Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/17/1998 08:40 AM 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
April 17, 1998
8:40 A.M.
TAPE HFC 98 - 111, Side 1.
TAPE HFC 98 - 111, Side 2.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Hanley called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 8:40 A.M.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Hanley Representative Kelly
Co-Chair Therriault Representative Kohring
Representative J. Davies Representative Martin
Representative G. Davis Representative Moses
Representative Foster Representative Mulder
Representative Grussendorf
ALSO PRESENT
SUMMARY
HB 325 An Act making appropriations for the operating
and loan program expenses of state government,
for certain programs, and to capitalize funds;
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.
HB 325 was HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HB 326 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.
HB 326 was HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HB 406 An Act relating to subsistence uses of fish and
game.
CS HB 406 (FIN) was reported out of Committee
with a "do not pass" recommendation and with
fiscal notes by the Alaska Court System, the
Department of Law and the Department of Fish and
Game.
HOUSE BILL NO. 406
"An Act relating to subsistence uses of fish and
game."
Co-Chair Therriault distributed the packet of fiscal notes
for CS HB 406 (FIN). He noted that he was working on an
amendment, to be presented on the House Floor, which would
fiscally alter non-subsistence areas.
Representative Mulder MOVED to adopt the proposed fiscal
notes. Representative Foster strongly OBJECTED. He
commented that the amount of money requested in the fiscal
notes should be more rationally disbursed throughout the
State. Representative Foster objected to the complexity of
the fiscal notes and the amount of government
responsibility required by the proposed legislation. He
urged the Committee to address the needs of the people more
directly.
Representative Grussendorf remarked that the proposed
legislation does not address the reality of the problem,
and hence, the fiscal notes will not address a probable
situation.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt the
fiscal notes.
IN FAVOR: Mulder, G. Davis, Kelly, Martin, Therriault,
Hanley
OPPOSED: Moses, J. Davies, Grussendorf, Foster
Representative Kohring was not present for the vote.
The MOTION PASSED (6-4).
CS HB 406 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
not pass" recommendation and with fiscal notes by the
Department of Law, the Court System and six notes by the
Department of Fish and Game.
HOUSE BILL NO. 325
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government, for certain
programs, and to capitalize funds; 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. 326
"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."
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA
Representative Mulder MOVED UA #1(a). [Copy on File]. He
noted that the net result would be to shift $1 million
dollars into the University's budget, taking $850 thousand
dollars from the Department of Corrections and $150
thousand dollars from Alaska Court System. He added, a
shift to the Department of Corrections would eliminate four
BRU's.
Representative Grussendorf MOVED to divide the question.
Co-Chair Therriault OBJECTED. He believed that the Alaska
Court System had some flexibility resulting from the
retirement system savings.
Representative Grussendorf commented that in a previous
Committee meeting, $1.2 million dollars had been authorized
for Court security with an assumption that the Court could
find other money to comply with the mandate issued by the
Chief Justice. He voiced concern that the Court System was
now being treated like all other departments.
Representative Grussendorf OBJECTED to the last portion of
the amendment.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: J. Davies, Grussendorf, Foster, Moses,
Hanley
OPPOSED: Mulder, G. Davis, Kelly, Kohring, Martin,
Therriault
The MOTION FAILED (5-6).
Representative Grussendorf emphasized that this was not an
appropriate vehicle to address problems of the University.
He agreed that the University should receive the money they
requested, while pointing out that the Courts have no
choice in their caseload.
Representative J. Davies explained that the amendment put
him in a difficult place. He noted that he supported the
University's request, however, this amount would not be
enough funding. The money being placed into the University
budget does not even fund one of the contracts. He advised
that he did not support the deletion to the Court System.
In response to Representative Martin, Representative J.
Davies discussed the vast increases to court cases which
are directly related to domestic violence and abuse of
children.
Co-Chair Hanley pointed out that funding had been placed in
the front section for one of the contracts.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt UA #1(a).
IN FAVOR: J. Davies, G. Davis, Kelly, Kohring, Martin,
Mulder, Therriault
OPPOSED: Foster, Grussendorf, Moses, Hanley
The MOTION FAILED (7-4).
Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #1. Co-Chair
Hanley OBJECTED. Representative J. Davies stated that the
amendment would fund salary increments for non-covered
employees commensurate with employees covered by collective
bargaining agreements.
Representative Foster commented that he had been threatened
that if he did not vote for the proposed amendment, the
University could close the Nome extension branch. He
voiced offense that the Bush continues to be "pushed"
around when matters of education are on the table.
Representative J. Davies clarified for the record that it
was not his intent to reduce funding for the rural campus
budget. He noted that he was an advocate in keeping the
community campus offices. He had at one time, suggested
changing the name of the institution to the University of
Alaska Community College system. Representative Kelly
acknowledged that was true.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Kelly, Moses, J. Davies,
Therriault
OPPOSED: G. Davis, Foster, Kohring, Martin, Mulder,
Hanley
The MOTION FAILED (5-6).
Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #2. [Copy on
File]. Co-Chair Hanley OBJECTED. Representative J. Davies
noted that the amendment would fully fund the CEA contract
through June 30, 1999.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Kelly, Moses, J. Davies,
Therriault
OPPOSED: Foster, Kohring, Martin, Mulder, G. Davis,
Hanley
The MOTION FAILED (5-6).
Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #3. [Copy on
File]. Co-Chair Hanley OBJECTED. Representative J. Davies
commented that the amendment would fully fund the United
Academics contract through June 30, 1999.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Kelly, Moses, G. Davis,
Therriault
OPPOSED: Kohring, Martin, Mulder, G. Davis, Foster,
Hanley
The MOTION FAILED (5-6).
Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #4. [Copy on
File]. Representative Foster OBJECTED. Representative J.
Davies explained that it is the intent of the Legislature
that the University of Alaska Board of Regents honor all
collective bargaining agreements in effect through June 30,
1999.
Representative Martin pointed out that the Legislature had
placed the University in a bind by increasing the
collective bargaining agreement and then not to appropriate
funding to cover that amount. Co-Chair Hanley noted that
he anticipated approval language in the budget for all
contracts with funding appropriated. The University has
negotiated contracts which will cost them more than the
$1.6 million dollars, and they will be receiving a
Retirement Incentive Program (RIP) savings.
Representative J. Davies stated that the Legislature has
been ambiguous in allocations to the University. Co-Chair
Hanley recommended that the clearer that the Legislature
makes the allocation designee, the less likely there would
be litigation.
Representative Martin recommended that the language "as
appropriated" be inserted. Representative Foster
reiterated his concern that the Bush areas have been
"stripped" to address the pay raises for Fairbanks campus.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Martin, Moses, Mulder, J. Davies, G. Davis,
Grussendorf, Hanley, Therriault
OPPOSED: Kelly, Kohring, Foster
The MOTION PASSED (8-3).
Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #5 as a
conceptual amendment. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair Hanley
OBJECTED. He explained there is money in the front and
back section of the budget for that concern. The
understanding is that the total amount for the University
be reflective of the Board of Regents request of $171
million dollars.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Moses, J. Davies, Grussendorf, Kelly,
Therriault
OPPOSED: Kohring, Martin, Mulder, G. Davis, Foster,
Hanley
The MOTION FAILED (5-6).
(Tape Change HFC 98- 111, Side 2).
Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #6. [Copy on
File]. He stated that the amendment would fully fund the
Governor's request for the University of Alaska at $1.342
million dollars. Co-Chair Hanley OBJECTED.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Moses, J. Davies, Grussendorf, Kelly,
Therriault
OPPOSED: Martin, Mulder, G. Davis, Foster, Kohring,
Hanley
The MOTION FAILED (5-6).
HBG 325 and HB 326 was HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
H.F.C. 7 4/17/98 a.m.
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