Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532

02/06/2023 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE

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Audio Topic
09:02:46 AM Start
09:04:06 AM SB54
10:25:02 AM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ SB 54 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; REAPPROP; AMENDING TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
                 SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE                                                                                       
                     February 6, 2023                                                                                           
                         9:02 a.m.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:02:46 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CALL TO ORDER                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee                                                                            
meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair                                                                                                 
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair                                                                                                   
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair                                                                                                  
Senator Click Bishop                                                                                                            
Senator Jesse Kiehl                                                                                                             
Senator Kelly Merrick                                                                                                           
Senator David Wilson                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
None                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ALSO PRESENT                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Neil Steininger, Director, Office of Management and Budget,                                                                     
Office of the Governor.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Teri   West,   Director,   Admin  Services   Department   of                                                                    
Corrections,  Juneau; Bob  Ernisse, Administrative  Services                                                                    
Director,  Department  of  Military  and  Veterans  Affairs,                                                                    
Anchorage;   Alesia   Kruckenberg,  Director   of   Strategy                                                                    
Planning and Budget, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SUMMARY                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SB 54     APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; REAPPROP; AMENDING                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
          SB 54 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further                                                                     
          consideration.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 54                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     "An    Act    making    supplemental    appropriations,                                                                    
     reappropriations,  and  other appropriations;  amending                                                                    
     appropriations; capitalizing  funds; and  providing for                                                                    
     an effective date."                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:04:06 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
NEIL STEININGER, DIRECTOR, OFFICE  OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET,                                                                    
OFFICE OF  THE GOVERNOR, discussed the  presentation, "State                                                                    
of  Alaska; Office  of Management  and Budget;  Supplemental                                                                    
Budget  SB54; Senate  Finance Committee;  February 6,  2023"                                                                    
(copy on file).  He looked at slide  2, "FY2023 Supplemental                                                                    
Budget Overview":                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     • K-12 forward funding after supplementals given fall                                                                      
     forecast is $29.2 million                                                                                                  
     • Average price of oil of $82.39 needed February                                                                           
     through June to balance FY2023                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
9:06:29 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman  queried  the   aggregate  budget  of  the                                                                    
presentation.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger replied  that the  annual operating  capital                                                                    
budget combined  was approximately  $4.8 billion.  He stated                                                                    
that the year prior had  a larger capital budget that pushed                                                                    
the  total  near  $5.5  billion. He  stated  that  the  $100                                                                    
million was a fairly small portion of the budget.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman  queried  the  aggregate  of  the  federal                                                                    
funds.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger  replied that,  with federal  funds included,                                                                    
the  states  annual  budget was  around $12  billion to  $15                                                                    
billion depending on the year.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger  highlighted   slide  3,  "Fire  Suppression                                                                    
Activity UGF FY2016-FY2023." He  noted that the bright green                                                                    
bars  represented  the  base   budget  appropriated  at  the                                                                    
beginning  of  the fiscal  year  for  fire suppression.  The                                                                    
yellow  bar  represented what  was  actually  spent in  that                                                                    
year. He  stated that the  blue bar showed  the supplemental                                                                    
request and appropriation. He noted  that actual spending on                                                                    
fire was a varied variable, and was fairly unpredictable.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:10:55 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Wilson   noted  that  the  Department   of  Natural                                                                    
Resources  (DNR) fire  suppression activities  had a  lapse,                                                                    
and  queried  the  differences as  related  to  the  actuals                                                                    
versus the baseline.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger  replied that there  were various  aspects of                                                                    
fire  suppression within  the budget.  He  remarked that  he                                                                    
would have  to look at  the reports to determine  the origin                                                                    
of the lapse.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  remarked that  there was a  continual need                                                                    
for supplemental  requests related  to fire  suppression, so                                                                    
he hoped to avoid that in the future.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger  stated that in  FY 20 there was  an increase                                                                    
to the  base budget  to be approximately  equal to  the cost                                                                    
spent  in   FY  18.  He   remarked  that  the   base  budget                                                                    
effectively  equaled   a  minimum   cost  over   a  ten-year                                                                    
lookback. He remarked  that there was no proposal  in the FY                                                                    
24 budget to increase the  baseline, but there was work with                                                                    
DNR to determine a more  stable way to fund fire suppression                                                                    
without the dramatic supplemental requests.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman   stressed  that  the   high  supplemental                                                                    
numbers understate the budget in the year.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Bishop wondered how much  of the FY 23 was remaining                                                                    
for fire suppression.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger replied  that he did not  know, but explained                                                                    
that  there  was  work  with DNR  to  determine  a  billable                                                                    
estimate to the federal government.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
9:15:10 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr.   Steininger   displayed   slide   4,   "Department   of                                                                    
Corrections Supplement  History." He  stated that  the green                                                                    
bar   represented  a   baseline   for   the  Department   of                                                                    
Corrections  (DOC), and  the blue  represented supplementals                                                                    
in  each of  those years.  He remarked  that some  years had                                                                    
supplementals in  DOC based on  overruns in  inmate medical.                                                                    
He noted  that there was  work with the department  to drive                                                                    
down the costs to ensure that there was an adequate budget.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Olson   wondered  why  there  was   such  a  large                                                                    
difference between the two years.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger replied that part  of the unpredictability in                                                                    
DOC was due to the trial backlog from the pandemic.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Olson felt that DOC  was much more predictable than                                                                    
fire suppression.  He wondered  why there  was not  a larger                                                                    
baseline.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger   understood, and stated that  that there was                                                                    
less  certainty in  the DOC  operations as  a result  of the                                                                    
supplemental requests. He stated  that there was work toward                                                                    
resolution with the new DOC commissioner.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:20:09 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman asked  about the  vacancies, and  wondered                                                                    
what  happened  to those  funds  with  the addition  of  the                                                                    
supplemental requests.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger replied that  the vacant correctional officer                                                                    
positions  resulted in  other correctional  officers working                                                                    
considerable overtime, which used  the savings that resulted                                                                    
from vacant positions.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman asked  for further  explanation about  the                                                                    
overtime and  vacancy factor.  He also  asked why  there was                                                                    
not an increase to the baseline.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:21:20 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TERI   WEST,   DIRECTOR,   ADMIN  SERVICES   DEPARTMENT   OF                                                                    
CORRECTIONS,  JUNEAU  (via teleconference),  explained  that                                                                    
there were contracted positions which used the savings.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman  queried the percentage of  the $21 million                                                                    
was earmarked for overtime.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Ms. West replied that it was approximately one-third.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman wondered  whether the department contracted                                                                    
for beds outside of Alaska.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  West  replied that  there  were  no current  contracted                                                                    
beds.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Hoffman recalled  that,  in the  past, there  were                                                                    
contracted  beds for  a considerably  lower rate.  He stated                                                                    
that  the  vast  majority  of inmates  in  the  correctional                                                                    
facility were pre-trial. He wondered  whether DOC could have                                                                    
a system to  use contracted beds during a  high capacity. He                                                                    
noted  that  the  Bethel  facility  was  about  200  percent                                                                    
capacity.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman requested  the data  on the  question, and                                                                    
stated that the subcommittee would examine issue.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
9:25:13 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilson remarked that there  was always a lapse since                                                                    
FY  19  in  medical  costs.  He wondered  why  there  was  a                                                                    
decrement budget in the current cycle.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger deferred to Ms. West.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Ms.   West  replied   that  there   were  other   contracted                                                                    
positions,  and some  unexpected situations  to fulfill  the                                                                    
tasks. She stressed  that those issues were a  large cost to                                                                    
DOC.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman requested that information in writing.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger looked  at slide  5,  "Department of  Public                                                                    
Safety Supplemental":                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     • FY2022 Ratification of Shortfall                                                                                         
          •Overall shortfall requiring ratification $3.3                                                                        
          million (pg. 160)                                                                                                     
          •Does not include unpaid central services costs                                                                       
          totaling $3 million                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Total FY2023 Supplemental $8,020.8 UGF and $904.2                                                                          
     General Fund Program Receipts                                                                                              
          •4 components of AST Detachments UGF supplemental                                                                     
          need (pg. 43):                                                                                                        
               •$678.1 for underfunded Soldotna dispatch                                                                        
               services contract                                                                                                
               •$575.8 of FY2022 expenditures shifted to                                                                        
               FY2023                                                                                                           
               •$2,672.3    for   state    equipment   fleet                                                                    
               increases                                                                                                        
               •$4.1 million for other cost pressures most                                                                      
               notably travel and equipment                                                                                     
          •Criminal   Justice  Information   Systems  $904.2                                                                    
          Program  Receipt  Authority  for  One-Time  Public                                                                    
          Safety Information System Updates (pg. 43)                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:30:09 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Bishop wondered whether the administration had                                                                          
worked to change the work week to 40 hours, and how that                                                                        
would affect the overtime rates.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger replied that the analysis had not been done                                                                      
in OMB, but replied that the Division of Personnel may have                                                                     
examined that issue.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman asked that further information be provided                                                                     
to the committee.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger addressed slide 6, "Supplemental Operating                                                                       
Budget Items":                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Administration                                                                                                             
          Office of Administrative  Hearings Program Receipt                                                                    
          Authority   for  Municipal   Case  Referrals   and                                                                    
          Hearing  Activity:  $80.0   General  Fund  Program                                                                    
          Receipts  (GFPR)   /  $(80.0)   Interagency  (I/A)                                                                    
          Receipts (pg. 1)                                                                                                      
          FY2022 Lapsed  Lease Payment: $443.9 UGF  / $367.3                                                                    
          DGF / $939.6 Other / $1,750.8 Total (pg. 2)                                                                           
          Division of  Finance -Relocate Local  Area Network                                                                    
          Room in the Goldbelt Building: $100.0 UGF (pg. 4)                                                                     
          Risk  Management  SB131 Workers'  Comp  Disability                                                                    
          for Firefighters  Fiscal Note:  $224.5 I/AReceipts                                                                    
          (pg. 12)                                                                                                              
          Office    of    Public   AdvocacyHB325    Domestic                                                                    
          Violence/SexualOffenses/Consent:    $2,285.2   UGF                                                                    
          (pg. 13)                                                                                                              
          Public    Defender     Agency    HB325    Domestic                                                                    
          Violence/SexualOffenses/Consent:  $833.8 UGF  (pg.                                                                    
          14)                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Commerce, Community, and Economic Development                                                                              
          Alaska  Energy  Authority  (AEA)  -FY23  Exempt  5                                                                    
          percent COLA Increase HB226: $295.9 UGF (pg. 15)                                                                      
          AEA  -Executive Health  Insurance,  SBS, and  Risk                                                                    
          Management Rate Changes: $67.2 UGF (pg. 15)                                                                           
          Extend  State  Match  for the  Alaska  Reinsurance                                                                    
          Program (FY2023-FY2028): Language (pg. 145)                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
9:34:41 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilson noted that the  Office of Public Advocacy and                                                                    
the Public Defenders Agency had  some shortages. He wondered                                                                    
whether the increase would fill  that need, or whether there                                                                    
would be  additional funds to  assist the agencies  with the                                                                    
backlogs.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger replied  that the request would  make the two                                                                    
agencies whole for the cost of HB 325.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Wilson wondered  whether  the administration  would                                                                    
communicate whether it was a mandatory or budgetary need.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger replied  that the  goal for  budgetary needs                                                                    
would be to address it in the amended budget.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair   Olson  wondered   whether   they  were   one-time                                                                    
increments.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger replied that they were ongoing costs.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Olson  felt that the  previous years   fiscal notes                                                                    
would  cover   the  costs,   so  asked   why  there   was  a                                                                    
supplemental request.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger replied  that another  bill in  the previous                                                                    
session was  merged with HB  325 at  the end of  session. He                                                                    
stressed  that   OMB  was  attempting  to   adapt  to  those                                                                    
legislative changes.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman felt  that there  could  have been  better                                                                    
planning in  the legislature  as a  result of  merging those                                                                    
bills. He asked about the timing of the lapse.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger replied  that the  lapsed lease  payments of                                                                    
$443,000 in GF  were from the lack of  entering the payments                                                                    
into the accounting system in FY 22.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:40:34 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair   Stedman   remarked   that  there   could   be   a                                                                    
conversation about whether  the funds would be  put into the                                                                    
SBR versus the CBR.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger  pointed to slide 7,  "Supplemental Operating                                                                    
Budget Items con't":                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Education                                                                                                                  
          Federal  National Endowment  for  the Arts  Awards                                                                    
          Extension: $125.0 Federal (pg. 25)                                                                                    
          Costs  for   Administrative  Hearings   and  Legal                                                                    
          Services: $105.0 UGF (pg. 26)                                                                                         
          Washington,   Wyoming,   Alaska,  Montana,   Idaho                                                                    
          (WWAMI) Contractual Increase: $44.9 UGF (pg. 27)                                                                      
          Correction  to  Federal  Relief  Individuals  with                                                                    
          Disabilities Education Act: Language (pg. 146)                                                                        
          Correction   to   Multi-year   Federal   Authority                                                                    
          Appropriations: Language (pg. 146)                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Environmental Conservation                                                                                                 
          Permitting  and  Testing  in  Drinking  Water  and                                                                    
          Environmental Health Lab: $175.0 GFPR (pg. 28)                                                                        
          Clean   Air    Protection   Fund   Capitalization:                                                                    
          Language $2,800.0 UGF (pg. 156)                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Family and Community Services                                                                                              
          Pioneer  Homes  Increase  Authority  Due  to  Rate                                                                    
          Change: $700.0 GFPR (pg. 29)                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Wilson  recalled that  $1.6  million  was given  to                                                                    
expand  the  ten  seats and  contractual  increases  in  the                                                                    
Washington,  Wyoming,  Alaska,  Montana, and  Idaho  (WWAMI)                                                                    
program. He wondered whether all  ten seats were filled, and                                                                    
whether there was an underestimated contractual costs.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger replied  that the ten seats  were not filled.                                                                    
He  furthered  that  the   appropriation  was  a  multi-year                                                                    
appropriation.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:45:34 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Wilson  looked  at  the  $200,000  for  contractual                                                                    
increases, and  wondered whether  that money was  for future                                                                    
contracts.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger  stated that  there was a  portion for  FY 23                                                                    
contractual increases,  but that amount was  initially based                                                                    
on  a  presumption of  3  percent  inflation, but  the  real                                                                    
number was 6.9 percent.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger discussed  slide 8,  "Supplemental Operating                                                                    
Budget Items con't":                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Fish and Game                                                                                                              
          Increased  Costs   of  Utilities   -Anchorage  and                                                                    
         Fairbanks Hatcheries: $300.0 UGF (pg. 30)                                                                              
          Increased   Operational  Expenditures   -Southeast                                                                    
          Region Fisheries Management: $142.0 UGF (pg. 31)                                                                      
          Alleviate Shortfall  in Southeast  Region Deferred                                                                    
          Maintenance  Funding  -Southeast Region  Fisheries                                                                    
          Management : $130.0 UGF (pg. 31)                                                                                      
          Increased   Operational    Expenditures   -Central                                                                    
         Fisheries Management: $75.0 UGF (pg. 32)                                                                               
          Increased  Operational  Expenditures  -AYK  Region                                                                    
         Fisheries Management: $164.0 UGF (pg. 33)                                                                              
          Increased   Operational   Expenditures   -Westward                                                                    
          Region Fisheries Management: $137.0 UGF (pg. 34)                                                                      
          Increased   Operational  Expenditures   -Statewide                                                                    
         Fisheries Management: $75.0 UGF (pg. 35)                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Labor and Workforce Development                                                                                            
          AVTEC  Support  for Existing  Vocational  Training                                                                    
          Opportunities:  $570.0 UGF  /  $(570.0) GFPR  (pg.                                                                    
          36)                                                                                                                   
          Move  Training  Funding  to  Workforce  Investment                                                                    
          Board: Language (pg. 153 154)                                                                                         
          Capitalize    Workers'    Compensation    Benefits                                                                    
          Guaranty Fund  to Pay Claims: Language  $221.4 UGF                                                                    
          (pg. 157)                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Bishop looked  at the  $570,000 of  UGF to  replace                                                                    
program receipts,  and stated that  it was ongoing.  He felt                                                                    
that an increase  in tuition fees should be  examined by the                                                                    
department.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Hoffman looked  at DFG,  and  queried the  highest                                                                    
expenditures within the $500,000 request.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger  replied that the  largest cost was  the cost                                                                    
of fuel.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:50:14 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  stated that  the legislature  had included                                                                    
the fuel trigger, so he  asked for more reasoning behind the                                                                    
request.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger stated that there  was not specificity within                                                                    
the operating budget.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman asked  that OMB work with  the committee on                                                                    
the next  fuel trigger  to make  it more  precise to  fit in                                                                    
with the  stated goal  to have  the fuel  trigger compensate                                                                    
for fuel and not pork up the budget unnecessarily.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair   Hoffman   asked   whether  Mr.   Steininger   had                                                                    
recommended vetoing the fuel trigger.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger  replied that  he  could  not speak  to  the                                                                    
deliberative process within the decisions made to veto.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman asked whether  Mr. Steininger had suggested                                                                    
the veto.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger replied  that  he could  not  speak to  what                                                                    
happened behind closed doors with the governor.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman requested information  on the hatcheries in                                                                    
Anchorage and Fairbanks and the fuel consumption.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger addressed  slide 9,  "Supplemental Operating                                                                    
Budget Items con't":                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Military and Veterans' Affairs                                                                                             
          Add Data  Processing Manager  3 (Range  24): $66.7                                                                    
          UGF /  $84.3 Interagency  Receipts /  $6.0 Capital                                                                    
          Improvement Project (CIP)  Receipts / $157.0 Total                                                                    
          (pg. 37)                                                                                                              
          Army  Guard  Operating  Costs Shortfall  on  Joint                                                                    
          Base Elmendorf  Richardson: $1,000.0  Federal (pg.                                                                    
          38)                                                                                                                   
          Alaska Military Youth  Academy Federally Allowable                                                                    
         Benefit Costs: $1,900.0 Federal (pg. 39)                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Natural Resources                                                                                                          
          Process  Applications  for   Permits  to  Mine  in                                                                    
          Alaska and  Hard Rock Exploration  Support: $199.7                                                                    
          GFPR (pg. 40)                                                                                                         
          Fire Activity Incident  General Fund Authorization                                                                    
          for Anticipated Costs: $50,000.0 UGF (pg. 41)                                                                         
          Sustaining  Access  to   Alaska  State  Parks  and                                                                    
          Recreational Facilities: $96.6 UGF (pg. 42)                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
9:55:53 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kiehl asked about the  result of possibly adding the                                                                    
middle  managers  in  the defense  force,  and  whether  the                                                                    
federal government would pay for the cost.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger replied  that the  state  defense force  was                                                                    
entirely state funded, but deferred  to Mr. Ernisse for more                                                                    
information.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
9:56:55 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BOB  ERNISSE, ADMINISTRATIVE  SERVICES DIRECTOR,  DEPARTMENT                                                                    
OF   MILITARY   AND   VETERANS   AFFAIRS,   ANCHORAGE   (via                                                                    
teleconference),  agreed  with  Mr. Steininger,  and  stated                                                                    
that  the  state defense  force  occupied  a number  of  the                                                                    
current armories.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kiehl noted the reopening  of facilities, but stated                                                                    
that he read it was due to public outcry.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr.   Steininger  stated   that  the   list  was   from  the                                                                    
department.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman asked for a list of the rankings.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Wilson felt  that there  were unsafe  situations in                                                                    
managing some of the parks.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Bishop  noted  that the  subcommittee  process  had                                                                    
resulted  in   multi-year  funds,   with  a  focus   on  the                                                                    
permitting issue because of the essential impact of mining.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
10:00:43 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Wilson  wondered  whether there  could  be  receipt                                                                    
authority for  DNR to receive  money from the  community for                                                                    
upgrades or keeping the recreational sites open.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman stated that  the subcommittee could examine                                                                    
that issue.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger  addressed slide 10,  "Supplemental Operating                                                                    
Budget Items con't":                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Revenue                                                                                                                    
          Tax Division -Juneau Cash Room: $148.9 UGF (pg.                                                                       
          46)                                                                                                                   
          Tax Revenue Management  System (TRMS) Cloud Server                                                                    
          Hosting: $186.8 UGF (pg. 46)                                                                                          
          Alaska Housing Finance  Corporation (AHFC) Federal                                                                    
          Stimulus  for  Housing: $127,000.0  COVID  Federal                                                                    
          (pg. 47)                                                                                                              
          HB  226   5  percent  Cost  of   Living  Allowance                                                                    
          Adjustment  -AHFC  Operations:  $796.1  Federal  /                                                                    
          $117.3  CIP /  $1,240.3 AHFC  Receipts /  $2,153.7                                                                    
          Total (pg. 47)                                                                                                        
          HB  226   5  percent  Cost  of   Living  Allowance                                                                    
          Adjustment  -Alaska   Corporation  for  Affordable                                                                    
          Housing (AHFC subsidiary): $12.9 Federal (pg. 48)                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Transportation and Public Facilities                                                                                       
          Advanced Air Mobility  (AAM) Infrastructure Study:                                                                    
          $10.0  Int. Airport  Fund  /  $90.0 Rural  Airport                                                                    
          Fund (pg. 49)                                                                                                         
          Technical  items -11  fund  changes   net to  zero                                                                    
          (first item is pg. 50)                                                                                                
          State  Equipment  Fleet Additional  Authority  for                                                                    
          Fuel   Increases:    $2,000.0   Highways/Equipment                                                                    
          Working Capital Fund (pg. 54)                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman wondered  why  the  Alaska Marine  Highway                                                                    
System (AMHS) did not need more fuel.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger  replied  that AMHS  had  sufficient  budget                                                                    
authority  to  pay  for  fuel.   There  was  work  with  the                                                                    
department to determine budget adjustments  based on the new                                                                    
federal funds.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
10:05:08 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kiehl  wondered whether there was  an operating cost                                                                    
to take in the marijuana tax payments.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger replied that there  was not a request for new                                                                    
staff in the  budget, and no specific operating  task in the                                                                    
budget.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Kiehl  wondered  whether there  was  discussion  of                                                                    
municipalities partnering with the state on tax collection.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger  replied that the  department had  explored a                                                                    
number  of different  partners. He  stated that  many issues                                                                    
were the  federal issues related  to marijuana money,  so it                                                                    
was not ideal to partner with any of those options.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilson  wondered whether  Anchorage and  Juneau were                                                                    
the only cash rooms.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger agreed to provide that information.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Wilson asked  about how  much cash  would be  moved                                                                    
from  Juneau to  Anchorage, and  whether Fairbanks  might be                                                                    
better to provide that cash.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger  replied that  Fairbanks had  been discussed,                                                                    
but ultimately it was decided that was not the best option.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilson asked  about the general cash  flow number of                                                                    
marijuana sales.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger agreed to provide that information.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Olson  asked  about  advanced  air  mobility   and                                                                    
wondered how it advanced transportation in rural Alaska.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger deferred to  the Department of Transportation                                                                    
and Public Facilities (DOT/PF).                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:10:14 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr.   Steininger   highlighted   slide   11,   "Supplemental                                                                    
Operating Budget Items con't":                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Transportation and Public Facilities, con't                                                                                
          Central   Region    Newtok/   Mertarvik   Airports                                                                    
          Contract : $290.0 UGF (pg. 55)                                                                                        
          Central  Region  City  of Homer  Natural  Gas  and                                                                    
          Water Sewer Assessments: $180.0 UGF (pg. 55)                                                                          
          Northern   Region   Winter   Maintenance   Service                                                                    
         Contracts -Fairbanks: $200.0 UGF (pg. 57)                                                                              
          Southcoast    Region   Rural    Airport   Contract                                                                    
          Increases: $49.0 UGF (pg. 58)                                                                                         
          Maintenance  Agreement   Cost  Increase   at  King                                                                    
          Salmon Airport: $774.5 Federal (pg. 58)                                                                               
          Anchorage   International  Airport   Miscellaneous                                                                    
          Cost  Increases   such  as   Materials,  Shipping,                                                                    
          Contracts,    and    Utility    Costs:    $8,523.6                                                                    
          International Airport Funds (pg. 60 66)                                                                               
          Fairbanks   International  Airport   Miscellaneous                                                                    
          Cost Increases such  as Increased Heating, Diesel,                                                                    
          and     Unleaded    Fuel     Expenses:    $1,778.2                                                                    
          International Airport Funds (pg. 67 69)                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     University of Alaska                                                                                                       
          University of Alaska Compensation Increases                                                                           
          Staff and Faculty: $6,460.9 UGF (pg. 70 87)                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman asked whether the ice road between Bethe.                                                                      
and Aniak was in need of additional funds.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger agreed to provide that information.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger pointed to slide 12, "Supplemental Operating                                                                     
Budget Items con't":                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Legislature                                                                                                                
          FY2023  Health Insurance  Rate Change:  $787.7 UGF                                                                    
          (first item is pg. 88)                                                                                                
          Increase  program  receipts  to  reflect  Assembly                                                                    
          Building revenue for FY2023: $67.8 GFPR (pg. 91)                                                                      
          Attorney Salary Increase  of 15 percent Consistent                                                                    
          with Sec3  CH 50  SLA2022 (HB226): $75.0  UGF (pg.                                                                    
          95)                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger discussed slide 13, "Supplemental Capital                                                                        
Budget Items Administration":                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
          Expand Federal  Surplus Property  Program Capacity                                                                    
          by Adding Office Space and  a Storage Mezzanine to                                                                    
          the  Federal  Warehouse: $150.0  Surplus  Property                                                                    
          (pg. 102)                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Commerce                                                                                                                   
          Alaska   Energy   Authority   -Defense   Community                                                                    
          Infrastructure  Pilot  Program: $12,752.5  Federal                                                                    
          (pg. 104)                                                                                                             
          Alaska  Energy  Authority  -State  Energy  Program                                                                    
         IIJA Formula: $2,865.9 Federal (pg. 106)                                                                               
          Grants System Replacement: $800.0 UGF (pg. 109)                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Family and Community Services                                                                                              
          Reappropriate   Alaska   Pioneer   Homes   Payment                                                                    
          Assistance  to Pioneer  Home deferred  maintenance                                                                    
          (pg. 149)                                                                                                             
          Reappropriate   Nome   Youth   Facility   Deferred                                                                    
          Maintenance to use  on juvenile justice facilities                                                                    
          (pg. 150)                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman handed the gavel to Co-Chair Hoffman.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
10:15:27 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger addressed slide 14, "Supplemental Capital                                                                        
Budget Items con't":                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Fish and Game Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS) Trustee                                                                        
     Council                                                                                                                    
          EVOS  Chugach Regional  Ocean Monitoring  Program:                                                                    
          EVOS $5,766.3 (pg. 110)                                                                                               
          EVOS PWS Kelp  Mariculture Development for Habitat                                                                    
          Restoration and Local  Economy: $2,761.5 EVOS (pg.                                                                    
          112)                                                                                                                  
          EVOS Social,  cultural and economic  assessment of                                                                    
          kelp   mariculture   opportunities   for   coastal                                                                    
          villages  within  the  EVOS spill  zone:  $3,667.8                                                                    
          EVOS (pg. 114)                                                                                                        
          EVOS Community Organized  Restoration and Learning                                                                    
         [CORaL] Network: $12,499.9 EVOS (pg. 116)                                                                              
          EVOS  PWSNatural  History Symposium:  $211.2  EVOS                                                                    
          (pg. 118)                                                                                                             
          EVOS Culture Camp Funding  for the Chugach Region:                                                                    
          $2,343.0 EVOS (pg. 120)                                                                                               
          EVOS  General Restoration  and Habitat  Protection                                                                    
          Project: $7,146.3 EVOS (pg. 122)                                                                                      
          EVOS  Kenai Peninsula  Stream  Watch: $495.8  EVOS                                                                    
          (pg. 124)                                                                                                             
          EVOS Status  and Trends of EVOS  Injured Seabirds:                                                                    
          $712.7 EVOS (pg. 126)                                                                                                 
          Natural Resources                                                                                                     
          Federal  Emergency   Management  Agency  Community                                                                    
          Lidar Collection: $5,000.0 Federal (pg. 128)                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Steininger discussed slide 15, "Supplemental Capital                                                                        
Budget Items con't":                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Transportation and Public Facilities                                                                                       
          Chalkyitsik   Airport   Reconstruction:   $6,109.4                                                                    
          Federal (pg. 133)                                                                                                     
          Chignik  Airport Snow  Removal Equipment  Building                                                                    
          Rehabilitation: $1,081.8 Federal (pg. 134)                                                                            
          Federal-Aid   Aviation   State   Match:   $1,738.8                                                                    
          General Fund Match (pg. 135)                                                                                          
          Little   Diomede    Helipad   Rehabilitation   and                                                                    
          Lighting Replacement: $2,906.3 Federal (pg. 137)                                                                      
          Marshall Airport Rehabilitation: $3,737.9 Federal                                                                     
          (pg. 138)                                                                                                             
          Wrangell Gate Replacement and Security Upgrades:                                                                      
          $1,649.9 Federal (pg. 139)                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     University of Alaska                                                                                                       
          UAA Health Workforce Expansion and Diversity                                                                          
          Funding -Phase 1: $4,000.0 Federal (pg. 140)                                                                          
          University    Receipt   Authority    for   Capital                                                                    
          Projects: $30,000.0 University Receipts (pg. 142)                                                                     
          Federal  Receipt Authority  for Capital  Projects:                                                                    
          $30,000.0 Federal (pg. 143)                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Olson  looked  at   the  $30  million  in  capital                                                                    
projects and  wondered whether the students  would be paying                                                                    
for those costs through tuition.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger  replied that  the  receipts  could be  paid                                                                    
through tuition,  donations, or other receipts.  He deferred                                                                    
to Ms. Kruckenberg.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:17:42 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
ALESIA  KRUCKENBERG,  DIRECTOR   OF  STRATEGY  PLANNING  AND                                                                    
BUDGET,    UNIVERSITY    OF     ALASKA,    FAIRBANKS    (via                                                                    
teleconference),  replied  in  the negative.  She  explained                                                                    
that no  tuition would  be used in  the request.  She stated                                                                    
that  the   money  could  be  from   another  state  agency,                                                                    
donations, and other externally funded grand opportunities.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman handed the gavel to Co-Chair Stedman.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Olson  recalled that there  was a  large university                                                                    
maintenance backlog,  so he  thought it  would be  better to                                                                    
use GF to fill the backlog.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Kruckenberg  replied  that   general  funds  were  more                                                                    
reliable, but  there was nothing  lined up for  funding. She                                                                    
stated that the request was about other funding sources.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:20:12 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger displayed  slide  16, "Supplemental  Capital                                                                    
Budget Items con't":                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Technical Items                                                                                                            
          Reappropriate Retirement  Systems IT Modernization                                                                    
          from the Office of  the Governor to the Department                                                                    
          of Administration (pg. 144)                                                                                           
          Reappropriate Health  IT Management  Solution from                                                                    
          Office  of the  Governor to  Department of  Health                                                                    
          (pg. 151)                                                                                                             
          Reappropriate   Substance  Use   Disorder  Service                                                                    
          Expansion  from  the   Department  of  Health  and                                                                    
          Social Services to Department of Health (pg. 152)                                                                     
          Repeal Permanent Fund  Dividend Division  Dividend                                                                    
          Application     Information    System     Software                                                                    
          Conversion (pg. 155)                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilson wondered whether  there would be an amendment                                                                    
in  the budget  related to  the  issues in  the Division  of                                                                    
Public Assistance.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Steininger replied  that there  was work  to understand                                                                    
the  budgetary   need,  but  stated   that  there   was  not                                                                    
information on  the potential need  to address  the Division                                                                    
of Public Assistance.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilson  stressed that there  would be a  request, so                                                                    
that may be addressed later in the session.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair   Hoffman  stated   that  there   was  a   lack  of                                                                    
implementation  of  the  SNAP  program,  which  was  causing                                                                    
hardship  in his  district. He  requested  a written  report                                                                    
from the department on that problem.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman discussed  the  agenda  for the  following                                                                    
day.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SB  54  was   HEARD  and  HELD  in   committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
10:25:02 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The meeting was adjourned at 10:24 a.m.                                                                                         

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
SB 54 FY2023_Supplemental_Backup_1-31-23.pdf SFIN 2/6/2023 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 23.02.06 OMB Supplemental Budget Overview SFIN.pdf SFIN 2/6/2023 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 FY2023_Supplemental_Bill_Summary_Spreadsheet_1.31.2023.pdf SFIN 2/6/2023 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 FY2023_Supplemental_Summary_1-31-23.pdf SFIN 2/6/2023 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
2.6.2023 SFIN Supps Response.pdf SFIN 2/6/2023 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
Attachment 1 - SNAP Program Response.pdf SFIN 2/6/2023 9:00:00 AM
SB 56