MINUTES  HOUSE AND SENATE CONFERENCE COMMIITTEE  FOR HB 312 AND HB 313  April 20, 2000  4:30 P.M.  TAPES CC-00 #4, Side A CALL TO ORDER  Chair Parnell called the Conference Committee meeting to order at 4:30 PM. PRESENT  Chair Sean Parnell Vice-Chair Eldon Mulder Senator John Torgerson Representative Gene Therriault arrived after the meeting convened Senator Al Adams Representative John Davies Also Attending: DAVID TEAL, Director, Division of Legislative Finance SUMMARY  HB 312-APPROPRIATIONS: OPERATING BUDGET HB 313-APPROPRIATIONS: MENTAL HEALTH Department of Corrections Department of Health and Social Services Department of Transportation and Public Facilities SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 312(FIN) "An Act making and amending 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." and SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 313(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." DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS Chair Parnell reviewed the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Corrections. [See motions sheets on file.] Senator Adams requested that Item #33, Community Jails component, be addressed separately. Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt Items #1-45 with the exception of Item #33, as contained on the proposed conference committee motion sheets for the Department of Corrections. There being no objection, the items were ADOPTED. Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt the intent language for the Department of Corrections, Village Public Safety Officer Parole Supervision Program component, which reads as follows The legislature finds that the probability of rural individual successfully completing parole increases if the person returns to their home area during the parole period. It is the intent of the legislature that funds appropriated for the VPSO Parole Supervision Program will be used to train current VPSOs and supplement pay during those times the VPSO is providing parole supervision. There was no objection and the intent language was ADOPTED. The Department of Corrections was held open to allow for future consideration of Item #33. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES Chair Parnell observed that the conference committee proposal would fully fund the Medicaid Services and catastrophic and chronic illness assistance for the poor, increase funding for child protection service, increase foster care subsidized adoption and residential childcare funding, as well as increased funding for juvenile detention facilities and fully fund the increase in the infant learning program. Chair Parnell reviewed the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Health and Social Services. [See motions sheets on file.] AT EASE [A tape malfunction effects the remainder of the meeting.] Senator Adams asked to hold Item #21, Bethel Youth Facility component, to be addressed separately. Representative J. Davies requested holding Items #13, Foster Care Augmented Rate component, Item #15, Foster Care Special Need component and Item #17, Subsidized Adoptions and Guardianship component. Vice-Chair Mulder clarified that motion for Item #29, Infant Learning Program Grants component is to adopt the Senate appropriation of $294,400 Inter-agency receipts plus an additional $405,600 Inter-agency receipts. Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Health and Social Services, Items #1-12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22 - 33. There being no objection, these items were ADOPTED. Representative Mulder moved to adopt items #13,15 and 17 listed on the Department of Health and Social Services motion sheets. Representative Davies objected. He explained that these programs would need a supplemental appropriation during the next legislative session to fund operations through the end of the fiscal year. Chair Parnell stressed that the conference committee appropriations include significant increases. Representative J. Davies withdrew his objection. Without objection, Items #13, 15 and 17 were ADOPTED. Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt Item # 21, Bethel Youth Facility component, as contained on the proposed conference committee motion sheets. Senator Adams noted that there was an over-crowding problem in the Bethel Youth Facility. Vice-Chair Mulder explained that the House of Representative's appropriation is higher than the previous year and that it should provide the needed funding. Senator Adams withdrew his objection. There being no objection, Item #21 was ADOPTED. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (continued) Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt to adopt the proposed conference committee motion for Item #33, Community Jails. Senator Adams noted that this allocation is a reduction of 1.5 percent. He emphasized that the important part these community jails play in housing prisoners and that the high cost of fuel makes it impossible. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Representative Therriault, Senator Torgerson, Vice- Chair Mulder and Chair Parnell OPPOSED: Representative Davies, Senator Adams The motion PASSED (4-2) Representative J. Davies questioned the funding reductions made to Item #11, Institution Director's Office component, Item #19, Ketchikan Correctional Center component, and Item #32, Yukon-Kuskokwim Correctional Center component and observed that these items were addressed in other legislation. He asked if the fiscal note accompanying this legislation would be adopted in lieu of the reduction. Chair Parnell affirmed. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Chair Parnell explained that the proposed allocations represent increases for several components for this department. Chair Parnell reviewed the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Public Safety. [See motion sheets on file.] Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Public. There being no objection, the motions were ADOPTED. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES Senator Torgerson relayed the priority to reopen maintenance stations that were shut down in the winter months. He explained that by using funds from other sources than the general fund, the roads serviced by these stations would be plowed and reopened one month earlier. Chair Parnell explained total line 5996.8 is the final amount. Chair Parnell reviewed proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities [See motion sheets on file.] Chair Parnell noted a correction to the Item #41, Vessel Operations Management component appropriation. He stated that the House of Representatives appropriation of $1,158,100 was the actual figure to be adopted. Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt the proposed conference committee motions for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. There being no objection they were so ADOPTED. Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt intent language for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. There being no objection, the intent language was ADOPTED. ADJOURNMENT Chair Parnell adjourned the meeting adjourned at 5:15 PM.