Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/08/1999 08:45 AM 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
April 8, 1999
8:45 A.M.
TAPE HFC 99 - 68, Side 1.
TAPE HFC 99 - 68, Side 2.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Mulder called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 8:45 A.M.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Mulder Representative Foster
Co-Chair Therriault Representative Grussendorf
Vice Chair Bunde Representative Kohring
Representative Austerman Representative Moses
Representative J. Davies Representative Williams
Representative G. Davis
ALSO PRESENT
Kenneth Bischoff, Director, Division of Administrative
Services, Department of Public Safety; Beth Hagevig, Staff,
Senator Gary Wilken; Nancy Slagle, Director, Division of
Administrative Services, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities.
SUMMARY
HB 50 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. 17c,
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing
for an effective date.
HB 50 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration. Amendments for the following
budgets were discussed:
Department of Public Safety
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
HB 51 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 51 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HOUSE BILL NO. 50
"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. 17c, Constitution of
the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget
reserve fund; and providing for an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 51
"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."
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Representative G. Davis MOVED to adopt amendment PS#1. [Copy
on File]. Representative J. Davies OBJECTED for the purpose
of discussion.
BETH HAGEVIG, STAFF, SENATOR GARY WILKEN, explained that the
amendment would replace $15 thousand general fund dollars
with $15 thousand PFD Fund dollars to the component for
Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
Additionally, it add $15 thousand general fund grant dollars
to the Alaska Fish and Wildlife Safeguard component. The
new component would provide for a grant to Alaska Fish and
Wildlife Safeguard to be used reward payments for
information leading to the investigation and prosecution of
violations of State fish and game laws.
Co-Chair Mulder commented that the Committee had over-
expended Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend funds at this time,
however, the intent is to reduce the overall obligation with
taking dividends for incarcerated individuals. In response
to Representative J. Davies, Co-Chair Mulder explained that
the Department calculates how many permanent funds would be
received from those incarcerated, and with the number of
people in prison, there should be more money than
anticipated.
Representative Austerman questioned if the Department was
still implementing poster program. Ms. Hagevig replied that
they no longer did because of an audit performed a few years
ago.
Representative Bunde commented that from legislation which
he had sponsored, would allow "Safeguard" to receive the
proceeds from the bison auction.
Representative G. Davis pointed out that as the Department
is alerted of violations, prosecution and fines should be
collected.
In response to Representative Bunde, Ms. Hagevig explained
that Safeguard is addressing that and that last year was the
first year for the bison raffle. The raffle raised less
than $10 thousand dollars. Representative Bunde reiterated
that over 10 thousand people a year apply for a drawing
permit for bison. Representative Grussendorf agreed those
funds could help the State protect our natural resources.
Representative J. Davies WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There
being NO further OBJECTION, PS #1 was adopted.
Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt amendment PS #2.
[Copy on File]. Representative G. Davis OBJECTED.
Representative Grussendorf explained that the amendment
would add $90.6 thousand general fund dollars to the Alaska
Public Safety Information network component. That position
would coordinate and consolidate accumulative information
regarding this concern.
Representative G. Davis responded that a $1 million dollar
increment had been authorized for that Department and that
the component received $76 thousand dollars additional
federal funds this year.
KENNETH BISCHOFF, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, noted that service
would be provided at a much reduced level. The Subcommittee
discussed if the federal increment could help address the
general fund increment. The federal increment comes from
the Federal Crime Identification Technology Act, which has
primarily been focused on programs across the nation for
development of a DNA data basis. Additionally, those funds
were to be used to capture fingerprints. The $76 thousand
dollars has been expended on fingerprint capturing
equipment. The State of Alaska has not had a dedicated
planning function since the 1970's during the law
enforcement assistance administration days. Mr. Bischoff
concluded that at present time, there is no individual
responsible for coordination of the system information.
Representative J. Davies questioned if some of the federal
money would be shifted to help fund that position. Mr.
Bischoff replied that if the position was not approved, the
Department would continue to implement those portions of
identification with that federal money.
Co-Chair Mulder pointed out that any addition would relate
to the Department of Corrections for integration of
information. He encouraged the Department to work with the
Administration. The more information available, the better
the safety concerns will be addressed.
Representative G. Davis added that the Council on Domestic
Violence has received over $5 thousand additional dollars
for tracking predators.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: J. Davies, Grussendorf, Moses
OPPOSED: Austerman, Bunde, G. Davis, Foster, Kohring,
Williams, Mulder, Therriault
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt amendment PS #3.
[Copy on File]. Representative G. Davis OBJECTED.
Representative Grussendorf explained that the amendment
would restore $242.5 thousand general fund dollars to
provide for a 5% pay increase for Village Public Safety
Officers (VPSO) as proposed in the Governor's FY00 operating
budget.
Following an explanation provided by Co-Chair Mulder
regarding pending legislation, Representative Grussendorf
WITHDREW the MOTION to adopt the amendment.
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
There were no amendments for the Department of Law.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt amendment DOT #1.
[Copy on File]. Representative Williams OBJECTED.
Representative J. Davies explained that the amendment would
decrease $220 thousand general fund dollars from the
Northern Region facilities component and add $150 thousand
general fund dollars to the Central Region highways and
aviation component and $70 thousand general fund dollars to
the Northern Region highways and aviation component.
Co-Chair Mulder reminded Committee members that the issue
had been addressed during the supplemental budget with an
appropriation of $235 thousand dollars for the contract with
Valdez. A long-term solution is being attempted.
Representative Williams pointed out that the Subcommittee
did talk with the Department and understood that they were
trying to negotiate the agreement with the City of Valdez.
The Department of Administration is participating in the
negotiations also.
NANCY SLAGLE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, advised
that the Department would like to come to an agreement for
dividing the costs to maintain the facility. This was not a
facility which the Department had wanted to maintain. Given
the responsibility, the Department still has not been part
of the continuing negotiations with the City of Valdez.
Co-Chair Mulder stated that the City of Valdez is pursuing
funding options to more adequately address the concern.
Representative J. Davies emphasized that the issue has been
before the City of Valdez for many years. He questioned how
many years would it take.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Bunde, J. Davies, Grussendorf, Moses
OPPOSED: G. Davis, Foster, Kohring, Williams,
Austerman, Therriault, Mulder
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
Representative Williams MOVED to adopt amendment DOT #2.
[Copy on File]. He explained that the Department had
requested the amendment which would allow for them to delete
$2.1 thousand general fund dollars from Statewide Planning,
delete $9.6 general fund dollars from the component
Statewide design and engineering services, delete $4.8
general fund dollars from Central Region construction and
CIP support, delete $11.1 general fund dollars from
measurement standards and commercial vehicle enforcement and
add $27.6 thousand general fund dollars to the
Commissioner's Office. The amendment would transfer an
unallocated reduction within the Department to all
appropriations not otherwise affected by specific general
fund reductions.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt amendment DOT #3.
[Copy on File]. Representative Williams OBJECTED.
Representative Grussendorf explained that the amendment
would provide a position and $100 thousand dollars Capital
Improvement Project (CIP) receipt authority (personal
services) within the Department for a coordinator to oversee
the implementation of the Southeast Alaska Transportation
Plan. The position would work with Southeast communities,
regional transportation authorities such as the Inter-island
Ferry Authority (IFA) and transportation staff, to
facilitate development of separate projects required to
implement the plan. Funding will be provided from SE Plan
projects appropriated within the capital budget.
Ms. Slagle noted that the Department has been criticized in
the past by the Legislature for not moving quickly enough in
dealing with the Southeast Transportation Plan. The
Department needs to have someone to oversee the large
program.
Co-Chair Mulder inquired if it would be possible for the
Department to assume coordination for the plan internally.
Ms. Slagle responded that could not be addressed adequately
from within the Department. In response to Co-Chair Mulder,
Ms. Slagle explained that the project could take up to ten
years to implement.
Co-Chair Mulder questioned how federal funds would be used
if the position was not funded. Ms. Slagle replied that
funding for the position would be taken from a portion of
the projects which the Department is supporting in
Southeast. It would not impact other regions.
Co-Chair Mulder voiced concern that more personal service
employees would mean less funding to implement the plan.
Representative Williams commented that the Department had
requested the position, however, the Subcommittee did not
fund it. He asked if the position would be funded
federally. Ms. Slagle replied it would.
Representative Austerman voiced concern with the task of
road grating. He pointed out that there are 86 new hires in
that Department.
(Tape Change HFC 99 - 68, Side 2).
Representative J. Davies emphasized that this request is for
federal receipt authority. With a project this size, there
should be a manager. The State is required to provide for
the maintenance of road care. The Department has not been
provided with adequate funding to address statewide
concerns. The Governor has provided a plan which would
shift the funding source through increased fuel tax and
dedication of registration money.
Representative G. Davis noted that the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities federal dollars provide
two options to the State:
* Hire engineers to manage projects; or
* Contract out the work.
Co-Chair Mulder reiterated that this would not be a new
position. Representative Williams WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
Representative Bunde OBJECTED.
Representative G. Davis spoke in support of the amendment
which would provide major savings to the State in the long
run".
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: J. Davies, G. Davis, Grussendorf, Moses,
Williams, Mulder
OPPOSED: Foster, Kohring, Austerman, Bunde, Therriault
The MOTION PASSED (6-5).
HB 50 and HB 51 were HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 A.M.
H.F.C. 7 4/08/99 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|