Legislature(2023 - 2024)ADAMS 519
02/13/2024 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Fy 25 Budget | |
| 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
February 13, 2024
1:37 p.m.
1:37:53 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Johnson called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:37 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
James Cockrell, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety;
Pam Halloran, Admin Services Director, Department of Public
Safety; Lisa Purinton, Director, Statewide Services,
Department of Public Safety.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Lloyd Nakano, State Fire Marshall, Division of Fire and
Life Safety, Department of Public Safety, Anchorage.
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 268 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
OVERVIEW: FY 25 BUDGET
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."
^OVERVIEW: FY 25 BUDGET
Co-Chair Johnson reviewed the meeting agenda.
1:39:21 PM
JAMES COCKRELL, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
introduced himself and made opening remarks. He introduced
the PowerPoint presentation "Department of Public Safety FY
2025 Budget Overview" dated February 13, 2024 (copy on
file). He asserted that the Department of Public Safety
(DPS) was headed in the right direction with the help of
the governor. He mentioned the "disastrous" cuts the
department experienced from 2014 through 2018. The
Department of Public Safety's budget decreased because the
department was progressing in the goals he established over
the prior 3 years. He elaborated that the department was
working arduously to provide professional law enforcement
in all regions of the state. He thought it was important
the legislature become aware of the specifics of the
department. In 2023, over 20 Alaska State Troopers
graduated from the academy and 20 more troopers were
expected to graduate in 2024. In addition, the troopers
were wearing body cameras. He highlighted and applauded the
efforts of wildlife troopers in its commercial fishing
enforcement measures in protecting salmon bound for the
Yukon River. He noted the deployment of the sexual assault
examination kit tracking system.
1:44:36 PM
Representative Ortiz thanked the commissioner for his time.
He believed that legislators had an obligation to take care
of public safety. He congratulated the department on its
successes. He asked what type of fishing was involved in
the fishing violation. Commissioner Cockrell replied that
it was the gillnet fleet. Representative Ortiz asked what
type of illegal activity the gillnetters were engaged in.
Commissioner Cockrell responded that it was against
regulations to dump chum salmon overboard once caught,
which was essential for an accurate count of all salmon
caught.
Co-Chair Edgmon thanked the commissioner and the department
for its work.
1:47:24 PM
Representative Galvin asked for more information on the
sexual assault examination kit tracking system.
Commissioner Cockrell replied that when law enforcement
investigated a sexual assault, the assault kit could be
scanned and tracked at all points in the process from the
hospital, law enforcement, crime lab, through the
conclusion of the case.
1:50:14 PM
PAM HALLORAN, ADMIN SERVICES DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
SAFETY, began the presentation on slide 2 titled "Mission,
Key Objectives, and Statewide Impact
Mission:
The mission of the Department
of Public Safety is to ensure
public safety and enforce fish
and wildlife laws
Key Objectives:
Recruit and Retain
• Rural Law Enforcement and
Safety
• Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault
• Village Public Safety Officer
Program
• Fisheries and Wildlife
Resource Protection
• Narcotics and Major Crime
Investigations
Statewide Impact
Law Enforcement Patrol and
Investigations
• Alaska Scientific Crime
Detection Lab
• Resource Protection
• Victim Services
• Special Patrol Activities
• Search and Rescue
• Alaska Public Safety
Information Network (APSIN)
• Alaska Land Mobile Radio
Network (ALMR)
Ms. Halloran continued to slide 3 titled "Budget
Organizational Chart.
Fire and Life Safety Division:
Building and fire safety inspections
Plan Review Bureau
Alaska Fire Standards Council
Alaska State Troopers:
Search and Rescue, Rural Trooper Housing,
Dispatch Services, drug and alcohol
enforcement, detachments (4), Alaska
Bureau of Investigation, Aircraft Section,
Alaska Wildlife Troopers, marine
enforcement, Prisoner Transportation,
Special Projects, highway patrol
Village Public Safety Officer Division (VPSO):
Ten regional VPSO programs serving 140
villages and tribes
Certification and de-certification of VPSOs
Alaska Police Standards Council:
Alaska police certification; misconduct and
disqualification investigations; monitor
compliance with regulation/legislation;
develop, monitor, revise law enforcement
training and training requirements
Victim Services Division:
Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault; Violent Crimes Compensation
Board; Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault Training; Victim Navigator Program;
Missing Persons Clearinghouse; Victim
Services Administration and Support
Statewide Support:
Commissioner's Office; Training Academy;
Division of Administrative Services; Alaska
Public Safety Communication Services;
Information Systems; Criminal Justice
Information Systems Program; Alaska
Statewide Crime Detection Laboratory;
Facilities Maintenance and Rent
Ms. Halloran advanced to slide 4 titled "Funding History
(FY 2019 FY 2025)." The graph depicted each year's
management plan and actuals up to the FY 25 governor's
budget request. She delineated that the request comprised
of roughly $260 thousand in Undesignated General Funds
(UGF) and the overall budget was a 3.4 percent increase
from FY 24 that included 5.2 percent or approximately $12
million of UGF. The decrease in Designated General Fund
(DGF) was related to a multi-year program receipt authority
for the Criminal Justice Information System Program that
would end in the current fiscal year. She reported the
decrease in the other fund source, which was associated
with the decrease in the Restorative Justice Fund account
that was based on the number of non-eligible inmates for
the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). The decrease would
result in decreases in both the Council on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault(CDVSA) and the Violent Crimes
Compensation Board (VCCB). The increase in federal funding
was related to a joint agreement with the Wildlife Troopers
Marine Enforcement Unit and the federal government.
1:55:04 PM
Ms. Halloran continued to slide 5 titled "Department of
Public Safety Funding Breakdown." The slide showed the FY
25 budget by line item on the left with personal services
at 53 percent being the highest expense. The pie chart on
the right portrayed the budget by allocation where the
Alaska State Troopers comprised 62 percent of the overall
budget.
Ms. Halloran discussed slide 6 titled "Department of Public
Safety Funding Breakdown
Federal
• US Department of Justice
• Office for Victims of Crime
• Bureau of Justice Assistance
• Community Oriented Policing Services
• Bureau of Justice Statistics
• Department of Homeland Security
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Department of Transportation
• Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing
Transportation
Other
• Interagency Receipts
• Capital Improvement Project
• Mental Health Trust Authority
• Crime Victim Compensation Fund
Designated General Funds
• General Fund Program Receipts
• Recidivism Reduction Fund
Ms. Halloran detailed that UGF was 79 percent, federal
funds comprised 13 percent, other funding was 5 percent,
and DGF was 3 percent of DPS's budget.
1:56:55 PM
Representative Galvin cited slide 4 and pointed to the
actuals bar graph in FY 23 and wondered why not all the
federal funding was utilized. Ms. Halloran answered that a
fair amount of federal funding was not used in the Fire and
Life Safety Division, where FEMA awards went underutilized
due to COVID. Representative Galvin asked what it would
mean to Alaskans in terms of services. Ms. Halloran
deferred the answer.
1:58:55 PM
LLOYD NAKANO, STATE FIRE MARSHALL, DIVISION OF FIRE AND
LIFE SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), answered that the grant authority for $500
thousand was not utilized because the live mobile fire
trainer was still under evaluation, resulting in zero
fiscal impact. The federal funds were mostly used for
training equipment. Representative Galvin wondered if the
federal funding could be used for emergency fire equipment.
She noted the current supplemental budget request totaling
$61 million for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
for fire equipment. Mr. Nakano replied that the $61 million
did not impact the division because it was within DNR.
Representative Galvin understood that the missions were
separate and different.
2:01:13 PM
Representative Hannan stated that she had been supportive
of the mission of the department particularly for the $24
million increase in the Village Public Safety Officer
(VPSO) program. The chart on slide 4 showed growth of $132
million from 2019 to 2025. She asked for the reason of the
significant budget growth. Commissioner Cockrell replied
that he was not expecting the question. He reiterated that
during FY 14 through FY 18, the department took substantial
cuts that DPS was "still digging out of." The department
had been told that troopers were going to be laid off and
therefore there was no reason to hire new troopers during
that time. It was a difficult time to be in the department
and it took time to rebuild it. He noted that the current
administration was very supportive.
Representative Hannan thought the commissioner was spot on
and she supported the department vital constitutional
mission. She voiced that there were two directives in the
constitution: public safety and public education. She
observed that on one hand, there was an awareness that the
cuts were too deep, and it was being rectified. She
continued that on the other hand, education was underfunded
and being demanded to perform better with less money. She
remarked on the direct correlation between budget and
performance.
2:05:54 PM
Ms. Halloran identified other areas in which the department
underspent its federal authority: the CDVSA and the
Criminal Justice Information Systems Program (CJIS).
Ms. Halloran asked Representative Hannan to repeat the
number she referenced to the commissioner. Representative
Hannan answered that it was $132 million. Ms. Halloran
replied that she would take a closer look and provide the
answer.
2:07:59 PM
Ms. Halloran informed the committee that the following
slides would highlight the significant budget changes in
each division. She continued on slide 7 titled "Fire and
Life Safety Division. She elaborated that the request was
$7.3 million that included a $200 thousand increase from FY
24. She pointed to a $100,000 GF request for a new lease
space adjacent to headquarters office for the Fire Life
Safety Division.
Representative Josephson recalled that the Fire Standards
Council was run by professional volunteers at night. He
asked if he was correct. Ms. Halloran responded that the
council had one staff member, an Administrative Assistant
11. She deferred to the commissioner for further answer.
Commissioner Cockrell replied that there was not an easy
answer. He indicated that the council was not mandated in
statute and two positions were lost in FY 18. He believed
that it was a policy decision to place the council in
statute. Representative Josephson relayed that due to
extraordinary efforts of one volunteer on the council there
would not be anything left.
2:11:46 PM
Ms. Halloran moved to slide 8 titled "Alaska State Troopers
Division The budget requested over $197 million including
a 5 percent or $9.4 million increase from FY 24. The budget
reflected $8 million in UGF increases for the division.
Ms. Halloran highlighted slide 9 titled Alaska State
Troopers Division - Significant Budget Changes:"
Strategies to Attract Qualified State Troopers,
$249.6 UGF (1 position)
Retention and Compliance with Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of
2017,
$437.5 UGF
Address Increasing Costs of Law Enforcement Equipment
and Supplies,
$800.0 UGF
(FY2025 FY2027)
Vehicles for Judicial Services, $147.0 UGF
Add Three Non-Permanent State Troopers for Child Crime
Investigations in Bethel,
$698.5 UGF
Ms. Halloran related that recruitment and retention was one
of the commissioner's key objectives and the first request
was to stand up a program manager to implement new
strategies, policies, and procedures around recruitment.
The request also supported travel for 75 new recruits that
must travel to Anchorage for final training at their own
cost, which was a barrier to recruitment. She indicated
that the second request paid any tax related to troopers
moving to rural Alaska that was a condition of employment.
She reported that the amount of child crime in Western
Alaska exceeded trooper capacity and expertise in child
crime investigations was necessary.
2:16:32 PM
Representative Josephson asked why the final request was
for non-permanent positions.
Commissioner Cockrell responded that there was not the
capacity to put trooper investigators in Bethel. He viewed
it as a pilot program. He elucidated that the troopers were
assigned to investigate crimes against children. The cases
were labor intensive and time consuming which took time
away from policing efforts. If DPS had a significant
increase in trooper recruitment, he would put troopers in
the positions.
Representative Galvin had a question related to hiring. She
asked what the vacancy rate was for troopers and what was
considered fully staffed. Commissioner Cockrell responded
that the target goal was over 400 Alaska State Troopers
(AST) and 100 wildlife troopers. The department was working
towards a goal. The department was down by about 60
positions in total for all types of troopers.
2:21:08 PM
Ms. Halloran continued to slide 10 titled "Alaska State
Troopers Division - Significant Budget Changes Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Persons:"
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Outreach and
Education,
$250.0 UGF
Fully Fund Existing Non-Permanent Investigators for
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons
Investigations, $450.0 UGF [4 Positions]
Commissioner Cockrell remarked that there were currently
four investigators who were investigating six cases and
worked on cases all over the state.
Co-Chair Johnson asked if the commissioner was aware of a
bill establishing a council to address the issue. [HB
234/SB 151 (Missing/Murdered Indigenous People;Report,
Chapter 53 SLA 24, 09/03/2024) The Senate version was
adopted.] She also noted a human trafficking bill [HB 259
(Council On Human And Sex Trafficking)] and if both bills
would be valuable to the department. Ms. Halloran was not
familiar with the legislation.
Commissioner Cockrell interjected that the department had a
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons working group. He
was aware of the bill setting up a council. He shared it
was his personal priority and that he ultimately added 4
investigators after initially underestimating the problem.
Representative Cronk thanked the commissioner on his work
on the area.
2:26:18 PM
Representative Hannan thought that the cost for 4
investigators was too low. She wondered why. Ms. Halloran
answered that the $450 thousand would fund 2 positions and
equipment, including vehicles. She reported that there was
a $250 thousand appropriation from the prior year, which
will fund the positions fully including equipment.
Representative Hannan wondered why the Outreach and
Education for $250 thousand was a separate item. Ms.
Halloran responded that the items were in separate
divisions.
Ms. Halloran continued on slide 11 titled "Alaska State
Troopers Division - Significant Budget Changes Aircraft
Section:"
Add Two Full Time Aircraft Pilot 1 in Fairbanks and
Nome, $408.3 UGF
Add One Full Time Maintenance Inspector in Fairbanks,
$148.3 UGF
Add One Criminal Justice Planner for Drone Operations,
$154.1 UGF
Ms. Halloran explained that the funding for two new pilots
in Nome and Fairbanks would provide for significant
coverage and mission delivery without interruption. The
inspector would oversee maintenance contracts for the fleet
in Fairbanks. The department was pleased with its drone
program that included 29 drones with 19 more on order.
2:31:30 PM
Ms. Halloran moved to slide 12 titled "Alaska State
Troopers Division
172 Drug and Alcohol Arrests in 2023:
• 83 Kilograms of Illicit Fentanyl Seized in
2023
• 41.5 million potentially fatal doses
• 79 Kilograms of Methamphetamines
Seized in 2023:
• 29 AST Drug/Alcohol Investigators
• 11 Active K9s
• Continued partnership with local, State,
and federal law enforcement through High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Initiative
(HIDTA)
Commissioner Cockrell relayed that Alaska had a drug
problem and most of the seized drugs were meth, fentanyl,
and cocaine. The department seized 41.5 million potentially
fatal doses of fentanyl. The department had 11 canine's
that included a dog that could sniff out electronics.
2:34:40 PM
Representative Tomaszewski asked if the department had the
tools to "get these people [illegal drug sellers] off the
street for good." Commissioner Cockrell voiced that the
legal tools were present, but it was a matter of going
through the process in the justice system. Representative
Tomaszewski asked what happened when an individual had a
large amount of drugs. Commissioner Cockrell responded that
it depended on the volume of drugs. Cases with large
volumes were referred to the federal court system where
penalties were harsher than the state court system.
2:36:51 PM
Co-Chair Edgmon relayed from personal experience when the
commissioner had travelled to Dillingham for a community
visit and described a meeting with the parents of a
daughter who had just graduated high school and died due to
a drug incident. He found the visit illuminating and asked
the commissioner to speak about the trip. Commissioner
Cockrell responded that the meeting with the family was
very personal to him. He shared that he lost his son to a
drug overdose at age 26. He related his experiences from
the trip to Dillingham regarding public safety and drug
issues facing the area.
2:42:58 PM
Commissioner Cockrell Commissioner Cockrell continued that
he attended a town hall meeting where he experienced many
difficult conversations. The trip resulted in the addition
of a drug investigator being placed in Dillingham and other
measures to increase drug enforcement. He relayed more
experiences and conclusions from the trip. He emphasized
the concern the Alaska State Troopers had for the people of
rural Alaska.
Co-Chair Edgmon asked the commissioner to discuss the AK-
TIPS app. Commissioner Cockrell replied that it was an app
that allowed citizens to send tips directly to state
troopers. The department was raising awareness about the
app and advocating for its use. He remarked that it was
fully anonymous. He described a multi-state drug seizure
that began in Dillingham. Co-Chair Edgmon liked that the
app gave students the ability to anonymously report
information. Commissioner Cockrell cautioned that the app
was not for use as a 911 emergency call.
2:48:32 PM
Representative Cronk asked if Alaska Tips had a Facebook
page. He thought it would be helpful. Commissioner Cockrell
answered that the department could set one up.
Representative Coulombe asked about the High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area Initiative (HIDTA) and wondered how the
troopers interacted with the airport police to intercept
drugs, since many drug interceptions happened at the
Anchorage Airport. Commissioner Cockrell responded that
federal funding allowed DPS to coordinate with all law
enforcement agencies, municipal, state, and federal. He
could not divulge details but acknowledged that drug
interception in the state was a "team effort."
Co-Chair Johnson noted she would turn the gavel over to Co-
Chair Edgmon
2:50:51 PM
Ms. Halloran discussed slide 13 titled "Village Public
Safety Officer Division. She reported that the budget
request totaled $24.3 million that included a $3.4 million
increase or 16.4 percent.
Ms. Halloran continued to slide 14 titled "Village Public
Safety Officer Division Significant Budget Change:
Salary Increase for Village Public Safety Officers
and Add Ten Village Public Safety Officers,
$3,499.8 UGF.
Commissioner Cockrell interjected that the VPSO program had
continued to grow at a sustainable pace and positions were
filling. He remarked that the program progressed quickly
over the prior few years. The program was restructured and
a VPSO division was created with a new director, James
Hoelscher, that will mostly interface with the AST and
Wildlife Troopers divisions directors. He described
Director Hoelscher's background and related that he offered
a huge amount of credibility and knowledge. The VPSOs were
located in 54 communities and DPS had a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with 134 other communities or tribes.
2:53:38 PM
Representative Cronk appreciated the department's work on
the VPSO program. The VPSO officers were well received in
the communities in the large district he represented.
Co-Chair Edgmon thought that the current improvements in
the VPSO program were transformational. He shared some
history regarding the program and listed people that were
instrumental in the program's successes. He never imagined
that the program would make such significant progress and
he thanked the department.
Representative Josephson asked about the MOU's with 134
local governments and tribes. He applauded the progress.
He wondered what one could expect in the 134 communities
regarding their public safety presence. Commissioner
Cockrell replied that many of the villages either had
tribal police or VPSOs. He reported that currently 62 VPSOs
were serving in rural Alaska and the VPSO training took
place in Bethel.
2:57:28 PM
Representative Josephson asked what the terms of the MOU
were. Commissioner Cockrell would provide a copy of a few
agreements for the exact terms. He furthered that each
tribe or village decided the terms with its tribal
government. Representative Josephson deduced that the
agreements reflected the tribes or villages desire for
VPSOs. Commissioner Cockrell replied in the affirmative.
Representative Galvin asked if there were enough candidates
applying for VPSO positions and capacity for training if
the department wanted to add more officers. Commissioner
Cockrell responded that the department wanted to ensure
that there was the capacity. He explained that historically
the program received significant funding, but it was not
spent due to disorganization in the program and department.
He cited the working group that was established in statute
[SB 81 (Village Public Safety Officers, Grants, Chapter 16
SLA 22, 06/29/2022)] and commented that DPS was following
their recommendations. Things like struggling with adequate
housing and other issues prevented the program from
presently, enlisting more than 10 to 12 candidates at a
time. Representative Galvin understood the need for
incremental growth in order for the program to be a
success.
3:02:37 PM
Representative Cronk commented on DPS's willingness to
partner with tribal entities that was necessary to fill
positions. Commissioner Cockrell shared that all rural
communities want public safety and DPS was attempting to
fill the need.
Ms. Halloran turned to slide 15 titled Alaska Police
Standards Council. She indicated that the council had a
request for an Administrative Investigator for
$160.thousand DGF with a budget increase of roughly $2
hundred DGF. She explained that the position was much
needed with a growing case load and its demanding role of
certifying over 2,800 officers in the state.
Ms. Halloran moved to slide 16 titled "Victim Services
Division and reported that the division was new and
included the CDVSA, the VCCB, Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault training unit , Victim navigator program, and
Missing persons clearinghouse. The new division combined
the functions under one division and believed it would
offer victims improved support. The majority of the
division's funding was from the CDVSA funding that included
50 percent federal funds.
3:06:20 PM
Ms. Halloran continued to slide 17 titled "Victim Services
Division Significant Budget Change:"
Add Two Paralegal 2,
$239.3 UGF
Transfer in Positions from Alaska State Troopers,
$1,328.4 UGF and $316.3 I/A
Add Administrative Assistant 1, $109.3 UGF
Decrease Funding Source to Align with Balance in
Restorative Justice Fund,
$(2,299.3) PFD Crim (Other)
Ms. Halloran reminded the committee that the decrement in
the Restorative Justice Fund was due to a lowered permanent
fund dividend, which impacted the fund.
Ms. Halloran advanced to slide 18 titled Statewide
Support Division which comprised the Statewide Services
Division, the Statewide Services Division, Training
Academy, Commissioners Office, and the Administrative
Services Division and served the entire department and
state. The budget request was $55.5 million that
represented a $2 million increase or 2.2 percent.
Ms. Halloran continued on slide 19 titled "Statewide
Support - Significant Budget Changes:
Fully Fund Two Department of Law Criminal Attorneys,
$418.2 UGF
Address Rising Instructor Overtime and Services
Costs, $190.0 UGF
Crime Data Portal for Public Interface on Public
Safety Website,
$67.0 UGF One Time Increment
Ms. Halloran relayed that DPS could no longer help fund the
positions via a reimbursable services agreement (RSA) with
the Department of Law (DOL) and offered that there was
never a prior budget request associated with the attorneys
that were housed in the commissioner's office. The second
request was for Training Academy instructors. She concluded
the presentation.
3:10:37 PM
Representative Hannan requested more information about the
two department of law criminal attorneys within DPS.
Commissioner Cockrell replied that DPS always had a staff
attorney for sound legal advice on complicated issues that
occurred. The other attorney was focused on sex offender
registration, firearms, and PIRs (Public Information
Requests) via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that
averaged about 10,000 per year. The attorney's saved the
state funding versus seeking contracted legal advice.
Co-Chair Edgmon referred to slide 16 and 17 and asked about
UGF. Ms. Halloran replied that the UGF was from the CDVSA
via Department of Justice (DOJ) federal grants that were
only for reimbursement. She detailed that it was a burden
for grantees to do the paperwork and forms required to get
the reimbursement, therefore a small amount of UGF attached
to the grants helps the shelters. She remarked that there
was no UGF funding for the VCCB.
3:14:24 PM
Representative Josephson shared that he was approached by
the shelter system requesting increased funding. He
wondered where the state stood on meeting their needs. Ms.
Halloran highlighted that there was a reduction in the
federal Victims of Crime Act funding that decreased GF for
CDVSA and without the one-time funding that was added in
the prior two fiscal years, she anticipated the shelters
would experience increased need in the current fiscal year.
Representative Coulombe asked about DPS's Statewide Support
Division. She wondered what the intersection was between
DPS and the Department of Administration (DOA) in
procurement, Information Technology (IT), and Human
Resources (HR).
3:16:38 PM
LISA PURINTON, DIRECTOR, STATEWIDE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY, replied that it was a work in progress. She
expounded that DOA provided IT support and DPS had its own
network and technical support staff. Statewide systems
would remain with DOA like Outlook, etc.
Representative Cronk cited the fish dumping incident and
asked what type of penalties violators received.
Commissioner Cockrell answered that the violator could
receive a maximum fine of $3 thousand or a be charged with
a Class A misdemeanor with a year in jail or $10 thousand
fine. The department also had the authority to seize
vessels.
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 agenda for the following
day's meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
3:21:02 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DPS H FIN FY 25 Budget Overview 021324.pdf |
HFIN 2/13/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 HB 270 |
| HFIN DPS FY25 Overview 2.13.24 Response to Q 022024 (Final).pdf |
HFIN 2/13/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 HB 270 |