Legislature(2019 - 2020)
2019-02-21 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2019-02-21 House Journal Page 0201 HB 40 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 40 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "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." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 20 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, and in accordance with Alaska Statute 37.07.070(2), I am transmitting a sponsor substitute for HB 40: Approp: Mental st Health Budget for consideration by the 31 Alaska State Legislature. The purpose of this legislation is to improve the care of disabled youth, provide training for court staff to improve coordination with community behavioral health services, and addresses access to mental health and substance abuse services. The Mental Health Trust (MHT) recommendations for expenditure of MHT funds are largely unchanged in this sponsor substitute. The MHT put forward a job center liaison for correctional facilities in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). This position was not included due to duplication of services already offered by DOLWD. 2019-02-21 House Journal Page 0202 It has become common practice that the MHT also puts forward recommendations for general fund appropriations for capital projects that are not proposed to be funded in whole by MHT dollars. These recommendations were received and evaluated alongside the Department-identified capital needs for the relevant agencies, and the MHT budget includes only MHT funds. Alaska Statute 37.07.020(a)(1) requires the mental health bill to include both operating and capital appropriations. The sponsor substitute for the mental health budget includes $2.1 million of MHT capital expenditures, $17.1 million MHT and $201.2 million General Fund operating. I look forward to engaging with the Legislature to pass the FY 2020 mental health budget. Sincerely, /s/ Michael J. Dunleavy Governor"