Legislature(1997 - 1998)
05/02/1997 04:40 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL 127
"An Act relating to the citizen review board and panels
for permanency planning for certain children in state
custody; renaming the Citizens' Review Panel For
Permanency Planning as the Citizens' Foster Care Review
Board; extending the termination date of the Citizens'
Foster Care Review Board; and providing for an
effective date."
PATTI SWENSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE, spoke to the
changes between CS HB 127 (HES) and the proposed House
Finance version of the legislation, 0-LS0496\L, Lauterbach,
5/2/97.
Referencing Page 4, Line 25, she asked if the new language
referring to when the board meets "telephonically" would
also include video. Representative G. Davis understood that
it would. Representative J. Davies suggested clarifying
that language on Page 4, Line 26, inserting: "And may meet
by video conference".
MIKE TIBBLES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GENE THERRIAULT,
recommended that the enclosed amendment, [Amendment #1-Copy
on file], which was included in the members packets would be
the appropriate place to incorporate that language.
Representative Foster MOVED that 0-LS0496\L, Lauterbach,
5/2/97, be the version before the Committee. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Foster MOVED to adopt Amendment #1.
Representative G. Davis OBJECTED for the purpose of
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discussion, while suggesting to change the wording.
Representative J. Davies MOVED to add the language: "And
may meet by video conference", to Amendment #1. There being
NO OBJECTION to the addition of the new language, the
amended Amendment #1 was incorporated. There being NO
further OBJECTION to the amended Amendment #1, it was
adopted.
Ms. Swenson spoke to the change from executive director to
program coordinator. Representative J. Davies voiced
concern with that change. He felt that an executive
director implied a higher level of expertise. He asked if
those terms were defined in the Administrative Code.
Mr. Tibbles explained that the fiscal note spoke to the
change of that position. The social service program
coordinator would be a range 20. A program coordinator, the
previous title, was used before the funding was reduced and
that position was phased out. Ms. Swenson agreed, she
thought that there would be a difference between what a
program coordinator and an executive director. She advised
that a program coordinator is a classified position within
the State, whereas, an executive director is not and could
serve at the pleasure of the board; a program coordinator
would be a State directed position.
DIANE WORLEY, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF FAMILY AND YOUTH SERVICE
(DFYS), DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, clarified
that when a department is referenced in the proposed
legislation, that reference is to the Department of
Administration (DOA). Currently, there exists within the
State, a social service project coordinator job class for
upper level and senior management positions. Some boards
are run by a classified executive director position. She
understood that also was a State job classification.
Ms. Swenson noted that when the panel was first appointed,
it was run by a program coordinator with no problems.
Representative J. Davies pointed out that initially, the
program was a pilot project in a portion of Anchorage,
whereas, the current proposal is a statewide program with a
much broader scope. Ms. Swenson pointed out that the
functions would basically continue to be the same.
She continued, the change to Page 6, Lines 10-11, would
address the State board making recommendations to the
Department regarding regulations for out-of-home placement
of children. She understood that the State board would be
allowed to continue that procedure which would make a
difference for DFYS. The new language would further clarify
the legislation.
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Mr. Tibbles spoke to the deletion of transitional language
at the end of the bill. Ms. Swenson commented that the
Department has indicated support for that change.
Representative G. Davis referenced Page 6, Line 26, with
regard to the report being sent to the Governor and
Legislature. He suggested that these bodies should be
"notified" of the availability of the report. Ms. Swenson
noted that Representative Bunde would support that change in
wording as it would save printing and mailing costs.
Representative G. Davis MOVED to change the language on Page
6, Line 26 to: "Shall notify the governor and the
legislature that the report is available". There being NO
OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Mr. Tibbles explained the revised fiscal note. The personal
service line was changed to $45 thousand dollars, funding
the program coordinator for a nine month period, in
addition, it would bring the social worker II position from
10.5 month funding to 12 month funding. The social worker
IV position would be eliminated and an additional
administrative clerk would be added.
Representative J. Davies questioned if additional funding
exists as the quoted numbers amount to more than $45
thousand dollars allocated. Ms. Swenson replied, currently,
there is staff functioning in the Anchorage panel office
with funding through FY98.
Representative J. Davies asked if it was the Chair's intent
that the program coordinator position work only nine months
a year. Ms. Swenson stated that the program coordinator
position would be a full twelve month position.
Representative J. Davies asked why the amount had not been
increased in the personal service line following FY98. Mr.
Tibbles interjected that was an oversight and that the
personal service line had been copied without changing the
numbers. The difference would be an additional $17 thousand
dollars for a full year funding of an executive director
position, and an additional $6 thousand dollars for full
year funding of the clerk position. He recommended changing
the FY99 through FY03 by increasing personal services for an
additional $23 thousand dollars.
Representative J. Davies MOVED that the personal services
line through FY03 be changed to reflect $68 thousand
dollars. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CS HB 127 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
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so ordered.
CS HB 127 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with fiscal notes by the House
Finance Committee, the Department of Administration dated
4/23/97 and a zero note by the Department of Health and
Social Services dated 4/23/97.
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