HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE January 16, 2001 1:39 PM TAPE HFC 01 - 9, Side A TAPE HFC 01 - 9, Side B TAPE HFC 01 - 10, Side A TAPE HFC 01 - 10, Side B CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Mulder called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:39 PM. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair Representative Con Bunde, Vice-Chair Representative Eric Croft Representative Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair Representative Con Bunde, Vice-Chair Representative Eric Croft Representative John Davies Representative Carl Moses Representative Richard Foster Representative John Harris Representative Bill Hudson Representative Ken Lancaster Representative Jim Whitaker MEMBERS ABSENT None ALSO PRESENT Representative Gretchen Guess; Glenn Godfrey, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety; Gary Powell, Director State Fire Marshal, Central Office, Division of Fire Prevention, Department of Public Safety; Randy Crawford, Major, Deputy Director, Division of Alaska State Troopers, Department of Public Safety; Joel Hard, Col., Director, Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection, Department of Public Safety; Trisha Gentle, Executive Director, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Department of Public Safety; Kenneth Bischoff, Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department of Public Safety; Kevin Brooks, Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department of Fish and Game. PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE None GENERAL SUBJECT(S):  Review of Departments Accomplishments: Department of Public Safety Department of Fish and Game The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes and handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee through the 22nd Legislative Session, contact 465- 2156. After the 22nd Legislative Session they will be available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.   LOG SPEAKER DISCUSSION    TAPE HFC 00 - 9  SIDE A  000 Co-Chair Mulder Convened the Committee meeting.  Department of Public Safety  106 GLENN GODFREY, Stated that the mission of the Department COMMISSIONER, was to ensure public safety and enforce DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC fish and wildlife laws. He introduced SAFETY members of the Department who were with him.  183 Commissioner Godfrey Discussed contribution of the Department and the key issues confronting the Department.  253 Commissioner Godfrey Statewide contributions - Division of Fire Prevention. Significant contribution in protecting the natural resources. Downward trend in fire brutalities. In 2000, there was a marked increase in arson fires.  385 Commissioner Godfrey Identified the Division's measures of success such as addressing the bootlegging and alcohol problems throughout the State. Many products were seized. He added that sexual offender information is now available on the internet.  537 Commissioner Godfrey Spoke to the Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection.  566 Commissioner Godfrey Identified sport fishing violations and hunter contacts made by the Division.  624 Commissioner Godfrey Testified on the commercial crime violations and the successful prosecutions. He commented on commercial fishing enforcement. This was the first year that a permit holder was not allowed to fish in Bristol Bay because of cited violations.  722 Commissioner Godfrey Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA). He pointed out that there has been an increase in rural outreach to village areas and new resources to victims.  758 Commissioner Godfrey Alaska Police Standards Council and the training associated with that program.  792 Commissioner Godfrey Administrative Services and the Western Identification Network, which was approved by the Legislature several years ago, has enhanced the work of that Division.  835 Commissioner Godfrey Looking forward to continual improvement.  851 Commissioner Godfrey Key issues - He emphasized that the need for trooper services continues to increase statewide, especially in the rural areas. Also, he mentioned the gas line construction and the crime rates which generally go along with such an enterprise.  895 Commissioner Godfrey Admitted that there has been a major public outcry over drunken driving crimes committed throughout the State.  946 Commissioner Godfrey Bootlegging importation crimes. Amphetamine labs are also a problem. The Department is desperately trying to respond to these needs throughout the State.  987 Commissioner Godfrey Emphasized that patrolling the Alaska coastline with only 96 troopers is close to impossible. He noted that fish and wild life protection has operations in some of the most remote areas. He recommended building upon the safety of the enforcement aircraft.  1039 Commissioner Godfrey Addressed domestic violence in the State.  1050 Commissioner Godfrey Spoke to the Alaska Police Safety Academy (APSA).  1079 Commissioner Godfrey Added work done in the Administrative Services and the child safety act, which will screen persons associated with crimes related to these areas.  1109 Commissioner Godfrey Voiced notice to the fire prevention concerns. Spoke of the fire codes.  1133 Commissioner Godfrey Noted population growth with decreased trooper funding.  1146 Commissioner Godfrey Proceeded to address the 26 measures listed in the bill and the handout.  1168 Commissioner Godfrey Referenced the handout. [Copy on File].  1187 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 117 - Office of the Commissioner. 78% successful completion of the 26 measures.  1225 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 118 - The costs of the Administrative Services as compared to the total personnel costs for the Department.  1257 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 119 - Division of Fire Prevention  1277 Co-Chair Mulder Asked about the number of grievances.  1287 Commissioner Godfrey Explained that because of the grievances, the Department has placed additional resources into that area. He believed that action could have increased the grievances. Before, the Division did not have the resources to respond, whereas, now they are more capable and has resulted in more of a formal process.  1350 Representative Asked if there had been a cost increase Lancaster or labor shortage.  1363 Commissioner Godfrey Believed that there was.  1370 Co-Chair Mulder Questioned the direct cost to the State when a grievance is lost.  1385 Commissioner Godfrey Did not know the exact costs. He stressed that these are not major grievances but rather differences. He pointed out that was a small number compared with those of PSCA. Many disputes are settled informally. He believed that this was not a trend, however part of a cycle of "peaks and valleys".  1450 Co-Chair Mulder Recommended that the Subcommittee look at these numbers. He believed that these numbers represented a frustration with the Administration.  1480 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 119 - Division of Fire Prevention. Listed the percentage of buildings found in compliance with legal standards. Number of fire prevention educational contacts made by the Division. Average time required conducting initial building plan review. Listed the number of priority occupancies inspected.  1573 Representative Asked about the goal of the inspections Davies and compliance expectation.  1605 GARY POWELL, Pointed out that number represents the DIRECTOR STATE FIRE number of inspected areas that are still MARSHAL, CENTRAL in violation. The goal is that after a OFFICE, DIVISION OF few inspections, 30% would be able to FIRE PREVENTION, meet fire safety standards. He added DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC that it was a measurement of how many SAFETY were found.  1717 Co-Chair Mulder Inquired if it was because of short staffing.  1727 Mr. Powell Agreed. He noted that all codes had been enforced. He acknowledged that it would be difficult to obtain a code of  compliance of more than 30%. After discussing this issue with other states, 30% is understood to be a lofty goal. Priority buildings are inspected every two years.  1782 Vice-Chair Bunde Pointed out the chain of violations. He asked if there would be value in sorting out the serious life safety standards.  1808 Mr. Powell Agreed that it would be good to have a formula for such a service. He offered to look into that option trying not to generate a lot more paper work.  1901 Representative Asked if these were all existing Lancaster buildings.  1913 Mr. Powell Replied that they are all existing buildings.  1922 Representative Referenced the 4% number and how that Foster number would relate to his district. He criticized the waivers for buildings that are not up to code.  1960 Mr. Powell Explained that the codes take into consideration the year in which the building was built. The fire code do provide a good value in keeping the building safe from fire no matter what the year it was built. There are legal code requirements.  1996 Representative Asked about the Smokey the Bear and the Foster Safety Bear programs.  2212 Mr. Powell Replied that the Department tries to partner with other private organizations to implement the programs. He agreed that these are important programs.  2034 Vice-Chair Bunde Questioned the higher than normal staff turnover.  2048 Mr. Powell Noted that there had been a 100% turnover in the past two months in his office of four personnel. Other offices, are experiencing a similar turnover, just not at 100%. He noted that the training commitment is 18 months.  2109 Representative Asked if there exists cross training Hudson through the Village Public Safety Officers (VPSO) program.  2125 Mr. Powell Replied there was in the Fire Training.  2134 Representative Questioned if they were qualified to do Hudson some of the inspections.  2143 Mr. Powell Replied that the Department encourages them to make recommendations.  2152 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 120 - Division of Alaska State Troopers. Listed the number of homicides per capita per year; Number of rapes per  capita per year; Number of burglaries per capita per year.  2234 Commissioner Godfrey Stated that the numbers for the Division of AK State Troopers had to do with the areas of primary law enforcement responsibility.  2260 RANDY CRAWFORD, Measurements are per capita per 100,000 MAJOR, DEPUTY people, whereas, other crimes are DIRECTOR, DIVISION different.  OF ALASKA STATE TROOPERS, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Department of Public Safety (continued)  TAPE HFC 01 - 9,  Side B  083 Representative Croft Voiced concern over the statistics.  105 Representative Encouraged members to put the numbers in Whitaker perspective from the handout. He inquired the total number of rapes for the last year.  233 Major Crawford Replied there were 289 rapes for the population served by the Division.  312 Major Crawford Addressed the Alaska State Trooper (AST) measures from prior year SB 169, provided as supplementary information. Encouraged increasing the number of sex offender compliance actions. There has been an increase in the percentage of seat belt usage in the Alaska State Trooper jurisdiction.  402 Representative Croft Questioned why burglaries have increased while sex offenses have declined.  427 Major Crawford Could not second-guess about homicides in Alaska and the trend occurring. He admitted that burglaries are labor intense for the Division. Investigation follow-up is problematic. He believed that the Division would be in a better position of understanding at the end of the fiscal year. He advised that the Division is currently working on traffic issues.  530 Commissioner Godfrey Noted the statistics throughout the nation.  571 Representative Questioned the missions and measures and Foster the Department's effectiveness.  607 Commissioner Godfrey Commented on the law enforcement in village areas and the necessary resources needed to make those arrests.  668 Major Crawford Observed the number of new members in his force and why that was leaving the Division at a disadvantage.  710 Representative Asked if rural Alaska or urban Alaska had  Hudson the most rapes and burglaries.  748 Commissioner Godfrey Responded that in rural Alaska, the sexual assaults were much higher, whereas, in urban Alaska, the burglaries are far exceeding the rural area.  785 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 121 - Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection. Listed the number of sport fishing violations; Number of hunter contacts made by the Division.  857 Representative Asked if there had been differences with Hudson the changes in the law.  882 JOEL HARD, COL., Noted the federal government had DIRECTOR, DIVISION implemented regulations that mirrored OF FISH AND WILDLIFE those of the State.  PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 925 Representative Asked if they enforced their side.  Hudson 935 Col. Hard Acknowledged that was correct.  972 Representative Croft Asked if the goal was to have a lot of hunter contacts or reducing the number of incidents of illegal fish and hunting.  1002 Col. Hard Claimed that he did not know the exact intent and that it was his job to enforce the actual law. The results of the measure are that Fish and Wildlife have made arrests for a certain number of violations. He claimed that maintaining consistent visibility warrants enough presence alone. He claimed that hunting was less congested than sport fishing. This year the concentration was in rural Alaska.  1115 Co-Chair Mulder Pointed out that the mission statement was to protect resources. He asked if there should be better refinement.  1174 Representative Asked the number of hunter violations?  Foster 1187 Col. Hard The violation rate for this year was 357 or 2.5%.  1267 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 122 - Alaska Police Standards Council. Listed the number of hours of recruit training that was funded. The hours of advanced training funded.  1319 Vice-Chair Bunde Inquired about the success rate of the training. He asked if there were more graduating from the academy.  1345 Co-Chair Mulder Asked what the numbers included.  1354 Commissioner Godfrey Indicated that there are other courses provided outside of the academy. The numbers indicate the numbers.  1375 Commissioner Godfrey Pointed out that the recruit training is from the Sitka academy only. The APS attempts to focus on a specific area.  1421 Co-Chair Mulder Asked if there was a success ratio out of Sitka.  1445 Commissioner Godfrey Explained the funding budget component.  1459 Representative Questioned the difficultly with the Hudson recruitment.  1477 Commissioner Godfrey There exists a national trend at this time and the Department has focused on recruitment efforts with prime time exposure. There have been positive benefits. At this time, there are 1400 applications. The Division is trying to target 1000 applicants in which 30 would be drawn from.  1553 Co-Chair Mulder Asked if the allocation would fund troopers.  1565 Commissioner Godfrey Explained that it does fund some.  1577 Major Crawford Agreed.  1595 Major Crawford Explained that the applicant is tracked up until the time of job offer. They attend the Academy with the understanding that their wish will be within a couple slots.  1644 Commissioner Godfrey There is a mechanism in place at this time so that a trained person could transfer from one open location and department to another.  1670 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 124 - Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory. Listed the average time from receipt of a case to issuance of a report; Average cost per case.  1713 Co-Chair Mulder Asked for an explanation of why more work was being required.  1723 Commissioner Godfrey Replied that there is more computer work and testing work required at this time.  1743 Co-Chair Mulder Questioned how long it would take to get a positive DNA identification.  1753 Major Crawford Responded that the statistics include all data and prints of the DNA.  1772 Co-Chair Mulder Flagged that statistic for further work by the Subcommittee.  1778 Commissioner Godfrey Acknowledged that it was an alarming statistic and offered to provide further clarifying info from the crime lab.  1803 Commissioner Godfrey Added that the average cost per case is divided by the fiscal year costs.  1836 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 125 - Public Safety Academy (PSA). The mission of PSA is to train law enforcement officers. He itemized the measures of the cost per officer trained;  the measure of graduation rate and the measure percentage of officers who remain employed as law enforcement officers one year after graduating.  1892 Commissioner Godfrey Spoke about the brown and blue shirt recruits. Of the latest 36 recruits, 13 still remain with the Department.  1917 Major Crawford Explained that the Division lost two recruits in the field training. He added that they lose most candidates in the first few weeks, however, the washout rate comes during the field-training program. The Department is always up front about the pit falls and intensity of the training.  2050 Commissioner Godfrey Sec 123 - Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (CDVSA). The mission of the Council is to reduce the causes and incidences and to alleviate the effects of domestic violence and sexual assault.  2115 TRISHA GENTLE, Explained the work of the Division. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Spoke to the percentage of continuing COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC clients and the number of batterers and VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL the victims. She addressed the ASSAULT, DEPARTMENT percentage of the Council's budget spent OF PUBLIC SAFETY on prevention.  2197 Representative Croft Pointed out that these measures are difficult to track.  Department of Public Safety (continued) TAPE HFC 01 - 10,  Side A  015 Ms. Gentle Spoke to the national data and the recidivism rates. She also addressed resources for the person coming out of the abusive relationship. The national average is about 15.  107 Co-Chair Mulder Asked about the raw numbers.  118 Ms. Gentle Stated that the numbers represent about 45% for FY01. She added that it was 40% for FY00. She reiterated that the majority of the overall budget was spent on prevention.  195 Ms. Gentle Reiterated to Representative Hudson, that the total budget was 40% for prevention.  325 Co-Chair Mulder Appreciated how the Council had focused the budget.  355 Ms. Gentle Spoke to Measure #3 - The cost of shelter per night. She explained how the number was decided.  487 Representative Thought the more effective the agency Foster becomes the more expensive they become.  581 Ms. Gentle Agreed that the numbers had been rising. The cost represents many things.  608 Co-Chair Mulder Data can help to get a handle on the costs. Fewer clientele could allow resources to be reallocated to prevention.  666 Representative Questioned if advertising helps their Hudson business. Ms. Gentle stated that TV shows and advertising will increase calls. Beds are not always full.  730 Vice-Chair Bunde Cost of beds in the shelter may help.  744 Ms. Gentle Voiced concern that shelters have to be staffed whether or not the beds are full. The count given was by shelter night and Every counted bed was occupied.  813 Ms. Gentle Discussed Measure 4 - how much money is going to prevention and had there been a reduction. She stated that there had not been a reduction, however, emphasized that the data represented only 6 months. There is no statewide database for reporting. The Department of Public Safety places a tag on their cases, and that has increased reporting efficiency.  912 Representative Croft Asked for a breakdown between domestic violence and sexual assault for items 5 and 6.  949 Representative Noted that the Department of Public Whitaker Safety data is used locally and questioned if it relates to the entire State. Ms. Gentle responded that the data reflects the Department's data, which excludes Anchorage and other municipalities. The mandate is statewide but the data is not.  1035 Co-Chair Mulder Reviewed Measure 6. He observed that two thirds of the homicides are related to domestic violence and sexual assault.  1081 Representative Thanked the Commissioner for his rural Foster presence.  DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME  1119 KEVIN BROOKS, Discussed the Department's missions and DIRECTOR, DIVISION measures. He noted that the Department OF ADMINISTRATIVE accomplishes many things. Some are SERVICES, DEPARTMENT indicators and some are performance OF FISH AND GAME measures.  1263 Mr. Brooks The mission is tied to the Constitution. Sustained yield is central.  1323 Mr. Brooks Clarified that all the divisions have met their measures. The Division of Administrative Services handles 75,000 invoices. 75 percent were processed within 30 days. Use of credit cards has affected this number by delaying charge.  1399 Mr. Brooks Discussed Measure 3. The Department brought up an Internet application for fish and game licenses in Oct. 1999. It has been well received by vendors.  1443 Vice-Chair Bunde Questioned if large vendors are being compensated beyond their costs. He asked if expenses could be reduced through the internet transactions.  1460 Mr. Brooks He responded that there has been a savings and noted that internet sales totaled $727,000 dollars.  1563 Mr. Brooks Discussed Measure 4. He noted that agenda change requests for the Board of Game was reduced to one.  1650 Co-Chair Mulder Advised that there have been political considerations used in the proposal.  1673 Representative Croft Asked for an example of the measure.  1684 Co-Chair Mulder Replied that the silver salmon issue was taken into consideration because of biological concerns. That action makes for a spawn-less situation.  1713 Mr. Brooks Advised that it had not been a frivolous request.  1726 Mr. Brooks Noted Section 70 - the number of escapement objectives met compared to the total number of objectives set per region. It was broken down by river systems. Federal money has been received.  1777 Mr. Brooks The number of allocation objectives met compared to the total number of objectives set per region. Fourteen of the fifteen objectives have been met.  1815 Representative Asked the effect that the change of Hudson subsistence management had on the concern.  1848 Mr. Brooks Offered to meet with him on that. He noted that he would take that up with the Chair of the Subcommittee.  1865 Representative Croft Referenced Region 3 - Bristol Bay.  1878 Mr. Brooks Failures and returns. Issues with ocean survival and the number of fish being caught. The Board is working with these concerns.  1927 Representative Questioned the "number unknown".  Davies 1942 Mr. Brooks Stated that sometimes it is impossible to "get out" because of the weather. There have been accidents involving employees, and the weather tends to be worse in Region 3.  1974 Mr. Brooks Section 71 - Commercial Fisheries Limited  Entry Commission. The Commissioner is on track in FY01 to meet all of the performance measures established for the agency in SB 281.  2037 Representative Asked about the detail on the asterisk Whitaker indications. He requested more information.  2055 Mr. Brooks Replied that the majority of the cases are handled within 3 or 4 days. This was a first year measure.  2085 Mr. Brooks Section 72 - Habitat and Restoration. He noted that 95% of the Title 16 applications were approved or modified to protect, minimize, or mitigate damage within an average of 20 days after the receipt. 80% of the land use plans, review result in consensus on habitat related issues.  2174 Mr. Brooks 95% of the project reviews are for industrial development, road construction, and timber harvests are completed within an average of 25 days or within the scheduled time frame for complex projects.  2210 Mr. Brooks 100% of the third party contracted restoration projects are completed by the end of the contract period.  Department of Fish and Game (continued)  TAPE HFC 01 - 10,  Side B  130 Mr. Brooks Responded to questions asked by Representative Hudson regarding expediting the process of application.  300 Mr. Brooks Addressed Section 73 - Division of Subsistence. Listed the percentage of Alaska communities in each region for which fisheries harvest data are collected and reported; the percentage of Alaska communities in each region for which wildlife harvest data are collected; and the percentage of subsistence proposals at meetings of the Board of Fisheries and Board of Game for which subsistence data are assessed and recommendations are made.  407 Mr. Brooks Continued, itemizing the percentage of proposed statutory and regulatory changes by federal and other State entities for which subsistence data are assessed and recommendations are made.  700 Mr. Brooks Section 74 - Division of Sport Fish. For river systems that support a harvest of 100 or more king salmon, the number and  percentage for which an escapement goal is established, and would be considered.  782 Mr. Brooks Noted for the river systems that support a harvest of 100 or more king salmon, the number and percentage for which enumeration occurs annually will be considered;  887 Mr. Brooks For river systems that support a harvest of 100 or more king salmon, the number and percentage of escapement objectives achieved annually will be considered.  927 Mr. Brooks Section 75 - The number of big game surveys completed for population identified by the Board of Game as important for providing high levels of human consumptive use; the number of hunting and trapping licenses sold and the total revenue generated. He added that around 20% of Alaskans between 16 - 59 are buying licenses.  1069 Representative Asked if that number had declined.  Lancaster 1082 Mr. Brooks Replied that nationally the number is decreasing, but Alaska has been holding it's own.  1102 Co-Chair Mulder Asked about the sport fishing statistics in the Western states.  1116 Mr. Brooks Understood that it was the same as hunting. He offered to provide that information. He imagined that the fishing percentage would be higher.  1173 Mr. Brooks Noted the total amount of visitors visiting the State's wildlife viewing areas at Pack Creek, McNeil River, Potter's Marsh, and Creamer's Field.  1356 Mr. Brooks Noted that these areas are now listed on the internet. Eventually, permits will be listed on that site.  1410 Co-Chair Mulder Asked about the management activity of the McNeil River.  1428 Mr. Brooks Thought that it was in conjunction with the federal government.  1457 Representative Asked how the visitors at Potter's Marsh Lancaster were tracked.  1476 Mr. Brooks Did not know and offered to provide that information to the Committee.  1510 Co-Chair Mulder ADJOURNED the meeting at 4:35 P.M.