Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/26/1994 10:10 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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HB 370 An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date. HB 370 was HELD in Committee for further consideration. HOUSE BILL 370 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date." DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #1 which would provide full year funding of the 16 positions currently with funding capabilities for only six months. Additionally, the amendment would add a child support enforcement officer and a contractual position to the Department of Law for three paralegal, two attorneys and one secretary. Representative Brown stressed that the amendment would result from federal funding. Representative Martin OBJECTED. DARRELL REXWINKEL, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, advised that the case load in the Child Support Division continues to accelerate with the addition of more stringent federal controls. Commissioner Rexwinkel echoed support for funding of Amendment #1. He explained that the federal government will pay for two thirds of the program's cost and the remaining portion would be distributed through incentives based on the State's ability to collect child support. Representative Grussendorf asked how much child support is owed to the State. Commissioner Rexwinkel advised the current amount exceeds $300 million dollars. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION to adopt Amendment IN FAVOR: Foster, Grussendorf, Hanley, Hoffman, Navarre, Parnell, Brown, Larson. OPPOSED: Martin, Therriault. 2 Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (8-2). Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt Amendment #2 which would reduce the unallocated reduction to Income and Excise Tax Division within the Department of Revenue from $349.9 thousand dollars to $189.9 thousand dollars. The amendment provides additional funding for the previous reduction which resulted in the loss of three revenue auditors. He added that action would create a total reduction of $9-$12 million dollars in State revenues. Commissioner Rexwinkel spoke in support of Amendment #2. Representative Martin OBJECTED. Representative Brown expressed her concern with the reduction. She recommended that a reduction be taken from the Division of Gaming and/or Alcohol Beverage Control Division instead of auditors. Representative Brown pointed out that the departments function to collect revenue should be supported. Commissioner Rexwinkel emphasized the need for additional funding within the Division of Income and Excise Tax. The responsibilities of tax functions continues to increase, whereas, funding continues to decrease. The situation is becoming quite disproportionate. Co-Chair Larson stated that Amendment #2 would be HELD for further consideration. Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt Amendment #3 which would reduce the Oil and Gas audit vacancy factor from 7.6% to 4%. He noted even at that level it would be a severe vacancy factor reduction. The Department has indicated that funding resulting from the amendment would provide an extra 1.5 audit positions. Each position has historically generated up to $10 million dollars including additional assessments. Discussion followed among Committee members regarding Amendment #3. (Tape Change, HFC 94-91, Side 1). Commissioner Rexwinkel responded that the goal of the Division of Oil and Gas Audit is to become current on the back log of tax cases. He emphasized that the initially submitted budget would have adequately appropriated funds for the Division to continue the program. Representative Martin OBJECTED to Amendment #3. 3 A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Hoffman, Navarre, Brown, Foster. OPPOSED: Hanley, Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (5-5). DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Representative Parnell MOVED to adopt Amendment #1 providing for funds dedicated for emergency transport and crisis advocacy grants within the Department of Public Safety. The amendment would provide an increase of $70 thousand dollars in personal services directed toward an additional prosecutor in the Anchorage sex crime unit. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted. Co-Chair Larson noted that Amendment #2 would be HELD. Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt Amendment #3 which would add $100 thousand dollars to fire service training. The increase would restore the component to the funding recommended by the Governor. Representative Parnell explained that the reduction resulted as part of the excess program receipt authority. RICHARD BURTON, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, emphasized that if the program receipts were cut, the money would not be available. KENNETH BISCHOFF, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, acknowledged that specific programs had been prioritized by the Department. He added that within fire prevention priorities, the Department recommends maintaining the general fund to allow grant flexibility for rural communities in which training is a high priority. The cut falls below what could be generated to continue that program receipt authority. Representative Parnell OBJECTED to Amendment #3. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Navarre, Brown, Foster, Grussendorf. OPPOSED: Hanley, Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. 4 The MOTION FAILED (5-5). Representative Parnell MOVED to adopt Amendment #2, intent language which would describe accountability of the program's safeguard through audit access and administrative records while at the same time protecting the confidentiality of those persons providing fish and wildlife violation information. Commissioner Burton remarked that the Department has no control over that group. They are a private non-profit entity. He said that the Department could support the concept of the amendment but there would be no way to force participation by the group. There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment #2 was adopted. Commissioner Burton commented that the net effect of the budget caps to the Department will make it difficult to implement proper services throughout the State. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Representative Hanley MOVED to adopt Amendment #1 which would delete funding to the recorder's office component of land development, resource development and then place funds into the Nome recorder's office for management and administration. Co-Chair Larson indicated that the recorder's office is sustained 100% program by receipts. NICO BUS, CHIEF, FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, advised that a reduction in program receipts within the Division of Lands would be a reduction to the guide permit receipt increment. Representative Brown noted her support in funding the Nome recorder's office although she questioned deleting funding to the land development component. She recommended restoring all the program receipts to the recorder's office. Representative Brown MOVED to divide the question and to add an additional $120 thousand dollars in order to eliminate the cut to program receipts within the recorder's offices. Representative Hanley OBJECTED to dividing the question. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Navarre, Brown. OPPOSED: Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Foster, Grussendorf, Hanley, Larson. 5 Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (3-7). Mr. Bus explained that a $155 thousand dollar reduction would result in the elimination of one regional manager, and would close the Nome office which would then transfer its work to Fairbanks. Representative Hanley asked if the $35 thousand dollar allocation would allow the Nome office to remain open. Mr. Bus emphasized that the cost of running the Nome office staff was $35 thousand dollars. Funds from other offices are currently received in order to run the office, and that the allocation would not be a full restoration of funds necessary in order to run the Nome office. Representative Brown MOVED to amend Amendment #1 in order to restore the amount deleted in Subcommittee of $155 thousand dollars in program receipts. Representative Therriault OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Navarre, Brown, Foster, Grussendorf, Hoffman. OPPOSED: Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Hanley, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (5-5). A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION to adopt Amendment IN FAVOR: Navarre, Parnell, Therriault, Brown, Foster, Grussendorf, Hanley, Hoffman, Martin, Larson. OPPOSED: 0 The MOTION PASSED (10-0). Representative Hanley MOVED to adopt Amendment #2 which would combine the components of Forest Management Development and Agricultural Development which would remove some overhead by saving administrative costs. There was OBJECTION to Amendment #2. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Parnell, Therriault, Brown, Hanley, Martin, Navarre. 6 OPPOSED: Foster, Grussendorf, Hoffman, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (6-4). Co-Chair Larson MOVED to adopt Amendment #3 which would restore the program receipt authority funding for the Agricultural Land Disposal Project. That funding was reduced by action taken by the Subcommittee. Mr. Bus explained that without the funding, the Division of Agriculture would discontinue offering land parcel contracts. Representative Navarre spoke against selling state assets as program receipts. He thought that restoration costs should be reflected as general fund dollars rather than program receipts. Co-Chair Larson MOVED to HOLD Amendment #3. Representative Brown asked how Amendment #3 would affect Project Hope. Mr. Bus did not know if the parcel in question would include the Point Hope project. Amendment #3 was HELD. Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #4 which would restore funding to oil and gas development in the amount of $60 thousand general fund dollars. Representative Therriault OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Brown, Grussendorf, Hoffman, Navarre. OPPOSED: Therriault, Foster, Hanley, Martin, Parnell, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (4-6). (Tape Change, HFC 94-91, Side 2). Representative Navarre MOVED to adopt Amendment #5 which would restore $72.5 thousand dollars to the water development component within resources development which would fund the division's director position. Discussion followed between Committee members regarding the productivity of the current division director in that Department. 7 Representative Parnell MOVED TO AMEND Amendment #5 to restore the division director position, $75.2 thousand dollars, and implementing an unallocated reduction of $75.2. Representative Navarre spoke in support of the motion to amend. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted. Representative Therriault OBJECTED to adopting Amendment #5 as amended. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Foster, Hanley, Navarre, Parnell, Larson. OPPOSED: Brown, Grussendorf, Hoffman, Martin, Therriault. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (5-5). Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #6 which would provide a partial restoration of $250 thousand dollars to the parks division in order to prevent the closure of parks. Representative Therriault OBJECTED. REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES pointed out that failure to adopt the amendment would close seventeen parks in the State. Representative Therriault stated that park lands should not be added to the State when the current parks need attention. He suggested a "no net gain" policy for parks. Mr. Bus provided the Committee with a list of the seventeen park units which would be closed without additional funding. [Copy on file]. Representative Brown spoke in favor of Amendment #6 and maintaining the parks which currently exist and are extensively used by both tourists and local residents. The parks along the highway system are heavily used and they are not adequately accommodating the amount of traffic. These parks are a resource development for the state's tourism industry. Representative Davies echoed the comments of Representative Brown. Many park facilities are currently in bad disrepair and continue to deteriorate. He emphasized that to attract tourists, the facilities need to be kept at least clean. Representative Therriault MOVED TO AMEND Amendment #6 deleting program receipts, changing the general fund to $150 thousand dollars. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted. Representative Martin OBJECTED to adopting Amendment #6 as amended. 8 A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Foster, Grussendorf, Hoffman, Navarre, Therriault, Brown, Larson. OPPOSED: Hanley, Martin, Parnell. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (7-3). (Tape Change, HFC 94-92, Side 1). Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #7 which would restore the $100 thousand dollar transfer from DGGS for the Information Resources Management component. Representative Therriault OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Hoffman, Navarre, Brown. OPPOSED: Hanley, Parnell, Therriault, Foster, Larson. Representatives Martin and MacLean were not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (4-5). THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW Representative Navarre MOVED to adopt Amendment #1 which would add a prosecutor in the Kenai office in order to work on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault cases. He pointed out that currently Kenai has a backlog of seventy-five felony cases. DEAN GUANELI, CHIEF, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, CRIMINAL DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF LAW, explained that the situation in Kenai within the Department's criminal division is in a crisis mode. He reiterated that the Governor, the Attorney General and the Domestic Council on Sexual Assault support the proposed position. Representative Parnell MOVED TO AMEND Amendment #1 which would provide an unallocated reduction of $90 thousand dollars in the University of Alaska's budget to fund the increment. Mr. Guaneli understood that the intent of the language proposed by Representative Parnell would provide funding for an Anchorage position to combat sexual assault 9 and domestic violence and would not fund a position in Kenai. Representative Navarre asked the impact of removing the requested funding from Legal Services. BRUCE BOTELHO, ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF LAW, replied that it would be difficult to remove money from the civil division and place it into the criminal division. The civil division is limited to three areas, natural resource's lawyers, human services' lawyers and governmental affairs lawyers. The three functions performed by civil division attorneys deal with core functions and have been "cut to the bone". He said that the shift would not be an effective way to manage the funds. Representative Navarre noted that he would support a reduction in the legislative budget in order to cover the costs proposed in Amendment #1, while noting his objection to removing the money from the University's budget. Representative Martin OBJECTED to adopting Amendment #1. Amendment #1 was HELD in Committee for further consideration. Representative Hoffman requested to HOLD Amendment #2. The amendment would fund one additional prosecutor in Anchorage dealing with domestic violence and sexual assault and would result in a decrement to Legal Services operations #0093. Representative Brown asked for a summary of the Department of Law subcommittee allocations resulting from the Constitutional Budget Reserve and other sources. JOY HOGAN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE RON LARSON, explained that the Department of Law would be allocated, as recommended by the House subcommittee, $458 thousand dollars in federal funds, $22 million dollars in general funds and $32 million dollars resulting from other funds. Discussion followed between Representative Brown, Attorney General Botelho and Representative Larson regarding the funding sources for the Department. Representative Brown asked if 100% of tax litigation would be charged to the Budget Reserve. Co-Chair Larson countered that the proposed policy would guarantee that beneficiaries pay for the cost of the benefit. Attorney General Botelho added that all oil and gas taxation money would go directly into the budget reserve. (Tape Change, HFC 94-92, Side 2). DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Representative Brown MOVED and explained that Amendment #1 10 and Amendment #8 were the same. The proposed increment would restore the general fund to the environmental crimes unit, a joint effort between the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Law. Amendment #8 would provide funding to establish the effort as outlined in the letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region X, Steve Torok, Chief State Operations Section Alaska Operations. [Copy on file]. JOHN SANDOR, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, strongly endorsed the comments of the Environmental Protection Agency. Representative Therriault OBJECTED stating that the information would not be statutorily required. Commissioner Sandor stressed that the environmental crime unit was established two years ago and that it was very important to the business of the State. REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FINKELSTEIN noted that the State has the potential to generate money on cases which the Department of Law litigates and that further funding would encourage that action. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION to adopt Amendment IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Parnell, Brown, Grussendorf, Larson. OPPOSED: Hanley, Martin, Therriault, Foster. Representatives Navarre and MacLean were not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (5-4). Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #7 which would restore funding for the Pollution Prevention Program. The program reduces current costs to state and local governments by providing technical assistance to prevent waste and pollution. Commissioner Sandor spoke in support of Amendment #7 explaining that the effort in pollution prevention has been an important and successful program to the current Administration. Representative Therriault questioned the funding source of the account and OBJECTED to adopting Amendment #7. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Navarre, Brown, Grussendorf. OPPOSED: Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Foster, Hanley, Larson. 11 Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (4-6). Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #3 which would reduce the general fund receipt authority by $100 thousand dollars for air quality management. She added that because the program experienced delays in adopting the regulations, it was unlikely that the program would be able to collect the legally required fees to operate. Commissioner Sandor spoke in support of Amendment #3 which would allow the Department to meet the objectives recommended by the Department. Representative Therriault OBJECTED. BOB POE, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, elaborated that the amendment would provide funds to provide for the required federal regulations. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Navarre, Brown, Grussendorf, Hoffman. OPPOSED: Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Foster, Hanley, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (4-7). Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #4 which would restore funds to the response fund appropriation for the Spill Technology Review Council which would be administered by the University of Alaska. She added that the council's role would be to assess new and developing technologies; to respond. contain and clean up hazardous spills; and act as the research review board recommending to the State projects that should be investigated in order to qualify for grant funding. The investment in spill clean up research is one of the permitted uses of the response fund. REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN spoke in support of Amendment #4 stating that the industries watch support the 470 Fund also support Amendment #4. He added that the amendment would provide funding for essential research. (Tape Change, HFC 94-93, Side 1). MEAD TREADWELL, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, added that the amendment would 12 provide the council the authority to establish research. He stated that last year the legislature funded a restricted grant for research although at this time there is no remaining money in that fund. Representative Brown clarified that Amendment #4, #5 and #6 are related. Amendment #4 would provide the necessary funds from the Response Fund, whereas, Amendment #5 would provide funds from the Mitigation Account. Commissioner Sandor itemized the functions of the Council: 1. Targeting research needs. 2. Allow the State to leverage additional resources for grants and contracts. 3. Allow the State to leverage existing federal investments toward the state's benefit. Discussion followed among Committee members, Representative Green and Commissioner Sandor regarding concerns with the funding for Amendment #4. Representative Green pointed out that without funding, the discovery of new hydrocarbons would be inhibited. He emphasized the future importance of the issue. Representative Therriault OBJECTED to adopting Amendment #4. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Navarre, Therriault, Brown, Grussendorf, Hoffman. OPPOSED: Parnell, Foster, Hanley, Martin, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (5-5). Representative Brown MOVED TO WITHDRAW Amendment #5. There being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn. Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #6 which would restore the Department staff support for the Spill Technology Review Council. The position had been funded from the Oil and Hazardous Substance Spill Response Fund and would serve the council to review spill technology research proposals. Representative Brown suggested a technical change to Amendment #5, deleting $51.9 and inserting $51.5. There was NO OBJECTION to the technical change. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION to adopt Amendment IN FAVOR: Brown, Grussendorf, Navarre, Larson. 13 OPPOSED: Parnell, Therriault, Foster, Hanley, Hoffman, Martin. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (4-6). Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #9 which would allow the Storage Tank Assistance Program to continue responsibilities for administrative and technical assistance. She added that $4.5 million dollars would be eliminated for the current fiscal year request for grants to private businesses. The program would have and expense of $1.5 million dollars to maintain operations. Representative Navarre voiced continued support for the program, however, recommended changing the funding sources to an one cent increase to the motor fuel tax. Representative Brown MOVED a technical change to Amendment Amendment #8, deleting the $1,574.5 million dollars and inserting $6537.7 million dollars. JOHN BURNETT, PROGRAM MANAGER, UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM, DIVISION OF SPILL PREVENTION AND RESPONSE, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, informed the Committee that the program has been in existence for three years and handles the contaminated sites problem. The program directly affects the state's drinking water resources. Mr. Treadwell interjected that the Department and the Governor have proposed a one cent per gallon motor fuel tax dedicated to the program which would raise between $4.5 and $5 million dollars. He added that the Department would not support the amendment. Representative Hoffman advised that many of the storage tanks in rural Alaska are above ground and he stated that the current program was discriminatory. Amendment #9 was HELD for further consideration. DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Representative Hoffman explained Amendment #1 which would restore funding to the Bering Sea Fisherman's Association in the amount of $1,646.0 million dollars through the Department of Community and Regional Affairs and would allow the Alaska State Troopers, Department of Public Safety, to serve as the pass through administrator for a $56.0 thousand dollar grant to Special Olympics. At the same time the 14 amendment would provide for an insertion of $500 thousand dollars for the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association in the Department of Fish and Game. Representative Hoffman MOVED to adopt Amendment #1A which would provide an increment to the Department of Fish and Game of $500 thousand dollars for fisheries management while deleting that amount in the tourism component within the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. MCKIE CAMPBELL, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, indicated that there was a system wide crash in western Alaska to the chum salmon harvest which left a tremendous effect on both the subsistence and commercial fisheries in those areas. He recommended that the funding would be of tremendous use to the people of Alaska. Representative Hanley OBJECTED to Amendment #1A because it would replace one of the designated grants previously vetoed to the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association. Representative Hoffman MOVED to amend Amendment #1A removing the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association and replacing it with the other designated grants. There being NO OBJECTION, it was amended to remove that segment. Representative Therriault MOVED to divide the amendment. Representative Hoffman OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hanley, Therriault, Larson. OPPOSED: Brown, Foster, Grussendorf, Hoffman, Martin, Navarre, Parnell. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (3-7). Representative Parnell MOVED to amend Amendment 1A by deleting the decrement to the Tourism Development Office and then inserting a decrement of $238 thousand dollar unallocated reduction to the University of Alaska. Representative Hoffman OBJECTED. (Tape Change, HFC 94-93, Side 2). A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Foster, Grussendorf, Hanley, Hoffman, Martin, Navarre, Therriault, Brown, Larson. OPPOSED: Parnell. 15 Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (1-9). Representative Brown MOVED to take the deletion from the Office of International Trade. Representative Martin OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Hanley, Hoffman, Navarre, Parnell, Therriault, Brown, Foster. OPPOSED: Martin, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (8-2). A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION to adopt Amendment IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Navarre, Brown, Foster, Grussendorf. OPPOSED: Hanley, Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (5-5). Representative Therriault MOVED to adopt Amendment #2 which would eliminate the last designated grant in the Department of Fish and Game to the Walrus Commission. Mr. Campbell commented that the Eskimo Walrus Commission works to manage marine mammals particularly in northwest Alaska and at the same time interacts with the federal government. Representative Foster OBJECTED. A roll call was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Martin, Navarre, Parnell, Therriault, Hanley. OPPOSED: Hoffman, Brown, Foster, Grussendorf, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (5-5). Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt Amendment #3 which would restore $460 thousand dollars back to the Snettisham 16 Hatchery. He informed the Committee that the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association would like to assume responsibilities of the hatchery by 1998. Representative Hanley noted that the Department recommended that the hatcheries be phased out. Mr. Campbell replied that the Department reluctantly offered to relinquish Snettisham and understands that "going out business" is not a good idea. He agreed that the Department is facing serious cuts and that they have no choice but to offer up the hatcheries. He summarized that when the hatchery is shut down, the State would be responsible for dismantling the facility. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Hoffman, Larson. OPPOSED: Martin, Navarre, Parnell, Therriault, Brown, Foster, Hanley. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (3-7). Representative Therriault MOVED to adopt Amendment #4, a reduction which would eliminate support for eighty advisory committees and six regional councils, as well as travel funds for two committee meetings. Mr. Campbell explained the impact of the amendment. Last year, the Department eliminated the specific support personnel for all of the urban advisory committees. The effect of the amendment would make the advisory system completely dysfunctional. Representative Therriault MOVED TO AMEND Amendment #4 deleting $269 thousand dollars from the commission rather than the original figure of $569 thousand dollars. REPRESENTATIVE IRENE NICHOLIA stressed how essential the advisory council is to rural Alaskan people. Representative Hoffman added that the elimination of the advisory committee and regional council could cause violence in rural areas by withdrawing them from the process. Representative Hoffman OBJECTED on the motion to amend. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Navarre, Parnell, Therriault, Foster, Grussendorf, Hanley, Martin. OPPOSED: Brown, Hoffman, Larson. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. 17 The MOTION PASSED (7-3). (Tape Change, HFC 94-94, Side 1). Mr. Campbell advised that the federal government has formed ten regional subsistence advisory committees around the State. The federal government is advertising that they have the "better" system. He asked Committee members to question what would happen if the local advisory committees disappear in rural areas. Representative Grussendorf emphasized that eliminating the council would be a mistake for the future of the State. REPRESENTATIVE CLIFF DAVIDSON disclosed that the regional advisory council is important to the process of recruiting data for management information. Representative Therriault MOVED TO WITHDRAW Amendment #4. There being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn. Representative Parnell MOVED TO WITHDRAW Amendment #5. Mr. Campbell explained the impact of the amendment could greatly hamper development in the State. There being NO OBJECTION to withdrawing Amendment #5, it was so ordered. UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA Representative Hanley MOVED to adopt Amendment #1 which would discontinue new admits to the WAMI program. WENDY REDMAN, VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, replied that students had already been admitted for next fall. To eliminate the program, the funds would have to be withdrawn a year and half before the fact. She added that there are five full time faculty involved with the program which also teach other classes. Committee members discussed with Ms. Redman the elimination of the WAMI program. REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES stated that it was the intent of the review committee to investigate the WAMI program during the interim and then provide a policy recommendation to the Legislature. He added the importance of the program to medical and health care provided in rural Alaska. Co-Chair Larson MOVED to amend Amendment #1 to direct that: "New admits to WAMI cease until such time as the Committee reports back to the Legislature in response to the legislative review of the WICHE and WAMI program". 18 Representative Navarre OBJECTED. Representative Davies voiced his support of the change. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Therriault, Foster, Hoffman, Martin, Larson. OPPOSED: Parnell, Brown, Grussendorf, Hanley, Navarre. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (5-5). Representative Martin OBJECTED to adopting Amendment #1. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Therriault, Brown, Foster, Hanley, Navarre, Parnell, Larson. OPPOSED: Grussendorf, Hoffman, Martin. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (7-3). Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #2, a letter of intent to establish an interim committee to review the State's continued participation in the WAMI medical school and the WICHE interstate compact. Representative Martin OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Brown, Foster, Grussendorf, Hanley, Hoffman, Navarre, Parnell, Therriault, Larson. OPPOSED: Martin. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (9-1). Representative Parnell MOVED to adopt Amendment #3 which would provide an increase in the contractual services to fund security upgrades requested by the Court System and would delete $300 thousand dollars from the University's statewide services component. Ms. Redman replied that the statewide services component provides support functions to the campuses. If the funds are reduced, the costs would then be assumed by the campuses for these functions that 19 must continue to be provided and would then be made available through the user fees which are currently designated for other costs. Representative Grussendorf voiced concern of an earlier $700 thousand dollar reduction to the University's budget. Ms. Redman reiterated that the reduction would create fewer services provided to each campus this coming year. Representative Parnell MOVED TO WITHDRAW Amendment #3. There being NO OBJECTIONS, it was withdrawn. (Tape Change, HFC 94-94, Side 2). Representative Hanley MOVED to adopt Amendment #4 explaining that the Mental Health Board would not support total funding of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program being drawn from MHTIA. He thought that University receipts which are anticipated to increase by $3 million dollars in FY95 should supplant half of the MSW budget. Representative Grussendorf OBJECTED. Ms. Redman confirmed that the Mental Health board last year supported funding of the MSW program. She stressed that the amendment would gut the current program in the base budget. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hanley, Parnell, Therriault, Larson. OPPOSED: Foster, Grussendorf, Hoffman, Martin, Navarre, Brown. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (4-6). Representative Hanley MOVED to adopt Amendment #5 which would eliminate the increment proposed by the Governor for the Alaska Natural Heritage Program at ISER. He added that $219 thousand dollars would remain in the Natural Heritage Program. ALISON ELGEE, BUDGET DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, reported that the increment had not been funded, and that it was a section of the Board of Regent's request. A portion of the funding currently does exist within the base of the University budget. She added that the remainder has been funded each year through a capital appropriation. Representative Hanley MOVED TO WITHDRAW Amendment #5. There being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn. 20 Representative Hanley MOVED to adopt Amendment #6. He pointed out that the University system proposes to realize a $3 million dollar increase in student receipts for FY95. The new receipts should replace the reduced general fund. Ms. Elgee summarized that the student receipts are used to pay the teacher's salaries. Representative Therriault OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hanley, Navarre, Parnell, Larson. OPPOSED: Grussendorf, Hoffman, Martin, Therriault, Brown, Foster. Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (4-6). Representative Grussendorf introduced Amendment #7 for discussion purposes. He emphasized that there are many maintenance problems in the University system at this time. The amendment would provide $2 million dollars for annual building, maintenance, renewal and replacement of facilities. Representative Grussendorf MOVED TO WITHDRAW Amendment #7. There being NO OBJECTIONS, it was withdrawn. Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt Amendment #8 which addresses the current University delivery systems, technology and the effect on the outlying campuses. Ms. Elgee identified the primary problem to result from the reduction to the University's budget as proposed by the Subcommittee would be the jeopardy of the University's ability to continue to implement new initiatives. Ms. Redman added that rural community campuses currently offer a limited curriculum, primarily developmental and lower division courses to enable students to go on to the Anchorage or Fairbanks campuses. Distance delivery will allow expansion for a marginal cost and offer a greater diversity of courses at the rural communities. Representative Davidson reminded the Committee members of the type of students who benefit from such funds and said they should be supported in their studies. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Brown, Grussendorf. OPPOSED: Hanley, Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Foster, Larson, Navarre. 21 Representative MacLean was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (3-7). HB 370 was HELD in Committee for further discussion.
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