Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532

05/16/2022 03:30 PM House CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB281

Note: the audio and video recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.

Download Mp3. <- Right click and save file as

Audio Topic
04:10:19 PM Start
05:22:18 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ Conference Committee TELECONFERENCED
+= HB 281 APPROP: OP BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS; CAP; SUPP TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
Administration
Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Corrections
Education and Early Development
Environmental Conservation
Family and Community Services
Fish and Game
Governor
Health
Labor and Workforce Development
Law
Military and Veterans' Affairs
Natural Resources
Public Safety
Transportation and Public Facilities
Judiciary
Legislature
Fund Capitalization
Language and Other Appropriations
Operation/Supplemental Items
               32ND ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                    
                      SECOND SESSION                                                                                            
           CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB281 and HB282                                                                              
                       May 16, 2022                                                                                             
                         4:10 p.m.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:10:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CALL TO ORDER                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Chair Stedman called the Conference Committee meeting on                                                                        
HB281 and HB282 to order at 4:10 p.m.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senate:                                                                                                                         
Senator Bert Stedman, Chair                                                                                                     
Senator Click Bishop                                                                                                            
Senator Bill Wielechowski                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
House:                                                                                                                          
Representative Kelly Merrick, Vice-Chair                                                                                        
Representative Bart LeBon                                                                                                       
Representative Dan Ortiz                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
None                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ALSO PRESENT:                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Pete Ecklund,  Staff, Senator  Bert Stedman; Alexei  Painter,                                                                   
Director,  Legislative  Finance   Division;  fiscal  analysts                                                                   
with  the Office  of Management  and  Budget and  Legislative                                                                   
Finance Division;  and aides to  committee members  and other                                                                   
members of the Legislature.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SUMMARY                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 281    APPROP: OP BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS; CAP; SUPP                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
          HB 281 was HEARD and HELD in committee for                                                                            
          further consideration.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 282    APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
          HB 282 was HEARD and HELD in committee for                                                                            
          further consideration.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
OPERATING DEPARTMENTS:                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     ADMINISTRATION                                                                                                             
     COMMERCE, COMMUNITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT                                                                              
     CORRECTIONS                                                                                                                
     EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT                                                                                            
     ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION                                                                                                 
     FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES                                                                                              
     FISH AND GAME                                                                                                              
     GOVERNOR                                                                                                                   
     HEALTH                                                                                                                     
     LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT                                                                                            
     LAW                                                                                                                        
     MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS                                                                                              
     NATURAL RESOURCES                                                                                                          
     PUBLIC SAFETY                                                                                                              
     TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES                                                                                       
     JUDICIARY                                                                                                                  
     LEGISLATURE                                                                                                                
     FUND CAPITALIZATION                                                                                                        
     LANGUAGE AND OTHER APPROPRIATIONS                                                                                          
     OPERATING/SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SUPPLEMENTAL DEPARTMENTS:                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     ADMINISTRATION                                                                                                             
     FISH AND GAME                                                                                                              
     OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR                                                                                                     
     HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                                                 
     TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES                                                                                       
     LEGISLATURE                                                                                                                
     FUND CAPITALIZATION                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 281(FIN) am S                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     "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,                                                                   
     supplemental  appropriations, and reappropriations;  and                                                                   
     providing for an effective date."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 282(FIN) am S                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     "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."                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
and                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 281(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld)                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     "An  Act making  appropriations  for  the operating  and                                                                   
     loan  program  expenses  of  state  government  and  for                                                                   
     certain    programs;   capitalizing   funds;    amending                                                                   
     appropriations;   and  making  capital   appropriations,                                                                   
    supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations."                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 282(FIN)                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     "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."                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
^ADMINISTRATION                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:12:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Administration:                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    House                                                                                                            
     Item 2    House                                                                                                            
     Item 3    House                                                                                                            
     Item 4    House                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon OBJECTED to  Item 2. He  questioned the                                                                   
legality,  and wondered  whether  it was  conditional on  any                                                                   
action in the House or the Senate.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter stated  that the  bonuses  for partially  exempt                                                                   
employees required  legislation, and remarked that  there was                                                                   
legislation in  the House that  would provide  those bonuses.                                                                   
He  explained that,  for  unionized  employees,  a letter  of                                                                   
agreement  would be  ratified  under language  in the  Senate                                                                   
version of the budget.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon  surmised  that  the  legality  of  the                                                                   
bonuses required ratification by the legislature.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter  replied that  taking justice  actions would  not                                                                   
apply any  conditions, but  explained that Legislative  Legal                                                                   
had surmised  that absent of  legislation, the  funding could                                                                   
not be paid out.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon WITHDREW the OBJECTION.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED the  conferenceable items in the  Department of                                                                   
Administration.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
^COMMERCE, COMMUNITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:14:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    House minus $125,000                                                                                             
     Item 2    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 5    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 6    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 7    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 8    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 9    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 10   Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 11   Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:14:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon  OBJECTED to Item 1, and  wondered about                                                                   
the background about the nature of the grants.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter  replied that  there  was  a  tie to  a  federal                                                                   
program that  provided small  business innovation  grants. He                                                                   
remarked  that  the intent  of  the  funding was  to  provide                                                                   
technical  support  to  those  businesses  who  had  received                                                                   
those grants.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon   felt  that  $125,000   was  a  modest                                                                   
amount, and did  not want to stretch the dialog.  He wondered                                                                   
how a person benefited from the grant.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter  explained that the  federal program  was focused                                                                   
on  growing  small businesses  with  technology  and  similar                                                                   
portfolios.  He stated  that the  money would  not provide  a                                                                   
match,  but  rather  provide   technical  support  for  those                                                                   
businesses  that   want  to  apply  for  the   federal  grant                                                                   
program.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon WITHDREW his OBJECTION.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon OBJECTED  to Item  10, and asked  about                                                                   
the term, "uncertain federal receipts."                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter  responded  that the  Alaska  Seafood  Marketing                                                                   
Institute  (ASMI) was reliant  on a  range of federal  grants                                                                   
and  industry-generated  fees.  Due to  circumstances  beyond                                                                   
ASMI's  control,  there  was   an  uncertain  expectation  of                                                                   
funds.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon  wondered how  much  federal money  was                                                                   
included in the Item.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter recalled  that the  legislature appropriated  $7                                                                   
million in the  year prior to ASMI as a multi-year  item, and                                                                   
he did not know how much of that  money was still available.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon WITHDREW his objection.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED the  conferenceable items in the  Department of                                                                   
Commerce, Community and Economic Development.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
^CORRECTIONS                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Corrections:                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    House                                                                                                            
     Item 3    House minus $284,000                                                                                             
     Item 4    House minus $204,000 and minus one position                                                                      
     Item 5    House minus $52,800                                                                                              
     Item 6    House minus $54,200                                                                                              
     Item 7    House minus $66,400                                                                                              
     Item 8    House                                                                                                            
     Item 9    House minus $1 million                                                                                           
     Item 10   House                                                                                                            
     Item 11   OPEN                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon  OBJECTED to Item  9. He noted  that the                                                                   
support for  community jails was  higher than the  $4 million                                                                   
in the original  budget. He stressed that he  objected to the                                                                   
reduction to $3 million.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:21:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon MAINTAINED the OBJECTION.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt item 9.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
IN FAVOR: Representative     Ortiz,      Senator     Stedman,                                                                   
Representative     Merrick,    Senator    Bishop,     Senator                                                                   
Wielechowski                                                                                                                    
OPPOSED: Representative LeBon                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The MOTION  PASSED (5/1). There  being NO further  OBJECTION,                                                                   
item 9 was ADOPTED.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action   CLOSED  the   conferenceable  items   1-10  in   the                                                                   
Department of Corrections budget, and leaves item 11 OPEN.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
^EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:22:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Education and Early Development:                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 2    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 5    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 6    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 7    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 8    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 9    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 10   House and Senate                                                                                                 
     Item 11   OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 12   OPEN                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon  OBJECTED  to  Item  4.  He  asked  for                                                                   
background  information   about  the  duties   and  functions                                                                   
related to the item.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter  explained   that  the  costs  was   to  provide                                                                   
equipment for the positions outlined in Item 3.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon WITHDREW his OBJECTION.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED  the conferenceable  items 3,  4, 5, and  10 in                                                                   
the  Department of  Education and  Early Development  budget,                                                                   
leaving all other items OPEN.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
^ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Environmental Conservation:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 2    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 3    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 4    House, all items                                                                                                 
     Item 5    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 6    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 7    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 8    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 9    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 10   Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 11   Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED  the   conferenceable  items  in  the   Department  of                                                                   
Environmental Conservation, leaving  items 1, 3, and 7 OPEN.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
^FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:25:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Family and Community Services:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    House                                                                                                            
     Item 2    House, both items                                                                                                
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon  OBJECTED to  Item  1. He  queried  the                                                                   
rational  for choosing  the House  number  versus the  Senate                                                                   
number.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Mr.   Painter   stated   that  the   item   provided   cross-                                                                   
appropriation transfer  authority to allow the  department to                                                                   
transfer money between appropriations.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon preferred  $5 million over $10 million.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon MAINTAINED the OBJECTION.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt item 1.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
IN FAVOR: Representative     Ortiz,      Senator     Stedman,                                                                   
Representative     Merrick,    Senator    Bishop,     Senator                                                                   
Wielechowski                                                                                                                    
OPPOSED: Representative LeBon                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The MOTION  PASSED (5/1). There  being NO further  OBJECTION,                                                                   
item 1 was ADOPTED.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED the  conferenceable items in the  Department of                                                                   
Family and Community Services budget.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
^FISH AND GAME                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:28:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Fish and Game:                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 2    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 3    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 4    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 5    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 6    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 7    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 8    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 9    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 10   Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 11   Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 12   Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 13   OPEN                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wielechowski OBJECTED to Items 5, 8, and 9.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter deferred to Mr. Ecklund.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:29:27 PM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:32:05 PM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:32:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PETE  ECKLUND, STAFF,  SENATOR BERT  STEDMAN, explained  that                                                                   
Item  5  was a  fund  source  switch  for the  Anchorage  and                                                                   
Fairbanks  hatcheries. He  stated that  roughly $4.6  million                                                                   
of  UGF  was  added, and  roughly  $4.6  million  of  federal                                                                   
receipts related  to Dingle-Johnson money was  decremented in                                                                   
the Item.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Ecklund explained  that Items 8 and 9 were  $5 million in                                                                   
the Fish  and Game  Fund. He  remarked that  the money  was a                                                                   
one-time  item  for wildlife  conservation,  which  would  be                                                                   
revisited the following year.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator   Wielechowski   recalled  conversations   with   the                                                                   
Department of  Fish and Game  who expressed concern  that the                                                                   
change could endanger some federal funds.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Ecklund  recalled  that  there  were  multiple  uses  of                                                                   
Dingle-Johnson  funds,  so the  action  in the  budget  would                                                                   
free up some  of the Dingle-Johnson in the  operating budget,                                                                   
replace it  with UGF, and  take the Dingle-Johnson  money for                                                                   
Angler Access.  He stated  that, if there  was an  issue, the                                                                   
subject could be revisited the following year.                                                                                  
Senator Wielechowski WITHDREW his OBJECTION.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:36:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon OBJECTED  to Item  5. He  asked for  an                                                                   
explanation of Dingle-Johnson.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter replied  that the  federal Dingle-Johnson  funds                                                                   
could be used for a wide variety  of angler access projects.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon  wondered whether  they  were ready  to                                                                   
invest Dingle-Johnson funds into capital projects.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter  stated  that  in  the  Senate  version  of  the                                                                   
capital budget,  there was a  project that would  utilize the                                                                   
funds.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon queried the  dollar amount of the item.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Ecklund  replied that  the total  amount was $6  million,                                                                   
and $4.5 million of which was Dingle-Johnson money.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon queried the project location.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Ecklund  replied  that  he  did  not  know  the  project                                                                   
location.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon removed his OBJECTION.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED the  conferenceable items in the  Department of                                                                   
Fish and Game, leaving item 13 OPEN.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
^GOVERNOR                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:39:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Office of the Governor:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 5    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 6    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 7    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 8    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 9    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 10   Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 11   Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon  OBJECTED to Item 2. He  asked about the                                                                   
timeline of the funds.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter  replied that the  timeline referred to  items 1,                                                                   
2, 4,  and 5.  He explained  that in  items 1  and 2,  stated                                                                   
that those  in the numbers section  were reduced by  half. He                                                                   
furthered  that  the  language  section was  the  other  half                                                                   
effective January 1, 2023. He explained that, over the                                                                          
fiscal year, the entire budget would be available, but                                                                          
would split it between two halves of the fiscal year.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon REMOVED his OBJECTION.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The                                                                        
action CLOSED the conferenceable items in the Office of the                                                                     
Governor, leaving item 9 OPEN.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
^HEALTH                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:42:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair Merrick MOVED to ADOPT the following in the                                                                          
Department of Health:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    House                                                                                                            
     Item 3    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 4    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 5    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 6    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 7    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 8    House modified to a temporary increment for                                                                      
     FY 23 and FY 24 and replace 20 permanent full-time                                                                         
     positions with 20 temporary positions                                                                                      
     Item 9    House                                                                                                            
     Item 10   House                                                                                                            
     Item 11   Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 12   Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 13   Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 14   Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 15   Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 16   Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 17   Senate, but modified to read:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
          It  is  the  intent  of the  legislature  that  the                                                                   
          employer    entities   receiving    the   increased                                                                   
          reimbursement  rate  for providing  services  under                                                                   
          the  Home  and  Community  Based  Service  Waivers,                                                                   
          Personal  Care  assistant   State  Plan,  Community                                                                   
          First  Choice,  and   the  Long-term  Services  and                                                                   
          Supports   Targeted    Case   Management   programs                                                                   
          provide a 10 percent increase to employee wages.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Item 18   Senate, both items                                                                                               
     Item 19   Open                                                                                                             
     Item 20   Open                                                                                                             
     Item 21   Open                                                                                                             
     Item 22   Open                                                                                                             
     Item 23   Open                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon  OBJECTED to Item  1. He stated  that he                                                                   
would have preferred the House number was chosen.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter  replied that it was  a policy choice,  and noted                                                                   
that the number was still less  than the governor's request.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon  felt the  number  should  be zero.  He                                                                   
WITHDREW his OBJECTION.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED  the   conferenceable  items  in  the   Department  of                                                                   
Health, leaving items 19 through 23 OPEN.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
^LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:45:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Labor and Workforce Development:                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 5    House                                                                                                            
     Item 6    House                                                                                                            
     Item 7    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 8    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 9    Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Wielechowski OBJECTED  for  Item 6.  He queried  the                                                                   
rational behind the decision.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter  explained that the  House number was  a proposal                                                                   
by the  governor to bring the  budget authority in  line with                                                                   
actual  expenditures,  so it  would  not reduce  the  funding                                                                   
being spent from the particular fund source.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Wielechowski   surmised  that   it  would   not  cut                                                                   
positions or reduce worker safety.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter agreed.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wielechowski WITHDREW his OBJECTION.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED the  conferenceable items in the  Department of                                                                   
Labor and Workforce Development budget.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
^LAW                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:47:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Law:                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    House                                                                                                            
     Item 3    House                                                                                                            
     Item 4    House                                                                                                            
     Item 5    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 6    Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon  OBJECTED to Item  1. He asked  for more                                                                   
information about the reference to a case in Texas.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter stated  that Senator  Wielechowski could  better                                                                   
speak to the subject.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:48:20 PM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:51:36 PM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:51:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wielechowski  stressed that it was a case  about  not                                                                   
protecting National Guard and Federal Reserve members.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon WITHDREW his OBJECTION to Item 1.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon OBJECTED  to Item 4.  He felt  that the                                                                   
number  could be  higher at  $2.5 million.  He recalled  that                                                                   
the House version was for $4 million.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon WITHDREW his OBJECTION.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED the  conferenceable items in the  Department of                                                                   
Law budget.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
^MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    House                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon  OBJECTED  for discussion.  He  thanked                                                                   
the committee for  their support of the civil  air patrol. He                                                                   
WITHDREW his OBJECTION.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED the  conferenceable items in the  Department of                                                                   
Military and Veterans Affairs budget.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
^NATURAL RESOURCES                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:55:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Natural Resources:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    House as a one-time increment                                                                                    
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 5    Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon  OBJECTED to Item  2. He asked  for more                                                                   
information on the item.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter remarked  that there was additional  money in the                                                                   
capital budget for  the project. He stated that  the item was                                                                   
for ongoing support for the project.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon wondered  whether  action was  required                                                                   
to utilize  any balance  or whether there  would be  a carry-                                                                   
over.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter  explained  that  without  action,  any  unspent                                                                   
funds  would  lapse,  so the  legislature  could  extend  the                                                                   
lapse date of the appropriation.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon REMOVED his  OBJECTION. There  being NO                                                                   
further OBJECTION,  it was so ordered. The  action CLOSED the                                                                   
conferenceable items  in the Department of  Natural Resources                                                                   
budget.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
^PUBLIC SAFETY                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:58:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Public Safety:                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    House                                                                                                            
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    House less three positions in Palmer and                                                                         
     less four positions in Wasilla, for a total reduction                                                                      
     of seven positions                                                                                                         
     Item 5    Senate minus $230,100                                                                                            
     Item 6    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 7    Senate, both items                                                                                               
     Item 8    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 9    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 10   Senate, both items                                                                                               
     Item 11   Senate less $308,800                                                                                             
     Item 12   House                                                                                                            
     Item 13   House                                                                                                            
     Item 14   Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 15   House minus $200,000                                                                                             
     Item 16   House, both items                                                                                                
     Item 17   Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 18   House                                                                                                            
     Item 19   House                                                                                                            
     Item 20   House                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon  OBJECTED  to  Item 4,  and  asked  for                                                                   
explanation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter explained  that there had been an  addition of 14                                                                   
positions,  but   did  not  provide   the  funding   for  the                                                                   
positions. The  expectation was  that adding those  positions                                                                   
would allow  for the department  to continue  the improvement                                                                   
process.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon REMOVED his OBJECTION.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED the  conferenceable items in the  Department of                                                                   
Public  Safety  budget,  except  for  items 6  and  8,  which                                                                   
remain open.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
^TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities:                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    House                                                                                                            
     Item 2    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    Senate as an one-time  increment                                                                                 
     Item 5    Senate as an one-time  increment                                                                                 
     Item 6    Senate as an one-time  increment                                                                                 
     Item 7    Senate as an one-time  increment                                                                                 
     Item 8    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 9    Senate as an one-time increment                                                                                  
     Items 10  OPEN                                                                                                             
     Items 11 through 13 Senate, all items                                                                                      
     Items 14 through 16 Senate, all items                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
5:02:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon OBJECTED  to Item  8. He surmised  that                                                                   
the  item was  a  seasonal position  for  maintenance of  the                                                                   
Dalton Highway,  but he wondered whether that  position would                                                                   
be a permanent seasonal position.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter  replied that  it would  be a permanent  position                                                                   
in the base of the budget.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon WITHDREW his OBJECTION.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
5:02:49 PM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
5:06:27 PM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  further OBJECTION,  it was  so ordered.  The                                                                   
action CLOSED the  conferenceable items in the  Department of                                                                   
Transportation  and  Public  Facilities  budget,  except  for                                                                   
Item 10.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
^JUDICIARY                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
5:07:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Alaska Judicial System:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    House minus $1 million                                                                                           
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 5    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 6    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 7    Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED  the  conferenceable  items  in  the  Alaska  Judicial                                                                   
System budget.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
^LEGISLATURE                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Legislature:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    House                                                                                                            
     Item 2    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 5    Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED  the   conferenceable   items  in  the   Legislature's                                                                   
budget.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
^FUND CAPITALIZATION                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair Merrick  MOVED to ADOPT the following  in the Fund                                                                   
Capitalization:                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 2    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 3    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 4    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 5    OPEN                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED   the  conferenceable   items   2   and   3  in   Fund                                                                   
Capitalization, leaving items 1, 4, and 5 open.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
^LANGUAGE AND OTHER APPROPRIATIONS                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Language and Other Appropriations:                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 3    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 4    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 5    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 6    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 7    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 8    Senate, all items                                                                                                
     Item 9    Senate, all items                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
5:10:08 PM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
5:10:31 PM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
5:10:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair   Merrick  MOVED   to  ADOPT   Amendment  1   (32-                                                                   
GH2686\Y.A.1),  which  is a  contingency  language  amendment                                                                   
regarding  bonuses  for  members   of  collective  bargaining                                                                   
units.  to the  "Language  and Other  Appropriations"  motion                                                                   
sheet as item 4A.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Painter  explained the item  added language  that related                                                                   
to several  of the bonus items  in the House  version adopted                                                                   
earlier in the meeting.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Representative  LeBon OBJECTED for  discussion. He  asked for                                                                   
more background about the letter of agreement.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter  explained  that  in  the  bargaining  contract,                                                                   
there  was  a  requirement  for   the  letters  of  agreement                                                                   
between the executive branch and the union.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative LeBon  WITHDREW the OBJECTION, There  being NO                                                                   
further OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
5:14:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair   Merrick  MOVED   to  ADOPT   Amendment  2   (32-                                                                   
GH2686\Y.A.2),  a  contingency language  amendment  regarding                                                                   
bonuses  for classified  or  partially  exempt employees  who                                                                   
are  not members  of  a  collective  bargaining unit  to  the                                                                   
"Language  and Other  Appropriations"  motion  sheet as  item                                                                   
4B.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Painter  explained  that   substantive  legislation  was                                                                   
necessary to carry  out the proposed bonuses  adopted earlier                                                                   
in the meeting.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman  WITHDREW  his OBJECTION.  There  being  NO                                                                   
further OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED the  conferenceable  items in the  Language and  Other                                                                   
Appropriations.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
^OPERATING/SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
^ADMINISTRATION                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Administration's FY 22 Supplemental budget:                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 3    OPEN                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED  item 1  in the  Department  of Administration's  FY22                                                                   
Supplemental budget, leaving items 2 and 3 open.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
^FISH AND GAME                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Fish and Game FY 22 Supplemental budget:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Items 1 through 7   Senate, all items                                                                                      
     Items 8 through 10 Senate, all items                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED  the conferenceable  items  in the  FY22  Supplemental                                                                   
Budget for the Department of Fish and Game.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
^GOVERNOR                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
5:18:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Office of the Governor FY 22 Supplemental budget:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 2    Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED the conferenceable  items in the in the  Office of the                                                                   
Governor's FY22 Supplemental Budget.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
^HEALTH                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
5:18:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department of Health  and Social Services FY  22 Supplemental                                                                   
budget:                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Item1     OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 2    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 3    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 4    Senate                                                                                                           
     Item 5    OPEN                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED  the  item  4 the  Department  of  Health  and  Social                                                                   
Services  FY22 Supplemental  budget,  leaving items  1, 2,  3                                                                   
and 5 OPEN.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
^TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
5:19:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Department  of Transportation  and  Public  Facilities FY  22                                                                   
Supplemental budget:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 2    Senate                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED item  2 the  Department of  Transportation and  Public                                                                   
Facilities, leaving item 1 OPEN.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
^LEGISLATURE                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
5:20:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick  MOVED  to  ADOPT the  following  in  the                                                                   
Legislature's FY 22 Supplemental budget:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Items 1 through 7   Senate, all items                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED  the conferenceable  items in  the Legislature's  FY22                                                                   
Supplemental budget.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
^FUND CAPITALIZATION                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
5:20:38 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair Merrick  MOVED to ADOPT the following  in the Fund                                                                   
Capitalization FY 22 Supplemental budget:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Item 1    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 2    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 3    OPEN                                                                                                             
     Item 4    Senate, both items                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
There  being NO  OBJECTION,  it was  so  ordered. The  action                                                                   
CLOSED  item  4 in  FY22  Supplemental  Fund  Capitalization,                                                                   
leaving items 1, 2 and 3 OPEN.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  stated that there would be  an announcement                                                                   
of the next meeting.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
5:22:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Merrick   MOVED  to   ADJOURN.  There   being  NO                                                                   
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB  281  was   HEARD  and  HELD  in  committee   for  further                                                                   
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HB  282  was   HEARD  and  HELD  in  committee   for  further                                                                   
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
5:22:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The meeting was adjourned at 5:22 p.m.                                                                                          

Document Name Date/Time Subjects