Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/04/2008 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB334 | |
| HB272 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 272 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 334 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 4, 2008
1:44 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Meyer called the House Finance Committee meeting to
order at 1:44:00 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Chenault, Co-Chair
Representative Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Vice-Chair
Representative Harry Crawford
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Mary Nelson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Les Gara
Representative Bill Thomas Jr.
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Anna Fairclough; Representative John Coghill;
Representative Lindsey Holmes; Representative Ralph Samuels;
Ben Mulligan, Staff, Representative Bill Stoltze; Renee
Limoge, Staff, Representative Anna Fairclough; Kathie
Wasserman, Alaska Municipal League, Juneau; Chris
Ashenbrenner, Executive Director, Council on Domestic
Violence & Sexual Assault
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
John Parker, Executive Director, Kenai Peninsula Borough
Economic Development District
SUMMARY
HB 272 An Act extending the termination date of the
Alaska regional economic assistance program; and
providing for an effective date.
HB 272 was HEARD & HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HB 334 An Act extending the termination date of the
Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault;
and providing for an effective date.
HB 334 was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by
the Department of Public Safety.
1:45:16 PM
HOUSE BILL NO. 334
An Act extending the termination date of the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; and providing for
an effective date.
REPRESENTATIVE ANNA FAIRCLOUGH, SPONSOR, testified HB 334 is
an authorization bill to extend the life of the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA). Last year,
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during the 25 Legislature, the House passed the 2014 date
for reauthorization but on concurrence, the Senate could not
reach consensus on that date. The Senate then put forward
the 2011 date with which the House concurred. She
emphasized the importance of the 2014 date. She assured
members that the Task Force findings would be to the
st
legislative body by March 1. She introduced Representative
Coghill and Representative Holmes, both of whom serve on the
Task Force Committee.
Representative Fairclough explained that current law, slated
th
to expire 2011, means the 26 Legislature would be
addressing the issues in the second year of that term. She
noted the importance for understanding the issues of
domestic violence, which the Task Force has been working
diligently. In order to be successful, it is imperative
that the Commission not be working on reauthorization during
that legislative session but rather on the goals of the
findings. The primary issue is recommendations for a
strategic plan and mandates for consideration of that plan.
REPRESENTATIVE LINDSEY HOLMES testified in support of the
legislation. She stated that the Task Force is in agreement
that there must be a strategic plan, which should take a
year to implement. She recommended the 2014 deadline, which
provides enough time to get the plan in place before
reauthorization.
1:48:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL addressed concerns of
reauthorization. He assured the Committee that problems
exist throughout Alaska. He advised that reauthorization of
the Council is imperative. There are places in Alaska that
are like a war-zone. He stated that the Council has been
busy applying for grants & providing accountability for
those on the front-line. The Council has had a difficult
time determining a long range plan because the Legislature
has put them on a short-funding string. He urged that the
legislation pass so that the necessary changes can be
outlined in a strategic plan.
1:50:31 PM
Representative Kelly questioned why the sponsors believe
that the plan could pass through both bodies this year.
Representative Fairclough explained that both bodies were
intentionally included during Task Force negotiations and
that all elected officials participating on the Commission
are in support of the 2014 date.
Representative Coghill added that there has been pressure on
CDVSA to keep focused on their priorities. He admitted that
the Council Network has not always worked well with the
legislature and that there have been disagreements regarding
service and allocation concerns. The Task Force has
attempted to address those issues.
Representative Coghill acknowledged that there is a lot of
work required to address existing issues statewide.
Tolerating violence and sexual assault is a serious crime.
He stressed that the importance of providing help to those
that are in greatest need.
Representative Kelly advised that work is expensive. He
looked forward to seeing the report outcome. Representative
Coghill advised that the report does address many issues and
that the Commission has encouraged greater accountability
from the Council.
1:55:48 PM
Representative Joule commented that there is no mystery of
who the victims are and who the perpetrators are. He
encouraged that the Legislature be active in helping. He
worried about the changing roles for Native Alaskan men. He
questioned if there were resources infused into the request
to attempt change of behavior. He realized that changing
behavior is not the problem of the Legislature.
1:59:42 PM
Representative Fairclough explained that the Task Force has
been diligent in listening to communities across the State.
They did address issues of men in rural and remote places &
needs of the women and children in those places. She
acknowledged that one size does not fit all in the response.
The State & agencies that have serviced the issue have done
an outstanding job providing crisis intervention. The place
where there is lack is in prevention and intervention to
those behaviors in young men and then the accountability for
perpetrators in the system.
Representative Fairclough anticipated that dollars put in
the front end will actually cause an initial increase to the
crimes. As the agencies do a better job in intervention &
prevention in communities, the response is expected to
increase. Increased numbers mean that fewer children will
be victimized at home.
Representative Fairclough noted that testimony heard in
Bethel and reinforced in other village communities, shows
that one size will not fit all. She projected that the
western model may not be the best solution for the rural
communities; there are not the same resources or support
that those living in urban areas have. She anticipated a
recommendation to fund a pilot program, which would differ
from the "western model" type and meant for reaching the
needs of rural Alaska. Representative Fairclough commented
that the Task Force is now reviewing the report and
determining the contents.
2:02:54 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze commented that the work done by the Task
Force is admirable and that they have addressed many issues.
He questioned if Juneau was the best location for the Task
Force and asked if the location had been an issue for the
group, when attempting to create a better model for serving
all of Alaska. Representative Fairclough responded that the
Senate had stripped that language from the bill. There were
six pivotal mandates, which did not include location of the
Council. Until a vote is taken on the entirety of the
package, everything is subject to argument, debate and
change.
Vice-Chair Stoltze believed that including the location
could prevent consensus building. Representative Fairclough
reiterated that language had been removed. Vice-Chair
Stoltze stated his concern regarding inclusion of a location
consideration and hoped the model could be fixed.
Representative Fairclough discussed the new director at
CDVSA, who has created a successful year with continuity and
quality of employees. She reiterated that the management
team is looking-up for the Council.
2:06:27 PM
Representative Kelly commented on asset value received from
the media. He stated that statistics indicate the safest
women & children are those of a married woman. He
encouraged the use of the media to help address the problems
of domestic violence early on. He believed that the need is
one of teaching and encouraging rather than policing. He
reiterated that the model that works best is a traditional
one.
Representative Nelson disagreed with the comments made by
Representative Kelly. She cited many cases where the
perpetrators of crime are married men. The pattern of
violence exists in many married men, pointing out that
cycles of violence occur for married men with rage issues.
Representative Kelly reiterated that the information was a
statistical fact, which emphasizes the model most successful
and safe for women and children is marriage.
Representative Fairclough stated that she was not familiar
with those statistics. She agreed that the media campaign
could provide a vehicle to help stop the encouragement of
violence both inside and outside the home. She pointed out
that domestic violence is most frequently reported inside
homes. She stated that the media campaign could include
churches and other areas within the communities.
2:11:31 PM
CHRIS ASHENBRENNER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT (CDVSA), noted appreciation for
the work undertaken by the Task Force. She testified in
support of HB 334. She stated that the Task Force was able
to focus the Council on work needed for developing a
strategic plan to make an effective change and then measure
that change. She urged extension of the reauthorization to
2014.
Co-Chair Chenault inquired the number of shelters statewide
and how the distribution of funds was determined. Ms.
Ashenbrenner responded that there are nineteen women
shelters, two of which are only operated programs. The
funding cycle is every two years through a Request for
Proposal (RFP) for services. The Council makes the
determination of funding decisions; there is no
standardization of that criterion. Core services are
expected of each shelter.
2:15:44 PM
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED.
2:15:52 PM
Co-Chair Meyer asked about the recommendations made by last
year's audit. Representative Fairclough stated that the
auditors recommended an extension to 2014.
Representative Fairclough addressed location and employment
issues. One recommendation considered by the Task Force is
creating non-exempt positions. All CDVSA staff currently is
in exempt positions, making it less attractive for hiring; a
point the Task Force is discussing. The Task Force is also
recommending awarded grant criteria address objectives and
outcome measures. Additionally, consideration has been made
to the length of service for the Council Board. Presently,
they sit on the Council board for one funding cycle. The
Task Force is recommending more formalized orientation
training so that the Board realizes they serve as a Council,
representing the entire State of Alaska, instead of
advocates for the network on domestic violence. That will
also be addressed in the final report.
Co-Chair Meyer pointed out the 2/01/08 date of the new
fiscal note. Representative Hawker inquired if there had
been changes to the long-term spending plan from last year.
Representative Fairclough replied that there are no changes.
Ms. Ashenbrenner added, the sunset note is representative of
their budget with a slight increase from last year.
Representative Hawker questioned if funding sources were
consistent with prior year budgets. Ms. Ashenbrenner
explained that Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
funding had been backed out in last year's budget and
replaced with general funds; in the proposed budget there is
a funding source change where the general funds are replaced
with the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) felon funds.
Representative Hawker clarified that the monies were federal
grant receipts and general fund dollars. Ms. Ashenbrenner
replied that CDVSA does receive a small amount of federal
funds through public health.
Representative Kelly asked the original amount of TANF
dollars received by CDVSA. Ms. Ashenbrenner responded that
most recently, $500 thousand dollars was backed out and
replaced last year by general fund dollars. This year, $1.3
million dollars has been replaced by the PFD felon funds.
Those allocations are made available through a formula by
the Department of Corrections, which places the felons PFD
checks into programs that protect public safety.
2:21:54 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to REPORT HB 334 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and with the accompanying
fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HB 334 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the Department
of Public Safety.
2:22:38 PM
HOUSE BILL NO. 272
An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska
regional economic assistance program; and providing for
an effective date.
REPRESENTATIVE BILL STOLTZE, SPONSOR, testified that HB 272
provided for a re-extension of the Alaska Regional
Development Organizations (ARDOR) statute. The Alaska
Regional Economic Assistance Program was created by the
Legislature in 1988 to promote the economic development of
Alaska's urban and rural areas. The program enables the
creation of the ARDOR's. Each ARDOR is guided and directed
by a Board of Directors composed of the economic development
interests in their region. To carry out the mission, the
State provides funding in the form of grants for the
program. In turn, the ARDOR's use that money to leverage,
on average, eight times the State's investment in private,
federal and other funds.
Currently, there are eleven ARDOR's across the State that:
· Enable local officials and businesses to pool their
limited resources and work together on economic
development;
· Develop partnerships among public, private and other
organizations; and
· Provide technical assistance via direct links with
local citizens.
Vice-Chair Stoltze stated that the programs are an important
part of the economic development in each region. The
program is funded primarily through the use of Alaska
Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)
receipts. He said that the extension request was not
controversial and urged support for the legislation.
2:25:48 PM
KATHIE WASSERMAN, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE (AML), JUNEAU,
spoke in full support for HB 272. She explained that AML
works closely with the ARDOR's. AML addresses legislative
issues, not those of economic development. However, it is
hoped that the issues that AML does address, can provide
communities the tools from which to upgrade their economic
development needs. She reiterated support for the bill.
Ms. Wasserman changed her hats, pointing out that as Chair
of the Denali Commission Economic Development group, she
works with the ARDOR's and noted that all projects look
better to the State if they are done on a regional bases.
2:28:02 PM
JOHN PARKER, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT, offered to answer questions of the Committee.
2:28:33 PM
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED.
2:28:59 PM
Co-Chair Meyer asked if State grants had been included for
the program. Vice-Chair Stoltze said they had, recalling
individual ARDOR projects.
Co-Chair Meyer asked if there had been any collaboration
between Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) and the
ARDOR program. Vice-Chair Stoltze discussed that many ARDOR
members, also work in the tourism industry. ATIA does
"cross pollinate" in small communities, which usually
includes the local chamber of commerce's.
2:32:11 PM
Co-Chair Meyer asked if the bill was intended to be held in
Committee for an amendment. Vice-Chair Stoltze replied it
would be fine to hold the bill, because it was anticipated
that an amendment would be forthcoming.
2:32:57 PM
HB 334 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2:33 P.M.
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