Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/05/2001 09:18 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 103(FIN)(brf sup maj fld)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan
program expenses of state government, for certain programs,
and to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 104(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 Kelly moved to adopt SCS CS HB 103, 22-LS0410\T as a
working draft.
There was no objection and the committee substitute was ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Kelly moved to adopt SCS CS HB 104, 22-LS0411\O as a
working draft.
Without objection the committee substitute was ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Kelly detailed the changes in the HB 103 committee
substitute. He stated it "adopts something that we've had in many
bills that have passed through this Committee over the last few
years." He explained this as comparable to the federal Hyde
Amendment language that restricts the use of federal funds for
abortion services. He noted the language is contained in the
Department of Health and Social Services portion of the budget as
well as in a special provision for the Constitutional Budget
Reserve (CBR) fund.
Senator Hoffman referenced Section 32 relating to the non-
severability clause. He asked what the legislature would do of the
court finds this provision unconstitutional but the legislature
maintains that it is constitutional.
Co-Chair Kelly detailed the history of bringing the matter of
funding for abortion services before the court and the subsequent
court actions ruling against the methods utilized by the
legislature. He noted that the court left leeway in each decision
it issued, by finding that the legislature did not handle the
matter in the proper manner and that by changing the way the budget
was funded, it could possibly be found constitutional. He stressed,
however, that each time a different approach was attempted by the
legislature, the court continued to rule it as unconstitutional.
Co-Chair Kelly informed that the manner in which this committee
substitute is structured, the courts may or may not "strike it
down". He opined that if the court does rule against the
legislature in this budget, "they'll have to show pretty blatant
disregard for the constitution, at least the separation of powers
that exists in the constitution." He predicted the court would be
"reluctant to strike down the entire HESS (Department of Health and
Social Services) budget over this issue."
Senator Hoffman asked if the budget is struck down whether a
special legislative session would be necessary.
Co-Chair Kelly answered yes.
Co-Chair Kelly offered a motion to authorize the Division of Legal
and Research Services and the Division of Legislative Finance to
make non-substantial technical and conforming changes to the budget
bills where necessary.
There was no objection and the motion PASSED.
Statewide
STWIDE #2: This amendment reduces the appropriation from
$39,578,400 in Section 24, subsection (c) on page 53, lines 8 and 9
of the version "S" committee substitute. The amended language reads
as follows.
(c) The sum of $32,578,400 is appropriated from the
general fund to the Alaska debt retirement fund (AS
37.15.011).
This amendment also increases the appropriation from $100,000 in
Section 24, subsection (d) on page 53, lines 10 through 13 of the
version "S" committee substitute. The amended language reads as
follows.
(d) The sum of $1,100,000 is appropriated from the
lapsing balance of the appropriation made in sec. 1. ch. 133,
SLA 2000, page 13, line 29, and allocated on lines 30-31
(public assistance-Alaska temporary assistance program-
$66,112,800) to the Alaska debt retirement fund (AS
37.15.011).
This amendment also changes the funding source from AHFC Dividend
funds in Section 17 on page 50, lines 3 through 7 of the version
"S" committee substitute. The amended language reads as follows.
Sec. 17. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR. The sum of $947,700 is
appropriated from the general fund to the Office of the
Governor, division of elections, for reapportionment
implementation costs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002.
This amendment also inserts a new subsection to Section 24 on page
54, following line 10 of the version "S" committee substitute to
read as follows.
(m) The sum of $6,000,000 from the fiscal year 2002
dividend that is declared by the board of directors of the
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is appropriated from Alaska
Housing Finance Corporation corporate receipts to the Alaska
debt retirement fund (AS 37.15.011).
Accompanying explanatory language reads as follows.
Reduce general fund capitalization of the Alaska Debt
Retirement Fund by $7,000,000. Capitalize the Alaska Debt
Retirement Fund with the remaining $6,000,000 AHFC Dividend
funds and an additional $1,000,000 reappropriation of surplus
FY 01 Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) general
funds.
Co-Chair Kelly moved to rescind the Committee's action of adopting
the amendment for the purpose of amending the amendment.
The action adopting the amendment was RESCINDED without objection.
Co-Chair Donley detailed a conceptual amendment to the amendment to
specify that the lapsing balance pertains to general funds in
Section 24, subsection (d). The amended language reads as follows.
(d) The sum of $1,100,000 is appropriated from the
lapsing general fund balance of the appropriation made in sec.
1. ch. 133, SLA 2000, page 13, line 29, and allocated on lines
30-31 (public assistance-Alaska temporary assistance program-
$66,112,800) to the Alaska debt retirement fund (AS
37.15.011).
Co-Chair Kelly moved to amend the amendment.
Senator Hoffman requested the Division of Legislative Finance
explain.
DAVID TEAL, Director, Division of Legislative Finance responded
that as written, Section 24 appropriates a lapsing balance of up to
$1.5 million but does not specify the fund source. Since there are
both general funds and Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
(TANF) funds that are lapsing, he stated, clarification that
general funds would be used in this appropriation is necessary.
There was no objection and the amendment was AMENDED.
Without objection the amended amendment was ADOPTED.
The remaining amendments are to the version "T" committee
substitute.
Department of Health and Social Services
H&SS #30: This amendment changes the funding source from general
funds to General Fund/Mental Health of $600,000 in the Institutions
and Administration Budget Request Unit (BRU), Alaska Psychiatric
Institute component on page 45 lines 16, 20 and 21.
Co-Chair Kelly moved for adoption.
Senator Hoffman objected for an explanation.
Mr. Teal explained that STWIDE #1, adopted by the Committee in the
previous hearing, replaced a significant amount of Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation (AHFC) appropriations with general funds. He
noted the funds appropriated to the Alaska Psychiatric Institute
should be specifically General Fund/Mental Health, which this
amendment accomplishes.
The amendment was ADOPTED without objection.
AT EASE 6:10 PM / 6:10 PM
Department of Education and Early Development
E&ED #13: This amendment changes the language in Section 18 on page
51, lines 17 through 22 to read as follows.
Sec. 18. LEARNING OPPORTUNITY, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS,
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND IN-SCHOOL NURSES GRANTS. (a) The sum
of $6,187,100 is appropriated from the general fund to the
Department of Education and Early Development for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 2002, for payment as learning opportunity
grants to school districts based on the school district's
average daily membership to pay for supplemental student
instructional programs intended to improve student performance
on the high school graduation examination or benchmark
examinations.
(b) The sum of $6,187,100 is appropriated from the
general fund to the Department of Education and Early
Development for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, for
payment to school districts based on the school district's
average daily membership, to pay for:
(1) textbooks and other instructional materials
intended to improve student performance on the high school
graduation examination or benchmark examinations, as
instructional materials grants;
(2) vocational education programs intended to assist
the district in providing vocational education services to
students; and
(3) nursing services in schools.
Co-Chair Kelly moved for adoption.
E&ED #13(a): This amendment to the amendment replaces "school
district's average daily membership" with "school district's
adjusted average daily membership" in the two places it appears in
the amendment.
Senator Hoffman moved to amend the amendment. He asserted this
would provide a "more equitable distribution" of funds to the
vocational and technical education programs. He reminded there have
been many discussions on this issue and that "adjusted daily
membership" criteria would be fairer to rural areas of the state.
Senator Green objected.
A roll call was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Senator Olson, Senator Austerman and Senator Hoffman
OPPOSED: Senator Leman, Senator Ward, Senator Wilken, Senator
Green, Co-Chair Kelly and Co-Chair Donley
The motion FAILED (3-6)
The amendment FAILED to be amended by E&ED #13(a).
Senator Green stressed the need for clarification that the school
districts have authority to choose from the allowable expenditures
for this appropriation listed in subsection (b).
Senator Wilken expanded on the clarification stating that the
school districts could determine its priorities in allocating these
funds between the allowable expenditures. He noted that the
districts are not obligated to allocate funds to all three items.
Co-Chair Kelly ascertained subsection (a) appropriates
approximately $6 million for instructional materials intended to
prepare students for the high school graduation and benchmark
examinations and commented that he intended for subsection (b) to
appropriate the remaining $6 million for purposes not related to
the examinations. He objected to the amendment as currently drafted
because the language in subsection (b)(1) specifies the
examinations.
Co-Chair Kelly recommended amending the amendment to delete
"intended to improve student performance on the high school
graduation examination or benchmark examinations," from subsection
(b)(1).
Senator Hoffman suggested the intent should remain that textbooks
and materials would be purchased with the goal of improving student
performance.
E&ED #13(b): This amendment to the amendment deletes "on the high
school graduation examination or benchmark examinations, as
instructional materials grants."
Co-Chair Kelly moved to amend the amendment to incorporate E&ED
#13(b).
Without objection the amendment was AMENDED.
E&ED #13(c): This amendment to the amendment deletes "intended to
assist the district in providing vocational education services to
students".
Senator Leman moved to amend the amended amendment. He stated that
the same goal could be reached with the deletion of this language.
The amended amendment was AMENDED without objection to incorporate
E&ED #13(c).
Senator Hoffman asked why some of the funds could not be utilized
for additional teaching positions.
SFC 01 # 69, Side B 06:19 PM
E&ED #13(d): This amendment to the amended amendment deletes "and"
at the end of subsection (b)(2), inserts "and" to the end of
subsection (b)(3) and inserts a new subsection (b)(4) to read
"teachers."
Senator Hoffman moved to amend the amendment.
Senator Green objected.
Senator Hoffman asked what was the basis for the objection.
Co-Chair Kelly spoke in favor of the amendment. He qualified he
does not support the use of Learning Opportunity Grants for salary
increases. However, he supported using these funds to hire new
teachers if a school district was in need of more teachers to lower
student-to-teacher ratios or to implement a new program. He
remarked that the districts should have the ability to use these
funds "at it sees fit" for purposes intended to improve student
performance, but did not consider salary increases as such a
purpose.
AT EASE 6:20 PM / 6:25 PM
Senator Leman stated that while he saw merit in the proposal, he
would vote against the amendment to the amendment. He suggested pay
increases to those teachers that demonstrate exceptional
performance that thereby helps students in meeting the benchmarks.
Senator Austerman added that he too would oppose the amendment to
the amendment saying that he thought it strayed too far from the
intent of the Learning Opportunity Grants. He shared that when he
visits schools, he is approached by students showing him that their
textbooks are the same as those used by their grandparents. He
stated that if the goal is to provide more money for teachers, that
matter should be addressed separately.
Co-Chair Donley noted the recommendation of the Governor's
Education Funding Task Force to provide additional funding for
books and supplies. He asserted that the intent of the Learning
Opportunity Grants is to meet that recommendation.
A roll call was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Senator Hoffman, Senator Olson and Co-Chair Kelly
OPPOSED: Senator Ward, Senator Wilken, Senator Austerman, Senator
Green, Senator Leman and Co-Chair Donley
The motion FAILED (3-6)
The amended amendment FAILED to be amended by E&ED #13(d).
Senator Hoffman asked if the instructional materials as listed in
subsection (b)(1) could include computers.
Co-Chair Donley answered that although it was not his original
intent, nor the intent of the task force, the Committee should
decide as a whole on whether to include computer equipment as an
allowable expenditure. He understood the focus of the task force
was primarily on the insufficient textbooks and supplies. He
recalled testimony heard over the years about teachers purchasing
supplies with their own money.
Senator Hoffman asked if Co-Chair Donley, as the maker of the
amendment, would support the inclusion of computers and information
technology.
Co-Chair Donley replied that he would defer to the recommendations
of the task force.
Senator Ward understood the language of the amendment as well as
the recommendations of the task force, as not including computers
and other information technology as allowable expenditures of the
Learning Opportunity Grants.
Senator Hoffman suggested that the entire $6 million did not have
to be spent on computers.
Senator Ward disagreed and was willing to vote on the amendment as
he understood it to be. He predicted that some districts would
spend all available funds on new technology rather then textbooks,
if given the opportunity.
AT EASE 6:31 PM / 6:33 PM
Co-Chair Donley shared that the task force report lists "proper
technology" in its recommendations of items needing additional
funding.
E&ED #13(e): This amendment to the amended amendment deletes "and"
at the end of subsection (b)(2), inserts "and" to the end of
subsection (b)(3) and inserts a new subsection (b)(4) to read
"appropriate technology."
Senator Hoffman moved to amend the amended amendment.
Senator Green objected and listed the items recommended by the task
force: up-to-date textbooks, appropriate technology, general
classroom supplies. However, she stressed, new textbooks is a
higher priority then updated software.
Senator Hoffman noted that the trend is moving toward using
textbooks less and information technology more. It therefore seemed
appropriate to him to "allow our children to benefit by many of the
computers that allow our students to learn at a faster rate." He
warned that by eliminating information technology from the list of
allowable expenditure, it appears "we want our kids to stay in the
th
20 Century."
Senator Wilken commented the purpose of the grants is to improve
student performance and that every school district has elected
officials committed to doing just that. He suggested allowing the
school boards to make their own decisions as to how the funds
should be spent, whether for textbooks or for computers. He stated
the current language should not be changed with this amendment to
the amendment.
Senator Hoffman expressed that based upon the interpretation of the
language stated by Senator Wilken he WITHDREW his motion to amend
the amended amendment without objection.
The amended amendment reads as follows.
Sec. 18. LEARNING OPPORTUNITY, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS,
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND IN-SCHOOL NURSES GRANTS. (a) The sum
of $6,187,100 is appropriated from the general fund to the
Department of Education and Early Development for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 2002, for payment as learning opportunity
grants to school districts based on the school district's
average daily membership to pay for supplemental student
instructional programs intended to improve student performance
on the high school graduation examination or benchmark
examinations.
(b) The sum of $6,187,100 is appropriated from the
general fund to the Department of Education and Early
Development for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, for
payment to school districts based on the school district's
average daily membership, to pay for:
(1) textbooks and other instructional materials
intended to improve student performance;
(2) vocational education programs; and
(3) nursing services in schools.
A roll call was taken on the motion to adopt the amended amendment.
IN FAVOR: Senator Ward, Senator Wilken, Senator Austerman, Senator
Green, Co-Chair Kelly and Co-Chair Donley
OPPOSED: Senator Hoffman, Senator Leman and Senator Olson
The motion PASSED (6-3)
The amended amendment was ADOPTED.
AT EASE 6:38 PM / 6:38 PM
Co-Chair Donley thanked the Director and staff from the Division of
Legislative Finance, the Senate Finance Committee Secretary and
staff, the Committee members' Finance Committee aides, and
especially James Armstrong from his staff for the work that was
done on the FY 02 operating and mental health budgets.
Senator Hoffman voiced concern with the unconstitutionality of the
non-severability clause and the possible special session that would
be required to provide funding for the Department of Health and
Social Services. He spoke of payments that must be made to
providers for services such as Medicaid.
Co-Chair Kelly assured that he shared those concerns and stated
that he hoped that before the judge "goes traipsing through our
constitution with impunity," the judge would measure those concerns
as well.
Senator Hoffman countered that the judge is required to interpret
the law and that if the judge determines this budget violates the
constitution, the judge would have to rule accordingly.
Co-Chair Kelly opined that the judicial branch is filled with many
"hard-working, talented and dedicated" employees, but that "in
recent years, they have done things that courts in the rest of the
United States have never done since the inception of our country;
things that other courts would be aghast at." He continued, "We as
legislators have a duty to defend our branch of government. I think
we have to draw a line at some point and stand up to the judiciary
for our branch of government." He asserted the committee substitute
"puts us in the best position we can be in to stand up to the
judiciary. That's really the only intent."
Co-Chair Kelly offered a motion to move SCS CS HB 103, 22-LS0410\T,
as amended, from Committee.
Without objection the bill MOVED from Committee.
Co-Chair Kelly offered a motion to move SCS CS HB 104 22-LS0411\O,
as amended, from Committee.
There was no objection and the bill MOVED from Committee.
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