01/26/2001 01:38 PM House FIN

HOUSE BILL NO. 46                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     "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."                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Teal discussed  mental health funding. He  explained that                                                                   
the Alaska Mental  Health Trust Board evaluates  each project                                                                   
each year  and to determine if  they want to continue  and at                                                                   
what  level.   Mental  health   projects  are   demonstration                                                                   
projects.   Trust funds  are replaced  with general  funds as                                                                   
projects  are  shown  to be  successful.  The  Mental  Health                                                                   
Board's request  is for $14  million dollars in  MHT receipts                                                                   
and $137 million  dollars in general funds.  He observed that                                                                   
the Governor  rejected  some requests  and added others.  The                                                                   
net is  slightly lower than  the request. If  the legislature                                                                   
changes the Governor's  request the change must  be explained                                                                   
to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
In  response  to a  question  by  Co-Chair Mulder,  Mr.  Teal                                                                   
explained  that  the  Legislative   Finance  Division  has  a                                                                   
spreadsheet,  which   compares  the  Mental   Health  Board's                                                                   
request to the Governor's submission.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
In response to a question by Representative  Hudson, Mr. Teal                                                                   
clarified  that,  while  the   legislature  has  not  "rubber                                                                   
stamped"   the  Board's   recommendations,  the   legislative                                                                   
changes have  been minor. Changes  have been worked  out with                                                                   
the  Board and  the Board  has  always been  involved in  the                                                                   
discussion.  There   are  some  mental  health   projects  in                                                                   
Department of  Corrections and Department  of Administration,                                                                   
but  most of  the  appropriations are  in  the Department  of                                                                   
Health and Social Services.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 46 was heard and HELD in Committee for further                                                                               
consideration.