Legislature(1997 - 1998)
03/26/1997 09:10 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 83
"An Act making an appropriation for management fees for
the constitutional budget reserve fund (art. IX, sec. 17,
Constitution of the State of Alaska); and providing for
an effective date."
Co-chair Pearce convened the session and announced to the
committee that it was her intention to have a proposed CS
drawn up by this weekend for final action next week. The
committee then reviewed the following proposed amendments:
Senator Sharp explained section 1 - 4 of the requested add-
ins.
1. CIP Fairbanks Armory Expansion in the amount of
$700,000.
2. CIP Geophysical Mapping in the amount of $650,000.
3. CIP Value Added Timber Sale, Interior in the amount
of $630,000.
4. CIP Value Added Timber Sale, Southeast in the
amount of $150,000.
Co-chair Pearce in reference to the last three requests
asked if the projects could be begun and Senator Sharp
concurred.
Senator Donley continued with section 5 for the Department
of Corrections. This would appropriate $150,000 from the
general fund to the department for a statewide automated
victim notification service. Co-chair Pearce voiced her
concern for interfacing regarding the computer system.
Co-chair Pearce referred to section 6, a memorandum from
Randy S. Welker, Legislative Auditor, dated 26 February
1997. This related to a financial analysis of the balance
in the Public School Fund. Senator Adams asked if it would
be determined how much would be deposited into the PSF. Co-
chair Pearce said an appraisal would be needed first before
that could be determined.
Senator Torgerson discussed section 7 on behalf of the
sponsor, Senator Leman. This was for a requested timber
sale including the South Ninilchik Block and Center Plateau
Block. Senator Torgerson indicated the area would still be
the Kenai Peninsula.
Senator Adams reviewed section 8, a supplemental request for
the Unalakleet water line. This was in the amount of
$360,000 to be appropriated from the general fund. If this
request was not a possibility perhaps it could be considered
under Village Safe Water or a third alternative, AHFC
receipts. Co-chair Pearce asked if this would cover
permanent repairs and Senator Adams indicated that it would.
SFC members were free to see the estimates from George Wood.
Section 9 was introduced by Senator Phillips. This was an
appropriation of $250,000 for the Youth Corp program. Co-
chair Pearce voiced support for the program but indicated
that if there was going to be a matching grant from the
State, they should be advised in advance what that would be.
Senator Phillips concurred.
Carol Carroll, Director, Division of Administrative
Services, Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs was
invited to join the committee. She said due to the
popularity of the program there had been an increase in
participants this year. Presently there were 145 students
in the program. It was expected to have 98 - 105 graduate
from this program. $250,000 would go a long way to help
out, however, her analysis showed $362,000 in reality was
needed. Co-chair Pearce asked if more federal money could
be requested. Ms. Carroll indicated that federal monies
were allotted based on 80 students and in the amount of $2
million. Senator Sharp asked about oversubscription even
though there was insufficient funding. Ms. Carroll said
apparently they were now getting students who wanted to stay
in the program. Co-chair Pearce further inquired about the
percentage of acceptance of those who applied and Ms.
Carroll said she would have to get that information from the
director. Senator Torgerson asked how many graduates were
expected. Ms. Carroll said that the model was approximately
60 students would graduate; however this class was expected
to graduate 105. Senator Torgerson further voiced a concern
that there was something wrong with the allocation if they
were spending $25,000/child. He noted everything was done
on a volunteer basis. Ms. Carroll explained the costs
involved, noting only that some military personnel may
volunteer their time. Senator Phillips requested a break
down from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs.
Senator Adams concurred and asked about the average cost in
other states. Ms. Carroll said she would provide the
information to the committee by this afternoon.
Co-chair Pearce referred to section 10, a legislative budget
and audit request in the amount of $500,000 for a study
comparing the salaries and benefits of state employees to
the appropriate public and private markets in Alaska and the
Pacific Northwest. Senator Adams and Senator Phillips
supported this request and asked that a study regarding
geographic differentials be included.
Co-chair Pearce introduced section 11, a request by Senator
Jerry Ward on behalf of the Department of Corrections for a
new boiler and new CRC beds.
Craig Johnson, staff to Senator Jerry Ward was invited to
join the committee. In a discussion with Senator Donley and
Co-chair Pearce he indicated that a side benefit to the new
CRC beds would help take care of overcrowding, therefore
being an indirect benefit to "Cleary". Co-chair Pearce
noted that the House Finance did not fund this request and
said it did not make sense to spend the money piecemeal.
Co-chair Pearce went on to section 12, a request from the
Department of Law to consider the following accounting
system ratifications:
1. 13604-94 General Legal Services $500,604.50
2. 13814-94 Clean Air Act 65.10
3. 13852-94 General Services and Supply 1,036.20
4. 13993-94 AHFC - MGIC Claims 0.01
5. 13868-95 Admin - GAPPA 280.00
Section 13 was a request from the Department of Natural
Resources in the amount of $150,000.
Mr. Dan Spencer, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and
Budget was invited to join the committee. He said this
would be a general fund authorization to be included in the
front section of the FY '98 operating budget bill to fund
the land sale escrow account for the First National Bank of
Anchorage.
Senator Sharp referred to section 14 on behalf of the
sponsor, Senator Lyda Green. This was a request for $43,900
for the Department of Natural Resources, Division of
Forestry for the Mat-Su Harvest Access Program. This access
improvement would begin at Mile 59, the Parks Highway.
Senator Adams asked if the money earned from the timber sale
would go to the general fund and Senator Sharp concurred.
Senator Donley introduced section 15 for the Department of
Health and Social Services, Family and Youth Services. This
was to add an additional 30 bed facility to the McLaughlin
Youth Center. Co-chair Pearce noted that the House Finance
did not fund security fences at the facility. Senator
Donley said that this was an Anchorage top priority matter,
not a department priority. Senator Adams concurred and
wanted to know why the request was for just 30 beds.
Senator Donley said the 30 beds were requested by the City
of Anchorage.
Co-chair Pearce concluded the meeting saying that she would
work on a draft CS to be presented next week. There was
still some controversy regarding leasing. No further
amendments would be considered unless they were extremely
extraordinary and there was agreement among all members.
Senator Adams informed the committee the minority would work
to expedite the supplementals.
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