CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 57(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; repealing appropriations; and making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations." SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 57(FIN) am S "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; repealing appropriations; making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations; 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." and CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 59(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." SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 59(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." 1:01:11 PM Senator Hoffman MOVED that Representative Seaton serve as the presiding chair of the FY 18 Conference Committee on HB 57 and HB 59. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Chair Seaton MOVED that Senator Hoffman serve as Vice-Chair of the FY 18 Conference Committee on HB 57 and HB 59. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 1:02:05 PM Chair Seaton reviewed procedures pertaining to the conference committee. He noted that both the House and Senate budget process allowed for public testimony. That portion of the process was concluded; the conference committee would not accept further public testimony. Unless invited by the Chair, only members of the conference committee would take part in discussions or sit at the table. He noted that the director of the Legislative Finance Division would be invited to sit at the table beginning with the next meeting. Chair Seaton observed that the Legislative Finance Division had been directed to prepare the "motion sheets" for use by the conference committee. The motion sheets summarized the differences between the two versions of the bills before the conference committee and were located on the Legislative Finance Division's website. Chair Seaton explained that the conference committee would operate under Uniform Rule 42. All action required a majority vote from each body for adoption. A copy of Uniform Rule 42 and related legal opinions were provided in each member's packet. Motions required a majority of each body. 1:03:17 PM Vice-Chair Hoffman MOVED that all appropriations and language in the FY 18 operating budget that were identical in House and Senate versions of HB 57 and HB 59 be adopted. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Chair Seaton observed that the committee would need limited powers to reach agreements. He noted a letter addressed to the Senate President and House Speaker and dated May 15, 2017 had been distributed for members' signatures. He explained that under limited powers the Conference Committee could adopt any amount between zero and the higher of the House or Senate version of each item subject to conference. Vice-Chair Hoffman MOVED to ADOPT the letter requesting limited powers of free conference for the items that were not identical. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 1:04:23 PM AT EASE 1:05:45 PM RECONVENED Chair Seaton observed that the committee meetings would be posted on BASIS under the 24-hour rule. HB 57 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. HB 59 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.