HOUSE BILL NO. 181 "An Act making special appropriations relating to the American Rescue Plan Act; and providing for an effective date." HOUSE BILL NO. 282 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; making capital appropriations and supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." 1:39:34 PM ^SUBCOMMITTEE CLOSEOUT REPORTS 1:39:42 PM ^DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1:39:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON, SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, appreciated the opportunity to go first, as he would be gone for a couple of days. He noted that the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development was an agency had a minuscule portion of UGF. He reviewed the subcommittee report: RECOMMENDATIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development submits the following recommended operating budget for FY 23 to the House Finance Committee: Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands) Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $10,151.2 Designated General Funds (DGF) $56,486.0 Other Funds $49,565.1 Federal Funds $22,258.4 Total $138,460.7 The Unrestricted General Fund difference from FY23 Adjusted Base to the House Subcommittee budget recommendation is an increase of $1,689.0 thousand of Unrestricted General Funds, which is 20% above the FY23 Adjusted Base. Positions: Permanent Full-time 515 Permanent Part-time 0 Temporary 5 Total 520 BUDGET ACTION: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development reviewed the FY 23 budget request, including amendments, and recommends the following actions: Accept the Office of the Governor's budget proposal, with the following changes: Added intent language instructing the Department to develop a plan to stabilize and set fee structures, develop a new system for leveling the cost of appeals and investigations and target fee relief for industries and occupations that are high need and have a high cost of entry. Added $250.0 (UGF) for grants that would be made available on a competitive basis to Alaska based small businesses that are operating under a currently-active Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer grant from a Federal Agency. Added $300.0 (UGF) and intent language for recruitment and retention efforts through sign-on and relocation bonuses for new hires or performance bonuses for current hires throughout the Department. Representative Edgmon deferred to his staff. SETH WHITTEN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON, introduced himself and was available for questions. Representative Rasmussen asked how much money the department had that was not spent. Representative Edgmon thought the vast majority of funds had been spent. Mr. Whitten agreed to provide that information. Representative LeBon recalled that about $90 million was about the number. Representative Rasmussen asked for the rational of the $250,000 added funding. Representative Edgmon indicated the recommendation came from another subcommittee member. Representative Carpenter referred to the first recommendation and asked about the details of the occupations asking for additional compensation. Mr. Whitten explained the list of occupations. Representative Carpenter requested a written list. He also asked about the remaining Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money. Representative Edgmon recalled that the department needed additional time but that the money would be spent toward. Mr. Whitten clarified that the $550,000 were additional grants. Representative Rasmussen asked if someone was available from the administration. 1:52:16 PM AT EASE 1:55:07 PM RECONVENED Co-Chair Foster provided information about the process of reviewing subcommittee reports. The subcommittees had met with the departments. He understood that questions would be raised but stressed that there had been department overviews and the subcommittee reports would get rolled out in a committee substitute and take public testimony on the new draft. Typically, the subcommittee report presentations were a time of review rather than any changes. Representative Johnson wondered how the $300,000 figure was derived. She was also concerned with the double funding of the actuarial position. Representative Edgmon echoed that there had been concerns on both sides of the recommendations and would be open to amendments. ^DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS 2:00:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON, SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, reviewed the subcommittee report: RECOMMENDATIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Corrections submits the following recommended operating budget for FY 23 to the House Finance Committee: Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands) Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $361,402.5 Designated General Funds (DGF) $14,272.8 Other Funds $8,978.5 Federal Funds $16,622.7 Total $401,276.5 The Unrestricted General Fund difference from FY 23 Adjusted Base to the House Subcommittee budget recommendation is an increase of $13,317.5 thousand of Unrestricted General Funds, which is 3.8 percent above the FY 23 Adjusted Base. Positions: Permanent Full-time 2,109 Permanent Part-time 0 Temporary 0 Total 2,109 BUDGET ACTION: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Corrections reviewed the FY 23 budget request, as well as member amendments, and recommends the following actions: Accept the Office of the Governor's budget proposal, with the following changes: Added $150.0 UGF and one support staff or human resources position to the Recruitment and Retention Unit to aid in recruitment efforts. Added $4,000.0 in Unrestricted General Funds to support the continuation of the Regional and Community Jails program. Representative Edgmon elaborated on the Regional and Community Jails program. ^DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 2:04:15 PM REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON, SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, reviewed the subcommittee report: RECOMMENDATIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Fish & Game submits the following recommended operating budget for FY23 to the House Finance Committee: Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands) Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $53,974.8 Designated General Funds (DGF) $14,940.1 Other Funds $70,316.0 Federal Funds $91,549.6 Total $230,780.5 The Unrestricted General Fund difference from FY 23 Adjusted Base to the House Subcommittee budget recommendation is an increase of $323.8 of Unrestricted General Funds, which is .6% above the FY 23 Adjusted Base. Positions: Permanent Full-time 816 Permanent Part-time 598 Temporary 5 Total 1,419 BUDGET ACTION: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Fish & Game reviewed the FY 23 budget request, including amendments, and recommends the following actions: Accept the Office of the Governor's budget proposal, with the following changes: The subcommittee made a fund change of $300.7 UGF (replacing $300.7 CFEC Rcpts) to address the projected CFEC Fund shortfall. The subcommittee denied the Governor's request to reduce $226.3 (EVOS Civil) of Exxon Valdez oil spill funding in the Statewide Support Services appropriation. ^DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 2:08:22 PM REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, deferred to his staff, Liz Harphold. 2:08:41 PM LIZ HARPHOLD, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, reviewed the subcommittee report: RECOMMENDATIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Environmental Conservation submits the following recommended operating budget for FY 23 to the House Finance Committee: Fund Source: (in thousands of dollars) Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $18,202.9 Designated General Funds (DGF) $21,463.4 Other Funds $17,579.9 Federal Funds $24,921.5 Total $81,967.7 There is an uptick in Unrestricted General Fund use from FY 23 Adjusted Base to the FY 23 House Subcommittee budget of $1,687.5 which equals an increase of 10.2 percent. Positions: Permanent Full-time 466 Permanent Part-time 0 Temporary 1 Total 467 BUDGET ACTIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Environmental Conservation reviewed the FY 23 budget request, including amendments, and took the following actions: The Governor submitted 9 budget action items. The House Finance Subcommittee accepted 5 of these items. The House Finance Subcommittee rejected 4 of these items. The items the House Finance Subcommittee accepted are: A fund source change to replace Ocean Ranger fees with UGF for fish tissue sampling A fund source change for air permitting activities A fund source change to replace hollow Oil/Haz receipt authority with UGF in Spill Prevention and Response The items the House Finance Subcommittee rejected are: Moving the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council to DEC from the Department of Fish and Game The assumption of 404 primacy and RCRA Subtitle C primacy Ms. Harphold concluded the report. ^DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES 2:10:57 PM LIZ HARPHOLD, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, reviewed the subcommittee report for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities: RECOMMENDATIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities submits the following recommended operating budget for FY 23 to the House Finance Committee: Fund Source: (in thousands of dollars) Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $136,781.3 Designated General Funds (DGF) $47,981.4 Other Funds $416,631.8 Federal Funds $107,456.9 Total $708,851.4 There is an increase in Unrestricted General Fund use from FY 23 Adjusted Base to the FY 23 House Subcommittee budget of $69,117.2 which equals 102.1 percent. Most of this UGF is found in the AMHS budget, which was part of the language section last year, and therefor did not count toward the FY 23 adjusted base. Positions: Permanent Full-time 2266 Permanent Part-time 238 Temporary 95 Total 2599 BUDGET ACTIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities reviewed the FY 23 budget request, including amendments, and took the following actions: The subcommittee evaluated 98 budget action items and Governor Amendments. The House Finance Subcommittee accepted 94 of these items. The House Finance Subcommittee rejected 4 of these items. The items the House Finance Subcommittee accepted are: Multiple items related to savings from Office of Information and Technology phone and core rate decreases and aligning the budget to actual expenses. Multiple items reversing one time fund source changes from the previous year's budget. Combining the Northern Region Construction component. Funding rural airport paint striping with federal funds. Increasing funding for mission critical incentive pay in the Central and Northern regions. Moving the AMHS budget back to the numbers section of the bill after it had been in the language section last year and funding it with a combination of Federal Receipts and UGF. One time use of federal FHWA CRRSSA funds to keep open the Silvertip, Birch Lake, and Chitina maintenance stations and fund the Dalton District shift change. The items the House Finance Subcommittee rejected are: One item to replace UGF with motor fuel tax receipts. One item to replace $22.6 Federal Receipts with UGF in the AMHS Marine Vessel Ops allocation. Two items related to a drafting error. SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENTS: The House Finance Subcommittee adopted the following budget amendments: Intent language: "It is the intent of the legislature that DOT create and implement a method to solicit input from and consult with local municipalities, community organizations, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Regional Transportation Planning Organizations and service areas on the creation and revision of the prioritized list of state-maintained roads and highways for snow plowing, and to coordinate these efforts, where appropriate, with local governments and service areas. This plan shall be developed and submitted to the Finance Committee Co-Chairs and Legislative Finance Division by December 20th, 2022." To replace $5.0 AMHS Fund with Federal Receipts in Marine Vessel Operations allocation. 2:15:06 PM Representative Rasmussen asked about the rational for replacing the $22.6 million in federal receipts with UGF. Ms. Harphold responded there was an adoption of $98 million with federal funds and the additional $22.6 million would have been an increase, so the subcommittee wanted to keep it as federal receipts rather than UGF. Representative Rasmussen thought it appeared to raise the UGF liability. Ms. Harphold clarified that the item Representative Rasmussen was talking about was the federal receipts rewrite. 2:17:03 PM AT EASE 2:18:15 PM RECONVENED Representative Rasmussen hoped the subcommittee chair could explain the rational of using UGF rather than federal receipts. Vice-Chair Ortiz explained that the previous funding level for AHMS was around $70 million. 2:20:59 PM Representative Josephson asked what in meant that the AMHS budget was being moved to the numbers section. Vice-Chair Ortiz deferred to his staff. Ms. Harphold explained that in the prior year the state funded the system for 1.5 years rather than the federal government. 2:22:36 PM MICHAEL PARTLOW, FISCAL ANALYST, LEGISLATIVE FINANCE DIVISION, responded that Ms. Harphold was correct. He elaborated that in order to have different effective dates in the bill, in the current year the funding was being placed back into the numbers section. Representative Wool asked about the numbers section versus the language system. He thought the sections were equal to the budget. Mr. Partlow reported that the language section was not a part of the base budge, and was backed out every year. ^DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT 2:25:10 PM Representative Dan Ortiz corrected his statement about who was doing the presentation. CAROLINE HEMP, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, reviewed the subcommittee report for the Department of Education and Early Development: RECOMMENDATIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Education and Early Development submits the following operating budget for FY 23 to the House Finance Committee: Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands) Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $83,131.2 Designated General Funds (DGF) $2,657.2 Other Funds $33,702.4 Federal Funds $247,435.6 Total $366,926.4 The total fund difference from FY 23 Adjusted Base to the House Subcommittee budget is $2,082.1, or an increase of 0.6 percent. The Unrestricted General Fund difference from FY 23 Adjusted Base to the House Subcommittee budget is $23,545.2, or an increase of 39.5 percent, and the Designated General Fund difference from FY 23 Adjusted Base to the House Subcommittee budget is -$21,491.8, or a decrease of 89.0 percent. Positions: Permanent Full-Time 245 Permanent Part-Time 12 Temporary 4 Total 261 BUDGET ACTIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Education and Early Development reviewed the FY 23 budget requests from the Governor and member amendments, and submits the following actions for consideration: Governor's Budget Action Items: The subcommittee adopted 21 of the 22 budget action items proposed by the Governor: The subcommittee rejected the Governor's proposal to expand the WWAMI Medical Education Program, which was a proposed increase of $1,647.5 UGF. There has been confirmation from both the University of Alaska and from the Department of Education and Early Development that arrangements to utilize the funds are not yet in place, which resulted in a rejection of the Governor's proposal, and instead, an affirmative vote for intent language and is expanded under "Wordage Intent" item 1 below. Member Amendments: The subcommittee adopted one member budget amendment regarding the numbers section: 1. Education Support and Administrative Services - Pre-Kindergarten Grants $2,500.00 IncT (FY 23- FY 24), General Funds (UGF) 1004, Grants Line 7000 Wordage Intent The subcommittee adopted one member amendment regarding intent language: It is the intent of the legislature that the Department of Education and Early Development and the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) work to expand the number of seats for Alaska in the WWAMI program from 20 to 30, for implementation in FY 24. Further, ACPE and the University of Alaska shall coordinate and plan for their separate and combined needs for the program expansion, and report to the Co-Chairs of Finance and the Legislative Finance Division by December 20, 2022, policy, program, and budget needs for implementation of this expansion. Recommendations: The subcommittee adopted one member Language Appropriation recommendation: $50,000.00 General Funds (UGF), 1004, Grants Line 700 The Department of Education and Early Development House Finance Subcommittee recommends that the House Finance Committee consider a $50,000.0 UGF increment to the Base Student Allocation to support school districts' efforts to maintain student learning opportunities, maintenance, operations, and ongoing expenses. Point of Concern: The subcommittee discussed one Point of Concern: Disparity Test The Department of Education and Early Development House Finance Subcommittee recommends that the House Finance Committee be aware of any financial obligations or legislative actions that may be needed dependent on negotiations and legal outcomes pertaining to the Disparity Test. Co-Chair Foster referred to the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) Program. The program had wanted the change but had recently requested a reversal. REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, explained that the amendment process in the subcommittee process contributed to the decision. 2:30:40 PM Representative Thompson understood that if the state did not use the WWAMI program funds, that the funds would revert back to the general fund. Ms. Hamp responded, "That's correct." Representative Wool asked where the K-12 money was embedded in the recommendation. Ms. Hamp responded that the subcommittee did not take on the base student allocation (BSA). Representative Wool noticed the total was $366 million and asked if the money passed through the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). Ms. Hamp deferred to the Legislative Finance Division. 2:32:42 PM BRODIE ANDERSEN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE NEAL FOSTER, noted that the actual BSA formula was in the language section. 2:33:18 PM KELLY O'SULLIVAN, FISCAL ANALYST, LEGISLATIVE FINANCE DIVISION, thought the question had been answered. Representative Rasmussen wondered whether the $50 million was intent language, and not an addition in subcommittee. Vice-Chair Ortiz replied in the affirmative. Representative Rasmussen recalled there was plenty of funding in the districts and felt that the number was too high. 2:34:40 PM Vice-Chair Ortiz responded that while there might be remaining federal funds spent in the district, he had heard loud and clear was that the flexibility of the funds was an issue. The BSA had not been addressed in any meaningful way. Representative Thompson thought by adding the amount would increase finding per student in the amount of $195 BSA. Ms. O'Neil agreed with the figured Representative Thompson provided. Co-Chair Foster noted that the budget item relied on the contingency language in another bill. 2:38:00 PM Vice-Chair Ortiz thought Co-Chair Foster was accurate. He knew the person that brought the subcommittee language to the committee. Representative Josephson thought the number of $500 per student was related to a one-time increment. Ms. O'Sullivan relayed there were various versions of the BSA bill, amount sounded approximately right. Representative Josephson wondered whether the increase was due to replacing swept funds. Ms. Hamp replied in the affirmative. Representative Josephson asked if the disparity test had to do with the federal test of meeting the obligation to rural versus more urban districts. th Ms. Hamp explained that there was a 20 percentile differential between the lowest and highest per student funded district. 2:41:38 PM Representative Carpenter returned to the subject of WWAMI and noted that the subcommittee had rejected funding and rejected the governors proposal. Co-Chair Foster thought the subcommittee had asked for the change because of a request from the WWAMI program. Vice-Chair Ortiz provided further clarification, and stated the time the committee took the action to expand WWAMI. Representative Thompson understood there was concern that if a student used the WWAMI would return to Alaska. Representative Wool wondered whether there was any sort of equity formula in the five states in WWAMI. Mr. Anderson could look into the issue. ^DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS 2:47:30 PM Co-Chair Merrick deferred to her staff, Jayme Jones. 2:47:51 PM JAYME JONES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KELLY MERRICK, reviewed the subcommittee report for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs RECOMMENDATIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs submits the following recommended operating budget for FY 23 to the House Finance Committee: Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands) Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $15,437.8 Designated General Funds (DGF) $28.5 Other Funds $11,913.3 Federal Funds $31,191.1 Total $58,570.7 Positions: Permanent Full-time 262 Permanent Part-time 0 Temporary 0 Total 262 BUDGET ACTION: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs held three meetings; reviewed and accepted the FY 23 Governor's budget request. No member amendments were offered. Representative Rasmussen commented that her colleague had been efficient with her report. ^DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2:49:25 PM JAYME JONES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KELLY MERRICK, reviewed the subcommittee report for Department of Natural Resources: RECOMMENDATIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Natural Resources submits the following recommended operating budget for FY 23 to the House Finance Committee: Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands) Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $71,034.2 Designated General Funds (DGF) $42,205.7 Other Funds $38,396.9 Federal Funds $17,825.9 Total $169,462.7 Positions: Permanent Full-time 671 Permanent Part-time 251 Temporary 64 Total 986 BUDGET ACTION: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Natural Resources held nine meetings with the Department to analyze the Governor's Budget. The Subcommittee accepted all the Budget Action Items proposed. The committee received two member amendments; both were adopted. Amendment 1 Oil and Gas DEPARTMENT: Department of Natural Resources APPROPRIATION: Oil and Gas ALLOCATION: Oil and Gas ADD: $755.6 GF/Prgm (fund code 1005) DELETE: $755.6 UGF (fund code 1004) EXPLANATION: The Division of Oil and Gas has seen GF program receipt revenue far exceeds its GF program receipt authority. This change would increase the division's FY 23 GF receipt authority by an additional $755.6 to align with previous fiscal years' differential. This amendment results in a net-zero impact on the allocation's budget. Amendment 2 Geological and Geophysical Surveys DEPARTMENT: Department of Natural Resources APPROPRIATION: Fire Suppression, Land and Water Resources ALLOCATION: Geological and Geophysical Surveys ADD: $750.0 UGF (fund code 1004) EXPLANATION: These funds will allow the Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) to accelerate their efforts to conduct large geophysical, geochemical, and geological data collections over mineral-rich portions of the state as detailed in their report to the legislature entitled "Mapping Alaska's Mineral-Rich State Lands." ^DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 2:51:04 PM JAYME JONES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KELLY MERRICK, reviewed the subcommittee report for the Department of Public Safety RECOMMENDATIONS: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Public Safety submits the following recommended operating budget for FY 23 to the House Finance Committee: Fund Source: (dollars are in thousands) Unrestricted General Funds (UGF) $215,177.5 Designated General Funds (DGF) $8,669.7 Other Funds $13,239.8 Federal Funds $36,449.2 Total $273,536.2 There is an increase of $21,262.5 in Unrestricted General Funds from the FY 23 Adjusted Base to the House Subcommittee budget recommendation, which is a 11 percent change. Positions: Permanent Full-time 965 Permanent Part-time 12 Temporary 27 Total 1004 BUDGET ACTION: The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Public Safety held ten meetings with the Department to analyze the Governor's Budget. The Subcommittee accepted 59 of the 63 proposed Budget Action Items. The following three items were not accepted: Budget Action Item 12: Alaska State Troopers, Alaska State Trooper Detachment. This is a technical correction; a no vote was needed to make correction. Budget Action Items 24, 39 and 62: Alaska State Troopers, Alaska State Trooper Detachments, add full funding for new FY 21 filled positions. The subcommittee also adopted five member amendments, of which four are intent language amendments. All adopted amendments are listed below: Amendment 1 DEPARTMENT: Public Safety APPROPRIATION: Alaska State Troopers ADD INTENT LANGUAGE: It is the intent of the legislature that the Department of Public Safety increase efforts to fill vacant positions within the Alaska State Troopers appropriation and reduce overtime in order to better manage within the authorized budget. The Department should provide two reports to the Co-Chairs of Finance and the Legislative Finance Division, the first no later than December 20, 2022, and the second no later than July 1, 2023, that detail monthly hiring and attrition, as well as premium and overtime costs by category, a comparison of actual outlays to budgeted amounts, a graph showing actual overtime outlays versus budged for the past 5 fiscal years, and a description of any contributing factors to the overtime amounts and actions taken to address those factors from the start of the fiscal year to the month preceding the due date of the report. Amendment 2 DEPARTMENT: Public Safety APPROPRIATION: Alaska State Troopers ADD INTENT LANGUAGE: It is the intent of the legislature that no funds shall be moved outside of the personal services line of any allocation within the Alaska State Troopers appropriation. Amendment 3 DEPARTMENT: Public Safety ADD INTENT LANGUAGE: It is the intent of the legislature that the Department of Public Safety prioritize the deployment of law enforcement resources to non-urbanized areas that lack organized governments. Amendment 4 DEPARTMENT: Public Safety APPROPRIATION: Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault ALLOCATION: Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Deletes $300.0 UGF from services line for Alaska Family Justice Center Model Study and adds $300.0 UGF to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Services Grant Support. Ms. Jones completed the report and was available for questions. Representative Wool wondered whether the increase of $21 million was due to the movement of funds. Ms. Jones deferred to the Legislative Finance Division. MORGAN FOSS, FISCAL ANALYST, LEGISLATIVE FINANCE DIVISION, responded that it was the cumulative effect of increments requested by the agency and approved by the subcommittee. 2:56:30 PM Representative Josephson wondered about the retention unit. Ms. Foss responded replied that there was a retention unit withing the Alaska State Troopers allocation, and the proposed amendment would have moved that unit into its own allocation. Representative Josephson asked if it was to enhance the unit. Ms. Foss replied that the proposal looked at a structural change that would help formulate the budget. Co-Chair Foster thanked the presenters. Representative Carpenter asked about the positions listed on all of the subcommittee reports. Ms. Jones indicated where Representative Carpenter could find the information. Co-Chair Foster reviewed the agenda for the following meeting. HB 281 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. HB 282 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.