2004-09-07                     House Journal                      Page 4498
HB 377                                                                                            
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                               
11:09 a.m., June 25, 2004:                                                                          
                                                                                                    

2004-09-07                     House Journal                      Page 4499
      CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 377                                                          
      "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."                                                
                                                                                                    
Also transmitted was a copy of the following letter dated June 10,                                  
2004, to Phil Younker, Sr., Chair, Alaska Mental Health Trust                                       
Authority:                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
"Dear Mr. Younker:                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
In accordance with AS 37.14.005(c), this letter describes changes                                   
made by the legislature to the Governor's amended comprehensive                                     
FY05 mental health and developmental disabilities services budget                                   
proposal.  The enclosed reports compare CCS HB 377 to the                                           
Governor's proposal rather than to the Authority's proposal because the                             
Governor did not transmit the Authority's proposal to the Legislative                               
Finance Division.                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
The legislature made no changes to funding levels for Mental Health                                 
capital projects, but did substitute general funds (GF/MH) for the                                  
proposed appropriation of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation                                        
dividends.  This action was taken to ensure more accurate tracking of                               
appropriations for mental health programs.                                                          
                                                                                                    
Based on perceived need, the legislature appropriated $1,189,800                                    
more General Fund/Mental Health funds for operating purposes than                                   
was requested by the Governor.  Funding for a Court coordinated                                     
resources project accounted for $148,500 of the total, and $1,032,400                               
in additional funding went to the Department of Health and Social                                   
Services.  Programs affected include Behavioral Health ($558,800)                                   
and Home and Community Based Care ($437,500).  Minor increases                                      
in other programs, in various agencies, were the result of adjustments                              
for the cost of employee benefits.                                                                  
                                                                                                    
We appreciate the good working relationship that has been established                               
between the Trust and the legislature; it has enabled us to address                                 
many issues in creative and efficient ways that would not otherwise be                              
possible.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    

2004-09-07                     House Journal                      Page 4500
If you have additional questions, please contact Anna Kim of the                                    
Legislative Finance Division at 465-5410.                                                           
                                                                                                    
                                         Sincerely,                                                
                                          /s/                                                       
                                          Senator Lyda Green                                        
                                          Conference Committee Chair                                
                                                                                                    
                                          Representative John Harris                                
                                          /s/                                                       
                                          Conference Committee Vice-Chair                           
                                                                                                    
Attachments"