Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/15/2000 02:29 PM Senate 312
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
MINUTES
HOUSE AND SENATE CONFERENCE COMMIITTEE
FOR HB 312 AND HB 313
April 15, 2000
2:29 PM
TAPES
CC-00 #3, Side A
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Sean Parnell convened the meeting at approximately
2:29 PM
PRESENT
Chair Sean Parnell
Vice-Chair Eldon Mulder
Senator John Torgerson
Representative Gene Therriault
Senator Al Adams
Representative John Davies
Also Attending: DAVID TEAL, Director, Division of
Legislative Finance
SUMMARY INFORMATION
HB 312-APPROPRIATIONS: OPERATING BUDGET
HB 313-APPROPRIATIONS: MENTAL HEALTH
Department of Administration
Alaska Court System
Department of Natural Resources
SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 312(FIN)
"An Act making and amending appropriations for the
operating and loan program expenses of state
government, for certain programs, and to capitalize
funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17©,
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
AND
SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 313(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."
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
Chair Parnell reviewed the proposed conference committee
motions for the Department of Administration. [See motions
sheets on file.]
Senator Adams and Representative Davies requested Item #1,
Finance component and Item #15, Public Broadcasting Radio
component to be held for individual consideration.
Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt the remaining items
included in the proposed conference committee motions to
the Department of Administration. There was no objection
and the motions were ADOPTED.
Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt Item #1, Finance component
of the proposed conference committee motions.
Senator Adams objected and stated that there was no
justification for the $250,000 funding reduction to this
component. He asserted that the cut was only made to allow
the legislature to reach a spending "cap". He stressed that
this component must cover the costs, due to increased
license fees, of operating the computers and software that
run the statewide payroll and accounting system. He warned
that if this component is not completely funded, other
state agencies must be "charge-backed" the amount of the
discrepancy. He asserted that this will result in delayed
payment to grantees, clients and vendors.
Representative Davies noted the House of Representative
allocation was already below the FY 00 allocation by at
least $100,000. Therefore, he said, the reduction is more
than the $250,000 proposed at this meeting.
A roll call was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Representative Therriault, Senator Torgerson,
Vice-Chair Mulder and Chair Parnell
OPPOSED: Representative Davies and Senator Adams
The motion PASSED (4-2)
Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt Item #15, Public
Broadcasting Radio of the proposed conference committee
motions for the Department of Administration.
Representative Davies objected and referred to budget
hearings held by the House Finance Committee. He recalled
multiple testimony from across the state in support of
public broadcasting. He surmised that the additional
$50,000 allocated by the Senate was needed and would be
well spent.
Senator Adams spoke of the impact of adopting the House of
Representative's allocation, which was $130,000 less than
the FY 00 budget provided. He ascertained that this
reduction would eliminate two rural radio stations as well
as curtail the efforts of the Anchorage-based Alaska Public
Radio Network.
Vice-Chair Mulder relayed discussions held on this matter
in the House Finance Committee that resulted in the
reinstatement of all but $50,000 of the originally proposed
reductions. He shared that the director of the Alaska
Public Broadcasting Commission testified that the
commission would be able to absorb this smaller reduction.
Vice-Chair Mulder expressed that this was a modest
reduction and noted that the commission had made progress
toward better efficiency in public radio. He commented
"we're asking all Alaskans to tighten their belts," and
that the legislature is asking this, another entity that
receives public support, to also tighten their belt.
A roll call was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Representative Therriault, Senator Torgerson,
Vice-Chair Mulder and Chair Parnell
OPPOSED: Representative Davies and Senator Adams
The motion PASSED (4-2)
Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt intent language for the
Department of Administration, shown on the motion sheet
that reads as follows
It is the intent of the legislature that the
Department of Administration, Division of General
Services, provide leadership to implement electronic,
on-line public notice announcements for the state
procurement process to allow for an economical means
for all interested parties to current notifications
and to avoid unnecessary publication costs.
Chair Parnell commented that this language was adopted by
the Senate Finance Committee and is contained in the Senate
version of the budget.
There was no objection and the intent language was ADOPTED.
ALASKA COURT SYSTEM
Chair Parnell reviewed the proposed conference committee
motions for the Alaska Court System. [See motion sheets on
file.]
Representative Therriault asked for an explanation on the
impact of Item #8, Trial Courts component, Fairbanks
Courthouse increment.
AT EASE 2:41 PM / 2:42 PM
Chair Parnell informed that this motion is to reverse
facility operations because the necessary funding is
provided elsewhere in the budget.
Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt the proposed conference
committee motions for the Alaska Court System. There was no
objection and the motions were ADOPTED.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Chair Parnell reviewed the proposed conference committee
motions for the Department of Natural Resources. [See
motion sheets on file.]
Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt all items of the proposed
conference committee motions for the Department of Natural
Resources. There was no objection and the items were
ADOPTED.
ADJOURNED
Senator Parnell adjourned the meeting at 2:45 PM.
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