HB 75 APPROPRIATIONS: OPERATING BUDGET HB 76 APPROPRIATION: MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM Finance Subcommittee close-outs were taken up for Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCED) and Office of the Governor. SENATOR TORGERSON MOVED for incorporation of the DCED Subcommittee recommendations into HB 75 and HB 76. SENATOR ADAMS objected. Testimony from GUY BELL was heard. SENATOR ADAMS withdrew his objection. Without further objection, the DCED Subcommittee recommendations were ADOPTED and incorporated into HB 75 and HB 76. SENATOR ADAMS MOVED for incorporation of the Office of the Governor Subcommittee recommendations into HB 75 and HB 76, then objected to the motion. Testimony was heard from MIKE NIZICH. SENATOR ADAMS withdrew his objection. Without further objection, the Office of the Governor Subcommittee recommendations were incorporated into HB 75 and HB 76. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 75(FIN) am(brf sup maj pfld) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making an appropriation under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 76(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." COCHAIR PEARCE reconvened the meeting to take up close-outs for the Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCED) and the Governor's Office. She noted that DCED did not include the Divisions of Trade Development and Tourism because they had been included under a different subcommittee headed by Senator Donley. SENATOR TORGERSON had chaired the subcommittee on DCED. He provided a handout to members to illustrate the subcommittee's recommendations. He called attention to an executive order that transferred the Measurements and Standards component to the Department of Transportation. The only reduction was for $84.8 thousand in the office of the commissioner for a vacant position which may not be vacant after all. He indicated there could be a forthcoming amendment. SENATOR TORGERSON MOVED for incorporation of the DCED Subcommittee recommendations into HB 75 and HB 76. SENATOR ADAMS objected. SENATOR PHILLIPS inquired about the location of activity within the Division of Insurance. GUY BELL, Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department of Economic Development, responded that there was a balance of staff between the Anchorage office and the Juneau office. There was additional discussion about where the business was generated from and the travel involved. SENATOR DONLEY inquired about the reason for a half-million dollar decrease in the governor's budget. MR. BELL responded that the Divisions of Insurance and Occupational Licensing had been authorized to roll forward from FY 96 to FY 97. SENATOR ADAMS removed his objection. Without further objection, the DCED Subcommittee recommendations were ADOPTED and incorporated into HB 75 and HB 76. SENATOR ADAMS MOVED for incorporation of the Office of the Governor Subcommittee recommendations into HB 75 and HB 76, then objected to the motion. COCHAIR PEARCE pointed out that the only change was a reduction of $60 thousand for executive operations that conformed to that made to the DEC budget for the contracted environmental law position. The governor had incorporated about $960 thousand of carry-forward funds. SENATOR ADAMS brought up a concern that the North Slope Development promotion was missing from the budget. He thought the committee should continue efforts to get ANWR open. COCHAIR PEARCE asked if the governor's office had identified a reappropriation for that. MIKE NIZICH, Director, Division of Administrative Services, Office of the Governor, responded that there was recent discussion about North Slope development but the funding and level had not yet been identified. It was anticipated shortly and he would inform the cochair. Discussion followed between SENATOR DONLEY, SENATOR ADAMS and COCHAIR PEARCE about the governor's contingency fund, lapsed funds and carry-forward funds. End SFC-97 #91, Side 2 Begin SFC-97 #92, Side 1 SENATOR ADAMS withdrew his objection. Without further objection, the Office of the Governor Subcommittee recommendations were incorporated into HB 75 and HB 76. COCHAIR PEARCE announced upcoming close-out agendas and briefly recessed the meeting. COCHAIR SHARP reconvened the meeting and took up SB 60.