32ND ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB 69 and HB 70 May 20, 2021 12:07 p.m. 12:07:21 PM CALL TO ORDER Chair Foster called the Conference Committee meeting on HB 69 and HB 70 to order at 12:07 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: House: Representative Neal Foster, Chair Representative Kelly Merrick Representative Steve Thompson Senate: Senator Bert Stedman, Vice-Chair Senator Click Bishop Senator Donny Olson MEMBERS ABSENT None ALSO PRESENT: Alexei Painter, Director, Legislative Finance Division SUMMARY HB 69 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS HB 69 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. HB 71 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET HB 71 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. Chair Foster reviewed the agenda for the meeting. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; and making capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations." SCS CSHB 69(FIN) AM S "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations; and providing for an effective date." and CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 71(FIN) am "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 71(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; making capital appropriations and supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." 12:08:08 PM Senator Stedman MOVED that Representative Foster serve as the presiding chair of the FY 22 Conference Committee on HB 69 and HB 71. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 12:08:30 PM Chair Foster MOVED that Senator Stedman serve as Vice-Chair of the FY 22 Conference Committee on HB 69 and HB 71. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Chair Foster reviewed procedures pertaining to the conference committee. He noted that both the House and Senate budget process allowed for public testimony. That portion of the process was concluded; the conference committee would not accept further public testimony. Unless invited by the Chair, only members of the conference committee would take part in discussions or sit at the table. Chair Foster observed that the Legislative Finance Division had been directed to prepare the "motion sheets" for use by the conference committee. The motion sheets summarized the differences between the two versions of the bills before the conference committee, were located on the Legislative Finance Division's website, and would be updated after each meeting. Chair Foster explained that the conference committee would operate under Uniform Rule 42. All action required a majority vote from each body for adoption. A copy of Uniform Rule 42 and related legal opinions were provided in each member's packet. 12:09:59 PM Vice-Chair Stedman MOVED that all appropriations and language in the FY 22 operating budget that were identical in House and Senate versions of HB 69 and HB 71 be adopted. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Chair Foster observed that the committee would need limited powers to reach agreements. He requested a motion to request "limited powers" for budget items for which differences exist. He relayed he had distributed a letter for dated May 20, 2021 addressed to the Speaker of the House and the Senate President. Under limited powers, the Conference Committee could adopt any amount between zero and the higher of the House or Senate version of each item subject to conference. 12:10:49 PM Vice-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT a letter requesting limited powers of free conference for budget items that were not identical. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 12:11:10 PM At EASE 12:18:28 PM RECONVENED Chair Foster clarified that the motion that was made previously applied to the FY 22 budget, and there were also some FY 21 budget items. Therefore, he would entertain a second motion. 12:18:52 PM Vice-Chair Stedman MOVED that all appropriations and language that were identical in House and Senate versions of HB 69 and HB 71 be adopted. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 12:19:21 PM Chair Foster relayed that the committee would be meeting to act on the operating budget bills once limited powers were received. The conference committee meetings would be posted on BASIS under the 24-hour rule. HB 69 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. HB 71 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. Vice-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADJOURN the meeting. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. ADJOURNMENT 12:19:55 PM The meeting was adjourned at 12:19 p.m.