SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 35 "An Act making 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(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." CS FOR SS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 75(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date." SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 36 "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." CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE 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." This was the eighth hearing for these bills in the Senate Finance Committee. Co-Chair Green informed the Committee that previously adopted amendments are incorporated into the committee substitutes for these bills. Senator Taylor moved to adopt SCS CS SS HB75 (FIN), Version 23- GH1002\Z as the working draft. There being no objection, Version "Z" was adopted as the working document. Senator Taylor moved to adopt SCS CS SS HB 76 (FIN), Version 23- GH1004\U as the working document. There being no objection, Version "U" was adopted as a working document. Senator Hoffman inquired to the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) funds that would be required to support this legislation, excluding any revenue sources. Co-Chair Green replied that that information is not yet available. Senator Hoffman asked regarding the funding level required to support the amendments that were adopted during the seventh hearing on this legislation. Co-chair Green responded that the amount is slightly less than one billion dollars. Senator Hoffman complimented the Committee and staff on the caliber of work that was provided in support of developing the FY 04 operating budget. Senator Taylor moved to report the committee substitute for HB 75 from Committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, SCS CS SS HB 75 (FIN) was REPORTED from Committee. Amendment MH #1 for HB 76, Version "U": This conceptual amendment deletes one million dollars of funding designated for the Fairbanks Mental Health Detoxification Unit Expansion and Renovation as specified on page 11, lines 13, 14, and 15. Co-Chair Wilken moved to adopt the amendment. He shared that this amendment is offered "out of concern" regarding "the wisdom" of the planning and measurement about this project. He stated that while the project might "be well-intentioned…it is not well thought out." He stated "that until good answers" are forthcoming to questions regarding how to address the problem of intoxicated individuals; he could not support the project. Senator Taylor objected to the amendment. He voiced concern that "when the state transitioned public drunkenness" from a crime to an illness and "removed it from the criminal statutes and placed it under Title 47 Statutes, the only way that police officers could remove someone off the streets" was a situation wherein they were a danger to themselves or to others. He furthered that the State has never adequately addressed the problem "with either funding or the staffing necessary," and as a consequence, he declared that communities have had to assume the responsibility. However, he opined, efforts do not adequately address the root of problem, and he asserted that the State should fund the provisions in Title 47 to address the problem. Senator Taylor withdrew his objection. Co-chair Wilken echoed Senator Taylor's concern, and stated that were adequate answers to questions such as how the funds would be utilized; how the outcomes would be measured; and how individuals would benefit and improve their quality of life, he would be able to support the detoxification center funding. There being no further objection, Amendment MH #1 was ADOPTED. Senator Taylor moved to report HB 76, as amended, from Committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, SCS CS SS HB 76 (FIN), as amended, was REPORTED from Committee. AT EASE 1:35 PM / 1:35 PM