommittee
adopted all items.
Some of the highlights of these items are:
• $437.8 UGF Increment to reestablish the Office of
Citizenship Assistance and reclass 3 vacant
positions.
• $97.5 UGF Increment to Replace Federal Indirect
Revenues to maintain Vocational Rehabilitation
Administration Support
SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The Chair set an amendment deadline, welcomed
amendments from all members, and the committee
received no amendments.
ATTACHED REPORTS:
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development adopted
the attached reports:
• DOL&WD Agency Totals
• DOL&WD Transaction Compare: Adjusted Base to
House Subcommittee
• Wordage
1:58:43 PM
Representative Hannan referenced the subcommittee
recommendation to replace federal indirect revenues for
vocational rehabilitation with UGF. She supported the
addition of the UGF funds. She referenced the first page of
the narrative specifying there was no change in federal
funding. She asked for an explanation.
Mr. Young replied that the increment was due to a
department vacancy factor that made federal funds non-
collectable. As a result, the department needed stopgap
funding to fill the positions in order to collect the
federal funding. He asked the Legislative Finance Division
about the accuracy of his response.
VALERIE ROSE, FISCAL ANALYST, LEGISLATIVE FINANCE DIVISION,
agreed with Mr. Young's statements.
Representative Hannan asked for verification that there was
no reduction in federal funds, but that state matching
funds were required in order to receive the revenue.
Ms. Rose clarified that it was not a match factor
necessarily. She explained that many of the positions
within DLWD were all or substantially federally funded. In
many cases the programs had requirements for the direct
service positions versus the administrative positions
responsible for running the programs. She elaborated that
at times if there was a higher vacancy in the direct
service positions fully funded with direct federal
revenues, the indirect revenues could not be collected for
the administrative positions. As a result, the department
requested a one-time increment of $97,500 as a stopgap for
the loss of federal indirect revenue.
Representative Hannan supported the funding. She remarked
that the vocational rehabilitation money, which was mostly
comprised of federal funds, benefitted the state by getting
Alaskans back to work.
2:01:33 PM
Representative Stapp asked about the 1054 fund source of
$1.6 million for STEP [State Training and Employment
Program]. He read in the Budget Analysis sheet (copy on
file) that the increase was based on available revenues. He
asked if the increase was guaranteed or hollow authority.
He asked for clarification.
Ms. Rose responded that the revenues were from employee
taxes collected and distributed through competitive grants.
It was her understanding that the revenues were available,
and the department was requesting the authority to expend
them on the competitive grants.
Representative Stapp stated his understanding that the
taxes were not increasing, but more money had been
collected because employees were getting paid more or the
number of employees had increased; therefore, there was
increased funding available to give out in STEP grants.
Ms. Rose agreed.
^DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
2:03:13 PM
Representative Tomaszewski relayed that his staff would
provide the subcommittee report for the Department of
Environmental Conservation.
ZACH YOUNG, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI,
reviewed the finance subcommittee recommendations for DEC
(copy on file):
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the
Department of Environmental Conservation held a total
of four meetings, made no changes to the Governor's
request or amended budget, and submits the following
recommended operating budget for FY 25 to the House
Finance Committee:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands)
Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $22,171.6
Designated General Funds (DGF) $23.074.0
Other Funds $20,967.0
Federal Funds $41,785.9
Total $107.998.5
Compared to the FY 25 adjusted base, the subcommittee
recommendations represent an increase of $125.0
thousand (+0.6 percent) in Unrestricted General Funds,
$110.7 thousand (+0.5 percent) in Designated General
Funds, as well as a decrease of $10.7 thousand (-0.5
percent) in other funds and a decrease in Federal
Funds of $1,918.1 million (-4.4 percent), for a total
decrease of $1,793.l million (-1.6 percent) of all
funds.
Positions:
Permanent Full-time 546
Permanent Part-time 0
Temporary 9
Total 555
BUDGET ACTION:
After reviewing and discussing each of the Governor's
proposed transactions in detail, the subcommittee
adopted all items.
Some of the highlights of these items are:
• $125 UGF Increment to replace Fed Receipts for
Building Maintenance of Air lab.
• $110.7 DGF Increment to replace other
uncollectable receipts.
Mr. Young added that the narrative did not reflect an
$87,500 increment in the governor's original budget request
because it had been moved into the governor's amended
budget for FY 24 in order to make progress in the coming
months on moving the air lab in Juneau. He continued with
the subcommittee report:
SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The Chair set an amendment deadline, welcomed
amendments from all members, and the committee
received no amendments.
ATTACHED REPORTS:
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the
Department of Environmental Conservation adopted the
attached reports:
• DEC Agency Totals
• DEC Transaction Compare: Adjusted Base + to House
Subcommittee
• Wordage
2:06:34 PM
Representative Ortiz observed that the category of "other"
funds appeared to account for about 17 percent of funds
collected. He asked what kind of sources were included in
the other funds category.
Mr. Young explained that the "other" funds category was a
catch-all term primarily for interagency receipts in
addition to any other collectible revenue that did not fall
into the federal or state UGF or DGF categories. He would
have to follow up with any additional detail.
Representative Ortiz stated he had previously asked about
fund code 1205 related to the Ocean Ranger Program during
the subcommittee process. He had asked where the funding
was being spent. He observed there was about $2.1 million
in those funds that were a part of the "other" funds
category. He had not been able to get any information on
how the funding was being used. He asked if Mr. Young had
any new information.
Mr. Young answered that he did not have an update.
Representative Tomaszewski replied that he did not have an
update currently. He would provide the information as soon
as it was available.
Co-Chair Johnson requested to receive the information as
well.
HB 268 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 270 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Johnson reviewed the schedule for the following
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
2:09:01 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 2:09 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DEC SubComm Closeout Reports 030524.pdf |
HFIN 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| JUD SubComm Closeout Reports 030524.pdf |
HFIN 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| DLWD SubComm Closeout Reports 030424.pdf |
HFIN 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| LAW SubComm Closeout Reports 030524.pdf |
HFIN 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| UA SubComm Closeout Reports 030524.docx |
HFIN 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| UA FinSub Narrative Corrected 040524.pdf |
HFIN 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 |