Legislature(2015 - 2016)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/17/2016 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB170 | |
| SB101 | |
| SB124 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 101 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 170 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 124 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 17, 2016
9:04 a.m.
9:04:06 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair MacKinnon called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Anna MacKinnon, Co-Chair
Senator Pete Kelly, Co-Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Jeff Jessee, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority; Senator Cathy Giessel, Sponsor; Akis
Gialopsos, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel; Ben Ellis,
Director, Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation,
Department of Natural Resources; Denise Daniello, Executive
Director, Alaska Commission on Aging, Juneau; Jacquelli
Ziegenfus, Administrative Operations Manager, Division of
Senior and Disabilities Services, Department of Health and
Social Services; Senator Bill Stoltze; Kris Curtis,
Legislative Auditor, Alaska Division of Legislative Audit.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Steve Masterman, Director, Division of Geological and
Geophysical Surveys, Department of Natural Resources
Fairbanks.
SUMMARY
SB 101 STATE PARKS FEES & SALES OF MERCHANDISE
SB 101 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SB 124 EXTEND SUNSET ON AK COMMISSION ON AGING
SB 124 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SB 170 DNR FEES FOR GEOLOGICAL SERVICES
SB 170 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
9:05:14 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon discussed housekeeping. She introduced
Jeff Jessee, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority, who offered a fiscal note update
pertaining to SB 74.
9:05:28 AM
JEFF JESSEE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH
TRUST AUTHORITY, explained that the trustees had met the
previous day. He stated that the trustees approved nearly
$10 million, over 3 years, to assist in the Medicaid reform
effort. He said that over $5 million of the funds would
supplant General Funds currently reflected in the fiscal
notes for SB 74.
SENATE BILL NO. 170
"An Act authorizing the Department of Natural
Resources, division of geological and geophysical
surveys, to collect fees for facilities, equipment,
products, and services; relating to accounting for
certain program receipts; and providing for an
effective date."
9:07:26 AM
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, SPONSOR, explained that SB 170 would
make the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) a greater
revenue generator. She presented a core from an oil field
drill. She explained that the Geological Material Center
(GMC) had been located for several decades in Eagle River,
where materials had been stored in conexes (unheated metal
containers) and had been exposed to cold and moisture,
causing deterioration. She relayed that DNR had bought the
Sam's Club building in East Anchorage from Walmart
Corporation several years ago, and that the structure had
been reconfigured as the Geologic Materials Center. She
said that the library of rocks contained in the building
could generate revenue because it was of interest to
exploders. She referred to the document, "FAQs related to
Senate Bill 170"(copy on file). The document contained a
statement from Repsol, and the role of the center in their
recent discovery on the Colville Delta; the GMC had
facilitated in the discovery and exploration of the area,
possibly the largest oil field discovered since Prudhoe
Bay. She related that DNR currently did not have the
authority to charge for use of their facility, the bill was
intended to establish that authority.
9:10:39 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon looked at Page 1, lines 11 and 13, which
spoke to the printing and publication of reports. She
wondered whether the figure was antiquated, or had digital
imaging been explored as an alternative to publishing and
printing hard copies.
Senator Giessel replied that all of the materials were
available to view online, but that most people liked to
work from actual paper copy maps.
9:11:36 AM
AKIS GIALOPSOS, STAFF, SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, discussed the
Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
*Section 1. Provides that fees collected by the
Department of Natural Resources (department) under AS
41.08.045, added by bill section 3, will be accounted
for separately and that appropriations from these fees
are not made from the unrestricted general fund.
*Section 2. Conforms AS 41.08.030 to the changes made
to AS 41.08 by section 3 of the bill.
*Section 3. Adds a new section to AS 41.08 permitting
the department's division of geological and
geophysical surveys to charge and collect fees for
facilities, equipment, products, or services that the
division offers. Institutes a fee waiver for students
using the facilities, equipment, products or services
for educational purposes.
*Section 4. Amend uncodified law to permit the
department to adopt regulations necessary to implement
changes made by the Act.
*Section 5. Makes section 4 effective immediately.
*Section 6. Gives sections 1-3 an effective date of
July 1, 2016.
9:14:07 AM
Senator Bishop wondered how the department would arrive at
a fee schedule.
9:14:31 AM
STEVE MASTERMAN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL AND
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), stated that the fee
schedule was currently under evaluation and would be an
amalgam of fees charges in other states. He stated that
they did not want to discourage use by setting fees too
high.
9:15:56 AM
Senator Giessel looked at Page 4 of the aforementioned fact
sheet, which reflected a bar graph illustrating core
repository service fees in other states.
9:16:22 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered why the word "shall" had been
used instead of "may" on Page 2, line 25 of the bill.
Mr. Gialopsos responded that the division had intended to
promulgate regulations to do the waiver for students. He
furthered that the statutory regulation was intended to
ensure that students using the facilities would still be
able to do so, without the danger of regulations rescinding
themselves.
9:17:26 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche commented that industry would offset
the cost of running the facility, and that the language was
in no way meant to discourage students from using the
facility.
9:17:52 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered what would keep industry from
using students or interns in order to bypass paying fees
for facility use.
Senator Giessel looked at page 2 of the facts document, and
pointed out that public school groups constituted only 5 to
10 percent of the annual visitors to the facility. She said
that the intention had that elementary, junior high, and
high school classes that might be interested in geological
careers would be able to visit the facility at no charge.
She spoke to Co-Chair MacKinnon's concern that "students"
was a broad term, but she believed that the division was
clear on the intent of the sponsor. She trusted that the
level of student that would be allowed to enter for free
would be clearly defined in regulation.
Co-Chair MacKinnon understood that Senator Giessel viewed
university students and academics differently than the
student intended under the waiver.
Senator Giessel replied that that had been the intention of
the Senate Resources Committee.
9:19:43 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon though that the language could be more
specific.
9:20:08 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche felt that an intern working under
contract with an industry party would have their fees
covered by the industry employer. He specified that his
intent had been that the facility would be available for
free to individual students who were interested in doing
research in the facility.
9:20:51 AM
Senator Olson queried that amount of anticipated revenue
from the facility.
Senator Giessel deferred to Mr. Masterman.
9:21:15 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon directed committee attention to the
fiscal note, which reflected that revenue was expected to
increase as usage grew; up to $485 thousand by FY 22.
9:21:54 AM
Mr. Masterman interjected that the fiscal note contained
estimates that were based on the past history of usage and
new services that the facility planned to offer. He said
that the picture would become clearer after the facility
began charging revenue.
9:22:44 AM
Senator Bishop offered support for the legislation.
9:23:28 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche wondered whether the members of
industry could obtain electronic seismic data from the
facility.
Mr. Masterman replied in the affirmative. He said that the
intent was to work with the division to make the seismic
surveys available through the GMC.
9:24:12 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche asked whether it would be the most
valuable data at the center.
Mr. Masterman replied that it was a possibility, and there
was a hope that such valuable information would provide a
significant revenue stream for the facility.
9:24:59 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered why there the anticipated
revenue did not result in a corresponding drop in the
General Funds reflected in the fiscal note.
Mr. Masterman responded that at this point the revenue was
intended to bring the building into the public building
fund, which had an entry level threshold. He said that
until the GMC revenue reached the threshold to enter the
fund, the revenue generate would enter the General Fund. He
believed that the fiscal note offered further explanation.
Co-Chair MacKinnon OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony.
9:27:32 AM
AT EASE
9:29:48 AM
RECONVENED
SB 170 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 101
"An Act relating to fees for use of state park system
facilities; and relating to the sale of merchandise by
the Department of Natural Resources."
9:30:23 AM
BEN ELLIS, DIRECTOR, ALASKA DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR
RECREATION, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, explained that
the bill would remove language that required all authorized
fees to be collected in a park unit, making clear that the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would have the
authority to collect fees online or in locations outside of
a park unit.
9:31:29 AM
Senator Dunleavy understood that there were drop box fees
at state parks.
Mr. Ellis replied that there were drop boxes for user fees
at developed facilities, and that passes were available.
9:32:23 AM
Senator Olson queried the reasoning behind the clarifying
language related to fees being collected outside of a park
unit.
Mr. Ellis stated that the original intent of the governor's
bill had been to allow state parks to sell merchandise for
a profit, in order to decrease the dependence on the
General Fund. He said that the bill had been modeled on a
survey that was conducted over 20 states, with the original
concept to provide an opportunity for state to sell
merchandise for profit. He said that current statute only
allowed for the sale of items for cost.
9:35:07 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon directed committee attention to the
original draft of the legislation. She queried the removal
of Section 2 from the original bill.
Mr. Ellis responded that the language had been removed by
the Senate Resources Committee. He said that concern had
been expressed during the bill hearing that the bill could
be in competition with the private sector.
9:35:57 AM
Senator Bishop wondered whether the bill would benefit the
division.
Mr. Ellis responded that the current version of the bill
would alleviate a technical issue that some had not
believed was a serious issue.
9:37:04 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon stressed that the bill was an issue of
public policy. She said that the government generally
avoided competition with the private sector. She said that
her office would take amendments until Wednesday, March 23,
2016.
9:37:42 AM
Senator Olson wondered whether there were private entities
that sold comparable items to those sold by the division.
Mr. Ellis responded that the division was not currently
selling any products. He added that he did not believe that
any company was selling Alaska State Park merchandise. He
stated that there was an internet based company in Seattle
that was could create merchandise using any names in the
public domain.
9:38:56 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche remarked that the bill was similar to
SB 101, as it was an attempt for a department to offset
costs. He appreciated the proposed bill.
9:39:42 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon shared that she had served as a
department manager at JC Penney, which sold millions in
Alaskan merchandise. She felt that it would be nice for the
state to get credit for distributing state products. She
suggested that the state could be a wholesaler of original
Alaska brand merchandise.
Mr. Ellis concurred. He stressed that the state would
create the merchandise, and would sell it to a wholesaler
or retailer at a marked up cost.
Co-Chair MacKinnon reiterated that amendments were due the
following Wednesday.
9:42:12 AM
Senator Dunleavy spoke in support of the legislation.
Mr. Ellis quoted a parks director in New Hampshire:
"We're fairly passionate about our retail operation in
the Hampshire State Parks. When you change the
dialogue from cost control, to revenue growth
opportunities, all of the sudden new doors open,
employees attitudes shift, and we build a broader
customer base of support, loyalty, and advocacy for
the states park system."
9:43:43 AM
Senator Bishop agreed that the bill was a good concept. He
stressed that Alaska was a tourism destination.
9:44:37 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon hoped that the merchandise would be made
in America, possibly in partnership with the prison system.
9:45:07 AM
Senator Olson spoke to Section 2 of the original version of
the legislation. He understood that this portion of the
bill had been removed from the current version. He wondered
whether the change had altered the original intent of the
legislation.
Mr. Ellis responded that the current bill version from the
Senate Resources Committee did not achieve the original
intent of the bill.
9:45:58 AM
Senator Olson wondered why the committee was hearing the
legislation.
Mr. Ellis responded that in April 2015, the bill had been
amended to eliminate the part that related to the sale of
merchandise, and move forward the section that offered the
technical amendment pertaining to online payments.
9:46:56 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon clarified that Section 2 had been
removed from the original bill, but could be offered as an
amendment.
9:48:07 AM
Senator Olson wondered whether the department was in favor
of the current version of the legislation.
Mr. Ellis responded that the department was supportive of
clarifying the revenue stream. He repeated that the current
version of the bill did not speak to the governor's
original intent.
9:48:52 AM
AT EASE
9:49:02 AM
RECONVENED
9:49:05 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche revealed that there had been concern in
the Senate Resources Committee about state competition with
the private sector, as well as the cost of employing
additional state employees. He hoped that the bill could be
amended to require that Alaskan businesses be used in the
production of merchandise.
9:50:25 AM
Mr. Ellis remarked that the division was sensitive to the
competition with the private sector, and shared that there
was a constant search for balance.
Co-Chair MacKinnon OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony.
SB 101 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 124
"An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska
Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective
date."
9:52:43 AM
DENISE DANIELLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON
AGING, JUNEAU, explained that the sources of funding for
the commission included General Funds, General Fund mental
health funds and an interagency receipt from the Division
of Senior and Disability Services, as well as Mental Health
Trust authority authorized receipts for one position.
9:53:51 AM
JACQUELLI ZIEGENFUS, ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS MANAGER,
DIVISION OF SENIOR AND DISABILITIES SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, (DHSS) explained the fiscal
note in detail. She noted that the total operating
expenditures each year was $539.7 thousand; $42.9 from the
General Fund, $348.1 from interagency receipts (this was
funding that was passed on from the Division of Senior and
Disability Services to the commission), $29.6 General
Fund/Mental Health, and $119.1 from Mental Health Trust
Authority dollars.
9:55:12 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered why there were four personnel
staff to support 11 board members.
Ms. Daniello replied that the 11 person board had been
supported by four staffers for many years. She said that in
2004, the commission had been under the Department of
Administration, and at that time the decision had been made
to transfer the commission over to the Department of Health
and Social Services with a focus on advocacy, planning, and
education for senior programs. She shared that the
commission provided a significant amount of service in the
state by developing a state plan for senior services, which
required substantial staff support in developing needs
assessment activities, and by conducting community forums
and advising the governor and the legislature on senior
programs. She detailed the important work for seniors
performed by the board and their staff.
9:56:57 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon specifically wondered how often the
plans needed to be rewritten. She questioned the need for
four staff positions to serve the board. She reminded Ms.
Daniello that all other state agencies had taken a 22
percent, year-to-year, Operating Budget reduction. She said
that at least one staff member should be immediately
removed from the fiscal note, if not two, because the
interagency receipts were actually General Fund dollars
that came from other departments.
Ms. Daniello explained that the four staff were involved in
the development and implementation of the state planning.
She shared that there were six goals in the state plan,
with 24 strategies and 28 performance measures. She shared
that the efforts were based on the development of services
to promote the health and safety of Alaska's seniors. She
announced that she was shocked by the potential loss of
personnel. She said that the commission worked to educate
Alaskans about senior issues through many campaigns and
coalitions. She added that employees talked with seniors
about Medicaid reform efforts and hosted community forums.
She shared that the commission hosted a regular senior
legislative advocacy teleconference, which helped to guide
policy and budget recommendations.
9:59:53 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered what was specifically required
of the commission under state statute in order to comply
with the federal Older Americans Act.
Ms. Daniello responded that the commission was responsible
for the development of the aforementioned state plan, for
the education of Alaskans about senior issues, and to be a
visible advocate for seniors.
10:00:24 AM
AT EASE
10:01:42 AM
RECONVENED
10:01:45 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon summarized AS 47.45.240, which spoke to
the power, duties, and limitations of the commission:
(1) approve a comprehensive statewide plan that
identifies the concerns and needs of older Alaskans
and, with reference to the approved plan, prepare and
submit to the governor and legislature an annual
analysis and evaluation of the services that are
provided to older Alaskans;
(2) make recommendations directly to the governor and
the legislature with respect to legislation,
regulations, and appropriations for programs or
services that benefit older Alaskans;
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked how often the comprehensive
statewide plan was reviewed.
Ms. Daniello responded that the plan was reviewed annually.
10:02:38 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked whether at the time of review the
plan was readopted, or was there was five-year plan.
Ms. Daniello replied that the plan was a four-year plan.
She furthered that the commission gathered data related to
performance measures associated with recognized goals. She
added that the commission brought together stakeholders to
discuss any work that had been completed on the plan.
10:03:02 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon read from the statute:
(3) encourage the development of municipal commissions
serving older Alaskans and community-oriented programs
and services for the benefit of older Alaskans;
(4) employ an executive director who serves at the
pleasure of the commission;
(5) help older Alaskans lead dignified, independent,
and useful lives;
(6) request and receive reports and audits from state
agencies and local institutions concerned with the
conditions and needs of older Alaskans;
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked what type of reports and audits
the commission received from state agencies.
Ms. Daniello responded that the commission published the
annual Senior Snapshot, which was contained in an annual
report that the commission provided to the legislature. She
said that for the document, data was gathered from variety
of demographic and economic health indicators. She said
that other reports dealing with health and safety were also
prepared by the commission.
10:03:40 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon read from statute:
(7) with the approval of the commissioner of health
and social services, set policy for the administration
of federal programs subject to state control as
provided under 42 U.S.C. 3001 - 3058ee (Older
Americans Act), as amended;
(8) with the approval of the commissioner of health
and social services, set policy for the administration
of state programs as provided under AS 47.65 ;
(9) give assistance, on request, to the senior housing
office in the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation in
administration of the senior housing loan program
under AS 18.56.710 - 18.56.799 and in the performance
of the office's other duties under AS 18.56.700 ; and
(10) provide to the Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority, for its review and consideration,
recommendations concerning the integrated
comprehensive mental health program for persons who
are described in (d) of this section and the use of
the money in the mental health trust settlement income
account in a manner consistent with regulations
adopted under AS 47.30.031 .
10:04:35 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon queried the personnel position titles.
Ms. Daniello responded that there was a planner 2, a
planner 1, and an administrative assistant.
10:04:54 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon queried the responsibilities of the 2
planner positions.
Ms. Daniello explained that the planner 1 focused on
planning advocacy for serving senior mental health trust
beneficiaries. She stated that the planner 2 position was
in charge of the other responsibilities under the state
statute. She said that the planner 2 position worked
directly with her to develop the state plan and provided
additional planning and advocacy support.
10:06:21 AM
Senator Bishop wondered whether a reduction in staff would
jeopardize the federal reporting requirement and jeopardize
grant funding.
Ms. Daniello replied that it would compromise the
commission's ability to compile necessary information and
the overall quality of the state plan. She stressed that
the state plan was a comprehensive document and was used by
other state and local agencies that applied for
foundational and corporate grants.
10:07:53 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered whether there were any
reductions that could be found in the commission's budget.
Ms. Daniello replied that there had been reductions in
travel expenses. She added that the commission had worked
to contain travel expenses.
10:08:39 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon requested the travel savings dollar
amount.
Ms. Daniello replied $3,000 in FY 17.
10:08:58 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked whether cuts had been made prior
to FY 17.
Ms. Daniello replied in the negative.
10:09:05 AM
Senator Olson asked whether the legislative audit had
recommended a decrease in staff.
Ms. Daniello responded that the audit had made no such
recommendation.
10:09:30 AM
Senator Olson queried whether auditors had question whether
the work could be done with less staff.
Ms. Daniello replied in the negative.
10:09:43 AM
Senator Bishop requested any corrective actions the
commission had taken to solve audit findings 1 and 2.
Ms. Daniello responded that the commission had amended its
policies and procedures to include corrective action
strategies to post all meeting notices for both the board
and the committee. She said that the commission now
required the chair of the commission, as well as for the
legislative advocacy committee, to sign off on the watch
list prior to its distribution.
10:10:31 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon interjected that for the past three
years the commission had been asked to take a $3,000 budget
cut.
Ms. Ziegenfus explained that, in FY 17, the commission put
forward a $3,000 travel reduction.
10:11:16 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked whether there had been any
reductions in the past three years.
Ms. Ziegenfus replied in the negative.
10:11:34 AM
AT EASE
10:12:05 AM
RECONVENED
10:12:19 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon reiterated the concerns for the four
staff for 11 board members.
10:12:54 AM
SENATOR BILL STOLTZE, understood the fiscal reasoning
behind the committee's examination of the personnel.
10:14:37 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon invited Kris Curtis, Legislative
Auditor, Alaska Division of Legislative Audit to speak to
the issue.
KRIS CURTIS, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, ALASKA DIVISION OF
LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, introduced herself.
10:15:14 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon stressed that all of the councils and
commissions in the state were experiencing repercussions
from the fiscal crisis.
Ms. Curtis replied that Page 10 of the audit contained
historical expenditure information, including how much
General Funds and federal funds the commission received.
She said that the division did not approach audits with the
idea of recommending cuts to positions; however, there were
hundreds of boards and commissions in the state that were
not currently up for a sunset review, and that perhaps it
was time for a full review of boards and commissions. She
felt that an evenhanded review of the staffing levels and
needs of commissions was a wise idea given the current
fiscal climate. She testified that the elimination of one
position from the commission would not result in a loss of
federal funds. She stressed that a cut to the commission
would be a cut to the services provided to the population
that they served.
10:18:03 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon surmised that the co-chairs should send
a letter requesting a review for how staff was utilized to
support boards and commissions across the state. She
wondered when such an assessment could be ready for the
legislature.
Ms. Curtis responded that the Division of Legislative Audit
had also faced budget cuts, and she did not think that the
work could be completed by next legislative session. She
added that the new IRIS system would present additional
challenges to the division. She added that the last full
review of boards and commission had been conducted in 1992.
10:19:33 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon said that the discussion would continue
into the interim.
10:20:24 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered whether the committee was in
support of reducing the personnel by one or two
individuals. She asserted that she was not targeting the
commission, but had to find cuts somewhere.
10:21:00 AM
Co-Chair Kelly wondered whether the fiscal note could be
adjusted in conference committee once it was altered in
finance committee.
10:21:26 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon replied that she would contact
Legislative Legal about the inquiry.
10:21:56 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche wondered why the budget had increased
$100 thousand since FY 12.
Ms. Daniello replied that most of the increase was through
the personnel service line. She shared that 3 of the 4
staff had served on the commission for 10 years. She stated
that the planner 2 was a recent hire. She noted the steady
reduction in travel expenses and services. She attempted to
offer ideas for cost savings.
Co-Chair MacKinnon said no.
10:23:42 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche probed the increase from FY 12 that was
reflected in the audit.
10:24:09 AM
Ms. Curtis responded that the chart reflected the actual
numbers, not the budget, which meant that the increase
could be the reflection of the commission expending their
full authorization. She added that vacancies were often
reflected by a dip in personal services totals.
10:24:43 AM
Ms. Daniello added that the planner 2 position had been
vacant for an extended period of time, and was vacant
during the time when the commission was preparing to
develop the state plan. She stressed that the position was
critical to the development of the plan, and it had been
decided that the position would be contracted out in order
to complete the plan.
10:25:19 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered how long the position was
vacant.
Ms. Daniello replied that the position was vacant for
approximately eight months in 2015.
10:25:37 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon queried any recommendation Ms. Daniello
could offer on how to reduce the commission's budget by at
least 20 percent.
Ms. Daniello replied that there could be a sharing of an
administrative position with another agency. She suggested
furlough days or a cut to her own salary.
10:26:40 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wanted a discussion to be held off the
record. She stressed that it was a goal to analyze the
boards and the costs thereof. She hoped that there would be
a consolidation.
10:28:14 AM
Senator Olson hoped to discuss the subject further,
specifically, how cuts in personnel would affect services.
Ms. Curtis replied that it depended on how the commission
implemented the cuts. She shared that there would be a
consideration of priorities.
10:30:07 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon discusses housekeeping.
SB 124 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
10:32:03 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 101 Briefing Paper.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 101 |
| SB 101 Transmittal Letter.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 101 |
| SB0170-Explanation of Changes-Version A to Version W.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 170 |
| SB0170-Sectional Analysis-Version W.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 170 |
| SB0170-Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 170 |
| SB0170-Supporting Document-FAQs from DNR-DGGS.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 170 |
| SB0170-Supporting Document-Letter-DNR-DGGS.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2016 9:00:00 AM |
SB 170 |