Legislature(2001 - 2002)
01/16/2001 01:39 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
January 16, 2001
1:39 PM
TAPE HFC 01 - 9, Side A
TAPE HFC 01 - 9, Side B
TAPE HFC 01 - 10, Side A
TAPE HFC 01 - 10, Side B
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Mulder called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:39 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair
Representative Con Bunde, Vice-Chair
Representative Eric Croft
Representative Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair
Representative Con Bunde, Vice-Chair
Representative Eric Croft
Representative John Davies
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Richard Foster
Representative John Harris
Representative Bill Hudson
Representative Ken Lancaster
Representative Jim Whitaker
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Gretchen Guess; Glenn Godfrey, Commissioner,
Department of Public Safety; Gary Powell, Director State
Fire Marshal, Central Office, Division of Fire Prevention,
Department of Public Safety; Randy Crawford, Major, Deputy
Director, Division of Alaska State Troopers, Department of
Public Safety; Joel Hard, Col., Director, Division of Fish
and Wildlife Protection, Department of Public Safety; Trisha
Gentle, Executive Director, Council on Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault, Department of Public Safety; Kenneth
Bischoff, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Public Safety; Kevin Brooks, Director,
Division of Administrative Services, Department of Fish and
Game.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
None
GENERAL SUBJECT(S):
Review of Departments Accomplishments:
Department of Public Safety
Department of Fish and Game
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes
and handouts will be on file with the House Finance
Committee through the 22nd Legislative Session, contact 465-
2156. After the 22nd Legislative Session they will be
available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
LOG SPEAKER DISCUSSION
TAPE HFC 00 - 9
SIDE A
000 Co-Chair Mulder Convened the Committee meeting.
Department of Public Safety
106 GLENN GODFREY, Stated that the mission of the Department
COMMISSIONER, was to ensure public safety and enforce
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC fish and wildlife laws. He introduced
SAFETY members of the Department who were with
him.
183 Commissioner Godfrey Discussed contribution of the Department
and the key issues confronting the
Department.
253 Commissioner Godfrey Statewide contributions - Division of
Fire Prevention. Significant
contribution in protecting the natural
resources. Downward trend in fire
brutalities. In 2000, there was a marked
increase in arson fires.
385 Commissioner Godfrey Identified the Division's measures of
success such as addressing the
bootlegging and alcohol problems
throughout the State. Many products were
seized. He added that sexual offender
information is now available on the
internet.
537 Commissioner Godfrey Spoke to the Division of Fish and
Wildlife Protection.
566 Commissioner Godfrey Identified sport fishing violations and
hunter contacts made by the Division.
624 Commissioner Godfrey Testified on the commercial crime
violations and the successful
prosecutions. He commented on commercial
fishing enforcement. This was the first
year that a permit holder was not allowed
to fish in Bristol Bay because of cited
violations.
722 Commissioner Godfrey Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault (CDVSA). He pointed out that
there has been an increase in rural
outreach to village areas and new
resources to victims.
758 Commissioner Godfrey Alaska Police Standards Council and the
training associated with that program.
792 Commissioner Godfrey Administrative Services and the Western
Identification Network, which was
approved by the Legislature several years
ago, has enhanced the work of that
Division.
835 Commissioner Godfrey Looking forward to continual improvement.
851 Commissioner Godfrey Key issues - He emphasized that the need
for trooper services continues to
increase statewide, especially in the
rural areas. Also, he mentioned the gas
line construction and the crime rates
which generally go along with such an
enterprise.
895 Commissioner Godfrey Admitted that there has been a major
public outcry over drunken driving crimes
committed throughout the State.
946 Commissioner Godfrey Bootlegging importation crimes.
Amphetamine labs are also a problem. The
Department is desperately trying to
respond to these needs throughout the
State.
987 Commissioner Godfrey Emphasized that patrolling the Alaska
coastline with only 96 troopers is close
to impossible. He noted that fish and
wild life protection has operations in
some of the most remote areas. He
recommended building upon the safety of
the enforcement aircraft.
1039 Commissioner Godfrey Addressed domestic violence in the State.
1050 Commissioner Godfrey Spoke to the Alaska Police Safety Academy
(APSA).
1079 Commissioner Godfrey Added work done in the Administrative
Services and the child safety act, which
will screen persons associated with
crimes related to these areas.
1109 Commissioner Godfrey Voiced notice to the fire prevention
concerns. Spoke of the fire codes.
1133 Commissioner Godfrey Noted population growth with decreased
trooper funding.
1146 Commissioner Godfrey Proceeded to address the 26 measures
listed in the bill and the handout.
1168 Commissioner Godfrey Referenced the handout. [Copy on File].
1187 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 117 - Office of the Commissioner.
78% successful completion of the 26
measures.
1225 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 118 - The costs of the Administrative
Services as compared to the total
personnel costs for the Department.
1257 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 119 - Division of Fire Prevention
1277 Co-Chair Mulder Asked about the number of grievances.
1287 Commissioner Godfrey Explained that because of the grievances,
the Department has placed additional
resources into that area. He believed
that action could have increased the
grievances. Before, the Division did not
have the resources to respond, whereas,
now they are more capable and has
resulted in more of a formal process.
1350 Representative Asked if there had been a cost increase
Lancaster or labor shortage.
1363 Commissioner Godfrey Believed that there was.
1370 Co-Chair Mulder Questioned the direct cost to the State
when a grievance is lost.
1385 Commissioner Godfrey Did not know the exact costs. He stressed
that these are not major grievances but
rather differences. He pointed out that
was a small number compared with those of
PSCA. Many disputes are settled
informally. He believed that this was
not a trend, however part of a cycle of
"peaks and valleys".
1450 Co-Chair Mulder Recommended that the Subcommittee look at
these numbers. He believed that these
numbers represented a frustration with
the Administration.
1480 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 119 - Division of Fire Prevention.
Listed the percentage of buildings found
in compliance with legal standards.
Number of fire prevention educational
contacts made by the Division. Average
time required conducting initial building
plan review. Listed the number of
priority occupancies inspected.
1573 Representative Asked about the goal of the inspections
Davies and compliance expectation.
1605 GARY POWELL, Pointed out that number represents the
DIRECTOR STATE FIRE number of inspected areas that are still
MARSHAL, CENTRAL in violation. The goal is that after a
OFFICE, DIVISION OF few inspections, 30% would be able to
FIRE PREVENTION, meet fire safety standards. He added
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC that it was a measurement of how many
SAFETY were found.
1717 Co-Chair Mulder Inquired if it was because of short
staffing.
1727 Mr. Powell Agreed. He noted that all codes had been
enforced. He acknowledged that it would
be difficult to obtain a code of
compliance of more than 30%. After
discussing this issue with other states,
30% is understood to be a lofty goal.
Priority buildings are inspected every
two years.
1782 Vice-Chair Bunde Pointed out the chain of violations. He
asked if there would be value in sorting
out the serious life safety standards.
1808 Mr. Powell Agreed that it would be good to have a
formula for such a service. He offered
to look into that option trying not to
generate a lot more paper work.
1901 Representative Asked if these were all existing
Lancaster buildings.
1913 Mr. Powell Replied that they are all existing
buildings.
1922 Representative Referenced the 4% number and how that
Foster number would relate to his district. He
criticized the waivers for buildings that
are not up to code.
1960 Mr. Powell Explained that the codes take into
consideration the year in which the
building was built. The fire code do
provide a good value in keeping the
building safe from fire no matter what
the year it was built. There are legal
code requirements.
1996 Representative Asked about the Smokey the Bear and the
Foster Safety Bear programs.
2212 Mr. Powell Replied that the Department tries to
partner with other private organizations
to implement the programs. He agreed
that these are important programs.
2034 Vice-Chair Bunde Questioned the higher than normal staff
turnover.
2048 Mr. Powell Noted that there had been a 100% turnover
in the past two months in his office of
four personnel. Other offices, are
experiencing a similar turnover, just not
at 100%. He noted that the training
commitment is 18 months.
2109 Representative Asked if there exists cross training
Hudson through the Village Public Safety
Officers (VPSO) program.
2125 Mr. Powell Replied there was in the Fire Training.
2134 Representative Questioned if they were qualified to do
Hudson some of the inspections.
2143 Mr. Powell Replied that the Department encourages
them to make recommendations.
2152 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 120 - Division of Alaska State
Troopers. Listed the number of homicides
per capita per year; Number of rapes per
capita per year; Number of burglaries per
capita per year.
2234 Commissioner Godfrey Stated that the numbers for the Division
of AK State Troopers had to do with the
areas of primary law enforcement
responsibility.
2260 RANDY CRAWFORD, Measurements are per capita per 100,000
MAJOR, DEPUTY people, whereas, other crimes are
DIRECTOR, DIVISION different.
OF ALASKA STATE
TROOPERS, DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Department of Public Safety (continued)
TAPE HFC 01 - 9,
Side B
083 Representative Croft Voiced concern over the statistics.
105 Representative Encouraged members to put the numbers in
Whitaker perspective from the handout. He inquired
the total number of rapes for the last
year.
233 Major Crawford Replied there were 289 rapes for the
population served by the Division.
312 Major Crawford Addressed the Alaska State Trooper (AST)
measures from prior year SB 169, provided
as supplementary information. Encouraged
increasing the number of sex offender
compliance actions. There has been an
increase in the percentage of seat belt
usage in the Alaska State Trooper
jurisdiction.
402 Representative Croft Questioned why burglaries have increased
while sex offenses have declined.
427 Major Crawford Could not second-guess about homicides in
Alaska and the trend occurring. He
admitted that burglaries are labor
intense for the Division. Investigation
follow-up is problematic. He believed
that the Division would be in a better
position of understanding at the end of
the fiscal year. He advised that the
Division is currently working on traffic
issues.
530 Commissioner Godfrey Noted the statistics throughout the
nation.
571 Representative Questioned the missions and measures and
Foster the Department's effectiveness.
607 Commissioner Godfrey Commented on the law enforcement in
village areas and the necessary resources
needed to make those arrests.
668 Major Crawford Observed the number of new members in his
force and why that was leaving the
Division at a disadvantage.
710 Representative Asked if rural Alaska or urban Alaska had
Hudson the most rapes and burglaries.
748 Commissioner Godfrey Responded that in rural Alaska, the
sexual assaults were much higher,
whereas, in urban Alaska, the burglaries
are far exceeding the rural area.
785 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 121 - Division of Fish and Wildlife
Protection. Listed the number of sport
fishing violations; Number of hunter
contacts made by the Division.
857 Representative Asked if there had been differences with
Hudson the changes in the law.
882 JOEL HARD, COL., Noted the federal government had
DIRECTOR, DIVISION implemented regulations that mirrored
OF FISH AND WILDLIFE those of the State.
PROTECTION,
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
SAFETY
925 Representative Asked if they enforced their side.
Hudson
935 Col. Hard Acknowledged that was correct.
972 Representative Croft Asked if the goal was to have a lot of
hunter contacts or reducing the number of
incidents of illegal fish and hunting.
1002 Col. Hard Claimed that he did not know the exact
intent and that it was his job to enforce
the actual law. The results of the
measure are that Fish and Wildlife have
made arrests for a certain number of
violations. He claimed that maintaining
consistent visibility warrants enough
presence alone. He claimed that hunting
was less congested than sport fishing.
This year the concentration was in rural
Alaska.
1115 Co-Chair Mulder Pointed out that the mission statement
was to protect resources. He asked if
there should be better refinement.
1174 Representative Asked the number of hunter violations?
Foster
1187 Col. Hard The violation rate for this year was 357
or 2.5%.
1267 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 122 - Alaska Police Standards
Council. Listed the number of hours of
recruit training that was funded. The
hours of advanced training funded.
1319 Vice-Chair Bunde Inquired about the success rate of the
training. He asked if there were more
graduating from the academy.
1345 Co-Chair Mulder Asked what the numbers included.
1354 Commissioner Godfrey Indicated that there are other courses
provided outside of the academy. The
numbers indicate the numbers.
1375 Commissioner Godfrey Pointed out that the recruit training is
from the Sitka academy only. The APS
attempts to focus on a specific area.
1421 Co-Chair Mulder Asked if there was a success ratio out of
Sitka.
1445 Commissioner Godfrey Explained the funding budget component.
1459 Representative Questioned the difficultly with the
Hudson recruitment.
1477 Commissioner Godfrey There exists a national trend at this
time and the Department has focused on
recruitment efforts with prime time
exposure. There have been positive
benefits. At this time, there are 1400
applications. The Division is trying to
target 1000 applicants in which 30 would
be drawn from.
1553 Co-Chair Mulder Asked if the allocation would fund
troopers.
1565 Commissioner Godfrey Explained that it does fund some.
1577 Major Crawford Agreed.
1595 Major Crawford Explained that the applicant is tracked
up until the time of job offer. They
attend the Academy with the understanding
that their wish will be within a couple
slots.
1644 Commissioner Godfrey There is a mechanism in place at this
time so that a trained person could
transfer from one open location and
department to another.
1670 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 124 - Scientific Crime Detection
Laboratory. Listed the average time from
receipt of a case to issuance of a
report; Average cost per case.
1713 Co-Chair Mulder Asked for an explanation of why more work
was being required.
1723 Commissioner Godfrey Replied that there is more computer work
and testing work required at this time.
1743 Co-Chair Mulder Questioned how long it would take to get
a positive DNA identification.
1753 Major Crawford Responded that the statistics include all
data and prints of the DNA.
1772 Co-Chair Mulder Flagged that statistic for further work
by the Subcommittee.
1778 Commissioner Godfrey Acknowledged that it was an alarming
statistic and offered to provide further
clarifying info from the crime lab.
1803 Commissioner Godfrey Added that the average cost per case is
divided by the fiscal year costs.
1836 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 125 - Public Safety Academy (PSA).
The mission of PSA is to train law
enforcement officers. He itemized the
measures of the cost per officer trained;
the measure of graduation rate and the
measure percentage of officers who remain
employed as law enforcement officers one
year after graduating.
1892 Commissioner Godfrey Spoke about the brown and blue shirt
recruits. Of the latest 36 recruits, 13
still remain with the Department.
1917 Major Crawford Explained that the Division lost two
recruits in the field training. He added
that they lose most candidates in the
first few weeks, however, the washout
rate comes during the field-training
program. The Department is always up
front about the pit falls and intensity
of the training.
2050 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 123 - Council on Domestic Violence &
Sexual Assault (CDVSA). The mission of
the Council is to reduce the causes and
incidences and to alleviate the effects
of domestic violence and sexual assault.
2115 TRISHA GENTLE, Explained the work of the Division.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Spoke to the percentage of continuing
COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC clients and the number of batterers and
VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL the victims. She addressed the
ASSAULT, DEPARTMENT percentage of the Council's budget spent
OF PUBLIC SAFETY on prevention.
2197 Representative Croft Pointed out that these measures are
difficult to track.
Department of Public Safety (continued)
TAPE HFC 01 - 10,
Side A
015 Ms. Gentle Spoke to the national data and the
recidivism rates. She also addressed
resources for the person coming out of
the abusive relationship. The national
average is about 15.
107 Co-Chair Mulder Asked about the raw numbers.
118 Ms. Gentle Stated that the numbers represent about
45% for FY01. She added that it was 40%
for FY00. She reiterated that the
majority of the overall budget was spent
on prevention.
195 Ms. Gentle Reiterated to Representative Hudson, that
the total budget was 40% for prevention.
325 Co-Chair Mulder Appreciated how the Council had focused
the budget.
355 Ms. Gentle Spoke to Measure #3 - The cost of shelter
per night. She explained how the number
was decided.
487 Representative Thought the more effective the agency
Foster becomes the more expensive they become.
581 Ms. Gentle Agreed that the numbers had been rising.
The cost represents many things.
608 Co-Chair Mulder Data can help to get a handle on the
costs. Fewer clientele could allow
resources to be reallocated to
prevention.
666 Representative Questioned if advertising helps their
Hudson business. Ms. Gentle stated that TV shows
and advertising will increase calls. Beds
are not always full.
730 Vice-Chair Bunde Cost of beds in the shelter may help.
744 Ms. Gentle Voiced concern that shelters have to be
staffed whether or not the beds are full.
The count given was by shelter night and
Every counted bed was occupied.
813 Ms. Gentle Discussed Measure 4 - how much money is
going to prevention and had there been a
reduction. She stated that there had not
been a reduction, however, emphasized
that the data represented only 6 months.
There is no statewide database for
reporting. The Department of Public
Safety places a tag on their cases, and
that has increased reporting efficiency.
912 Representative Croft Asked for a breakdown between domestic
violence and sexual assault for items 5
and 6.
949 Representative Noted that the Department of Public
Whitaker Safety data is used locally and
questioned if it relates to the entire
State. Ms. Gentle responded that the data
reflects the Department's data, which
excludes Anchorage and other
municipalities. The mandate is statewide
but the data is not.
1035 Co-Chair Mulder Reviewed Measure 6. He observed that two
thirds of the homicides are related to
domestic violence and sexual assault.
1081 Representative Thanked the Commissioner for his rural
Foster presence.
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
1119 KEVIN BROOKS, Discussed the Department's missions and
DIRECTOR, DIVISION measures. He noted that the Department
OF ADMINISTRATIVE accomplishes many things. Some are
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT indicators and some are performance
OF FISH AND GAME measures.
1263 Mr. Brooks The mission is tied to the Constitution.
Sustained yield is central.
1323 Mr. Brooks Clarified that all the divisions have met
their measures. The Division of
Administrative Services handles 75,000
invoices. 75 percent were processed
within 30 days. Use of credit cards has
affected this number by delaying charge.
1399 Mr. Brooks Discussed Measure 3. The Department
brought up an Internet application for
fish and game licenses in Oct. 1999. It
has been well received by vendors.
1443 Vice-Chair Bunde Questioned if large vendors are being
compensated beyond their costs. He asked
if expenses could be reduced through the
internet transactions.
1460 Mr. Brooks He responded that there has been a
savings and noted that internet sales
totaled $727,000 dollars.
1563 Mr. Brooks Discussed Measure 4. He noted that agenda
change requests for the Board of Game was
reduced to one.
1650 Co-Chair Mulder Advised that there have been political
considerations used in the proposal.
1673 Representative Croft Asked for an example of the measure.
1684 Co-Chair Mulder Replied that the silver salmon issue was
taken into consideration because of
biological concerns. That action makes
for a spawn-less situation.
1713 Mr. Brooks Advised that it had not been a frivolous
request.
1726 Mr. Brooks Noted Section 70 - the number of
escapement objectives met compared to the
total number of objectives set per
region. It was broken down by river
systems. Federal money has been
received.
1777 Mr. Brooks The number of allocation objectives met
compared to the total number of
objectives set per region. Fourteen of
the fifteen objectives have been met.
1815 Representative Asked the effect that the change of
Hudson subsistence management had on the
concern.
1848 Mr. Brooks Offered to meet with him on that. He
noted that he would take that up with the
Chair of the Subcommittee.
1865 Representative Croft Referenced Region 3 - Bristol Bay.
1878 Mr. Brooks Failures and returns. Issues with ocean
survival and the number of fish being
caught. The Board is working with these
concerns.
1927 Representative Questioned the "number unknown".
Davies
1942 Mr. Brooks Stated that sometimes it is impossible to
"get out" because of the weather. There
have been accidents involving employees,
and the weather tends to be worse in
Region 3.
1974 Mr. Brooks Section 71 - Commercial Fisheries Limited
Entry Commission. The Commissioner is on
track in FY01 to meet all of the
performance measures established for the
agency in SB 281.
2037 Representative Asked about the detail on the asterisk
Whitaker indications. He requested more
information.
2055 Mr. Brooks Replied that the majority of the cases
are handled within 3 or 4 days. This was
a first year measure.
2085 Mr. Brooks Section 72 - Habitat and Restoration. He
noted that 95% of the Title 16
applications were approved or modified to
protect, minimize, or mitigate damage
within an average of 20 days after the
receipt. 80% of the land use plans,
review result in consensus on habitat
related issues.
2174 Mr. Brooks 95% of the project reviews are for
industrial development, road
construction, and timber harvests are
completed within an average of 25 days or
within the scheduled time frame for
complex projects.
2210 Mr. Brooks 100% of the third party contracted
restoration projects are completed by the
end of the contract period.
Department of Fish and Game (continued)
TAPE HFC 01 - 10,
Side B
130 Mr. Brooks Responded to questions asked by
Representative Hudson regarding
expediting the process of application.
300 Mr. Brooks Addressed Section 73 - Division of
Subsistence. Listed the percentage of
Alaska communities in each region for
which fisheries harvest data are
collected and reported; the percentage of
Alaska communities in each region for
which wildlife harvest data are
collected; and the percentage of
subsistence proposals at meetings of the
Board of Fisheries and Board of Game for
which subsistence data are assessed and
recommendations are made.
407 Mr. Brooks Continued, itemizing the percentage of
proposed statutory and regulatory changes
by federal and other State entities for
which subsistence data are assessed and
recommendations are made.
700 Mr. Brooks Section 74 - Division of Sport Fish. For
river systems that support a harvest of
100 or more king salmon, the number and
percentage for which an escapement goal
is established, and would be considered.
782 Mr. Brooks Noted for the river systems that support
a harvest of 100 or more king salmon, the
number and percentage for which
enumeration occurs annually will be
considered;
887 Mr. Brooks For river systems that support a harvest
of 100 or more king salmon, the number
and percentage of escapement objectives
achieved annually will be considered.
927 Mr. Brooks Section 75 - The number of big game
surveys completed for population
identified by the Board of Game as
important for providing high levels of
human consumptive use; the number of
hunting and trapping licenses sold and
the total revenue generated. He added
that around 20% of Alaskans between 16 -
59 are buying licenses.
1069 Representative Asked if that number had declined.
Lancaster
1082 Mr. Brooks Replied that nationally the number is
decreasing, but Alaska has been holding
it's own.
1102 Co-Chair Mulder Asked about the sport fishing statistics
in the Western states.
1116 Mr. Brooks Understood that it was the same as
hunting. He offered to provide that
information. He imagined that the fishing
percentage would be higher.
1173 Mr. Brooks Noted the total amount of visitors
visiting the State's wildlife viewing
areas at Pack Creek, McNeil River,
Potter's Marsh, and Creamer's Field.
1356 Mr. Brooks Noted that these areas are now listed on
the internet. Eventually, permits will
be listed on that site.
1410 Co-Chair Mulder Asked about the management activity of
the McNeil River.
1428 Mr. Brooks Thought that it was in conjunction with
the federal government.
1457 Representative Asked how the visitors at Potter's Marsh
Lancaster were tracked.
1476 Mr. Brooks Did not know and offered to provide that
information to the Committee.
1510 Co-Chair Mulder
ADJOURNED the meeting at 4:35 P.M.
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