Date: 01/19/2011
Final
Briefing by Joint Budget Committee
COMMITTEE ON JOINT STATE VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
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01:32 PM -- Briefing by Joint Budget Committee
The committee was called to order. The chair dispensed with roll. The membership of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) first briefed the joint committee on the FY 2011-12 budget request for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Representative Becker walked the committee through the request based on information found in the JBC's Summary of FY 2011-12 Budget Briefings (a copy of the document is on file with Legislative Council Staff). Representative Becker also provided background on the functions of the department, and recent hearings conducted between the JBC and the department. The background included information on the efficacy of certain programs administered by the department. Mr. David Meng, JBC Staff, responded to questions regarding the ability of the department to use federal funds to cover the personal services associated with departmental programs that are currently not functioning due to a lack of funds.
01:42 PM
Discussion ensued regarding the ability of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to use property and assets seized during drug enforcement activities. Discussion followed regarding the repayment of moneys to the Veterans Trust Fund that were used to cover state costs associated with construction of new National Guard readiness centers. Representatives Becker and Gerou responded to questions regarding past-year cuts to the department's maintenance and operating budget, and how those line items are affected in the FY 2011-12 budget request. Discussion ensued regarding the ability to divert funds dedicated to constructing readiness centers to controlled maintenance on existing facilities.
01:53 PM
Representative Becker presented the FY 2011-12 budget request for the Department of State, and provided background on the department's functions. Representative Becker also provided input on the efficacy of certain programs administered by the department, and discussed the source of some of the cash funds that sustain the department's programs, including fees and fines. The committee discussed the amount of outstanding fines that have been collected by the department.
02:03 PM
Discussion ensued regarding the connection between business filing fees assessed by the Department of State and the funding of the state's elections, and the state's business filing rates compared to other states. Discussion returned to the subject of uncollected fines, and reasons that the fines remain uncollected. Discussion then returned to the connection between business filing fees and funding elections. Discussion followed regarding the campaign finance system in general.
02:13 PM
Representative Becker provided an overview of the state's elections expenditures history. Discussion ensued regarding reform of certain election processes.
02:15 PM
The committee recessed.