Capitol Report April 5, 2024

April 5, 2024

The House Finance Committee wrapped up its extensive budget-related amendment process earlier this week and is now considering the finalized amended package. Meanwhile, in Senate Finance the committee introduced a draft capital budget which will be reviewed today and next week.

Budget
Earlier this week the House Finance Committee continued its overview of nearly 100 budget amendments. They wrapped up the amendment process on Wednesday evening. Notable among the accepted amendments was one from Representative Alyse Galvin (D-Anchorage) to add funding into the operating budget for campus security measures at UAA campuses. The total increase of $1,020,000 is funded partially from the unrestricted general fund ($816,000) and partially from university receipts ($204,000). The funds allow UAA to increase the number of sworn officers available on campus and to install updated physical security systems such as cameras and building access systems.

The Senate also released a  earlier this morning. A review of the capital budget will be continued next Wednesday in the committee. Notably, the draft budget does not include funds for UA鈥檚 deferred maintenance or funds needed to meet a federal match requirement on UAF鈥檚 Alaska Railbelt Carbon Capture and Sequestration Project. This budget is the starting point for negotiations with the House, so much work remains.  

Legislative Priorities
On Wednesday afternoon, the House Labor & Commerce once again considered House Bill 55, the Technical and Vocational Education Program (TVEP) reauthorization bill. The committee authorized a committee substitute to the bill which would reauthorize the program in its current form for another two years. This clean reauthorization provides funding stability for UA鈥檚 technical and vocational education programs. The committee will consider additional amendments to the bill this afternoon after which it may pass the bill out and onto the House Finance Committee.

What We鈥檙e Watching

Wednesday, April 10

  • 8:00 a.m - House Education: : 鈥淯AA Law School; Law School Partnerships鈥
  • 1:30 pm - Senate Finance: : 鈥淎ppropriations: Capital; Reappropriation鈥

Friday, April 12

  • 1:00 p.m. - House Judiciary: : 鈥淔AFSA Raffle鈥
  • 3:30 p.m. - Senate Resources: Presentation 鈥淐ook Inlet Region Low Carbon Power Generation with Carbon Capture, Transport, and Storage Feasibility Study鈥 by Frank Paskvan, Affiliate Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks Institute of Northern Engineering

 

Read the full report here.