Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/04/2001 06:13 PM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 103(FIN)(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; and providing for an effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 104(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."
The Committee continued its considerations of amendments to the
committee substitute, 22-LS0410\S.
University of Alaska
UNIV: #4: This amendment attaches intent language to the University
of Alaska Budget Request Unit (BRU), Budget Reductions/Additions
Systemwide on page 34, lines 13 through 15. The intent language
reads as follows.
It is the intent of the legislature that the additional
general funds appropriated above the FY 01 funding level be
allocated to the colleges and campuses on a student-hour
basis.
This amendment was NOT OFFERED.
UNIV #5: This amendment adds
UNIV #1: This amendment adds $2 million Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation (AHFC) Dividend funds for the University of Alaska
Budget Request Unit (BRU), Budget Reductions/Additions-
Systemwide component on page 34, lines 13 through 15.
This amendment was NOT OFFERED.
UNIV #6: This amendment adds $4,500,000 general funds for the
University of Alaska BRU, Budget Reductions/Additions-Systemwide
component on page 34, lines 13 through 15. Accompanying explanatory
language reads as follows.
This amendment provides the necessary funding for the
University of Alaska to continue its educational initiatives.
This amendment was NOT OFFERED.
UNIV #7: This amendment adds $2 million Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation (AHFC) Dividend funds for the University of Alaska BRU,
Budget Reductions/Additions-Systemwide component on page 34, lines
13 through 15.
Senator Wilken moved for adoption.
Without objection the amendment was ADOPTED.
Department of Health and Social Services
H&SS #28: This amendment deletes $300 general funds from the
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services BRU, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Grants
component on page 20, lines 27 and 31. Accompanying explanatory
language reads as follows.
The subcommittee adopted a decrement of $326.3.
The Committee restored $326.6. This amendment deletes $0.3.
This amendment also changes the funding source from general funds
to General Fund Mental Health funds of $43,400 in the Community
Mental Health Grants BRU, General Community Mental Health Grants
component on page 21, lines 16 through 19. Accompanying explanatory
language reads, "Corrects fund source for Senate amendment."
Senator Green moved for adoption.
Senator Hoffman objected for an explanation.
Senator Green explained this amendment corrects an input error in
the budget subcommittee report.
There was no objection and the amendment was ADOPTED.
H&SS #29: This amendment changes the funding source from general
funds to general funds match of $288,600 in the Medical Assistance
BRU, Medicaid Services component on page 17, line 31, and page 18,
line 3.
Senator Green moved for adoption.
Senator Hoffman objected for an explanation.
Senator Green stated that when another amendment was adopted, the
wrong funding source was used.
Senator Hoffman requested the Department of Health and Social
Services comment on the amendment.
JANET CLARKE, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Health and Social Services detailed H&SS #1, adopted
at the previous hearing, which provided funds for tobacco
prevention and control from the Medicaid budget. She asserted the
department supports the corrective amendment.
The amendment was ADOPTED without objection.
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
M&VA #6: This amendment removes the Local Emergency Planning
Committee Grants component from the Disaster Planning & Control BRU
and allocates the $40,800 general funds contained in that component
to the new Local Emergency Planning Committee Grants BRU on page
24, line 31 and page 25, lines 3 and 4. Accompanying explanatory
language reads as follows.
This amendment transfers all of the funding from the Local
Emergency Planning Committee Grants component in the Disaster
Planning & Control appropriation to the new Local Emergency
Planning Committee Grants appropriation.
Senator Leman moved for adoption.
Senator Hoffman requested an explanation.
Senator Leman shared that the Division of Legislative Finance
fiscal analyst had pointed out that the funds from the previous BRU
were not transferred into the newly created one.
Without objection the amendment was ADOPTED.
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
DOT #6: This amendment changes the funding source from Marine
Highway funds to Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) Duplicate
funds of $27,909,700 in the Marine Highway System BRU, Southeast
Vessel Operations component on page 33, line 32, and page 34, line
6. Accompanying explanatory language reads as follows.
Identifies the amount of funding from the Marine Highway Fund
that is capitalized with general funds in the language section
(versus that amount which is actual revenue from the Marine
Highway System receipts for the sale of ferry tickets and
onboard purchases).
DAVID TEAL, Director, Division of Legislative Finance, testified
that this is a technical amendment that allows for better tracking
through an automated production of a fiscal summary.
[Note: No formal motion was made to adopt the amendment.]
The amendment was ADOPTED without objection.
Department of Community and Economic Development
C&ED #6: This amendment changes the name of the Municipal Revenue
Sharing BRU to State Revenue Sharing on page 6, line 16. This
amendment also deletes $15,638,200 general funds from the Municipal
Assistance component in the newly named BRU on page 6, lines 16 and
20. This amendment also adds $16,775,500 general funds for a new
Safe Communities Program component. Accompanying explanatory
language reads as follows.
Explanation: Creates a separate appropriation for the Safe
Communities Program and adds $1,137,335. It also changes the
name of the Municipal Revenue Sharing appropriation to State
Revenue Sharing to more accurately reflect the function of the
appropriation.
Co-Chair Donley stated this amendment provides a funding increase
to reflect inflation and the cost of living index.
Co-Chair Kelly moved for adoption.
Without objection the amendment was ADOPTED.
AT EASE 6:22 PM / 6:22 PM
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
DOT #6: This amendment changes the funding source from Marine
Highway funds to Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) Duplicate
funds of $27,909,700 in the Marine Highway System BRU, Southeast
Vessel Operations component on page 33, line 32, and page 34, line
6. Accompanying explanatory language reads as follows.
Identifies the amount of funding from the Marine Highway Fund
that is capitalized with general funds in the language section
(versus that amount which is actual revenue from the Marine
Highway System receipts for the sale of ferry tickets and
onboard purchases).
[This amendment was considered earlier in the meeting.]
Co-Chair Kelly moved for adoption.
There was no objection and the amendment was ADOPTED.
Department of Education and Early Development
E&ED #11: This amendment increases the appropriation from
$6,187,000 in Section 14 on page 14, lines 20 through 25. The
amended language reads as follows.
Sec. 14. LEARNING OPPORTUNITY GRANTS. The sum of
$12,374,200 is appropriated from the general fund to the
Department of Education and Early Development for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 2002, for payment as learning opportunity
grants to school districts based on the school district's
average daily membership to pay for supplemental student
instructional programs intended to improve student performance
on the high school graduation examination or benchmark
examinations.
Co-Chair Kelly moved for adoption and objected for an explanation.
Co-Chair Donley explained this amendment increases the
appropriation from the amount appropriated in FY 01.
AT EASE 6:23 PM / 6:24 PM
Co-Chair Kelly removed his objection.
Senator Hoffman asked how this compares to the amount requested in
the governor's budget.
Co-Chair Donley responded it is an increase. He noted however that
the governor has submitted a supplemental request for "all kinds of
different education funding."
AT EASE 6:25 PM / 6:26 PM
Senator Hoffman informed that he had further matters to discuss
regarding this issue that he would address at a later date.
The amendment was ADOPTED without objection.
E&ED #12: This amendment adds intent language to the Early
Development BRU, Child Care Assistance and Licensing component on
page 11, lines 29, 31 and 32. The intent language reads as follows.
It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of
Education and Early Development revise and implement the Child
Care Eligibility Rate Schedule in FY 02.
It is also the intent of the Legislature that the Department
implement the market rate survey in FY 02.
It is further the intent of the Legislature that given these
changes, expenditures be held in check and that there be no
substantial increase in the programs based on implementation
within Child Care Assistance and Licensing.
Senator Wilken moved for adoption.
Senator Green objected for an explanation.
Senator Wilken stated this is the second year that the Department
of Education and Early Development has administered this program
after the dissolution of the Department of Community and Regional
Affairs. He shared that the budget subcommittee and the department
have been working to understand the funding the program, noting it
has been "generously funded" recently with federal funds. In
reviewing the matter, he said, "we are finding more questions then
we are answers." Specifically, he pointed out the process of
determining who is eligible for the program as well as the mandated
market study. He voiced concern that an effort to expand the
program could be undertaken without justification of the demand.
Senator Wilken suggested the Committee "take a breath" and work on
the issue over the legislative interim with the intent of
addressing the matter again the following session. He pointed out
that the waitlist is completely funded and as a result is "zero",
with the exception of Anchorage, where it is just a matter of
"working through it" as there is adequate funding.
Senator Green removed her objection.
Senator Hoffman asked who would actually be working on this issue
during the interim.
Senator Wilken answered the department would.
Without objection the amendment was ADOPTED.
AT EASE 6:29 PM / 6:36 PM
Statewide
STWIDE #1: This amendment changes the funding source from AHFC
Dividend funds to general funds in the following amounts for the
following BRUs and components.
Department of Administration
BRU: Alaska Longevity Programs Management
Component: Pioneers' Homes
Amount: $604,500
BRU: Division of Motor Vehicles
Component: Motor Vehicles
Amount: $318,500
Department of Corrections
BRU: Administration and Operations
Component: Inmate Health Care
Amount: $327,300
Department of Health and Social Services
BRU: Front Line Social Workers
Component: Front Line Social Workers
Amount: $6,700
BRU: Juvenile Justice
Component: McLaughlin Youth Center
Amount: $29,200
Component: Fairbanks Youth Facility
Amount: $9,900
Component: Johnson Youth Center
Amount: $5,900
Component: Bethel Youth Facility
Amount: $4,500
Component: Mat-Su Youth Facility
Amount: $5,500
Component: Ketchikan Regional Youth Facility
Amount: $5,500
BRU: State Health Services
Component: Nursing
Amount: 432,700
BRU: Institutions and Administration
Component: Alaska Psychiatric Institute
Amount: 600,000
Department of Natural Resources
BRU: Oil and Gas Development
Component: Oil and Gas Development
Amount: $425,000
BRU: Facilities Maintenance
Component: Fairbanks Office Building Chargeback
Amount: $103,600
University of Alaska
BRU: University of Alaska
Component: Budget Reductions/Additions-Systemwide
Amount: $2,000,000
Accompanying explanatory language for the amendment reads as
follows.
Replace all AHFC Dividends appropriated in Section 1 with
general funds. Total AHFC Dividend fund source replaced with
general funds is $4,878,800.
Senator Ward moved for adoption.
Mr. Teal explained this amendment replaces all AHFC Dividend funds
appropriated in Section 1 of the bill totaling $4,878,900 with
general funds. He remarked that AHFC Dividends were used for
purposes that are not one-time items but rather continuing, such as
funding nurses' salaries. He stressed that if AHFC Dividends were
used for these purposes, "we would get into another battle in FY 03
about what the base is" with regards to future budget planning.
This amendment, he stated, clarifies the expenditures are general
funds and therefore included in the FY 03 base.
The amendment was ADOPTED without objection.
STWIDE #2: This amendment reduces the appropriation from
$39,578,400 in Section 24, subsection (c) on page 53, lines 8 and
9. The amended language reads as follows.
(c) The sum of $32,578,400 is appropriated from the
general fund to the Alaska debt retirement fund (AS
37.15.011).
This amendment also increases the appropriation from $100,000 in
Section 24, subsection (d) on page 53, lines 10 through 13. The
amended language reads as follows.
(d) The sum of $1,100,000 is appropriated from the
lapsing balance of the appropriation made in sec. 1. ch. 133,
SLA 2000, page 13, line 29, and allocated on lines 30-31
(public assistance-Alaska temporary assistance program-
$66,112,800) to the Alaska debt retirement fund (AS
37.15.011).
This amendment also changes the funding source from AHFC Dividend
funds in Section 17 on page 50, lines 3 through 7. The amended
language reads as follows.
Sec. 17. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR. The sum of $947,700 is
appropriated from the general fund to the Office of the
Governor, division of elections, for reapportionment
implementation costs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002.
This amendment also inserts a new subsection to Section 24 on page
54, following line 10 to read as follows.
(m) The sum of $6,000,000 from the fiscal year 2002
dividend that is declared by the board of directors of the
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is appropriated from Alaska
Housing Finance Corporation corporate receipts to the Alaska
debt retirement fund (AS 37.15.011).
Accompanying explanatory language reads as follows.
Reduce general fund capitalization of the Alaska Debt
Retirement Fund by $7,000,000. Capitalize the Alaska Debt
Retirement Fund with the remaining $6,000,000 AHFC Dividend
funds and an additional $1,000,000 reappropriation of surplus
FY 01 Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) general
funds.
Senator Ward moved for adoption.
Mr. Teal detailed the different parts of the amendment. Section 24
(d), he began, would transfer $1 million of surplus money from ATAP
to the debt retirement fund. He pointed out this does not count as
an FY 02 expenditure because the funds were appropriated in FY 01.
The second portion of the amendment, he said, pertains to Section
24(c) and reflects a $7 reduction of general funds to the debt
retirement fund. He continued that Section 24 (m) provides that $6
million of this amount would be replaced with AHFC funds and the
remaining $1 million would be ATAP funds. He concluded that Section
17 replaces AHFC Dividends with general funds.
Senator Hoffman requested a comment from the Administration.
ANNALEE MCCONNELL, Director, Office of Management and Budget
clarified that the AHFC dividend fund is the "Ah Head Fish
Cleaning" fund.
Ms. McConnell applauded the funding organization. She stated that
it simplifies the accounting and the structures and as Mr. Teal
mentioned, it also would clarify in the following year, that these
are on-going expenditures.
Without objection the amendment was ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Donley announced his intent to hold the bill until the
next day.
Co-Chair Donley pointed out this budget contains $278,000 less in
general funds than the version passed by the House of
Representatives. He also noted it adds over $8 million to education
funding and 12 new Alaska State Troopers and Fish and Wildlife
Protection Officers. Therefore, he commented, it reflects the focus
on "our highest priorities of education and public safety."
Co-Chair Donley ordered the bill HELD in Committee.
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