Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/09/1999 08:55 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
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HOUSE BILL NO. 50
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.
HOUSE BILL NO. 51
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.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to adopt amendment COR #A. [Copy on
File]. Co-Chair Mulder explained that the amendment would
correct a technical concern within the Department. The
amendment would delete $50 thousand general fund dollars
from deferred maintenance, delete $50 thousand Permanent
Fund Dividend dollars from inmate programs and would add $50
thousand general fund dollars to inmate programs component
and would add $7.8 thousand MHTAAR dollars and $23.4 I/A
from Department of Public Safety dollars to inmate health
care.
There being NO OBJECTION, COR #A was adopted.
Representative J. Davies requested that COR #1 and #2 be
HELD. [Copies on File].
Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt amendment COR #3.
[Copy on File]. Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED.
Representative Grussendorf explained that the amendment
would add $499 thousand general fund dollars to the inmate
program component. He noted that the money would restore
general funds for the juvenile unit. The unit attempts to
provide a disciplined behavior modification and training
program. The program would offer education, substance abuse
counseling, life skills counseling, a work program, anger
management and an empathy program so that juveniles could be
successfully released.
Co-Chair Mulder pointed out that there are over 400 kids in
the adult correctional system, of which 200 are in
institutions. He understood that there are two portions of
the proposal:
* Segregate them from the general adult population
to "somewhat" protect them; and
* Provide problematic or sympathetic support to
correct them.
Co-Chair Mulder continued, for the Subcommittee to accept
the proposal, there must be a more comprehensive proposal
created by the Department.
Representative Grussendorf stressed that a time element is
missing and urged giving the Department funding to establish
these programs.
Representative J. Davies commented that rehabilitation has
declined significantly in the past ten years. Having
juveniles behind bars makes the jail experience a
"University for Crime". When the juveniles come out of
prison, they will be more likely become re-offenders,
particularly the youngest ones. The Department has been
under siege as to how to manage that growing demand.
Co-Chair Mulder noted that this request was for a specific
program for a specific population. Representative Bunde
commented that from previous year studies on this concern,
it had not appeared that money or counseling helped address
the recitivism rate.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Moses, J. Davies
OPPOSED: G. Davis, Foster, Kohring, Williams,
Austerman, Bunde, Therriault, Mulder
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt amendment COR #4.
[Copy on File]. Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED.
Representative Grussendorf explained that the amendment
would add $300 thousand general fund dollars to the Cook
Inlet Correctional Center for additional security.
Co-Chair Mulder explained that the Subcommittee determined
that the Department had adequate resources to address that
problem from money provided last year for relief.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Grusendorf, Moses, J. Davies
OPPOSED: Foster, Kohring, Williams, Austerman, Bunde,
G. Davis, Mulder, Therriault
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
Representative Grussendorf MOVED to amendment COR #5. [Copy
on File]. Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED.
Representative Grussendorf stated that the amendment would
add $155 thousand general fund dollars to the Southcentral
Regional Probation operations and services. He emphasized
that this program would help those on parole and would save
the State large amounts of money without placing the person
back in the system.
Co-Chair Mulder provided a historical preview of the
amendment. He noted it had been a pilot program funded by
the federal government for the past three years. This year
State government was given the task. The intent of the
Subcommittee was to hold the line with funding any new
programs. He recommended that the program be funded from
within the Department. Representative Grussendorf replied
that was a "short-sighted" approach to the problem.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Moses, J. Davies
OPPOSED: Kohring, Williams, Austerman, Bunde, G.
Davis, Foster, Therriault, Mulder
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt amendment COR #6.
[Copy on File]. Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED.
Representative Grussendorf explained that the amendment
would restore federal funding in the amount of $96.1 million
federal fund dollars for reimbursable service agreement with
the Department of Law for an Assistant Attorney General.
Representative Grussendorf stressed that it would be a
mistake to deny the Department of Corrections counsel
funding. He pointed out that the money, which had been
used, had been shifted to Food Services.
Co-Chair Mulder explained that the focus of the program is a
Food Service training program for the inmates. The program
provides job training ending with a marketable skill.
Representative Grussendorf emphasized that our legal
problems will not just "go away" and that the State will be
bound to use general funds to address several potential
suits. He suggested that if the State is going to need an
attorney, we should use federal funds to pay for the
service.
DWAYNE PEEPLES, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, reiterated that there
is a need for an Attorney General within the Department of
Corrections. The Department is continually dealing with
complicated matters with litigious inmates and institutions
and the whole issue of being in compliance with the Cleary
settlement. Without these federal funds to continue that
project and services, the Department would have to fall back
on other resources to the Department of Law.
Mr. Peeples added that the Department currently does have an
apprenticeship program in three facilities for food service
training. In that program nearly one-third graduates and it
is a two-year program.
Representative Austerman inquired if there had been
discussions with the Department of Law. Mr. Peeples
responded that there have been no discussions to date. Most
of the services with that Department are reimbursable
through the Reimbursable Services agreement and would be
looking back to Department of Corrections for that funding.
Co-Chair Mulder added that in the past year, that position
mostly worked on a "plan" to develop an inter-regional
system.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Moses, J. Davies, Grussendorf
OPPOSED: Kohring, Williams, Austerman, Bunde, G.
Davis, Foster, Mulder, Therriault
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
HB 50 and HB 51 were HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
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