Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-07-20 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-07-20 House Journal Page 1852 HB 104 The following was engrossed and enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, President and Secretary of the Senate, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 3:10 p.m., June 20, 2001: CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 104 "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." The following letter, dated June 7, 2001, from Representative Mulder, Conference Committee Chair, and Senator Donley, Vice Chair, to Ms. Caren Robinson, Chair, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority was also transmitted to the Office of the Governor: "Dear Ms. Robinson: In accordance with AS 37.14.005(c), this letter explains the changes made to the governor's amended comprehensive FY 02 mental health and developmental disabilities services budget proposal as approved by the legislature in CCS HB 104. 2001-07-20 House Journal Page 1853 We appreciate the good working relationship that has been established between the Trust and the Legislature. It enabled us to address many issues in creative and efficient ways that would not otherwise be possible. It is important to note that a critical issue for the mental health community will be solved as a result of legislation passed this year. House Bill 76 and the memorandum of understanding between the Trust, the University, the State of Alaska, Providence Hospital and the Municipality of Anchorage will solve the decades old problem of a new Alaska Psychiatric Institution. The legislature's FY 02 general fund/mental health appropriation of $133,015,400 is $6,783,500 higher than FY 01. That represents a 5.37% increase in state general fund support for mental health services. MHTAAR funds appropriated for operations and capital were less than the FY 01 level as available investment income earnings were reduced. Nonetheless, the comprehensive program of $147,956,700 as approved by the legislature is $5,158,000 higher than FY 01. Program Changes - Operating Department of Administration, Senior Services In consultation with the Trust, an increment of $100,000 of MHTAAR funds was added to accommodate a projected increase in caseload in Protective, Community Services and Administration. Department of Corrections The FY 02 funding for both Inmate Health Care and Inmate Programs was increased over the FY 01 funding level. The legislature believes that the funding level increase is sufficient to provide necessary services to prison inmates. In consultation with the Trust, $65,000 of MHTAAR funds were added for a Title 47 Data System. This is a three-year commitment to establish a mechanism for identifying nature and needed response to the large number of Title 47 holds in communities across the state. 2001-07-20 House Journal Page 1854 Department of Health and Social Services Juvenile Justice Nursing salary increases were funded through general funds rather than GF/MH. The legislature was not persuaded that the requested new programs were the best use of available mental health funds. State Health Services The legislature denied a requested fund source change for the birth defects registry. The birth defects registry was initiated by the AMHTA as a pilot project in FY 00. The continuation of the registry can be funded by the AMHTA. The fund source change to GF/MH was not the legislature's highest priority for general fund spending in FY 02. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Grants The Rural Services Grants were increased by $225,000 over FY 01, providing an increase in mental health related services specifically to rural areas at the village level. Institutions and Administration Statutory designated program receipts replaced GF/MH in API funding. The legislature believes that the use of designated program receipts in this instance releases GF/MH funds for a better use elsewhere. Mental Health Trust Board The legislature funded the Alaska Mental Health Trust Board at the level requested by the governor. We believe the board should use MHTAAR funds for its activities. Department of Revenue Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority The Authority was requested to limit travel and reduce the deputy director position to the salary level similar to deputy directors in other agencies. Program Changes - Capital Alaska Psychiatric Institute Stopgap Repairs The stopgap repairs for API were reduced in consultation with the 2001-07-20 House Journal Page 1855 Trust as a result of the passage of HB 76 which will replace the current facility. Suicide Prevention and Galena Mental Health Center These items were fully funded in two appropriation bills. Suicide prevention was funded in HB 117 and the Galena Mental Health Center in HB 104. Developmental Disabilities Systems Reform Initiative The fund source for $500,000 was changed from GF/MH to MHTAAR in consultation with the Trust. Structure Changes Department of Health and Social Services The grants for public health services, alcohol and drug abuse services, developmental disability services, mental health services, and community health were moved to a single appropriation rather than designated grants in separate appropriations. The legislature believes that this will allow better management of the grants and open the opportunity for innovative proposals. The amount of grant funding available for these services remains at the level requested by the governor. Enclosed is a copy of component summaries provided by the Legislative Finance Division identifying each of the referenced adjustments by agency, budget request unit and component. Sincerely, /s/ Representative Eldon Mulder Conference Committee Chair /s/ Senator David Donley Conference Committee Vice Chair Enclosures"