Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/21/1998 09:25 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 229
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government, for certain
programs, and to capitalize funds; making
appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17c, Constitution of
the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget
reserve fund; and providing for an effective date."
Senator Parnell briefly explained the Department of Natural
Resources subcommittee closeout. He said there were three
changes to the proposed Governor's amended budget. The Oil
and Gas Division had $187,000 in savings due to extra money
the department spent on projects that were not funded by the
Legislature last year. In the Fire Suppression budget they
deleted $152.3 in airplanes that are no longer in inventory
and also savings in office consolidation. Lastly, the
subcommittee added $118,400 to the Agriculture Division. He
MOVED the Department of Natural Resources subcommittee
report and WITHOUT OBJECTION it was ADOPTED. Senator Adams
noted that he did not have any objection at this time but
would present amendments on Friday.
Senator Torgerson explained the Department of Commerce and
Economic Development subcommittee closeout. (pause) He
said the subcommittee considered mostly the regulatory side
of the Department of Commerce. He said an increment in the
amount of $15,000 for contractual services was denied in the
Division of Banking and Securities. In the Division of
Insurance they denied an increment of $15,000. The Division
of Occupational Licensing had a carry forward of $159.1 and
they did not let the division use that amount as a carry
forward this year. In the Commissioner's Office they denied
an $80,000 increment, which was RSA'd from all other
components for support for the Commissioner's Office. For
the fourth year in a row they denied the special assistant
to the Commissioner in the amount of $52.2. They also
denied another increment in the amount of $79.6 for
Management Support. Under AIDA there was also an increment
denial with a total reduction of $431.9. Senator Torgerson
MOVED the Department of Commerce subcommittee report.
Senator Adams OBJECTED. He said the Department of Commerce
and Economic Development should be kept intact for the
future of Alaska. He noted that the department was $1.7
million under their budget and brought in a revenue of $6
million. He asked if they would allow the agency, if
reappropriation monies were found, to at least submit their
requests to help take care of some of the smaller problems
found in the present budget on a one-time basis. He said he
was concerned about rural Alaska especially and noted
specifically the denial of the Bristol Bay/Kuskokwim area,
Division of Trade and Development and the Tourism and
Fisheries Development. At this time Senator Adams WITHDREW
his objection.
Senator Torgerson explained that particular portion of the
budget was not incorporated in his amendment. It was only
in the regulatory portion. Therefore, WITHOUT OBJECTION,
the Department of Commerce and Economic Development
subcommittee report was ADOPTED.
Senator Torgerson explained the Department of Environmental
Conservation subcommittee closeout. He said there were
several small reductions in this department. In the Office
of the Commissioner $21,300 was denied as it was classified
as an overpayment in the reimbursement of the Deputy
Commissioner who is an employee of the Environmental
Protection Agency. They accepted a fund source change in
the Alaska Drinking Water Fund to Federal receipts in the
amount of $489,600. They further denied designated program
receipts for Cruise Ship Air Quality Compliance Study. They
further requested than in increment in the amount of
$100,000 be reduced to $50,000 for Clean Water Standards in
order to develop those standards. In the Spill Response it
was requested that $54,200 be increased out of the 470 Funds
to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for local
emergency planning committees. He MOVED the Department of
Environmental Conservation subcommittee report and WITHOUT
OBJECTION it was ADOPTED.
Senator Donley took up the Department of Education
subcommittee closeout. (pause) He noted several items
transferred out of the department this year were; AVTEC,
Kotzebue Tec, State Museum, (tape malfunction is noted at
this time).
Senator Donley said they were requested to make a reduction
and they carefully followed the instructions of the Finance
committee. They denied all increases and accepted all
decrements that appeared in the Governor's proposal. They
also met their target reduction of $240,000 GF. This
reduction was to the WWAMI program. Students will now have
to pay $6000 each. He told the committee that the State of
Montana has changed their WWAMI program to a full loan
program.
Senator Donley MOVED the Department of Education
subcommittee report. Senator Adams OBJECTED. He said they
needed to evaluate the effect of the cuts on Smart Start,
preschool certification, reading initiative, comprehensive
assessment programs, the low performance school program and
the AKCIS program. His further concern was the loss of
WWAMI. He felt the State had enough money to take care of
this program. He maintained his objection.
Senator Donley explained the WWAMI program and cost for the
benefit of those listening on television. He explained that
this was an incredibly expensive program, which only
approximately ten Alaska students benefit. Forty percent of
these students do not return to Alaska. He said they need
to find a way to close the gap. After further discussion
between Senators Donley and Adams, Senator Adams still felt
the program should not be jeopardized.
By a roll call vote of 6 yeas (Pearce, Sharp, Donley,
Torgerson, Parnell, Phillips) and 1 nay (Adams) the
Department of Education subcommittee report was ADOPTED.
Senator Donley explained the Department of Public Safety
subcommittee closeout. He said there was an ongoing
commitment by the Republican majority to Public Safety. He
said last year the committee allowed for the increase to
State Troopers and also increased the funding for village
safety officers. That increase would have provided for an
additional seven VPSO's and additional two State Troopers.
Unfortunately, the Knowles Administration chose to spend
that money in other places and in fact, significantly
reduced the number of Troopers. He said this had been very
discouraging to members of the subcommittee. Therefore,
they tried to address some of these problems in this
subcommittee report. He said the Finance Committee allowed
the subcommittee to increase the budget by about $200,000.
Extra funds could be used for Child Protection Services,
prisoner transportation and an increase grant to Victims for
Justice. He noted also a problem with VSPO's and said that
in some cases they were being used in different duties.
Some villages do not even have VSPO's. The subcommittee
adopted some specific intent language regarding the VSPO's.
He further felt that those put through training at the
Trooper Academy should make a commitment to the State,
otherwise they should have to pay back their education.
Senator Donley MOVED the Department of Public Safety
subcommittee report. Senator Adams OBJECTED. He said that
the Trooper placement was up to Col. Godfrey and not the
Governor. He agreed that there was a problem with the
Administration regarding VSPO's. He also said their duties
should be outlined and perhaps a look should be taken at the
low salaries they receive.
Senator Parnell requested a short at ease at approximately
10:20 a.m.
Co-chair Sharp reconvened the committee shortly thereafter.
It is noted for the record the absence of Senators Pearce
and Torgerson.
Senator Adams maintained his OBJECTION to the Department of
Public Safety subcommittee report. By a roll call vote of 4
yeas (Sharp, Donley, Parnell, Phillips) and 1 nay (Adams) it
was ADOPTED.
Senator Jerry Ward was invited to join the committee and
gave a brief explanation for the Department of Corrections
subcommittee report. He said there was an increase over
last year in the amount of $7.83 million. He stated this
was mostly due to the Cleary decision.
(Tape #133, Side A switched to Side B.)
Senator Ward continued his explanation. He further noted
other causes for the increase in that more prisoners were
being sent outside and more prisoners to halfway houses.
This was due to an increase in the inmate population. Also,
the culturally relevant study that was done last year is now
being implemented this year. He hoped this would decrease
the number of reoffending prisoners.
Senator Torgerson MOVED the Department of Corrections
subcommittee report. Senator Adams OBJECTED, noting he may
have amendments on Friday. He also said he would have to
look at the CRC beds for Bethel because they wanted hard
beds. He then REMOVED his OBJECTION. Therefore, WITHOUT
OBJECTION the Department of Corrections subcommittee report
was ADOPTED.
A brief at ease was taken again at 10:16 a.m.
Senator Adams explained the Department of Labor subcommittee
report briefly. He said the subcommittee was chaired by
Senator Pearce along with Senator Green and himself. He
said the only basic change was a fund source change of
$166,400 general funds match to inter agency receipts due to
maintenance of ATAP being under Department of Health and
Social Services and therefore no longer needed under
Department of Labor. Senator Adams then MOVED the
Department of Labor subcommittee report and WITHOUT
OBJECTION it was ADOPTED.
Senator Parnell explained the Department of Health and
Social Services subcommittee report. He said the budget
increased by approximately $11.5 million due to formula
growth from this current year. The budget proposed funding
of twenty-eight new front line social worker positions for
DFYS to deal with harm issues and child protection issues.
Additional training is also funded for the social workers
along with a new community based family assessment case
management pilot project to assist DFYS in working with
communities. Other funding included increase in foster
care, subsidized adoptions and guardianships, infant
learning program, DD grants, formula growth in the Medicaid
program and increases funding to the emergency medical
services. He said the one program that had been eliminated
was General Relief Medical. Senator Parnell then MOVED the
Department of Health and Social Services subcommittee
report. Senator Adams OJBECTED. He said he appreciated the
hard work the subcommittee had done on the budget but there
were three main areas that needed attention. Those were:
General Medical Relief, Smart Start program and social
worker positions. He MAINTAINED his OBJECTION. By a roll
call vote of 5 yeas, (Pearce, Sharp, Torgerson, Parnell,
Phillips) and 1 nay (Adams) (Donley absent) the Department
of Health and Social Services subcommittee report was
ADOPTED.
Senator Phillips said he was going to be meeting with the
Department of Administration this afternoon and will have a
full subcommittee report by tomorrow afternoon.
Senator Torgerson said he had no comment on the Department
of Transportation and said he expected to close out with
zero recommendation for the Alaska Marine Highway and the
Southeast Region.
Co-chair Pearce said the committee would close out the parts
of Department of Transportation that were complete. Senator
Torgerson said Northern and Central Regions were ready. She
said that would be done at 4:30 p.m. today. She HELD
closeouts on the Governor and Legislature until a later
date.
Co-chair Sharp said there were three bills scheduled for
this afternoon, HB 334, SB 219 and SB 336. He said perhaps
SB 336 could be waived from the Senate Finance Committee
because it had a zero fiscal note.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Pearce recessed the committee until 4:30 p.m.
SFC-98 -7- 4/21/98
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