CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 112(FIN) An Act placing certain employees of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority in the exempt service; establishing a minimum salary for the long term care ombudsman; and providing for an effective date. HANS NEIDIG, STAFF, SENATOR LYDA GREEN, stated that SB 112 would place employees of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (AMHTA) in the exempt service while establishing a minimum salary for the Long Term Care Ombudsman. Mr. Neidig noted that SB 112 was introduced at the request of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to address concerns expressed about their ability to function efficiently as a State corporation. The legislation would establish a minimum salary for the Long Term Care Ombudsman at Range 21. Establishing a minimum salary of the Long Term Care Ombudsman would help ensure that a qualified individual can be hired for that crucial position. Vice-Chair Bunde inquired what range these employees currently are at. Mr. Neidig replied that they currently are at a Range 20. He noted that a maximum salary had not yet been established. Representative Harris questioned how long the position had been unfilled. Mr. Neidig understood that it had been vacant since November 2000. JEFF JESSE, (TESFITIFED VIA TELECONFERENCE), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH TRUST AUTHORITY (AMHTA), DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, responded that the position has remained vacant since the Executive Order, which transferred responsibility to the Trust Authority. He commented that there has been a tremendous turnover in that position, which he predicted resulted not only from the salary range but also the intense workload. Mr. Jesse acknowledged that the employee is asked to take on a tremendous responsibility for that salary range. Representative Harris asked if the salary was being paid from the AMHTA account. Mr. Jesse advised that the entire budget at this time is paid for out of the Federal Senior Services Block Grant. Currently, there is an increment in the Department of Administration's budget that would add $100 thousand dollar increase to the $250 thousand dollars in federal money, to increase the overall capacity of the office. He noted that only the long-term ombudsman would fall under that salary change. Representative Whitaker asked if there was something in existing law, which might preclude a higher pay rate for that position. Mr. Jesse explained that the position is in classified service. That position has been classified at a Range 20 and it would not be possible to pay higher. Vice-Chair Bunde pointed out that the legislation stipulates that it would be a "minimum" of Range 21. He asked what Mr. Jesse would anticipate the maximum payment range to be. Mr. Jesse advised that AMHTA did not want to pay anymore than they had to for that job category. He noted that a job in that area requires a combination skill level and that it would be good if that person had some legal background. He stressed that it was not the intention to pay more than necessary to get a qualified person for the position. Vice-Chair Bunde asked if the maximum step was a Range 28 for an exempt position. Mr. Jesse replied the requested position was not exempt, and emphasized that no one would be paid a Range 28 for that position. Representative Davies MOVED to report CS SB 112 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS SB 112 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" pass recommendation and with a zero fiscal note by the Department of Revenue dated 3/01/01.