04/10/1997 08:05 AM Senate FIN

       CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 76(FIN)                                           
                                                                               
       "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."                                                                       
                                                                               
  Co-chair   Pearce   convened   the   session  and   reviewed                 
  subcommittee report summaries.                                               
                                                                               
  Senator Phillips introduced the Department of Administration                 
  budget and moved  its adoption into  HB 75.  Jerry  Burnett,                 
  staff to  Senator Phillips provided  a brief outline  of the                 
  budget.  Senator Donley objected regarding the office of the                 
  Public Defender.   There  followed a  brief discussion  with                 
  Sharon Barton, Mike Greany and Susan Taylor regarding fiscal                 
  notes from last year and the  adjusted salaries.  Mr. Greany                 
  noted last year's fiscal note was  authorized FY '97 and for                 
  FY '98 may be one time expenditure.  Senator Phillips voiced                 
  concern  regarding  public  radio and  television.   Senator                 
  Adams concurred.   Senator Sharp indicated that  tax credits                 
  would  not  necessarily  take them  off  the  public trough.                 
  Alison  Elgee  joined  the  committee  and  answered further                 
  questions by the committee regarding public broadcasting and                 
  Senior   Services.    Co-chair  Pearce  asked  about  health                 
  insurance  and Ms. Elgee indicated  they were in the process                 
  of setting up a new pricing plan so that some costs could be                 
  borne by the employee.  Senator  Donley said the division of                 
  motor  vehicle  should  not  be  short changed  and  Senator                 
  Phillips  said   he  would  provide   necessary  information                 
  regarding  this   concern.    Senator  Donley   removed  his                 
  objection.    Co-chair  Pearce  adopted  the  Department  of                 
  Administration budget into HB 75 without objection.                          
                                                                               
  Senator Phillips introduced the Department of  Community and                 
  Regional Affairs budget and moved it  be adopted into HB 75.                 
  Senator Adams objected.   Remond Henderson and  Lamar Cotten                 
  were invited  to join the committee and  explained the draft                 
  sheet of  general fund match.   Senator Sharp  asked further                 
  debate  be  reserved for  the  subcommittee.   Senator Adams                 
  withdrew  his  objection.       Co-chair  Sharp adopted  the                 
  Department of Community and Regional  Affairs budget into HB
 without objection.                                                        
                                                                               
  Senator Phillips  introduced the Department of  Military and                 
  Veterans' Affairs budget.   He said the  governor's proposed                 
  budget was accepted.   He also commented on the Youth Corp.                  
  He moved the  Department of  Military and Veterans'  Affairs                 
  budget into HB 75.  Co-chair Sharp adopted the Department of                 
  Military and  Veterans' Affairs  budget into  HB 75  without                 
  objection.                                                                   
                                                                               
                                                                               
  Formal minutes of the meeting were not prepared as pertinent                 
  financial information  is available in  Conference Committee                 
  Reports on  the FY  98 operating  budget.   The meeting  was                 
  recorded and handwritten  log notes were  taken.  A copy  of                 
  the tapes and log notes may be obtained by contacting either                 
  the  Division  of  Legislative  Finance,  P.O.  Box  113200,                 
  Juneau,  Alaska   99811-3200  (Phone:  907/465-3795)  or the                 
  office  of the  Senate Finance  Committee  Secretary (Phone:                 
  907/465-2618).                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
  ADJOURNMENT                                                                  
                                                                               
  Co-chair Sharp recessed the meeting until 5:00 p.m.