HOUSE BILL NO. 325 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." HOUSE BILL NO. 326 "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." UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA Representative Mulder MOVED UA #1(a). [Copy on File]. He noted that the net result would be to shift $1 million dollars into the University's budget, taking $850 thousand dollars from the Department of Corrections and $150 thousand dollars from Alaska Court System. He added, a shift to the Department of Corrections would eliminate four BRU's. Representative Grussendorf MOVED to divide the question. Co-Chair Therriault OBJECTED. He believed that the Alaska Court System had some flexibility resulting from the retirement system savings. Representative Grussendorf commented that in a previous Committee meeting, $1.2 million dollars had been authorized for Court security with an assumption that the Court could find other money to comply with the mandate issued by the Chief Justice. He voiced concern that the Court System was now being treated like all other departments. Representative Grussendorf OBJECTED to the last portion of the amendment. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: J. Davies, Grussendorf, Foster, Moses, Hanley OPPOSED: Mulder, G. Davis, Kelly, Kohring, Martin, Therriault The MOTION FAILED (5-6). Representative Grussendorf emphasized that this was not an appropriate vehicle to address problems of the University. He agreed that the University should receive the money they requested, while pointing out that the Courts have no choice in their caseload. Representative J. Davies explained that the amendment put him in a difficult place. He noted that he supported the University's request, however, this amount would not be enough funding. The money being placed into the University budget does not even fund one of the contracts. He advised that he did not support the deletion to the Court System. In response to Representative Martin, Representative J. Davies discussed the vast increases to court cases which are directly related to domestic violence and abuse of children. Co-Chair Hanley pointed out that funding had been placed in the front section for one of the contracts. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt UA #1(a). IN FAVOR: J. Davies, G. Davis, Kelly, Kohring, Martin, Mulder, Therriault OPPOSED: Foster, Grussendorf, Moses, Hanley The MOTION FAILED (7-4). Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #1. Co-Chair Hanley OBJECTED. Representative J. Davies stated that the amendment would fund salary increments for non-covered employees commensurate with employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. Representative Foster commented that he had been threatened that if he did not vote for the proposed amendment, the University could close the Nome extension branch. He voiced offense that the Bush continues to be "pushed" around when matters of education are on the table. Representative J. Davies clarified for the record that it was not his intent to reduce funding for the rural campus budget. He noted that he was an advocate in keeping the community campus offices. He had at one time, suggested changing the name of the institution to the University of Alaska Community College system. Representative Kelly acknowledged that was true. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Kelly, Moses, J. Davies, Therriault OPPOSED: G. Davis, Foster, Kohring, Martin, Mulder, Hanley The MOTION FAILED (5-6). Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #2. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair Hanley OBJECTED. Representative J. Davies noted that the amendment would fully fund the CEA contract through June 30, 1999. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Kelly, Moses, J. Davies, Therriault OPPOSED: Foster, Kohring, Martin, Mulder, G. Davis, Hanley The MOTION FAILED (5-6). Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #3. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair Hanley OBJECTED. Representative J. Davies commented that the amendment would fully fund the United Academics contract through June 30, 1999. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Kelly, Moses, G. Davis, Therriault OPPOSED: Kohring, Martin, Mulder, G. Davis, Foster, Hanley The MOTION FAILED (5-6). Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #4. [Copy on File]. Representative Foster OBJECTED. Representative J. Davies explained that it is the intent of the Legislature that the University of Alaska Board of Regents honor all collective bargaining agreements in effect through June 30, 1999. Representative Martin pointed out that the Legislature had placed the University in a bind by increasing the collective bargaining agreement and then not to appropriate funding to cover that amount. Co-Chair Hanley noted that he anticipated approval language in the budget for all contracts with funding appropriated. The University has negotiated contracts which will cost them more than the $1.6 million dollars, and they will be receiving a Retirement Incentive Program (RIP) savings. Representative J. Davies stated that the Legislature has been ambiguous in allocations to the University. Co-Chair Hanley recommended that the clearer that the Legislature makes the allocation designee, the less likely there would be litigation. Representative Martin recommended that the language "as appropriated" be inserted. Representative Foster reiterated his concern that the Bush areas have been "stripped" to address the pay raises for Fairbanks campus. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Martin, Moses, Mulder, J. Davies, G. Davis, Grussendorf, Hanley, Therriault OPPOSED: Kelly, Kohring, Foster The MOTION PASSED (8-3). Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #5 as a conceptual amendment. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair Hanley OBJECTED. He explained there is money in the front and back section of the budget for that concern. The understanding is that the total amount for the University be reflective of the Board of Regents request of $171 million dollars. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Moses, J. Davies, Grussendorf, Kelly, Therriault OPPOSED: Kohring, Martin, Mulder, G. Davis, Foster, Hanley The MOTION FAILED (5-6). (Tape Change HFC 98- 111, Side 2). Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt UA #6. [Copy on File]. He stated that the amendment would fully fund the Governor's request for the University of Alaska at $1.342 million dollars. Co-Chair Hanley OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Moses, J. Davies, Grussendorf, Kelly, Therriault OPPOSED: Martin, Mulder, G. Davis, Foster, Kohring, Hanley The MOTION FAILED (5-6). HBG 325 and HB 326 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.