SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 312(FIN) "An Act making and amending 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©, Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." AND SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 313(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." DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION Chair Parnell reviewed the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Administration. [See motions sheets on file.] Senator Adams and Representative Davies requested Item #1, Finance component and Item #15, Public Broadcasting Radio component to be held for individual consideration. Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt the remaining items included in the proposed conference committee motions to the Department of Administration. There was no objection and the motions were ADOPTED. Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt Item #1, Finance component of the proposed conference committee motions. Senator Adams objected and stated that there was no justification for the $250,000 funding reduction to this component. He asserted that the cut was only made to allow the legislature to reach a spending "cap". He stressed that this component must cover the costs, due to increased license fees, of operating the computers and software that run the statewide payroll and accounting system. He warned that if this component is not completely funded, other state agencies must be "charge-backed" the amount of the discrepancy. He asserted that this will result in delayed payment to grantees, clients and vendors. Representative Davies noted the House of Representative allocation was already below the FY 00 allocation by at least $100,000. Therefore, he said, the reduction is more than the $250,000 proposed at this meeting. A roll call was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Representative Therriault, Senator Torgerson, Vice-Chair Mulder and Chair Parnell OPPOSED: Representative Davies and Senator Adams The motion PASSED (4-2) Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt Item #15, Public Broadcasting Radio of the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Administration. Representative Davies objected and referred to budget hearings held by the House Finance Committee. He recalled multiple testimony from across the state in support of public broadcasting. He surmised that the additional $50,000 allocated by the Senate was needed and would be well spent. Senator Adams spoke of the impact of adopting the House of Representative's allocation, which was $130,000 less than the FY 00 budget provided. He ascertained that this reduction would eliminate two rural radio stations as well as curtail the efforts of the Anchorage-based Alaska Public Radio Network. Vice-Chair Mulder relayed discussions held on this matter in the House Finance Committee that resulted in the reinstatement of all but $50,000 of the originally proposed reductions. He shared that the director of the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission testified that the commission would be able to absorb this smaller reduction. Vice-Chair Mulder expressed that this was a modest reduction and noted that the commission had made progress toward better efficiency in public radio. He commented "we're asking all Alaskans to tighten their belts," and that the legislature is asking this, another entity that receives public support, to also tighten their belt. A roll call was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Representative Therriault, Senator Torgerson, Vice-Chair Mulder and Chair Parnell OPPOSED: Representative Davies and Senator Adams The motion PASSED (4-2) Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt intent language for the Department of Administration, shown on the motion sheet that reads as follows It is the intent of the legislature that the Department of Administration, Division of General Services, provide leadership to implement electronic, on-line public notice announcements for the state procurement process to allow for an economical means for all interested parties to current notifications and to avoid unnecessary publication costs. Chair Parnell commented that this language was adopted by the Senate Finance Committee and is contained in the Senate version of the budget. There was no objection and the intent language was ADOPTED. ALASKA COURT SYSTEM Chair Parnell reviewed the proposed conference committee motions for the Alaska Court System. [See motion sheets on file.] Representative Therriault asked for an explanation on the impact of Item #8, Trial Courts component, Fairbanks Courthouse increment. AT EASE 2:41 PM / 2:42 PM Chair Parnell informed that this motion is to reverse facility operations because the necessary funding is provided elsewhere in the budget. Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt the proposed conference committee motions for the Alaska Court System. There was no objection and the motions were ADOPTED. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Chair Parnell reviewed the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Natural Resources. [See motion sheets on file.] Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt all items of the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Natural Resources. There was no objection and the items were ADOPTED.