2025-01-22                     House Journal                      Page 0046
HB 55                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 55 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                    
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         

2025-01-22                     House Journal                      Page 0047
     "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.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
A letter dated December 12, 2024, with accompanying spreadsheets,                                                               
to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority from Lacey Sanders,                                                                 
Director of Office of Management and Budget, was attached (as                                                                   
required by AS 37.14.003) and is on file in the Chief Clerk's Office.                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker-Elect Edgmon:                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the State’s                                                                  
comprehensive mental health program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. As                                                               
required by statute, this bill includes both operating and capital                                                              
appropriations.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
This budget totals $245.5 million and includes $184.5 million in                                                                
unrestricted general funds, $39.6 million in designated general funds,                                                          
and $21.4 million in Mental Health Trust Authority funds.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The FY 2026 proposed mental health budget includes requests that                                                                
were put forward to the Office of Management and Budget by the                                                                  
Alaska Mental Health Trust (Trust). The requests support programs                                                               
and activities in Trust focus areas that meet the identified treatment                                                          
and service needs of Trust beneficiaries and areas of system change to                                                          
improve the lives of beneficiaries.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
I look forward to working with the Legislature on the timely passage                                                            
and implementation of the FY 2026 budget for Alaska’s                                                                           
comprehensive mental health program.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"