Date: 02/28/2006

Final
Review of Legislative Budget

COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to approve the legislative branch budget reqPASS


08:26 AM - Call to Order

The meeting was called to order to order by the chairman, Speaker Romanoff. Members present were: Senators Fitz-Gerald, Gordon, and McElhany; and Representatives Madden and Stengel. Staff present were: Kirk Mlinek, Director, Legislative Council Staff, Dan Chapman, and Cathy Eslinger.

08:26 AM -- Review of Legislative Department Budget

Kirk Mlinek, Director, Legislative Council Staff, reviewed the provisions of the legislative department budget request for FY 2006-07 and indicated he would present the request on behalf of all of the legislative agencies. He noted that representatives of the Joint Budget Committee staff, the Office of Legislative Legal Services, the Office of the State Auditor, and the House and Senate were available in the audience to respond to specific questions. Mr. Mlinek referred to a budget document and a summary table of the budget request (Attachments A and B). He indicated that the request is for an overall increase of 4.54 percent and that personal services account for most of the request. He discussed the membership dues and indicated that the budget request would fully cover the dues for all four organizations for which the General Assembly has membership. He stated that the request does not cover items included in the Long Bill and that in the past, the Executive Committee has approved footnote language to specify that unused special funds be used to fund legislative aides.


08:28 AM

Representative Madden asked additional questions about the manner in which decisions about legislative aides funding is made. Mr. Mlinek responded as to the time frame and indicated that 20 special session days are funded through the budget request. Senator McElhany asked additional questions about the membership organizations to which dues are paid.


BILL:Review of Legislative Budget
TIME: 08:31:53 AM
MOVED:Fitz-Gerald
MOTION:Moved to approve the legislative branch budget request for FY 2006-07 as presented, to be prepared in accordance with the legislative appropriations bill and with the inclusion of a footnote for funding for aides out of unused special session funds, and to take the balance from reversions. The motion passed on a 6-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Madden
VOTE
Gordon
Yes
Madden
Yes
McElhany
Yes
Stengel
Yes
Fitz-Gerald
Yes
Romanoff
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




08:32 AM

Senator McElhany and Senator Fitz-Gerald commented on the use of the footnote for legislative aides funding. Mr. Mlinek asked for a determination of sponsorship of the legislative appropriation bill. The committee members decided that the bill will start as a House bill, with the majority leaders of the House and Senate as prime sponsors, and with the remaining Executive Committee members as co-sponsors.


08:34 AM

Senator Fitz-Gerald moved (Second: McElhany) to adjourn the committee. The motion passed without objection. The committee adjourned.