Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/09/1997 08:05 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
MINUTES
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
9 April 1997
8:05 a.m.
TAPES
SFC-97, #89, Side 1 (000 - 597)
Side 2 (597 - 000)
Side 2 (592 - 500)
CALL TO ORDER
Senator Drue Pearce, Co-chair, convened the meeting at
approximately 8:05 a.m.
PRESENT
In addition to Co-chair Pearce, Senators Sharp, Phillips,
Torgerson, and Adams were present when the meeting convened.
Senators Donley and Parnell arrived shortly thereafter.
ALSO ATTENDING: Senator Lyda Green; Arbe Williams,
Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department of
Labor; Dwight Perkins, Special Assistant to the
Commissioner, Department of Labor; Michele Brown,
Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation;
Janice Adair, Director, Division of Environmental Health,
Department of Environmental Conservation; Barbara Frank,
Program and Budget Support, Division of Administrative
Services, Department of Environmental Conservation; Joseph
Perkins, Commissioner, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities; Nancy Slagle, Director, Division of
Administrative Services, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities; Gary Hayden, System Director, Marine
Highway, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities;
Kurt Parkan, Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities; Mike Greany, Director,
Division of Legislative Finance; Ginger Patton, Jim Hauck,
Fiscal Analysts, Division of Legislative Finance; and aides
to committee members and other members of the legislature.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 75(FIN) am(brf sup maj pfld)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government, for certain
programs, and to capitalize funds; making an
appropriation under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution
of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget
reserve fund; and providing for an effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 76(FIN)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive
mental health program; and providing for an effective
date."
Co-chair Pearce convened the session and reviewed
subcommittee report summaries.
Senator Torgerson introduced the Department of Environmental
Conservation budget summary. Following a brief explanation
he moved DEC budget be adopted into HB 76 and HB 76.
Commissioner Michele Brown, Director Janice Adair and
Barbara Frank were invited to join the committee. Senator
Adams said mine tailings should be regarded as solid waste
and there should be a change in the statute requirements.
He was also concerned about drilling waste, Delta
Slaughterhouse, open dumping and the Juneau Lab. Senator
Torgerson advised they were not looking to change the
regulations. Commissioner Brown did note the Flexibility
Act saying, "the policy choice is yours. Rural should not
enjoy health protection like urban?" Co-chair Pearce noting
the continued objection of Senator Adams adopted the
Department of Environmental Conservation budget summary into
HB 75 and HB 76.
Senator Torgerson introduced and moved Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities budget summary into HB
75 and HB 76. Referring to a chart used during subcommittee
meetings he explained the amount of employees ratio in the
department. Senator Phillips said it seemed the 879
employees in the Marine Highway System was too high. He was
also concerned about the high rate of employees in design
and construction. Senator Torgerson indicated one-third of
the department was in design and construction. Senator
Adams voiced his concern over road maintenance.
Commissioner Joseph Perkins and Director Nancy Slagle were
invited to join the committee. Commissioner Perkins advised
the committee he had never seen the chart but that design
was as important as those plowing snow. He went on further
to explain what all design entailed. Certain programs
changed, other projects went into design phase, right-of-way
programs were working two years in advance and some projects
were shelved. Senator Sharp voiced his frustration over the
continuous change of commissioners which interrupted the
five-year plans. Senator Adams asked about the complicated
federal billing system. Nancy Slagle explained the
information system, Title 23, Federal Code of Regulations.
Commissioner Perkins also noted the extreme requirement in
ISTEA but stated we were in compliance. Kurt Parkan was
invited to join the committee and explained aviation.
Senator Pearce noting the objection of Senator Adams adopted
the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
budget summary into HB 75 and HB 76.
Co-chair Pearce introduced Department of Labor budget
subcommittee summary. Following a brief discussion with
Arbe Williams, Senator Adams moved the Department of Labor
budget be adopted into HB 75. Hearing no objection Co-chair
Pearce adopted the Department of Labor budget summary into
HB 75.
Formal minutes of the meeting were not prepared as pertinent
financial information is available in Conference Committee
Reports on the FY 98 operating budget. The meeting was
recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A copy of
the tapes and log notes may be obtained by contacting either
the Division of Legislative Finance, P.O. Box 113200,
Juneau, Alaska 99811-3200 (Phone: 907/465-3795) or the
office of the Senate Finance Committee Secretary (Phone:
907/465-2618).
ADJOURNMENT
Senator Sharp outlined the evening schedule beginning at
6:00 p.m. He advised that the committee would break at 7:00
p.m. to take up closeouts.
Co-chair Pearce adjourned the meeting at 10:45 a.m.
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