HOUSE AND SENATE CONFERENCE COMMIITTEE FOR HB 50 AND HB 51 May 15, 1999 10:25 P.M. TAPE CC99 - 6, Side 1 CALL TO ORDER Representative Mulder called the Conference Committee meeting to order at 10:25 p.m. PRESENT Chair Mulder Vice-Chair Senator Parnell Therriault Senator Torgerson Representative Grussendorf Senator Adams ALSO PRESENT David Teal, Director, Legislative Finance Division; Denny DeWitt, Staff, Representative Mulder. SUMMARY CSHB 50(FIN)(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." CSHB 51(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." and SCS CSHB 50(FIN) AM S "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." SCS CSHB 51(FIN) am S "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." AMENDMENTS: DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HB 50 and HB 51 were HELD in Committee DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS Chair Representative Mulder reviewed the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Community and Regional Affairs (see attached motion sheets). Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT the proposed conference committee motions the Department of Community and Regional Affairs. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES Chair Representative Mulder reviewed the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Health and Social Services (see attached motion sheets). Co-Chair Therriault referred to item 1, Medicaid Services. He questioned if the department would have the latitude to move general funds within the department to match federal authority. DENNY DEWITT, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MULDER observed that there is a possibility that there will be an opportunity to increase the federal appropriation. He clarified that the state congressional delegation is working to allow a change in the state/federal match ratio in Medicaid. The federal receipt authorization in item 1 would allow the receipt of the funds. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT the proposed conference committee motions the Department of Health and Social Services. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT the Senate letter of intent for the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse: It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse consider raising fees for services in the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP), reasserting the State's commitment to deter drunk driving. Co-Chair Therriault noted that one program is run with state personnel, the others are contracted out. He stated his intent to look into why all the programs are not contracted out. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT a letter of intent for the Community Development Quota Program: It is the intent of the Legislature to permanently move the Community Development Quota Program, including its manager and specialist positions, located within the Division of Municipal and Regional Assistance, to the Anchorage facilities of the Department of Community and Regional Affairs. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT a letter of intent for the Head Start Program: It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Community and Regional Affairs increase their collaboration for the benefit of clients who participate in both the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program and the Head Start Program. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT intent language for the Department of Health and Social Services, Human Services Community Matching Grant: It is the intent of the Legislature that the Municipality of Anchorage evaluate the fairness of its current system for allocation of state social services block grants funds and provide a written report to the Co-Chairs of the House and Senate Finance Committees on this evaluation by October 1, 1999. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES Chair Representative Mulder noted that items 1, 2 and 9 would remain open. He reviewed conference committee recommendations for the remaining items (see attached motion sheets). He observed that the motion on item 4 would be to take the house number. Senator Adams expressed concerns regarding the Central and Northern Highways and Aviation components. He observed that there is a reduction to these components based on statutory designated program receipts. He expressed concern that the statutory designated program receipts may not be realized. Representative Grussendorf added that the Southeast region has been reduced more than the other areas of the state. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT items 3 - 8 and 10 - 26 as contained on the conference committee motion sheets for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT house intent language for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities: Central Region Highways and Aviation It is the intent of the legislature that the Department analyze the existing maintenance stations and close the number required to realize "savings of $400,000 in both the Northern and Central Regions. These maintenance station closures should not result in any roads that are currently maintained to go unmaintained. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT senate intent language for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities: Central Region Highways and Aviation It is the intent of the legislature that $500,000 of the amount appropriated from federal receipts for Central Region Highways and Aviation is for maintenance and operation of Mitchell Field at Adak and is contingent upon receipt of federal receipts for maintenance, and operation of Mitchell Field and the execution of a long-term agreement between the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and either the Adak Reuse Corporation or the City of Adak regarding the maintenance and operation of Mitchell Field. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT senate intent language for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities: Central Region Highways and Aviation It is the intent of the legislature that the Department prepare a report for the second session of the 21 st Alaska Legislature, identifying maintenance stations and airports in the region that they would recommend to be consolidated or transferred to local governments. Also all maintenance stations and airports in the area should be ranked in priority order for closure consideration. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT house intent language for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities: Northern Region Highways and Aviation It is the intent of the legislature that the Department analyze the existing maintenance stations and close the number required to realize savings of $400,000 in both the Northern and Central Regions. These maintenance station closures should not result in any roads that are currently maintained to go unmaintained. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT senate intent language for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities: Northern Region Highways and Aviation It is the intent of the legislature that the Department prepare a report for the second session of the 21 st Alaska Legislature, identifying maintenance stations and airports in the region that they would recommend to be consolidated or transferred to local governments. Also all maintenance stations and airports in the area should be ranked in priority order for closure consideration. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT senate intent language for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities: Southern Region Highways and Aviation It is the intent legislature that the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities fill an additional equipment operator position in Klawock. Co-Chair Therriault ascertained that the position is in the department's budget. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Parnell MOVED to ADOPT senate intent language for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities: Southeast Region Highways and Aviation It is the intent of the legislature that the Department prepare a report for the second session of the 21 st Alaska Legislature, identifying maintenance stations and airports in the region that they would recommend to be consolidated or transferred to local governments. Also all maintenance stations and airports in the area should be ranked in priority order for closure consideration. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Senator Adams MOVED to reopen the Commissioner's Office component. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Senator Adams MOVED to ADOPT a new number of $402.2 thousand dollars. This would be a reduction of $50 thousand dollars from the Commissioner's Office. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Representative Grussendorf suggested that these funds be transferred to the Department of Fish and Game to reduce unallocated reductions. Co-Chair Mulder indicated that he would consider the request. HB 50 and HB 51 were HELD in Committee. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m. CC50 1 5/15/99