04/09/2009 08:04 AM Joint HB81

8:04:50 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SUMMARY                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     CSHB 81(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)                                                                                         
      "An Act making appropriations for the operating and                                                                       
      loan program expenses of state government, for                                                                            
      certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making                                                                         
      supplemental appropriations; making reappropriations;                                                                     
      and providing for an effective date."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     CSHB 83(FIN)                                                                                                             
      "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."                                                                                                   
and                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Senate CS for CSHB 81(FIN) am S                                                                                          
      "An Act making appropriations for the operating and                                                                       
      loan program expenses of state government, for                                                                            
      certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making                                                                         
      supplemental appropriations; making reappropriations;                                                                     
      making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c)                                                                           
      Constitution of the State of Alaska; and providing                                                                        
      for an effective date."                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Senate CS for CSHB 83(FIN)                                                                                               
      "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."                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
8:05:24 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Hoffman MOVED  that Representative  Hawker serve  as                                                                   
the  presiding chair  of the  Conference Committee  on HB  81                                                                   
and HB 83.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Chair  Representative  Hawker   MOVED  that  Senator  Hoffman                                                                   
serve  as Vice-chair  of the  Conference Committee  on HB  81                                                                   
and HB 83. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Chair  Hawker noted  that both  the House  and Senate  budget                                                                   
process  allowed for public  testimony.  That portion  of the                                                                   
process  is now  concluded;  the Conference  Committee  would                                                                   
not accept  further public testimony.  Unless invited  by the                                                                   
Chair,  only members  of the  Conference  Committee may  take                                                                   
part in discussion or sit at the table.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
8:06:43 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Chair Hawker  observed that the Legislative  Finance Division                                                                   
had been directed  to prepare the "motion sheets"  for use by                                                                   
the  Conference Committee.  The motion  sheets summarize  the                                                                   
differences  between the  two  versions of  the bills  before                                                                   
the Conference Committee  and are located on  the Legislative                                                                   
Finance Division's website.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Chair Hawker  explained that  the Conference Committee  would                                                                   
operate  under  Uniform  Rule   42.  All  action  requires  a                                                                   
majority  vote  from  each  body  for  adoption.  A  copy  of                                                                   
Uniform Rule 42  and related legal opinions  were provided in                                                                   
each  member's packet.  Motions  require a  majority of  each                                                                   
body.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
8:08:42 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice  Chair   Hoffman  MOVED  that  all   appropriations  and                                                                   
language in the  FY08 Operating Budget that  are identical in                                                                   
House and  Senate versions  of HB  81 and  HB 83 be  adopted.                                                                   
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Chair Hawker observed  that the committee would  need limited                                                                   
powers to reach agreements.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Chair  Hawker   explained  that  under  Limited   Powers  the                                                                   
Conference Committee  can adopt  any amount between  zero and                                                                   
the  higher of  the  House or  Senate  version  of each  item                                                                   
subject to conference.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
8:09:41 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice  Chair  Hoffman  MOVED  to  ADOPT  a  letter  requesting                                                                   
limited  powers of  free conference  for the  items that  are                                                                   
not identical. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Chair Hawker  observed that the  Committee meetings  would be                                                                   
posted on  BASIS under the  24 hour rule.  He noted  that the                                                                   
Chair  would   make  recommendations   regarding  items   for                                                                   
conference.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB  81  and HB  83  were  heard  and HELD  in  Committee  for                                                                   
further consideration.