Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/24/2001 02:24 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 NO. 250
An Act relating to missions and measures to be applied
to certain expenditures by the executive branch of
state government and the University of Alaska from the
state operating budget for the fiscal year ending June
30, 2002; and providing for an effective date.
DENNY DEWITT, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER, provided
information on HB 250. He observed that the legislation is
the result of work by the House Finance subcommittees. He
referred to Page 40, Line 13. He noted that provisions were
added to Page 2, Lines 15 and 16. He explained that the
language had been added to determine how consumer complaints
are tracked and addressed.
Mr. DeWitt commented that a few technical amendments are
needed. He explained that the budget was not organized in a
manner that allows comparison with the budget bill, which
has been changed in HB 250 to allow for the comparisons and
formatting of the budget bill as passed by the House. The
change is referred to on Page 37, Line 10. There are
references in a number of sections that would identify
performance measures within the Department of Law. He added
that an additional technical amendment would be needed on
Page 39, Section 105, Line 17 and 18, noting that the
National Guard Youth Corps had changed its name to the
Alaska Military Youth Academy which was not caught in the
prepared draft.
Mr. DeWitt advised that there had been other requests for
changes and explained that not all were included.
Representative Davies voiced his concern with the change to
all of the commissioner's offices. Mr. DeWitt acknowledged
that had been included.
Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to ADOPT the technical amendments.
There being NO OBJECTION, they were adopted.
Representative Lancaster MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #2. [Copy
on File]. He pointed out that it was a technical amendment.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Davies discussed Amendment #3, the
commissioner's offices on Page 2, Lines 15 and 16. [Copy on
File]. He noted his concern that subcommittees did not have
the opportunity to discuss those provisions. Representative
J. Davies stated that there are agencies that do not make
sense.
Co-Chair Mulder argued in support of the change. He
observed that some agencies would have more complaints due
to the issues involved.
Representative Davies pointed out that most complaints are
dealt with at the division level within the departments;
however, others come to the commissioner's level. He
emphasized that the intent of missions and measures was a
"meeting of the minds" which the amendment could represent.
Representative Croft noted that appeals would be separate
from the Department of Revenue. Mr. Dewitt explained that
the Department of Revenue had indicated that the process was
fairly easy to keep track and helpful as a management tool.
He advised that it is the Legislature's responsibility to
track the commissioner's level.
Co-Chair Mulder stated his support for retaining the
provision for one year. He noted that modifications could
be made. Representative Davies reiterated that there has
not been an opportunity to have discussions and asked that
communication be initiated with the commissioner offices.
Co-Chair Mulder stressed that the provision is new and that
it is the intent of the Committee to work with the agencies
for the refinement of the provisions. He reiterated that it
would be an effective tool.
Representative Davies WITHDREW Amendment #3.
Mr. Dewitt reviewed Amendment #4, a technical amendment.
[Copy on File]. He explained that the amendment would
affect the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and
that the subcommittee chair had agreed them to.
Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #4. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Croft MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #5. [Copy on
File]. Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED.
Representative Croft spoke in support of the amendment. He
noted that it would add a new section indicating that:
"The mission of the Alaska State Legislature is to
create a balanced state budget, encourage public
participation in government and work to preserve and
further the general health, economic vitality,
educational needs and growth for the people of the
state of Alaska".
Co-Chair Mulder stated that he supports the intent of the
amendment, however, suggested that it would be difficult to
hold the legislature accountable for items that they do not
have direct control over.
Representative Davies argued that the Legislature should
manage and control revenues through other measures.
Representative Croft noted that it is difficult to craft
missions and measures which are significant and broad enough
to be important. He commented on the need to have open
discussion on the amendment and the "art of the process".
TAPE HFC 01 - 94, SIDE B
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Bunde, Croft, Davies
OPPOSED: Harris, Hudson, Lancaster, Foster, Mulder
Representatives Moses, Whitaker, and Williams were absent.
The MOTION FAILED (3-5).
Representative Davies MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #6 on Page
31, Line 15, deleting that language. He noted that measure
had not been discussed in subcommittee. Representative
Harris agreed that the language could be deleted. There
being NO OBJECTION, Amendment #6 was adopted.
Representative J. Davies requested that Mr. DeWitt repeat
his previous statement regarding Department of Natural
Resources. Mr. Dewitt explained that there was a
substantive change to the measure of inventory. He added
that there were additional minor areas of concern. The
percentage change language was removed.
Representative Hudson MOVED to ADOPT a language change on
Page 42, Line 28, deleting "claims", and inserting
"location". There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Co-Chair Mulder pointed out that the bill has a zero fiscal
note.
Vice-Chair Bunde MOVED to report CSHB 250 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying zero fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it
was so ordered.
CS HB 250 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a zero fiscal note by the
House Finance Committee.
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