HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE January 18, 2002 1:39 PM TAPE HFC 02 - 5, Side A TAPE HFC 02 - 5, Side B TAPE HFC 02 - 6, Side A CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Mulder called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:39 PM. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair Representative Con Bunde, Vice-Chair Representative Eric Croft Representative Richard Foster Representative John Harris Representative Bill Hudson Representative Ken Lancaster Representative Carl Moses MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair Representative John Davies Representative Jim Whitaker ALSO PRESENT PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Representative Gary Stevens; Representative Hugh Fate; Representative Sharon Cissna; Colonel Glenn Godfrey, Director, Alaska State Troopers, Department of Public Safety; Del Smith, Deputy Director, Department of Public Safety; Colonel Joel Hard, Director, Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection; Gary Powell, Director, State Fire Marshall, Department of Public Safety; Randy Crawford, Col. Director, Division of Alaska State Troopers, Department of Public Safety; Susan Scudder, Director, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Department of Public Safety; Frank Rue, Commissioner, Department of Fish and Game; Kevin Brooks, Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department of Fish and Game. GENERAL SUBJECT(S): # Mission and measure reports: Department of Public Safety Department of Fish and Game Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (postponed) 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 02 - 5 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY  SIDE A  000 COLONEL GLENN Introduced his staff.  GODFREY, DIRECTOR, ALASKA STATE TROOPERS, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 207 Commission Godfrey Discussed the measures for the Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection. He noted that the department acted on 2,729 angler violations in FY01. There were 16,772 hunter contacts. There was a slight drop in the second quarter, which may have been influenced by a reduction in visits after 9/11/01.  427 Vice-Chair Bunde Questioned the benefit of the contacts to Alaskans.  452 COLONEL JOEL HARD, Pointed out that measures provide DIRECTOR, DIVISION baseline statistics. They need to be OF FISH AND WILDLIFE measured against other activities and PROTECTION outcomes.  570 Col. Hard Agreed with Vice-Chair Bunde that other measures may be beneficial. He explained that they try to establish priorities and concentrate on programs that need their presence. Educational programs have also been undertaken. He reiterated that activities need to be measured against something. Changes in enforcement priorities make the measures difficult to assess.  697 Representative Croft Suggested that the measures need additional work. He was unsure if the intent is for the contacts to go up or down.  746 Representative Agree with Representative Croft. He noted Hudson that the intent is to prevent violations.  815 Representative Questioned if there are regional Lancaster statistics.  827 Col. Hard Affirmed that there are regional statistics, but observed that the  department's presence is not distributed evenly throughout the state.  854 Co-Chair Mulder Noted that it is an activity and not a performance.  870 Representative Gary Noted the high number of hunter contacts Stevens as compared to angler violations.  897 Co-Chair Mulder Pointed out that there were actual angler violations as opposed to hunter contacts.  932 Representative Questioned if any aircraft were seized.  Foster 945 Col. Hard Thought that one aircraft and one boat were seized in the last year. Seizures are relatively rare. The state does not auction seized weapons  1013 DEL SMITH, DEPUTY Noted that serviceable weapons are sold DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT to licensed firearms operators. They are OF PUBLIC SAFETY not destroyed unless dangerous.  1056 Commissioner Godfrey Discussed measures for fire protection. He noted that 4.54 percent of 1,144 buildings inspected were in compliance. The target is 30 percent. The low level of compliance is partly due to the lack of prior inspections, which were due to a lack of staff.  1171 GARY POWELL, Observed that the state has not seen the DIRECTOR, STATE FIRE results of a new policy to send MARSHALL, DEPARTMENT information regarding inspection OF PUBLIC SAFETY expectations to facilities prior to their visit. He observed that there are a number of non-profits working on fire protection services. He could not recall any buildings which needing to be closed.  1385 Commissioner Godfrey Observed that the Division made 15,000 contacts for fire prevention education in FY01. Contacts in the first quarter of FY02 were 21,337.  1448 Commissioner Godfrey Noted that the average time required to conduct initial building plan reviews was reduced from 78 percent to 75 percent from FY01 to FY02.  1509 Mr. Powell Felt that the goal of 80 percent is obtainable and noted that there were large reviews, which increased the time needed. The program is self-supporting.  1541 Commissioner Godfrey Noted that there were 242 inspections of priority occupancies in FY02 compared to 158 in FY01. This is 90 percent of their goal.  1590 Co-Chair Mulder Noted that the measure is an activity and the intent is to measure the number of fires prevented. He questioned how the measure could be achieved. He observed  that risk is a big component. He questioned if it is possible to get closer to the performance.  1647 Representative Questioned if the state is assuming Hudson additional liability in review of building plans.  169 Mr. Powell Did not know if risk management covers the department. He pointed out that the state does not design the buildings being inspected. The state only notes if they met state code.  1701 Mr. Smith Observed that anyone could file a lawsuit, but emphasized that the state's role is to prevent offenses.  1726 Commissioner Godfrey Reviewed the Division of Alaska State Troopers. He noted that the greater portion of their resources is focused on homicide cases. He noted that 14 homicides (100 percent) were solved in FY02. There were 9 solved in FY01 (100 percent). One case was not solved in 1999 (although they believe they know the offender.) The national rate is 69 percent.  1830 Commissioner Godfrey Noted that in FY02, 47 percent of reported rapes were solved. In FY01, 53 percent of rape cases were solved. They are above the national average.  1869 Vice-Chair Bunde Questioned if the crime rate affects the solve rate. He wondered if the remaining crimes were harder to solve.  1900 RANDY CRAWFORD, COL. Pointed out that they have a suspect, who DIRECTOR, DIVISION is implicated, in 5 of the remaining OF ALASKA STATE cases. This would bring the rate up to 51 TROOPERS, DEPARTMENT percent.  OF PUBLIC SAFETY 1958 Representative Questioned what constitutes solving a Hudson case.  1969 Commissioner Godfrey Observed that a case is solved once it has been turned over to prosecution. Deaths of a suspect or incarceration in another state are considered as exceptions.  2015 Vice-Chair Bunde Suggested that it may be interesting to have a measure comparing the solve rate to the conviction rate.  2031 Commissioner Godfrey Noted that there were 1,272 burglaries with a solve rate of 19 percent. The FY01 solve rate was 20 percent. The national solve rate is 14 percent.  2083 Commissioner Godfrey Discussed the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. There is a  49 percent rate in continuing domestic violence clients. There is a continuing rate of 23.3 percent for sexual assault clients.  2132 Co-Chair Mulder Questioned if there is a national average.  2155 Commissioner Godfrey Did not have the national average.  2161 Representative Croft Observed that the goal is to reduce the number of potential clients. He stressed that the underlying message is that the intent is to change the victim's conduct not the perpetrator's.  2209 Vice-Chair Bunde Questioned the high repeat rate in sexual assault.  2201 Mr. Smith Pointed out that the statistics refer to victims requiring continuing contact and are not necessarily victims of a second assault.  2327 Mr. Smith Noted that funding to address batterers was provided over the past two years. There are no measures for the successful treatment of batterers.  2383 Representative Croft Noted that it is difficult to assess the affect of programs treating batterers.  TAPE HFC 02 - 5, Side B  010 Vice-Chair Bunde Questioned if persons seeking services are placed in multiple categories in the statistics.  050 SUSAN SCUDDER, Stated that they are placed in the DIRECTOR, COUNCIL ON predominant category relating to the DOMESTIC VIOLENCE services that are being sought.  AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 174 Representative Croft Felt that the measure should be how many of the batterers in the program come back with repeat offenses. He stressed that the current measure focuses on the victims seeking repeat services.  271 Commissioner Godfrey Noted that 38 percent of the Council's budget was spent on prevention efforts in FY02, compared to 45 percent in FY01. The cost of shelter increased from $68 to $69.83 dollars per night.  338 Commissioner Godfrey Compared the amount spent on and the percentage of reduction in domestic violence and sexual assault cases from FY00 to FY01. The department anticipates that $3,769 million dollars would be spent in FY02, compared to $4,411 million dollars in FY01.  412 Ms. Scudder Noted that there was a reduction in state  spending due to an increase in federal funding.  430 Commissioner Godfrey Reviewed the percentage change in domestic violence and sexual cases. He noted that sexual assault cases have been reduced but that domestic violence cases have increased. Combined domestic violence and sexual assault cases have grown by 5 percent.  507 Mr. Smith Noted that the numbers are based on cases responded to by the Department of Public Safety.  546 Commissioner Godfrey Reviewed the incidence of reported domestic violence and sexual assault cases. Cases of domestic violence have increased while cases of sexual assault and sexual assault of a minor have decreased.  638 Representative Asked how many of the FY01 reports were Hudson repeated from FY00.  716 Mr. Smith Did not know how many of the FY01 cases were repeats from FY00.  781 Commissioner Godfrey Noted that there was a -23.5 percent change in the number of homicides from domestic violence or sexual assault.  844 Representative Croft Pointed out that the Council has a prevention and protection mission, which makes the measures difficult to assess. He noted that the Council is being criticized for not doing enough for the perpetrator.  974 Co-Chair Mulder Did not think it was an unhealthy tension.  1001 Representative Croft Pointed out that victims are competing with perpetrators for funding.  136 Co-Chair Mulder Suggested that per capita expenditures for victims averaged by state for treatment programs could be a measure.  1088 Vice-Chair Bunde Stressed that he would prefer to see funding to prevent victimization as opposed to services for recovery.  1192 Commissioner Godfrey Noted that there are approximately 85 village public safety officers (VPSO), which are all paid with state funds. Federal funding appropriated to the Alaska Federation of Alaska (AFN) has not resulted in an increase in the number of officers.  1266 Co-Chair Mulder Observed that $15 million dollars in federal funds were appropriated to AFN last year and for the current year. He pointed out that part of the funding was  directed for VPSO's in dry communities in rural Alaska.  1275 Representative Noted that the AFN is about to receive Stevens the federal funds for the current fiscal year.  DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME  1331 FRANK RUE, He reviewed the department's mission to COMMISSIONER, protect and maintain the fish, game DEPARTMENT OF FISH aquatic plant resources of the state, and AND GAME manage their use and development in the best interest of the economy and well being of the people of the state, consistent with sustained yield principles.  1603 Representative Referred to subsistence and questioned if Hudson it would make sense to add equal protection under the Constitution.  1637 Commissioner Rue Noted that if one provision was included that they would all need to be included.  1664 Commissioner Rue Reviewed the number of escapement objectives met. He noted that 86 percent of the 166 streams and rivers actively monitored were in or above their escapement objective.  1724 Vice-Chair Bunde Questioned the impact of over escapement.  1736 Commissioner Rue Noted that over escapement represents a lost opportunity. These are fish that could have been harvested without lost to the stock. If there are too many fish in the system productivity can be reduced.  1810 Representative Croft How sure is the state that accounting systems are accurate?  1829 Commissioner Rue Responded that it depends on the system. Multiple methods are used. A number of indicators are also used. The state is looking at a new sonar system, which would be more accurate. He felt that the count was pretty accurate.  1968 Representative Hugh Questioned if the numbers are measured Fate against historic levels, especially in the river systems.  1988 Commissioner Rue Affirmed that historic performance and escapement is observed.  2005 Commissioner Rue Discussed the number of allocation objectives met. He observed that of the 15 fisheries with a regulated requirement to actively manage the fishery to achieve allocation goals, 60 percent fell within 10 percent of their goal.  2029 Commissioner Rue Discussed measures for the Division of Sport Fish. He observed that the state wants to establish river systems  allocations for the harvest of king salmon and the number of escapements. The goal is to have an escapement goal for 100 percent of the major king salmon harvesting systems.  2054 Co-Chair Mulder Observed that if escarpment is not met it could indicate that the river system is crashing.  2079 Commissioner Rue Agreed and emphasized that the first step is to set the goals. Progress is being made in setting goals. The goal was not reached in South central Alaska. He noted that the state did well in achieving their escapement goals.  Commissioner Rue Reviewed the number of fish licenses sold and the total revenue generated. The number of licenses has increased. Stated that there was a dip in 1999.  2136 Vice-Chair Bunde Observed that licensing changes occurred in 1999.  2242 Representative Asked if licenses are tracked by region.  Lancaster 2250 Commissioner Rue They are tracked by location of the sale and address of the holder lives.  2261 Commissioner Rue Noted that there were a number of factors affecting the reduction in 1999.  2272 Commissioner Rue Reviewed the percentage of Alaska residents between the ages of 16 and 59 who purchase fishing licenses; 44 percent of all residents purchased a sport fishing license in 2000.  2291 Commissioner Rue Discussed measures for the Wildlife Conservation Budget Request Unit. Reviewed the number of big game surveys completed for populations identified by the Board of Game as important for providing high levels of human consumptive uses. Big game surveys were done for 56 populations identified by the Board of Game.  2323 Commissioner Rue Reviewed the number of hunting and trapping licenses sold and the total revenue generated. There was Dip in 1999.  2333 KEVIN BROOKS, Explained that combination licenses are DIRECTOR, DIVISION listed under statistics for both sport OF ADMINISTRATIVE and wildlife.  SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 2350 Commissioner Rue Stressed that hunter satisfaction is important.  2369 Vice-Chair Bunde Observed that another source of information could be valuable.  2378 Co-Chair Mulder Referred to the amount of revenue generated from resident versus non- residents. He noted that non-residents provide the majority of funds that support the activities of sport fish and hunting.  TAPE HFC 02 - 6, Side A  012 Commissioner Rue Noted that 28 percent of all residents purchase hunting and trapping licenses. He noted that the licenses could be broken down by purchase location and the licensee's address.  042 Commissioner Rue Observed that there were 104,000 applications for hunts and 25,000 permits were issued. Over 500 thousand dollars were generated for the Fish and Game Fund.  113 Vice-Chair Bunde The number does not represent the number of residents applying for Tier II hunts.  169 Representative Observed that there are concerns Hudson regarding the drawn hunts near Anchorage. There are hunters in Southeast that have not been able to get permits for northern hunts. He asked if they were limited to people in that specific area.  189 Commissioner Rue Explained that the place of residence is no longer considered in Tier II licenses. Dependency and alternate resources are reviewed. The Board of Game is currently reviewing the Tier II criteria. Applicants with historical use of the population are given preference.  220 Commissioner Rue Reviewed measures for the Division of Subsistence. He noted that their mission is to gather information. The department collects subsistence data on fisheries and wildlife harvest.  229 Commissioner Rue Discussed measures for the Division of Habitat. He noted that the goal is that 95 percent of the Title 16 applications are approved or modified to protect, minimize or mitigate habitat within an average of 20 days. The average time was 17 days.  240 Vice-Chair Bunde Stated that it would be helpful to note have the range of days needed.  250 Commissioner Rue Observed that 80 percent of the land use plans reviewed resulted in consensus on habitat related issues.  245 Commissioner Rue Observed that 92 percent of the project reviews for industrial development, road construction and timber harvest involving  other agencies permits were developed within the targeted deadline of 25 days. The average time was 17 days.  252 Representative Asked if there was a difference in the Lancaster process time with the one-stop shopping in the Kenai.  259 Commissioner Rue Observed that more of the project applications are ready to go. The process is better because all the agencies are there.  270 Commissioner Rue The Division did not meet the goal of 100 percent for completion of third party contracted restoration projects. He noted that of 28 approved projects, 21 (75%) were completed by the end of the federal completion date. The remaining projects should be finished in the fiscal year.  282 Commissioner Rue Discussed measures for the Limited Entry Commission. He noted that they are doing a good job in meeting deadlines. Measures judge the movement of permits.  269 Vice-Chair Bunde Asked the department to work with the Subcommittee to identify other measures that should be included and questioned if there have been changes in the behavior of the public based on review of measures.  311 Commissioner Rue Stated that he would like to adjust allocation targets, by separating drift nets and set nets in Bristol Bay and sport fish versus commercial in the Southeast King Salmon.  314 Representative Fate Asked for additional information on pages 14 and 15. He asked for identification of statistics relating to Tier II licenses and drawings for permits.   ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:26 PM