Legislature(2009 - 2010)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/24/2009 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees Confirmations: Dr. William Doolittle, Daniel Hoffman, and Mary Jane Michael | |
| HR6 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 24, 2009
1:32 p.m.
1:32:55 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stoltze called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Hawker, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Thomas, Jr., Vice-Chair
Representative Allan Austerman
Representative Harry Crawford
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Les Gara
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Woodie Salmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Richard Foster
ALSO PRESENT
Jeff Jessee, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Dr. William Doolittle, Fairbanks; Mr. Daniel Hoffman,
Fairbanks; Paula Easley, Secretary/Treasurer, Board of
Trustee, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
SUMMARY
HR 6 Encouraging the Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority to develop its land and resources to the
fullest extent possible consistent with its legal
and moral responsibility to provide jobs and
protect and enhance the lives of those who benefit
from the mental health trust.
CSHR 6 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a
"do pass" recommendation and with a new zero
fiscal note by the Legislature.
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees
Confirmations
1:34:39 PM
^Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees
Confirmations: Dr. William Doolittle, Daniel Hoffman, and
Mary Jane Michael
DR. WILLIAM DOOLITTLE, FAIRBANKS, testified via
teleconference. He related that he has been on the Mental
Health Trust Board for five years. He said he was impressed
by the challenges and responsibilities of the board. He
noted that he was "addicted to the concept of beneficiaries
first".
Co-Chair Stoltze expressed gratitude that Dr. Doolittle was
willing to serve on the board.
Representative Fairclough asked what the geographical
composite of the board was. Dr. Doolittle replied that one
member is in Juneau and, upon confirmation, there will be
two in Fairbanks. The rest are from Anchorage.
Representative Fairclough asked if there was a fair
representation across the board of mental health sectors.
Dr. Doolittle said he was impressed by the broad scope of
the trustees when contemplating rural, urban, and
beneficiary-dominant activities. He spoke highly of the
board's emphasis on beneficiaries first, and the development
of a mental health network in rural Alaska.
1:38:11 PM
Representative Fairclough was impressed by the
representation of a law enforcement perspective on the
board. She requested more information about other
perspectives represented by board members. Dr. Doolittle
reported that there is a realtor, a social services worker,
and the person from Juneau has had broad experience with
hospitals and commissions.
Co-Chair Stoltze noted that Ms. Michael, the third
candidate, is not able to call into the meeting.
1:40:22 PM
Representative Fairclough asked if anyone represented a
community of 5,000 or under. Dr. Doolittle said no.
Representative Austerman asked if Dr. Doolittle has served
on the board of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
because his resume does not list it. Dr. Doolittle reported
that he has been on the board for five years. The resume is
out of date.
Representative Kelly voiced appreciation for Dr. Doolittle's
service.
1:43:01 PM
MR. DANIEL HOFFMAN, FAIRBANKS testified via teleconference.
He related his 20-year work history in law enforcement in
Fairbanks. He noted his vast experience and with local
mental health populations. He spoke of the challenges with
segments of the mentally ill and chronic inebriant
population. He spoke of work on his master's degree dealing
with the chronic inebriant issue. He stressed the
importance of having a law enforcement perspective on the
board.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked Mr. Hoffman if he has had any
personal connection related to his desire to serve on the
board. Mr. Hoffman shared his 20-year experience in law
enforcement dealing with beneficiary groups, especially the
chronic inebriant.
1:46:34 PM
Representative Fairclough thanked Mr. Hoffman for his years
of public service. She wondered if he would have the time
to fully participate on the board. Mr. Hoffman replied that
he is retiring from his job as police chief soon and will no
longer be involved in related organizations.
Representative Kelly spoke of his personal knowledge of Mr.
Hoffman's service in the Fairbanks community.
1:48:40 PM
Representative Gara spoke of Mr. Hoffman's outstanding
credentials. He asked if Mr. Hoffman was planning changes
to the board because it has gone down the wrong road, or if
he would be bringing a law enforcement perspective to the
board. Mr. Hoffman said it was the latter.
Representative Gara asked Mr. Hoffman for his comments on
the chronic inebriate population. Mr. Hoffman said he plans
to be watchful to ensure that that group's needs are
addressed. He emphasized that that group needs to be dealt
with due to their huge impact on the quality of life in a
community.
1:52:12 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze noted that the third candidate could not
attend, but stated familiarity with Ms. Michael. He
testified as to her excellent qualifications.
Co-Chair Hawker concurred with Co-Chair Stoltze's opinion of
Ms. Michael. He spoke in favor of her as a candidate.
Representative Fairclough added comments in favor of Ms.
Michael. She listed her qualifications: actively involved
in the Office of Economic and Community Development in
Anchorage, executive director of The Arc of Anchorage.
Co-Chair Stoltze spoke highly of Ms. Michael.
1:54:57 PM
Co-Chair Hawker took over the meeting.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 6
Encouraging the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to
develop its land and resources to the fullest extent
possible consistent with its legal and moral
responsibility to provide jobs and protect and enhance
the lives of those who benefit from the mental health
trust.
1:56:11 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze MOVED to ADOPT the work draft for HR 6
labeled, 26-LS0572\E, Bullock, 2/23/09. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Co-Chair Stoltze read the title of the resolution:
Encouraging the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to
develop its land and resources to the fullest extent
possible consistent with its legal and moral
responsibility to advance mental health services and
employment opportunities that protect and enhance the
lives of those who benefit from the mental health
trust.
He related the process of establishing the trust and the
resources for the Mental Health Trust. He said he wanted to
provide a strong voice for backing up the Trust when
contentious situations arise. The Trust's highest
responsibility is the beneficiaries. He thanked Mr. Jesse
and Ms. Easley for their help in drafting the resolution.
He pointed out the numerous sponsors of the resolution.
Co-Chair Hawker asked if the Committee had any questions.
1:59:52 PM
JEFF JESSEE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH
TRUST AUTHORITY, expressed appreciation on behalf of the
Trust for this legislation.
Mr. Jessee described the Trust as a unique combination of
missions and tools. He said it was an intersection of a
very positive health and social service mission with
economic development and a revenue generating mission. He
spoke of the Trust's contribution to the state's economic
activity. He noted that there are often opposition issues
surrounding the development of the lands. He emphasized
that the Trust attempts to develop resources with a mind
towards community impact.
2:03:07 PM
Co-Chair Hawker asked if Mental Health Trust lands in the
Nenana Basin would soon be explored for potential natural
gas resources. Mr. Jessee said that was accurate. Near
Livengood, there was also potentially very valuable gold
exploration going on. Mr. Jessee reported that the
Executive Director of the Trust Land Office, Harry Noah, has
brought renewed enthusiasm and a long-term vision to the
Authority. He is putting together a land exchange involving
Southeast timber that could generate 30 million to 40
million board feet of timber.
2:04:56 PM
PAULA EASLEY, SECRETARY/TREASURER, BOARD OF TRUSTEE, ALASKA
MENTAL HEALTH TRUST AUTHORITY testified via teleconference.
She spoke in support of the legislation. She related
personal history with the Trust. She maintained that the
Trust has been considerate regarding local needs when
developing the lands. She stressed the importance of the
legislation as an expression of support for the Trust's
goals.
2:06:50 PM
Co-Chair Hawker noted a zero fiscal note.
Co-Chair Stoltze MOVED to REPORT CSHR 6 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHR 6 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a new zero fiscal note by the
Legislation.
2:08:30 PM
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2:08 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmations D. Hoffman.pdf |
HFIN 2/24/2009 1:30:00 PM |
|
| Committee Substitute Version E.pdf |
HFIN 2/24/2009 1:30:00 PM |
HR 6 |
| HR6-LEG-COU-2-20-09.pdf |
HFIN 2/24/2009 1:30:00 PM |
|
| Confirmations W. Doolittle.pdf |
HFIN 2/24/2009 1:30:00 PM |
|
| Confirmations M. Michael.pdf |
HFIN 2/24/2009 1:30:00 PM |
|
| Statute Public Waterway Access Gara.pdf |
HFIN 2/24/2009 1:30:00 PM |
HR 6 |