Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Date:02/13/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:12:27 PM to 12:44 PM
May
X
Penry
X
Place:HCR 0112
Shaffer B.
E
Weissmann
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Carroll T.
X
Senator Groff
Groff
X
This Report was prepared by
Christie Lee
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Review of Legislative Department Budget-


12:27 PM -- Review of Legislative Department Budget

Mike Mauer, Director Legislative Council Staff, presented the Legislative Branch Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Budget Request (Attachment A). He explained that all the legislative budgets together amount to a 0.35 percent increase and all of the budgets are held flat with the exception of the increase for employer contributions to health, dental, and life insurance, increased contributions for the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) amortization equalization disbursement and the PERA supplemental amortization equalization disbursement, and a 1.0 percent decrease in personal services for departments with more than 20 employees, although the Joint Budget Committee chose to take that reduction. Mr. Mauer stated that the House and Senate took out five days of special session money, the dues for the Energy Council were removed, and other dues that are paid have been held flat.

090213AttachA.pdf

Director Mauer stated that there are two additional items that need to be discussed. He stated that the reversion for current fiscal year needs to be put into the constitutionally required Ballot Information Publication and Distribution Revolving Fund which does not have enough money to write and distribute the next two ballot information blue books. Mr. Mauer discussed the Youth Advisory Council was created last year and a supplemental that allowed the spending of grants, gifts, and donations that he requested be added to the legislative appropriations bill.

12:29 PM -- Energy Council

Senator Isgar discussed the removal of the dues for the Energy Council. He asked if he could have a late bill so he could attempt to find money, other than General Fund money, to fund the Energy Council dues. Senator Isgar mentioned possibly taking the money out of the mill levy that is assessed on the oil and gas industry. Representative Weissmann asked about the benefits of membership in the Energy Council. Senator Isgar talked about the benefits of being a member of the Energy Council. Mr. Mauer stated that if it is funded through the General Fund, the budget would have to be amended; however, if it could be funded another way, it could just be drafted in a late bill. Senator Isgar urged the committee not to cancel the membership to the council. Mr. Mauer noted that the dues for the current year have already paid and that he was not planning on canceling the membership until the year is over.

12:38 PM

Representative May talked about the higher mileage rate that is paid to members who drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle. He said that he would like to remove the extra amount that is paid to these owners. Mr. Mauer said they could make a motion that no more four-wheel-drive mileage payments be authorized.
BILL:Review of Legislative Department Budget
TIME: 12:40:59 PM
MOVED:Carroll T.
MOTION:Move to approve the FY 2009-2010 Legislative Department Budget, the transfer of reversion funds to the Ballot Information Publication and Distribution Revolving Fund, and to add authorization for grants, gifts, and donations from the Youth Advisory Council into the legislative appropriations bill. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
May
Penry
Shaffer B.
Excused
Weissmann
Carroll T.
Groff
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:Review of Legislative Department Budget
TIME: 12:42:13 PM
MOVED:May
MOTION:Move that beginning March 1, 2009, mileage rates for legislators who drive four-wheel-drive vehicles would no longer be differentiated if it is found by the Office of Legislative Legal Services that this change can be authorized. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
May
Penry
Shaffer B.
Excused
Weissmann
Carroll T.
Groff
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

12:43 PM

Mr. Mauer advised the committee that the legislative department budget was put together with the help of the entire Legislative Management Team. Senator Penry stated that he agrees with taking the Energy Council out of the budget

12:43 PM

The committee adjourned.