Legislature(2015 - 2016)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/15/2016 04:00 PM Senate CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB256 AND HB257
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| += | HB 257 | TELECONFERENCED | |
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29TH ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SECOND SESSION
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB256 and HB257
April 15, 2016
4:17 p.m.
4:17:15 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kelly called the Conference Committee meeting on
HB256 and HB257 to order at 4:17 p.m
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senate:
Senator Pete Kelly, Chair
Senator Anna MacKinnon
Senator Lyman Hoffman
House:
Representative Mark Neuman, Vice-Chair
Representative Steve Thompson
Representative Les Gara
MEMBERS ABSENT
ALSO PRESENT:
David Teal, 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 256 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
HB 256 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HB 257 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
HB 257 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
DEPARTMENTS:
ADMINISTRATION
COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORRECTIONS
EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT
FISH AND GAME
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 256(FIN)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; repealing appropriations; making
supplemental appropriations; and providing for an
effective date."
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 256(FIN)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; repealing appropriations; making
supplemental appropriations; and providing for an
effective date."
and
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 257(FIN)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; making
supplemental appropriations; and providing for an
effective date."
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 257(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."
4:17:23 PM
AT EASE
4:19:00 PM
RECONVENED
4:19:40 PM
Chair Kelly communicated that the conference committee
would be meeting on HB 256 and HB 257 open items. He noted
that Limited Powers of Free Conference had been granted by
both the Senate and the House. Departments with open items
would be taken up based on the motion sheets distributed to
members earlier in the day and dated April 15, 2016.
ADMINISTRATION
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT the Chair's recommendation
on the following items for the Department of
Administration's budget:
Item 1 House for both motions
Item 2 Senate for both motions
Item 3 House
Item 4 Senate
Item 5 House
Item 6 Senate for both motions
Item 7 House
Item 8 House
Item 9 Senate
Item 10 Senate
Item 11 Senate
Representative Gara OBJECTED. He looked at Item 1, and
surmised that one deputy commissioner is not eliminated.
Chair Kelly agreed.
Representative Gara looked at Item 5, and assumed that the
House provided no funding for the Anchorage office lease.
4:21:31 PM
AT EASE
4:21:58 PM
RECONVENED
JAMES ARMSTRONG, STAFF, SENATOR PETE KELLY explained that
under Item 5, the Senate provided intent language and the
House provided no intent language. He stressed that the
committee would not be adopted the intent language under
Item 5.
Representative Gara looked at Items 7 through 9, and asked
to have time to look over the sheet.
4:23:01 PM
AT EASE
4:23:13 PM
RECONVENED
4:23:16 PM
Representative Gara OBJECTED to Item 9, which was a
reduction to public television funding from the Governor's
budget request by $600,000.
Chair Kelly wondered if there was any objection to Items 1
through 11, excluding Item 9.
Representative Gara requested an explanation of Item 9. Mr.
Armstrong explained that Items 7 and 8 fully funded the
governor's request for public radio, but Item 9 did not
fund the television portion of the governor's request.
Representative Gara expressed concern with Item 9, but
WITHDREW the OBJECTION.
There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The
action closed all conferencable items in the budget for the
Department of Administration's budget.
4:24:43 PM
DEPARMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT the Chair's recommendation
on the following items for the Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development's budget:
Item 1 House
Item 2 Hold
Item 3 Hold
Item 4 Senate
Item 5 House for both motions
Item 6 Hold
Item 7 Hold
Item 8 Hold
Item 9 Hold
Chair Kelly offered an "at ease", so Representative Gara
could look over the paperwork. Representative Gara declined
the request.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Items 2, 3, 6,
7, 8 and 9 remain open for the Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development's budget.
4:25:57 PM
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT the Chair's recommendation
on the following items for the Department of Correction's
budget:
Item 1 Senate
Item 2 House
Item 3 House for both motions
Item 4 House
Item 5 House
Item 6 House
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The action
closed all conferencable items in the budget for the
Department of Corrections.
4:26:43 PM
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT the Chair's recommendation
on the following items for the Department of Education and
Early Development's budget:
Item 1 House
Item 2 Senate
Item 3 House
Item 4 Senate
Item 5 House
Item 6 Senate
Item 7 Senate
Item 8 Senate
Item 9 Senate
Item 10 Senate plus $240 thousand
Item 11 Senate plus $240 thousand
Representative Gara OBJECTED. He queried the explanation
for Items 10 and 11. He assumed Items 10 and 11 were not
the full Senate cuts. Chair Kelly agreed.
Representative Gara assumed that Items 10 and 11 were one-
half of the Senate cuts. Chair Kelly agreed.
Representative Gara looked at Item 8, and requested
explanation of the technical adjustment. Mr. Armstrong
replied that Item 8 was a recommendation from the
Legislative Finance Division (LFD), because the House's
request was composed incorrectly. He deferred to Mr. Teal
for further information.
Representative Gara wanted to ensure that Item 8 was only a
technical change. Mr. Teal indicated in the affirmative.
4:28:25 PM
AT EASE
4:29:13 PM
RECONVENED
4:29:16 PM
Representative Gara stressed that he only had an objection
to Item 5. He disagreed with the choice to eliminate $7
million of pre-K grants, plus the elimination of the Senate
restoration of Parents as Teachers and Best Beginnings. He
felt that the Pre-K programs were necessary for school
preparedness and an educated workforce.
Chair Kelly announced that there would be a vote on Item 5.
4:30:50 PM
AT EASE
4:30:58 PM
RECONVENED
4:31:03 PM
Chair Kelly announced that the vote would be to accept the
House numbers for Item 5.
Representative Gara MAINTAINED his OBJECTION to Item 5.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Kelly, Neuman, MacKinnon, Thompson
OPPOSED: Gara
The MOTION PASSED (5/1), There being No further OBJECTION,
Item 5 was ADOPTED.
There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The
action closed all conferencable items in the budget for the
Department of Education and Early Development.
4:32:19 PM
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT the Chair's recommendation
on the following items for the Department of Fish and Game
budget:
Item 1 Senate
Item 2 Senate
Item 3 Senate
Item 4 Senate
Item 5 Senate
Item 6 Senate
Item 7 Senate
Item 8 Senate plus $200 thousand
Item 9 Senate
Item 10 House for both motions
Item 11 Senate for both motions
Item 12 Senate
Item 13 Senate
Item 14 House for both motions
Item 15 House
Item 16 House
Item 17 House
Item 18 Senate
4:33:19 PM
Representative Gara OBJECTED to Item 8. He remarked that
there was a $200,000 greater cut from the House request. He
stressed that it was a general cut to Commercial Fisheries.
He announced that a $400,000 cut would have a negative
impact on the Commercial Fisheries section. He appreciated
that $200,000 was a greater cut, but he objected to the
greater decreased funding.
4:34:05 PM
AT EASE
4:34:21 PM
RECONVENED
4:34:27 PM
Chair Kelly wondered if there were other objections.
Representative Gara responded that he did not object to any
other items.
Representative Gara MAINTAINED his OBJECTION to Item 8. He
stated that he would examine the difference between a
$200,000 and $400,000 cut to the Department of Fish and
Game (DFG).
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Kelly, Neuman, MacKinnon, Thompson, Hoffman
OPPOSED: Gara
The MOTION PASSED (5/1). There being NO further OBJECTION
Item 8 was ADOPTED.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The action
closed all conferencable items in the budget for the
Department of Fish and Game.
4:35:48 PM
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT the Chair's recommendation
on the following items for the Department of Office of the
Governor budget:
Item 1 Senate
Representative Gara OBJECTED for DISCUSSION. Mr. Armstrong
explained that there was an amendment in the Senate
version, which deleted eight positions throughout every
agency. The intent language was added to the Office of the
Governor to consolidate the duties and services.
Representative Gara surmised that there were no additional
cuts in either version. Chair Kelly agreed.
Representative Gara WITHDREW the OBJECTION. There being NO
further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The action closed all
conferencable items in the budget for the Office of the
Governor.
4:37:00 PM
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT the Chair's recommendation
on the following items for the Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities budget:
Item 1 House
Item 2 House
Item 3 Senate for both motions
Item 4 House
Item 5 House
Item 6 Senate for both motions
Item 7 Senate
Item 8 Senate
Item 9 Senate
Item 10 Senate
Item 11 Senate
Item 12 Senate
Item 13 Senate
Item 14 Hold
Item 15 Hold
Item 16 Hold
Item 17 House
Item 18 Senate
Item 19 Senate for both motions
Item 20 Senate
Item 21 House
Item 22 Senate
4:38:17 PM
Representative Gara OBJECTED for DISCUSSION. He requested
that Item 18 remain open, and he also held objection to
Items 19 and 20.
4:38:47 PM
AT EASE
4:39:50 PM
RECONVENED
4:39:54 PM
Chair Kelly announced that Item 18 would be held, and
objections Items 19 and 20 would be maintained.
Representative Gara maintained his objection to items 19
and 20. He stated that the House had used $2 million, and
the Senate proposed use of $6 million in order to fund the
Alaska Marine Highway System. He felt that the used of the
Marine Highway Fund would deplete the fund balance too
greatly. He urged the committee to use $2 million, in order
to keep the integrity of the system for those who depend on
the Marine Highway.
4:40:54 PM
AT EASE
4:41:35 PM
RECONVENED
4:41:38 PM
Vice-Chair Neuman stated that Item 18 would be held.
Co-Chair MacKinnon explained that there was currently $12
million in the Marine Highway Fund. The request would
reduce the fund to $6 million, which she felt was a healthy
sum of money.
Representative Gara felt that cutting the fund by half was
too great of a cut.
Representative Gara MAINTAINED his OBJECTION to Item 19.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Kelly, Neuman, MacKinnon, Thompson, Hoffman
OPPOSED: Gara
The MOTION PASSED, There being NO further OBJECTION, Item
19 was adopted.
Representative Gara MAINTAINED his OBJECTION to Item 20.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Neuman, MacKinnon, Thompson, Hoffman, Kelly
OPPOSED: Gara
The MOTION PASSED. There being NO OBJECTION, Item 19 was
ADOPTED.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Items 14, 15,
16, and 18 will remain open for the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities' budget.
Chair Kelly relayed that the next meeting would be held on
Saturday, April 16th at 4:00 p.m.
HB 256 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 257 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
4:44:22 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 4:44 p.m.
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