HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE February 4, 1994 1:30 P.M. TAPE HFC 94 - 24, Side 2, #000 - end. TAPE HFC 94 - 25, Side 1, #000 - end. CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:30 P.M. PRESENT Co-Chair Larson Representative Hoffman Co-Chair MacLean Representative Martin Representative Navarre Representative Foster Representative Brown Representative Parnell Representative Grussendorf Representative Therriault Representative Hanley was not present for the meeting. ALSO PRESENT Representative Tom Brice; Representative Ed Willis; Margaret Lowe, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social Services; Deborah K. Smith, Executive Director, Alaska Mental Health Board, Department of Health and Social Services; Loren Jones, Director, Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Department of Health and Social Services; Alicia Iden, Chair, Alaska Mental Health Board; Kathy Alely, Chair, Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education; Reggie Joule, Chair, Kotzebue, Governor's Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse; Don Hoover, Chair, Older Alaskans Commission; Kathy Fitzgerald, Parent; Susan Loudan, Parent; Ernie Drumman, Parent; Leslie Yamamito, Parent. SUMMARY MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING BRIEFING: Alaska Mental Health Board Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education Older Alaskans Commission Governors Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse HB 231 An Act relating to aggravating and mitigating factors at sentencing. CS HB 231 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with zero fiscal notes by the Department of Law, the Alaska Court 1 System, the Department of Administration and the Department of Public Safety. HOUSE BILL 231 "An Act relating to aggravating and mitigating factors at sentencing." Representative Brown MOVED the title change as requested by the House Finance Committee to HB 231. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Representative Parnell MOVED to report CS HB 231 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying zero fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 231 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with zero fiscal notes by the Department of Law, the Alaska Court System, the Department of Administration and the Department of Public Safety. MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING BRIEFING ALICIA IDEN, CHAIR, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH BOARD, introduced the Board members for the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, the Older Alaskans Commission, and the Governor's Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. She proceeded to present the Alaska Mental Health Board's FY95 funding recommendations for comprehensive mental health programs originating from the Alaskan Mental Health Trust. Ms. Iden explained the Mental Health Board's responsibility to fulfill the trust purpose in establishing a comprehensive and integrated mental health program which adequately meets the needs of those citizens. The project would be accomplished through a needs assessment, the planning and evaluation of programs, followed by implementation from budget recommendations. Ms. Iden provided the Committee with a handout, "Alaska Mental Health Board FY95 Funding Recommendations for Alaska's Comprehensive Mental Health Program From the Mental Health Lands Trust -- February 4, 1994". (Copy on file). Beneficiaries and providers have agreed that the first priority would be granting a budget which would allow programs to continue providing services at the present level, restore service cuts, fund services necessary as a result of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act and fund programs for victims of Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders. Most programs for Mental Health Trust 2 beneficiaries have not received any increases in the past three years through grant funds. Many programs have had to cut back on services to cover cost increases. She added, increments for the home and community based services through the Older Alaskans Commission component are necessary to allow that population to reach parity with other beneficiary groups within the Trust. Ms. Iden asked the Committee to support the proposed requests made by the Alaska Mental Health Board. REGGIE JOULE, CHAIRMAN, ADVISORY BOARD ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE, KOTZEBUE, presented testimony on alcohol and drug abuse and the problems created by these addictions. (Testimony provided -Copy on file). Mr. Joule emphasized that the State can not afford to not fund substance abuse. He added, that past reductions to the substance abuse budget have caused emotional and financial damage within the State. Mr. Joule itemized legislation that the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse supports: SB 42, HB 2, HB 28, HB 61, SB 221 (HB 344), SB 19, SB 220, HB 413 (SB 369), HB 195 Representative Brown asked if taxation of substances would deter users. Mr. Joule thought it would not make a difference to the addict, although, he supported taxation and use of the tax revenue funds by the Mental Health Board to support mental health related programs. (Tape Change HFC 94-25, Side 1). DON HOOVER, CHAIR, OLDER ALASKANS COMMISSION, FAIRBANKS, presented testimony addressing the Pioneer's needs in Alaska. (Testimony provided - Copy on file). He pointed out that the Older Alaskans Commission (OAC) serves as an advocacy agency for adults with alzheimer's disease, which carefully plans to provide the best services possible for ADRD clients and their families. With the help of communities, nonprofit agencies, and Pioneers' Homes; OAC has helped relieve the suffering and burden of care for families experiencing Alzheimer's disease in loved ones. Mr. Hoover urged the Committee's continued support for the proposed FY95 funding for mental health needs in Alaska. KATHY ALELY, CHAIR, GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES & SPECIAL EDUCATION, EAGLE RIVER, explained the needs of people in the State with disabilities and the needs of their 3 families. She added, that the Council members are volunteers. The Board has the responsibility for planning statewide services for people with all disabilities. There are twenty-six members on the Council, half of which have a disability or are a parent of a child with a disability. Recommendations are made to the Mental Health Board on how expenditures from the Trust should be allocated. Ms. Alely insisted that having programs available to families is more cost effective for the State in keeping families intact and leads to less children being placed in homes. She remarked that the common thread binding all families involved with a person having a disability is stress. LESLIE YAMAMOTO, PARENT, provided the Committee with pictures of her child who has benefited from programs in the Infant Learning Program provided by the State. She stressed the need for continued funding. KATHY FITZGERALD, PARENT, provided the Committee with photos of her child who has benefited from programs provided by the State and urged continued support. SUSAN LOUDAN, PARENT, provided the Committee with photographs of her daughter and urged continued support of programs which address the needs of the disabled. ERNIE DRUMMAN, PARENT, provided the Committee with a photograph of his son, Stewart, who has suffered extreme disabilities and who has benefited from programs provided by the State. He urged continued funding of Respite and Shared Care Programs and others which address the needs of the disabled. Representative Brown asked if the Board had success in working with Alaska Housing Finance Corporation in addressing "special needs" housing. Ms. Iden explained the Special Needs Task Force which has been meeting to develop a State plan. The Task Force is currently working on policy and implementation with Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. Representative Brice asked incentives used by the Department of Education for children in the schools with special needs. MARGARET LOWE, M.ED.ED.S., COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, explained that the Education Committee Task Force has been working on intent language 4 addressing special education and how that would affect the foundation program. Currently, there is no legislation available to address those needs. Representative Hoffman commented on the lack of attention to developmental disabilities among people living in the rural areas of the State. Commissioner Lowe pointed out the large increase of services to the developmentally disabled in the rural areas in the past five years. Currently, services exist to persons in one hundred and seventy (170) villages. Co-Chair Larson summarized the existing FY95 budget constrictions in relationship to the Mental Health Board's request for needed funds for the State's disabled. He encouraged a cooperative relationship between the board and committee in developing a budget to address mental health needs. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 3:00 P.M. HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE February 4, 1994 1:30 P.M. TAPE HFC 94 - 24, Side 2, #000 - end. TAPE HFC 94 - 25, Side 1, #000 - end. CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:30 P.M. PRESENT Co-Chair Larson Representative Hoffman Co-Chair MacLean Representative Martin Representative Navarre Representative Foster Representative Brown Representative Parnell Representative Grussendorf Representative Therriault Representative Hanley was not present for the meeting. ALSO PRESENT Representative Tom Brice; Representative Ed Willis; Margaret Lowe, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social Services; Deborah K. Smith, Executive Director, Alaska Mental Health Board, Department of Health and Social 5 Services; Loren Jones, Director, Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Department of Health and Social Services; Alicia Iden, Chair, Alaska Mental Health Board; Kathy Alely, Chair, Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education; Reggie Joule, Chair, Kotzebue, Governor's Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse; Don Hoover, Chair, Older Alaskans Commission; Kathy Fitzgerald, Parent; Susan Loudan, Parent; Ernie Drumman, Parent; Leslie Yamamito, Parent. SUMMARY MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING BRIEFING: Alaska Mental Health Board Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education Older Alaskans Commission Governors Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse HB 231 An Act relating to aggravating and mitigating factors at sentencing. CS HB 231 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with zero fiscal notes by the Department of Law, the Alaska Court System, the Department of Administration and the Department of Public Safety. HOUSE BILL 231 "An Act relating to aggravating and mitigating factors at sentencing." Representative Brown MOVED the title change as requested by the House Finance Committee to HB 231. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Representative Parnell MOVED to report CS HB 231 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying zero fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 231 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with zero fiscal notes by the Department of Law, the Alaska Court System, the Department of Administration and the Department of Public Safety. MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING BRIEFING ALICIA IDEN, CHAIR, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH BOARD, introduced the Board members for the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, the Older Alaskans Commission, and the Governor's Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. She proceeded to present the Alaska Mental Health Board's 6 FY95 funding recommendations for comprehensive mental health programs originating from the Alaskan Mental Health Trust. Ms. Iden explained the Mental Health Board's responsibility to fulfill the trust purpose in establishing a comprehensive and integrated mental health program which adequately meets the needs of those citizens. The project would be accomplished through a needs assessment, the planning and evaluation of programs, followed by implementation from budget recommendations. Ms. Iden provided the Committee with a handout, "Alaska Mental Health Board FY95 Funding Recommendations for Alaska's Comprehensive Mental Health Program From the Mental Health Lands Trust -- February 4, 1994". (Copy on file). Beneficiaries and providers have agreed that the first priority would be granting a budget which would allow programs to continue providing services at the present level, restore service cuts, fund services necessary as a result of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act and fund programs for victims of Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders. Most programs for Mental Health Trust beneficiaries have not received any increases in the past three years through grant funds. Many programs have had to cut back on services to cover cost increases. She added, increments for the home and community based services through the Older Alaskans Commission component are necessary to allow that population to reach parity with other beneficiary groups within the Trust. Ms. Iden asked the Committee to support the proposed requests made by the Alaska Mental Health Board. REGGIE JOULE, CHAIRMAN, ADVISORY BOARD ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE, KOTZEBUE, presented testimony on alcohol and drug abuse and the problems created by these addictions. (Testimony provided -Copy on file). Mr. Joule emphasized that the State can not afford to not fund substance abuse. He added, that past reductions to the substance abuse budget have caused emotional and financial damage within the State. Mr. Joule itemized legislation that the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse supports: SB 42, HB 2, HB 28, HB 61, SB 221 (HB 344), SB 19, SB 220, HB 413 (SB 369), HB 195 Representative Brown asked if taxation of substances would deter users. Mr. Joule thought it would not make a 7 difference to the addict, although, he supported taxation and use of the tax revenue funds by the Mental Health Board to support mental health related programs. (Tape Change HFC 94-25, Side 1). DON HOOVER, CHAIR, OLDER ALASKANS COMMISSION, FAIRBANKS, presented testimony addressing the Pioneer's needs in Alaska. (Testimony provided - Copy on file). He pointed out that the Older Alaskans Commission (OAC) serves as an advocacy agency for adults with alzheimer's disease, which carefully plans to provide the best services possible for ADRD clients and their families. With the help of communities, nonprofit agencies, and Pioneers' Homes; OAC has helped relieve the suffering and burden of care for families experiencing Alzheimer's disease in loved ones. Mr. Hoover urged the Committee's continued support for the proposed FY95 funding for mental health needs in Alaska. KATHY ALELY, CHAIR, GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES & SPECIAL EDUCATION, EAGLE RIVER, explained the needs of people in the State with disabilities and the needs of their families. She added, that the Council members are volunteers. The Board has the responsibility for planning statewide services for people with all disabilities. There are twenty-six members on the Council, half of which have a disability or are a parent of a child with a disability. Recommendations are made to the Mental Health Board on how expenditures from the Trust should be allocated. Ms. Alely insisted that having programs available to families is more cost effective for the State in keeping families intact and leads to less children being placed in homes. She remarked that the common thread binding all families involved with a person having a disability is stress. LESLIE YAMAMOTO, PARENT, provided the Committee with pictures of her child who has benefited from programs in the Infant Learning Program provided by the State. She stressed the need for continued funding. KATHY FITZGERALD, PARENT, provided the Committee with photos of her child who has benefited from programs provided by the State and urged continued support. SUSAN LOUDAN, PARENT, provided the Committee with photographs of her daughter and urged continued support of programs which address the needs of the disabled. 8 ERNIE DRUMMAN, PARENT, provided the Committee with a photograph of his son, Stewart, who has suffered extreme disabilities and who has benefited from programs provided by the State. He urged continued funding of Respite and Shared Care Programs and others which address the needs of the disabled. Representative Brown asked if the Board had success in working with Alaska Housing Finance Corporation in addressing "special needs" housing. Ms. Iden explained the Special Needs Task Force which has been meeting to develop a State plan. The Task Force is currently working on policy and implementation with Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. Representative Brice asked incentives used by the Department of Education for children in the schools with special needs. MARGARET LOWE, M.ED.ED.S., COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, explained that the Education Committee Task Force has been working on intent language addressing special education and how that would affect the foundation program. Currently, there is no legislation available to address those needs. Representative Hoffman commented on the lack of attention to developmental disabilities among people living in the rural areas of the State. Commissioner Lowe pointed out the large increase of services to the developmentally disabled in the rural areas in the past five years. Currently, services exist to persons in one hundred and seventy (170) villages. Co-Chair Larson summarized the existing FY95 budget constrictions in relationship to the Mental Health Board's request for needed funds for the State's disabled. He encouraged a cooperative relationship between the board and committee in developing a budget to address mental health needs. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 3:00 P.M. 9