Legislature(2023 - 2024)ADAMS 519
04/05/2024 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB268 || HB270 | |
| 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 | ||
| + | HB 368 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 5, 2024
3:49 p.m.
3:49:19 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Johnson called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 3:49 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 Frank Tomaszewski
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Will Stapp
ALSO PRESENT
None
SUMMARY
HB 268 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP; AM
CSHB 268(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with
three "do pass" recommendations, two "no
recommendation" recommendations, and five "amend"
recommendations.
HB 270 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
CSHB 270(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with
six "do pass" recommendations, three "no
recommendation" recommendations, and one "amend"
recommendation.
HB 368 ELECTRICAL ENERGY & ENERGY PORTFOLIO STDS
HB 368 was SCHEDULED but not HEARD.
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."
3:50:33 PM
Co-Chair Johnson relayed that the committee substitutes
incorporated all of the amendments adopted in the budget
process with no additional changes. She thanked committee
members for their candor and respect throughout the budget
process. She remarked that members did not always agree on
issues, but she thought it was what made the process work.
She knew all committee members wanted to do what was right
for the state. The committee adopted 19 minority amendments
and she was proud of the collaborative process. The budget
included one-time funding equal to a $680 increase to the
Base Student Allocation (BSA), funding to support essential
services for the most vulnerable Alaskans, and funded what
would be the third largest Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) in
the state's history, all while leaving a $100 million
surplus for FY 25. She stated that no budget was perfect,
but given the revenue constraints, the committee had done
some tremendous work. She highlighted it was the beginning
step of a very robust process. She looked forward to all
members of the legislature as the budget moved through the
process. She thanked all of the members' staff who had
helped in the process including her staff Matt Gruening and
Remond Henderson.
3:52:54 PM
Co-Chair Edgmon MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee
substitute for HB 268, Work Draft 33-GH2492\Y (Marx,
4/4/24).
There being NO OBJECTION, Work Draft 33-GH2492\Y was
ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Edgmon MOVED to REPORT CSHB 268(FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations.
Representative Josephson OBJECTED for discussion. He stated
that the due process was outstanding, and he was grateful
for the time given to minority members. He did not know
that a $2,300 PFD was affordable, and it involved clawing
back Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) monies and moving
some of the surpluses into the PFD column, which would
primarily be decided in conference committee. He remarked
that he may arrive at a yes vote on the floor, but he
highlighted areas of concern. He noted that 20 to 30
individuals had provided public testimony in support of
additional funding for care providers. He pointed out that
an amendment to help them do their work did not pass. He
thought an amendment providing a 5 percent increase for
senior and disabilities grants requested by AGEnet should
have been adopted and he thought funding for three
positions for adult protective services recommended by the
ombudsman should have been adopted. Additionally, he
believed the request for an additional $3 million for the
Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA)
should have been included. He stated the items were
disappointing and he looked forward to debate on the House
floor. He WITHDREW the OBJECTION.
3:56:26 PM
Representative Ortiz OBJECTED for discussion. He joined his
colleague in thanking the co-chair for the process and the
way the meetings had been conducted. He shared the concerns
raised by Representative Josephson. Additionally, he
highlighted his support for the Alaska Seafood Marketing
Institute (ASMI) and Alaska Travel Industry Association
(ATIA). He believed support for ASMI and ATIA needed
further discussion on the House floor. He was in favor of
funding for the agencies to support the overall economy and
Alaska workforce.
Representative Galvin thanked the co-chair for the process,
which she believed was very fair. She looked forward to the
ongoing process on the floor to be more protective of
children. Additionally, she believed the budget could do
more to support vulnerable families, transportation, and
inflationary costs.
Representative Ortiz WITHDREW the OBJECTION.
There being NO further OBJECTION, CSHB 268(FIN) was
REPORTED out of committee with three "do pass"
recommendations, two "no recommendation" recommendations,
and five "amend" recommendations.
3:59:10 PM
AT EASE
4:01:13 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Edgmon MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee
substitute for HB 270, Work Draft 33-GH2490\R (Marx,
4/4/24).
Co-Chair Johnson noted there were no changes to the bill
other than amendments adopted by the committee.
There being NO OBJECTION, Work Draft 33-GH2490\R was
ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Edgmon MOVED to REPORT CSHB 270(FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations.
Representative Hannan OBJECTED for discussion. She
discussed the effort the committee had undertaken to
incorporate many of the Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority (AMHTA) priorities. She highlighted funds for
Crisis Now and housing assistance. She stated that AMHTA
trustees had high needs and there was a high financial
cost. She elaborated that collectively they were some of
the more complicated policy issues to address. She stated
that the budget addressed many of the issues at the level
the AMTHA board requested. She appreciated Co-Chair
Johnson's leadership and the efforts of many of the
committee members to see that the items were funded. She
WITHDREW the OBJECTION.
There being NO further OBJECTION, CSHB 270(FIN) was
REPORTED out of committee with six "do pass"
recommendations, three "no recommendation" recommendations,
and one "amend" recommendation.
4:04:09 PM
AT EASE
4:06:07 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Johnson thanked members and staff for their work.
She reviewed the schedule for the following week.
ADJOURNMENT
4:07:17 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 4:07 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 268 FIN WorkDraft v.Y 040524.pdf |
HFIN 4/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| 1. AgencySummary HFin UGF Only vY vR 040524.pdf |
HFIN 4/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 HB 270 |
| 3. TransComp GovAmd+ and HFin vY vR 0040524.pdf |
HFIN 4/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 HB 270 |
| 2. AgencySummary HFin AF vY vR 040524.pdf |
HFIN 4/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 HB 270 |
| HB 270 FIN WorkDraft v.R 040524.pdf |
HFIN 4/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 270 |