Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/14/2004 04:46 PM Senate 283
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
MINUTES
LIMITED CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SB 283
April 14, 2004
4:46 PM
TAPES
CC-04 SB 283 # 1, Side A
CALL TO ORDER
Senator B. Stevens convened the meeting at approximately 4:46 PM.
PRESENT
Senator Ben Stevens, Chair
Representative John Harris, Vice-Chair
Senator Lyda Green
Representative John Coghill
Senator Kim Elton
Representative Beth Kerttula
Also Attending: DEBORAH DAVIDSON, Staff to Senator Green
Attending via Teleconference: There were no teleconference
participants.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
SB 283-APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL/REAPPROP/CBR
The Limited Conference Committee established those sections of the
bill in which both the House of Representatives and the Senate
could reach agreement.
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 283(FIN)
"An Act making an appropriation to reverse the deposit of
money available for appropriation in the general fund at the
end of fiscal year 2003 into the constitutional budget reserve
fund; making an appropriation for investment management fees
for the constitutional budget reserve fund; making
appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the
State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund;
and providing for an effective date."
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 283(FIN) am H
"An Act making an appropriation to reverse the deposit of
money available for appropriation in the general fund at the
end of fiscal year 2003 into the constitutional budget reserve
fund; making an appropriation for investment management fees
for the constitutional budget reserve fund for fiscal year
2004; making an appropriation for investment management fees
for the constitutional budget reserve fund for fiscal year
2005; making appropriations to the Department of Education and
Early Development for K-12 educational programs; making
appropriations to the University of Alaska and the Alaska
Court System; making an appropriation to reverse the deposit
of money available for appropriation in the general fund at
the end of fiscal year 2004 into the constitutional budget
reserve fund; making an appropriation of the amount necessary
to balance revenue and general fund appropriations for fiscal
years 2004 and 2005; making appropriations for power cost
equalization and for grants to municipalities, unincorporated
communities, and designated recipients; making appropriations
under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of
Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and
providing for an effective date."
Senator B. Stevens noted the intent of this meeting to establish
those portions of the bill in which both the House of
Representatives and the Senate have reached agreement and those in
which the two bodies differ.
Representative Harris offered a motion to adopt the provisions
contained in the Senate version of the bill relating to the
Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) and the three-quarter vote
reverse sweep.
Senator B. Stevens clarified this motion would include approval of
an appropriation for the FY 04 management fee.
Representative Harris affirmed.
Senator B. Stevens noted the total of the appropriation is
$125,000.
It was clarified that the reverse sweep language is contained in
Section 3(b) and the language relating to the operation of the CBR
is contained in Section 3(c). Further clarification was made of the
language in the remainder of Section 3, which appears to be
identical to that adopted by the House of Representatives.
There was no objection to the motion and the language of Section 3
(b) and (c) of CS SB 283 (FIN) was ADOPTED.
Senator B. Stevens established that agreement has been reached on
this language.
Representative Harris offered a motion to accept the language
contained in Section 1 of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H, relating to the
education Foundation Funding Formula Program, boarding home grants,
youth and detention, special schools and pupil transportation;
totaling $721,874,900 general funds, $20,791,000 impact aid and
$11,947,300 public school funds.
Senator B. Stevens objected for discussion purposes. He asked if
this amount was proposed in the Governor's FY 05 operating budget
legislation.
Co-Chair Green affirmed.
Senator B. Stevens stipulated that this amount is the "base…non-
adjusted number" proposed by the Governor.
Senator B. Stevens removed his objection and the language was
ADOPTED.
Representative Harris offered a motion to accept the language in
Section 2 of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H relating to the University of
Alaska.
Senator B. Stevens objected for clarification to point out again
the amounts appropriated in this section are the same as that
proposed by the Governor and have not been adjusted.
Senator B. Stevens removed his objection and the language was
ADOPTED.
Representative Harris recommended delaying action on adoption of
contingency language.
Representative Harris offered a motion to adopt the language in
Section 3(d)(e) and (f) of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H, pertaining to
withdrawal from the CBR for FY 04 and FY 05 appropriations and the
sweep provisions for FY 04.
Senator B. Stevens objected, as he understood these provisions to
be included in the contingency language. He pointed out these
subsections are subject to adoption of subsection (a).
The language was NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Harris offered a motion to accept the language in
Section 3(g) of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H, relating to a $15,700,000
appropriation to the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program. He
detailed this appropriation would include $11,000,000 in earnings
of the Rural Electrical Capitalization fund and $4.4 million from
the general fund through the CBR.
Co-Chair Green objected, suggesting that the funds should be
acquired from an alternative source.
The language was NOT ADOPTED.
Senator Elton posed a procedural question asked if the intent is
that the Committee would entertain motions but that no roll call
votes would be taken on those motions in which an objection was
raised.
Representative Harris and Senator B. Stevens responded that if
objections were raised, action would be postponed and the Committee
would proceed to other items.
Representative Harris offered a motion to accept the language in
Section 4(a) of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H appropriating $84,500,000 to
the Department of Education and Early Development for the
Foundation Funding Formula program.
Senator B. Stevens objected for discussion, commenting this is
another issue requiring clarification of whether action is
permitted under the powers of limited conference granted to the
Committee. He pointed out the amount is $2.5 million higher than
the amount approved by the Senate.
The language was NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Harris offered a motion to accept the language in
Section 4(c) of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H, to appropriate $15,800,000
general funds from the CBR to the University of Alaska.
Representative Coghill asked if this appropriation includes funds
for the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) increased expenses.
Representative Harris replied this appropriation contains the $10.5
million proposed in the FY 05 capital budget plus funding for the
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and TRS expenses.
Senator B. Stevens pointed out this language is the same as the
language approved by the Senate.
There being no objection the language was ADOPTED.
Representative Harris offered a motion to accept the language in
Section 4(d) of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H for the Alaska Court System
and the PERS expenses for that branch of government.
Co-Chair Green objected, informing that this appropriation has been
included in the Senate version of the FY 05 operating budget
legislation.
Representative Harris commented that provided that funding is
included in another appropriation, he would not oppose removal of
the item from this bill.
Co-Chair Green assured that the Senate would approve appropriation
of these funds in the FY 05 operating budget.
The language was NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Harris offered a motion to accept the language in
Section 4(e) of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H to appropriate funds to the
City of Shishmaref for erosion control efforts.
Senator Green objected, relaying that Senator Olson has approached
her with a proposal for reappropriation of school construction
funds to match funds from the federal Corps of Engineers. She
informed that the school districts and legislators representing the
affected area have agreed to this proposal.
Representative Harris expressed he must first discuss the matter
with Representative Joule before agreeing to removal of funding
from this legislation.
The language was NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Harris moved to accept the language in Section 4(f)
through (ee) of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H, noting that the House of
Representatives and the Senate are in disagreement over these
provisions.
Senator B. Stevens objected to the motion. He asserted this
language reflects the core difference between the versions approved
by each body. He reminded of the Senate position that capital
improvement expenditures should be dedicated to projects included
in the Department of Education and Early Development deferred
maintenance list.
Representative Harris asked if the Senate was prepared to present a
list of proposals.
Senator B. Stevens responded such proposals would be offered,
noting that the list has been published, and would be addressed in
the priority order listed.
Senator Elton clarified that Senator B. Stevens' comments reflect
the position of the Senate Majority and not the entire Senate body.
The language was NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Harris offered a motion to accept the language in
Section 4(ff) of CS SB 283 (FIN) am H. He listed the amount of this
appropriation at $11,369,441.16 from the PCE endowment fund and $4
million from the CBR fund.
Senator Green objected opining that this item should be included in
operating budget legislation.
Representative Harris asked if this item is included in the Senate
working document of the FY 05 operating budget legislation.
Senator Green affirmed and specified that approximately $4.4
million of the appropriation would be general funds.
DEBORAH DAVIDSON, Staff to Senator Green, [speaking out of range of
the recording equipment] outlined the appropriation included in the
Senate Finance Committee version of HB 375.
Senator B. Stevens established that disagreement on this item
remains.
The language was NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Harris clarified that the Senate approved $82
million for public education.
Senator B. Stevens affirmed this is the position of the Senate
Majority.
Representative Harris asked if Senator B. Stevens has any
inclination that this amount could be amended.
Senator B. Stevens emphasized the position is firm.
Representative Kerttula recommended that presiding officers
establish the powers of the conference committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Senator B. Stevens recessed the meeting at 05:12 PM
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