HOUSE BILL NO. 50 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. 17c, Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date. HOUSE BILL NO. 51 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. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to adopt amendment COR #A. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair Mulder explained that the amendment would correct a technical concern within the Department. The amendment would delete $50 thousand general fund dollars from deferred maintenance, delete $50 thousand Permanent Fund Dividend dollars from inmate programs and would add $50 thousand general fund dollars to inmate programs component and would add $7.8 thousand MHTAAR dollars and $23.4 I/A from Department of Public Safety dollars to inmate health care. There being NO OBJECTION, COR #A was adopted. Representative J. Davies requested that COR #1 and #2 be HELD. [Copies on File]. Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt amendment COR #3. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED. Representative Grussendorf explained that the amendment would add $499 thousand general fund dollars to the inmate program component. He noted that the money would restore general funds for the juvenile unit. The unit attempts to provide a disciplined behavior modification and training program. The program would offer education, substance abuse counseling, life skills counseling, a work program, anger management and an empathy program so that juveniles could be successfully released. Co-Chair Mulder pointed out that there are over 400 kids in the adult correctional system, of which 200 are in institutions. He understood that there are two portions of the proposal: * Segregate them from the general adult population to "somewhat" protect them; and * Provide problematic or sympathetic support to correct them. Co-Chair Mulder continued, for the Subcommittee to accept the proposal, there must be a more comprehensive proposal created by the Department. Representative Grussendorf stressed that a time element is missing and urged giving the Department funding to establish these programs. Representative J. Davies commented that rehabilitation has declined significantly in the past ten years. Having juveniles behind bars makes the jail experience a "University for Crime". When the juveniles come out of prison, they will be more likely become re-offenders, particularly the youngest ones. The Department has been under siege as to how to manage that growing demand. Co-Chair Mulder noted that this request was for a specific program for a specific population. Representative Bunde commented that from previous year studies on this concern, it had not appeared that money or counseling helped address the recitivism rate. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Moses, J. Davies OPPOSED: G. Davis, Foster, Kohring, Williams, Austerman, Bunde, Therriault, Mulder The MOTION FAILED (3-8). Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt amendment COR #4. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED. Representative Grussendorf explained that the amendment would add $300 thousand general fund dollars to the Cook Inlet Correctional Center for additional security. Co-Chair Mulder explained that the Subcommittee determined that the Department had adequate resources to address that problem from money provided last year for relief. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Grusendorf, Moses, J. Davies OPPOSED: Foster, Kohring, Williams, Austerman, Bunde, G. Davis, Mulder, Therriault The MOTION FAILED (3-8). Representative Grussendorf MOVED to amendment COR #5. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED. Representative Grussendorf stated that the amendment would add $155 thousand general fund dollars to the Southcentral Regional Probation operations and services. He emphasized that this program would help those on parole and would save the State large amounts of money without placing the person back in the system. Co-Chair Mulder provided a historical preview of the amendment. He noted it had been a pilot program funded by the federal government for the past three years. This year State government was given the task. The intent of the Subcommittee was to hold the line with funding any new programs. He recommended that the program be funded from within the Department. Representative Grussendorf replied that was a "short-sighted" approach to the problem. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Moses, J. Davies OPPOSED: Kohring, Williams, Austerman, Bunde, G. Davis, Foster, Therriault, Mulder The MOTION FAILED (3-8). Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt amendment COR #6. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED. Representative Grussendorf explained that the amendment would restore federal funding in the amount of $96.1 million federal fund dollars for reimbursable service agreement with the Department of Law for an Assistant Attorney General. Representative Grussendorf stressed that it would be a mistake to deny the Department of Corrections counsel funding. He pointed out that the money, which had been used, had been shifted to Food Services. Co-Chair Mulder explained that the focus of the program is a Food Service training program for the inmates. The program provides job training ending with a marketable skill. Representative Grussendorf emphasized that our legal problems will not just "go away" and that the State will be bound to use general funds to address several potential suits. He suggested that if the State is going to need an attorney, we should use federal funds to pay for the service. DWAYNE PEEPLES, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, reiterated that there is a need for an Attorney General within the Department of Corrections. The Department is continually dealing with complicated matters with litigious inmates and institutions and the whole issue of being in compliance with the Cleary settlement. Without these federal funds to continue that project and services, the Department would have to fall back on other resources to the Department of Law. Mr. Peeples added that the Department currently does have an apprenticeship program in three facilities for food service training. In that program nearly one-third graduates and it is a two-year program. Representative Austerman inquired if there had been discussions with the Department of Law. Mr. Peeples responded that there have been no discussions to date. Most of the services with that Department are reimbursable through the Reimbursable Services agreement and would be looking back to Department of Corrections for that funding. Co-Chair Mulder added that in the past year, that position mostly worked on a "plan" to develop an inter-regional system. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Moses, J. Davies, Grussendorf OPPOSED: Kohring, Williams, Austerman, Bunde, G. Davis, Foster, Mulder, Therriault The MOTION FAILED (3-8). HB 50 and HB 51 were HELD in Committee for further consideration.