24TH ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE 1ST SESSION HOUSE SENATE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE HB 66/HB 67 April 27, 2005 12:49:19 PM CALL TO ORDER Senator Green called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 12:49:19 PM. PRESENT House: Representative Chenault, [Chair pending election] Representative Chenault, Member Representative Representative Croft, Member Senate: Senator Gary Wilken, [Vice-Chair, pending election] Senator, Lyda Green Member Senator Lyman Hoffman, Member ALSO PRESENT: David Teal, Director, Legislative Finance Division; fiscal analysts with the Office of Management and Budget and Legislative Finance Division; and aides to committee members and other members of the Legislature. SUMMARY CSHB 67(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 66(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 67(FIN) 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 66(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." HB 66 and HB 67 were heard and HELD in Committee for further consideration. 12:49:19 PM Senator Wilken MOVED to ADOPT Representative Chenault as presiding chair of the FY06 budget conference committee. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Representative Chenault MOVED to ADOPT Senator Wilken as vice-chair of the FY06 budget conference committee. Chair Chenault noted that both the House and Senate budget process allowed for public testimony. That portion of the process is now concluded; the Conference Committee will not be accepting public testimony. He observed that unless invited by the Chair, only members of the Conference Committee might take part in discussion or sit at the table, with the exception of the director of Legislative Finance Division. Legislative Finance has been directed to prepare the "motion sheets," which the committee would use at the table. The sheets summarize the differences between the two versions of the bills that are the subject of these committee discussions and are located on the web. The Conference Committee will operate under Uniform Rule 42. Adopting any motion or taking any action requires a majority vote from each body. A copy of Uniform Rule 42 and related legal opinions were each member's packet.    12:51:11 PM    Senator Wilken MOVED to ADOPT that all appropriations and allocations [Category I items] in the FY06 Operating Budget that are identical in House and Senate versions of the bills be adopted. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 12:51:31 PM Senator Wilken MOVED to ADOPT a letter requesting the Committee be given limited powers of free conference on the following specific points: Allocations with Items Subject to Conference Language Subject to Conference Mental Health Capital Projects Subject to Conference Representative Croft OBJECTED. He requested the committee adopt powers of free conference on the Governor's authority to purchase a jet. Representative Chenault felt the request was out of order and thought that discussions could occur on the issue. He stated that he has seen a legal opinion indicating that the Committee could not take up the issue without full free conference powers. Representative Croft WITHDREW his OBJECTION. 12:53:59 PM Representative Chenault noted that he would give affected departments and the Office of Management and Budget 24-hour notice of meetings. He noted that the intention would be to take up the following budgets during the next meeting: Governor Court System Legislature Administration Commerce Education Environmental Conservation Representative Chenault observed that motion sheets are available on line at the Legislative Finance Division's website. #  ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:54 PM