MINUTES OF THE
JOINT Subcommittee on
General Government
of the
Senate Committee on Finance
AND THE
Assembly Committee on Ways and Means
Seventy-second Session
April 8, 2003
The Joint Subcommittee on General Government of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means was called to order by Chairman Vonne Stout Chowning at 8:17 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in Room 2134 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.
Assembly COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mrs. Vonne Stout Chowning, Chairman
Mr. Bob Beers
Mr. Joshua B. Griffin
Ms. Kathryn A. McClain
Mr. David R. Parks
Senate COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator Sandra L. Tiffany, Chairman
Senator Dean A. Rhoads
Senator Bob Coffin
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bob Guernsey, Principal Deputy Fiscal Analyst
Steven J. Abba, Principal Deputy Fiscal Analyst
Jeffrey A. Ferguson, Program Analyst
Joyce Garrett, Program Analyst
Jim Rodriguez, Program Analyst
Julie Walker, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Alice A. Molasky-Arman, Commissioner, Division of Insurance, Department of Business and Industry
John R. Orr, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Insurance, Department of Business and Industry
Myla C. Florence, Director, Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation
Martin A. Ramirez, Administrative Services Officer, Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation
The meeting is called to order at 8:17 a.m.
B & I, Insurance Regulation - Budget Page B & I-34 (Volume II)
Budget Account 101-3813
Jeffrey A. Ferguson, Program Analyst, Fiscal Analysis Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau:
Budget account 101-3813 is the main insurance account. It is funded through General Funds and administrative cost-allocation from the insurance examiner’s fund, budget account 101-3817. Budget account 101-3813 is the only budget in the insurance division that receives General Fund appropriations.
E-276 Working Environment and Wage – Page B & I-37
E-277 Working Environment and Wage – Page B & I-37
On page 2 of Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau Budgets Closing Action Detail Report General Government (Exhibit C. Original is on file in the Research Library.) enhancement decision units E-276 and E-277 remove two positions: legal research assistant I and administrative assistant I. These positions are associated with the medical-dental screening panel abolished by A.B. No. 1 of the 18th Special Legislative Session. There would be a General Fund savings of $228,477 during the biennium for both positions. Assembly Bill (A.B.) 300 would create a new medical-dental screening panel. It would have no bearing on this decision unit.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Would passage of that bill cause adjustments to be made at a later time?
Mr. Ferguson:
There would have to be some funding within that bill.
Senator Tiffany:
The $228,000 reduction is what percent of the total budget for this account?
Mr. Ferguson:
The total funding for this budget account for fiscal year (FY) 2004 is approximately $5.5 million. General Fund for this budget account is slightly less than $3 million.
Senator Tiffany:
In the total budgets of this division, where did the 3 percent cuts occur?
Mr. Ferguson:
This is the only account that has General Fund. The insurance division was not able to cut General Fund out of this budget. Instead it transferred funds from the insurance examiner’s account, budget account 3817, into this account. It basically replaced the General Fund funding with the examination fees.
Senator Tiffany:
How much did they transfer?
Mr. Ferguson:
It was $356,000 for the biennium.
Senator Tiffany:
We have $600,000 changed in the General Fund out of $3 million.
Assemblyman Beers:
What is the savings you mention?
Mr. Ferguson:
On page 3 (Exhibit C) at the top, E-600, it shows a transfer of $356,590 of insurance examination fees from the examination account into this regulation account and supplanting that amount of money in General Funds with fees.
Senator Tiffany:
Can you calculate what percentage of $3 million is $600 thousand? Was there an increase in General Fund from last year of the biennium to this year of the biennium?
Mr. Ferguson:
In the current fiscal year the General Fund is $2,641,228 and by comparison in the actual, FY 2002, it was $2,553,000.
Senator Tiffany:
That would indicate the General Fund growth was small.
Mr. Ferguson:
It is quite small, probably due to many personnel-related costs.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
We will go to decision unit E-900.
E-900 Transfer From B/A 3824 – Page B & I-39
Mr. Ferguson:
This decision unit recommends transferring the producer licensing supervisor from the insurance education and research account to the insurance regulation account. In the insurance education and research account, this position was funded through reserve reductions. In transferring it to the insurance regulation account the Governor recommends funding it totally with General Funds. That would be $138,067. In the previous meeting the insurance division testified that this position spends 20 percent of its time on education and research activities and the remaining 80 percent on producer licensing activities which are better aligned with the insurance regulation accounts. The committee asked if the division could fund 20 percent of this position through the education and research account. The division indicated they could do that. The General Fund portion would then be reduced by $13,700 in each year of the biennium. If this module is approved, a decision would be necessary regarding the 20 percent funding from education and research.
E-278 Working Environment & Wage – Page B & I-38
Other items listed in Exhibit C are decision unit E-278. The division is proposing to transfer some examination fees from the examiner’s account into the insurance regulation account, totaling $202,504 for the biennium. The rationale is in the insurance examiner’s account $202,504 would be transferred into the insurance regulation account to cover the supervisory costs. That would reduce the General Fund by the identical amount.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
We will go on to the budget reduction continuation on page 3.
Mr. Ferguson:
The division has indicated that it could not afford to continue the transfer beyond the biennium because it would leave the reserves in the examination account at a dangerously low level. Decision unit E-605 eliminates the vacant administrative II position. It would reduce the General Fund appropriation by $75,622. There is an insurance fraud assessment, number 4, which has been collected by the attorney general’s office and 15 percent by statute goes to the insurance division, although the statute said that the insurance division is supposed to collect it and transfer 85 percent to the attorney general. This was taken care of at a recent Interim Finance Committee (IFC) meeting and the Executive Budget reflects the change. The last issue is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners accreditation, the division has received provisional accreditation.
Senator Tiffany:
I want to go over the General Fund savings of $228,000, $356,000, and $74,000 in FY 2002, and one caveat that $126,000 be added back into it. We are saving $1.6 million by adding $126,000 back. That is from the $3 million total.
Mr. Ferguson:
The figures I quoted for FY 2004 and FY 2005 are after these cuts, so that is the end result of the Governor’s budget.
Senator Tiffany:
Is there a General Fund increase from $2.6 million to $3 million?
Mr. Ferguson:
I can show you what the General Fund base budget was prior to all of the decision units. Essentially, it was $3,041,000 in 2004 and $3,188,000 in 2005. Those numbers reduce to the $2.9 million that we have been discussing after the changes.
On page 1, adjustments were made to correct a calculation for vacancy savings for the positions being removed. That added $7280 to General Fund in 2004 and $7528 in 2005. Numbers 3 and 4 are technical adjustments. Staff requests further technical adjustments to this budget based on the insurance division’s internal cost-allocation as well as the Department of Business and Industry’s cost-allocation plans. This request is based on the closing of other budgets in this session.
Senator Tiffany:
There are many insurance bills this session. Are there any that would impact this budget?
Alice A. Molasky-Arman, Commissioner, Division of Insurance, Department of Business and Industry:
Some have a significant cost, while the estimate of cost for others is conservative. For example, any new responsibilities of the external grievance bills by approved overtime to staff. The concern here is if there is an aggregate of these bills, there will not be enough time for overtime and if they appear in aggregate form, require new staffing. Some of these aggregate bills have significant fiscal notes attached to them.
Senator Tiffany:
Do you think if any pass, there will be an impact on the General Fund request?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
Yes, I do. We have applied the examiner’s fund as purely a stopgap measure. That fund cannot afford any more transfers in this biennium or in future bienniums because of the low reserves in the second year.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Will the portion of the reserve you indicated would be used this time be changed in the budget-building process over the next biennium?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
Yes, that is being planned. It would be a complete change in the return to the manner in which both accounts were funded.
SENATOR TIFFANY MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 101-3813 WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS; INCLUDING THE FUNDING FOR TRANSFER OF THE POSITION OF PRODUCER LICENSING SUPERVISOR FROM THE INSURANCE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ACCOUNT TO THE INSURANCE REGULATION ACCOUNT, AND WITH 20 PERCENT OF THE PRODUCER LICENSING SUPERVISOR’S SALARY TO REMAIN FUNDED THROUGH THE INSURANCE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ACCOUNT.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN MCCLAIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
B & I, Insurance Examiners Budget Page B & I-41, (Volume II)
Budget Account (223-3817)
Mr. Ferguson:
The division contracts with outside examiners to perform financial and market examinations of all insurers. The insurers pay the actual costs for those examinations as well as an administrative charge. This account was established to capture the reimbursement revenues. There are no positions in this account. One of the major issues is this account’s reserve level, which may be impacted. The reserves at the end of the current fiscal year are budgeted to be $285,830. At the end of 2004, according to the Governor’s recommended budget, the reserves would be $259,069, but at the end of 2005, they would only be $52,374. The reason for the decrease in the reserves is the transfers discussed. To offset the decrease, the division has reduced the special liquidation fund. The purpose of that fund is to give the commissioner funds to pay an examiner deputy liquidator in the event the court appoints the commissioner as receiver of an insurer. These funds have not been used previously and most likely will not be used, and they have reduced $125,000 to $100,000 and put the difference into reserves. In addition, because they believe none of the funds will be used, amounts will be balanced forward into the following year of the biennium if there were unforeseen situations where the money in the reserves is needed.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Would you offer further comment regarding the reduction to the special liquidation fund?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
I do not anticipate any liquidations or receiverships of domestic insurers.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
I am a licensed real estate agent and wish to disclose that fact.
Senator Coffin:
I would like to disclose that I am an insurance broker.
SENATOR TIFFANY MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 223-3817 BY THE GOVERNOR AS RECOMMENDED AND WITH TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN MCCLAIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
B & I, Insurance Education & Research Budget Page B & I-49, (Volume II)
Budget Account 101-3824
Mr. Ferguson:
There are two positions in this account. Funding is established through statute and it requires that any balance over $40,000 remaining in the insurance recovery fund is transferred into 101-3824 at the end of the fiscal year. That is the sole source of funding.
E-276 Working Environment & Wage – Page B & I-51
The main issue in this account is in decision unit E-276 wherein the budget recommends converting a current contract actuary position into a permanent lead actuary unclassified position. The IFC approved this contract last June. The position served at the will of the commissioner and is involved in a variety of insurance issues, particularly in research. The contractor is currently the retired lead actuary who worked in the insurance division and has a wealth of knowledge about the insurance industry in Nevada. The current contract lead actuary would likely become the unclassified permanent lead actuary.
Senator Tiffany:
Has this individual asked to be hired as a government employee, full time, with Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) benefits?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
Yes, he has.
Senator Tiffany:
Why does he want that change in status?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
He retired 5 years ago after 25 years of service in guiding this State with respect to rates and casualty insurance matters.
Senator Tiffany:
Why does he want to work full time?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
He has always felt dedicated to the State of Nevada.
Senator Tiffany:
He can do that as a consultant.
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
His services are needed 8 hours per day. There is a requirement by A.B. No. 1 of the 18th Special Session to report any number of issues, particularly economic and premium rate information, to the Legislature in 2005.
Senator Tiffany:
He can do that as a consultant, is that correct? I need a compelling reason.
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
He is retired. He has PERS benefits now. I think violations of the employment laws must be avoided, such as using a contract examiner in place of a classified employee.
Senator Tiffany:
Did the personnel department explain violations to you, or did you bring it up yourself?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
Personnel did not tell me. I am knowledgeable in that area.
Senator Tiffany:
I believe that is justifiable. Are you concerned about that type of violation?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
Absolutely. He needs to work with the staff to assist in making assignments. A contractor cannot do that.
Senator Tiffany:
Would his duties be that of a full-time employee?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
Yes, very much so.
Senator Coffin:
We have not had enough backup in the technical fields in the agency over the years because it has been underfunded. We asked him to come back, with the Governor’s office aware that we needed him.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Because this is a permanent solution for a temporary problem, I would like to know if this position could be put in but only for a 2-year period. After 2 years, the position could be rejustified.
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
It would be an option available to you. I would not advise it, because we are looking at an insurance crisis now unlike any other, and it has been confounded not only by medical malpractice and construction defect but also by the state of the economy. I think there will be growing issues over the years and I do not think we will know the results until there has been an opportunity for constitutional challenges. That will take anywhere from 3 to 10 years. I do not see 2-year solutions to our existing problems.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
In the next budget cycle, you could rejustify the reason for the position. We are fortunate to have this person for the amount of money he is paid.
Senator Tiffany:
I believe we are fortunate to have this person, but I support the position that we should take a look at the position in 2 years.
John R. Orr, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Insurance, Department of Business and Industry:
Every 2 years when the budget is done, we justify every position. Our budget presentation would indicate if we identify a position that is surplus to our needs, it is eliminated. The administrative assistant position in Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (1996) was eliminated for that very reason. If the research actuary is not required in 2 years, we would recommend elimination.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
We will go to decision unit E-900.
E-900 Transfer Out to B/A 3813 – Page B & I-54
Mr. Ferguson:
Decision unit E-900 is a transfer of the producer licensing supervisor from this account to insurance regulation. This was discussed and approved in the insurance regulation account. Item 3 on page 7 shows additional computer facility charges for Department of Information and Technology (DoIT), namely E–300 and E-301. The insurance division has provided the information requested which was provided to the division by DoIT. In looking at the information from DoIT, the database administrator performs a variety of database and technical information management services. The services are necessary for maintenance and upgrade of the COSMOS software program. The cost is 178.83 hours at $76.60 per hour.
Assemblyman Beers:
How many people use COSMOS?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
All of the licensing staff use COSMOS. The legal enforcement staff uses it and it is also used to interface with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in the producer database. There are 30 people using it, and it is also used for corporate and financial to track the records of all of our 2000 insurers.
Assemblyman Beers:
Is COSMOS a commercial program bought from a vendor?
Ms. Molasky-Arman:
Yes, it is. There is a competing program, but we would have made an investment in COSMOS. We would like to preserve it if we can.
Assemblyman Beers:
Does your staff call DoIT’s database administrator for help?
Mr. Orr:
No. The database administrator works in the background to maintain the system and keep it up and running. Any updates from the vendor are through the database administrators (DBA). The 183 hours was an annualized figure based on actual usage, year-to-date in 2003. The hours that the DBA staff at DoIT use working on maintaining COSMOS are kept by DoIT and reported to us. We believe the hours that are turned in are valid as a matter of trust.
Assemblyman Beers:
Did you have any upgrades since July 2002?
Mr. Orr:
Yes, there was an update in November 2002 on the Oracle database on which COSMOS runs, and COSMOS had to reconfigure to match the upgrade on Oracle. All of that was managed by DoIT. We expect another update, as the vendor is looking at additional products to remain competitive. There is a scheduled systems update in August 2003.
Senator Tiffany:
Why is the request for the Web service $15,000?
Mr. Orr:
The 15,000 figure is the number of hits. It is the number of people who access the Web.
Senator Tiffany:
Are you getting charged for someone logging onto your page?
Mr. Orr:
Yes, but some of those charges are when I log on to the Internet because our default page is our Web page. The 15,000 is the number of hits on our page. We try to direct all consumers to the Web page.
Assemblyman Beers:
How many hits are you getting?
Mr. Orr:
We pay for the domain name. It was discovered during the budget presentation before the full committees, we are charged significantly more than that. The traffic charge, because we fall into a range of $1250 per month plus the domain name is $64 per month. These are passed on to us by DoIT.
Assemblyman Beers:
I question the legitimacy of the charge for your Web site.
Mr. Orr:
We have questioned that as well, but in the State system we pay what we are billed. The bill for our Web site is $64 plus $1250 per month for 24 months of the biennium.
Assemblyman Beers:
Did staff get an update on these rates?
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Staff, could you get updates for us, please, for the DoIT rates.
Assemblyman Beers:
The last 12 or 16 months we implemented new look and feel policies for State Web sites that had to involve some retrofit by your department. Did you do that internally, or did DoIT do that for you?
Mr. Orr:
We have a multitask employee working for us in our property and casualty section who has skills with Web site design. She designed our Web site and made sure it complied with the new format rules. She updates it as necessary. We do not pay DoIT to perform that task for us.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
We will go do decision unit E-300 and E-301 now.
E-300 Maximize Internet & Technology – Page B & I-52
E-301 Maximize Internet & Technology – Page B & I-52
Mr. Ferguson:
We have discussed E-300, the database administrator charges; we have also discussed E-301, the Web services charges. For clarification, I will read what those charges are: $15,924 per year consists of a monthly charge of $64 for domain name, $1250 for session counts, and $13 for hard-drive disc space used for the domain. That equals $1327 per month, or $15,924 per year. The reason this is highlighted in an enhancement module is because in the actual year, I do not believe the division paid these charges to DoIT. In other words, they were not included in the base budget. That is why they are isolated here in E-300 and E-301.
Mr. Orr:
During 2002 and 2003, DoIT sent a lot of bills. The position was taken that the division would not pay for something it was not authorized to pay. The bills were not paid. They were told if they identified the charges, they would be included in our budget request and, if the Legislature sees fit to authorize payment of the bills, they would be paid.
Senator Tiffany:
I will ask the staff: if we do not approve E-300 and E-301, what would the consequences be?
Mr. Ferguson:
I do not know. I do not know if DoIT could refuse to offer those services. I cannot speak for DoIT, I am not sure what they would say or do. They were not paid for some of the services they gave because those fees were not included in the previous budget for the insurance division.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Are they included from this point forward?
Mr. Ferguson:
Yes, the fees that DoIT has communicated to the division are indicated here in E-300 and E-301. These are fees for the upcoming biennium. They are not for back charges.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Is that correct, Mr. Orr?
Mr. Orr:
Yes, that is correct. DoIT reported the number of hours attributed to our database administration of COSMOS. They were not paid for those hours, but the number of hours are known. The number of hours was multiplied by the projected rate. I do not know what would happen if you did not approve these enhancement items other than if they are not authorized for payment, they are not paid.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Are you disputing the number of hours?
Mr. Orr:
No, we are not.
Senator Tiffany:
This could be put into the budget, then come back when we close DoIT and readjust it.
SENATOR TIFFANY MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 101-3824 WITH THE GOVERNOR’S RECOMMENDATION FOR ITEM 1 WITH A SUNSET IN 2 YEARS AND WITH TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
B & I, Self Insured – Workers Compensation, Budget Page B & I-64 (Volume II)
Budget Account 210-4684
Mr. Ferguson:
Funding for this account is provided through assessment levied against employers by the Division of Industrial Relations which then allocates a share of that assessment to this budget account to cover costs not covered by application fees, audit fees, and fines. A recommendation of $9000 is made for E-500 to pay its share of legal and stenographic services. This would be funded through an increase in the allocation from the Division of Industrial Relations.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Are the other items appropriate according to your backup?
Mr. Ferguson:
That is correct.
SENATOR TIFFANY MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET 210-4684 WITH GOVERNOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN MCCLAIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
B & I, Industrial Relations, Budget Page B & I – 119 (Volume II)
Budget Account 210-4680
Joyce Garrett, Program Analyst, Fiscal Analysis Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau:
I have four budgets this morning under the Division of Industrial Relations and there are no major issues in closing these budgets. Decision E-710 recommends $22,600 in the biennium to replace a print server, fax machines and an office chair.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Have the items you mentioned had adequate backup documentation?
Ms. Garrett:
Yes, they have.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Then we have the technical adjustments. Part of that is replacement of the existing telephone system in the Reno office.
Ms. Garrett:
It has been in place for some time and an alternative has been chosen at a cost of $13,000 per year. The original alternative was to purchase a $60,000 system and the alternative chosen is to go into the Statewide system with maintenance included, and there will be no long distance charges to Las Vegas.
SENATOR TIFFANY MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 210-4680 WITH GOVERNOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
B & I, Occupational Safety & Health Enforcement - Budget Page B & I-125 (Volume II) Budget Account 210-4682
E-710 Replacement Equipment – B & I-127
Ms. Garrett:
The E-710 enhancement involves replacing specialized equipment used in this section of the Department of Industrial Relations, as well as two fax machines and paper shredder. I have the backup information on those items. Additionally, there are the same technical adjustments noted in the other budgets for insurance.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN MCCLAIN MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 210-4682 WITH GOVERNOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN GRIFFIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
B & I, Safety Consultation and Training - Budget Page B & I–129 (Volume II)
Budget Account 210-4685
Ms. Garrett:
There are no major closing issues. Replacement equipment is recommended at $4000 for each year of the biennium to replace two laptop computers in each year. There is a technical adjustment for vehicle comprehensive and collision insurance and vehicle liability insurance.
SENATOR TIFFANY MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 210-4685 WITH GOVERNOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN MCCLAIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
B & I, Mine Safety and Training - Budget Page B & I–133 (Volume II)
Budget Account 210-4686
Ms. Garrett:
There is a decision unit providing funding of $13,600 over the next biennium for DoIT programming to modify the existing mines database. This would include setting up new fields, and developing reports and queries for the system. The $6800 per year over the biennium equals $136 per hour.
Assemblyman Beers:
I think I own a copy of the database you mention. Is this administered by the Division of Minerals?
Ms. Garrett:
This is under the Division of Industrial Relations and it is the safety portion of regulating mines.
Assemblyman Beers:
Is it part of the minerals?
Ms. Garrett:
No, it is not.
Assemblyman Beers:
Do they participate in the activities you are doing here?
Ms. Garrett:
No, they do not.
Assemblyman Beers:
I would like to know the technical details on the database.
Ms. Garrett:
I can provide the committee with that information.
SENATOR TIFFANY MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 210‑4686 WITH GOVERNOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS; THE $136-HOUR REQUIREMENT FOR PROGRAMMING WILL BE REVIEWED WITH THE CLOSING OF THE DoIT BUDGET.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
DETR, Rehabilitation Administration - Budget Page DETR-38 (Volume II)
Budget Account 101-3268
Jim Rodriguez, Program Analyst, Fiscal Analysis Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau:
There is one major issue in this account which was discussed in subcommittee and that is the transfer of administrative assistant IV position to the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation to assist with the quality-assurance unit. This would be the only support position for the administrator within the vocational rehabilitation budget account. There are six positions in this account, three have been vacant for a significant amount of time. There is a concern that if the transfer is approved, there would only be two active positions left to provide administrative services to the department rehabilitation budgets.
Myla C. Florence, Director, Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR):
The vacant positions include the rehabilitation administrator which is the department’s first priority to fill. The rehabilitation manager position is being held open pending the outcome of this session because of the hiring freeze. With respect to the transfer of this position which includes some analytical work such as statistics, the position is funded now by cost-allocation within the Rehabilitation Division. Since the functions of the position are primarily in support of the vocational rehabilitation budget, it would be more appropriate to charge that account in the federal 110 funding stream rather than cost-allocated throughout the division.
Senator Tiffany:
If one position is transferred, there would be two actives now that are employed and hired. You are in the process of hiring a rehabilitation administrator, but I do not know what the other two are.
Ms. Florence:
The rehabilitation manager in this account functions as a deputy administrator. The third position is administrative assistant I.
Senator Tiffany:
This is a small budget with very few people. Why do you need an administrator and a secretary?
Ms. Florence:
This budget supports all of the bureaus within the division. It is an administrative account.
Senator Tiffany:
Do those bureaus all have their own administration?
Ms. Florence:
No. The bureaus are lead by a chief, not an administrator. I will explain the vacancies and perhaps that will clarify the confusion. Currently two deputy directors and I are handling the administrative functions for the Rehabilitation Division. It is critical to have filled leadership positions with oversight of the division.
Senator Tiffany:
What is the difference between an administrative body and the “chief”?
Ms. Florence:
A chief is responsible for a single program element. The administrative component is responsible for all of the programs to ensure the fiscal and programmatic integrity of the entire division as opposed to a single program. The program chiefs are responsible for implementation. Administrators are responsible for the general oversight and administration of an entire division. This administrative structure is common to all departments in State government.
Senator Tiffany:
It looks overburdened with an administrator, several deputies, and secretaries for all of these people.
Ms. Florence:
There is an administrator, a rehabilitation manager, an administrative assistant, the administrative assistant IV, and a rehabilitation coordinator III.
Senator Tiffany:
I see that you are definitely in the process of getting an administrator. What about the other two positions that are not filled right now?
Ms. Florence:
I am waiting for you to take action on the Governor’s revenue proposal before I can fill positions.
Senator Tiffany:
They were not filled when you had those positions open.
Ms. Florence:
When vacancies occur, we fill them incrementally throughout the biennium depending on the conditions of the hiring freezes.
Senator Tiffany:
If the two vacant positions remain unfilled, are you still asked to do the 3 percent cut and would those positions fall into the cut?
Ms. Florence:
We have accommodated the 3 percent cut through vacancy savings, not by eliminating positions.
Senator Tiffany:
If you left these open, would they fall under the 3 percent if it was funded?
Martin A. Ramirez, Administrative Services Officer, Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation:
The funding for these positions is cost-allocated to the balance of the Rehabilitation Division. Therefore, there is a small General Fund component that makes up their salaries. If the positions were left vacant, they would contribute in a small way to a 3 percent cut in General Fund.
Senator Tiffany:
How long have the two positions been vacant?
Ms. Florence:
They have been open 18 months.
Senator Tiffany:
Why would they be filled now?
Ms. Florence:
In terms of performance of programs within the division, they are needed.
Senator Tiffany:
The chief would impact the performance. This would be administrative.
Ms. Florence:
There is more interactive process between administration and implementation.
M-525 Americans with Disabilities Act – Page DETR-39
Mr. Rodriguez:
M-525 has to do with the purchase of goods and services in accordance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) which provides funding for the department to buy equipment, special needs for staff who have needs. In previous years, this funding was all centralized within this budget account. In this budget, the department is proposing to decentralize the funding source and establish the funding authority within each of the rehabilitation budgets.
There is no reduction in the amount requested for this account. It is suggested the funding be reduced at some rate that would correlate to the population it serves. Staff looked at the history of expenditures for the years 1999 through 2002 and calculated an average level of expenditures equivalent to between $50 to $60 per full time equivalency. You will see in this budget account the net effect would be a reduction in authority of $8464 which would be reallocated to the individual budget accounts.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Ms. Florence, would you comment on that?
Ms. Florence:
I believe the methodology is appropriate based on historical expenditure. The only concern I have is as persons with disabilities are hired we may have to make accommodations. We will deal with that as the situations arise throughout the interim. There is no problem with the budget recommendation as presented, but you need to be aware if there is a spike at any point during the biennium, additional budget adjustments may have to be made.
Mr. Rodriguez:
An argument could be made that centralizing this expense has the advantage of flexibility to meet the demand of any spike coming up in any one budget account. Decision unit E-500 requests $7637 each year of the biennium for additional travel expenses.
Senator Tiffany:
This question is for Ms. Florence: I would like to know why you are traveling to these Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 conferences?
Ms. Florence:
I believe you are referring to the Workforce Investment Board. The State Workforce Investment Board shapes the overall workforce investment system in our State. One of the main reasons WIA is being reauthorized, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA) as well, is due to tremendous activity at the national level. One of the objectives of the administration’s proposal would equalize the funding between the State and locals so should it come out that way, there would be better ability to control some of the local activities. The boards, appointed by the local elected officials, cannot be influenced or affect those appointments.
Senator Tiffany:
Which positions filled would you prioritize for travel?
Ms. Florence:
In this account it would be the administrator and the rehabilitation manager. The reason for travel is to influence national policy that is being debated with respect to both WIA and the VRA. The State has not been an active participant in the counsel of State vocational rehabilitation administrators, and we want to reactivate our membership in that organization.
Senator Tiffany:
Would the administrator chosen for replacement be the one person doing this travel?
Ms. Florence:
Yes, along with the rehabilitation manager, depending on the topics and availability.
Senator Tiffany:
Has anything been missed because traveling has not been done?
Ms. Florence:
It is to the State’s advantage to participate because the small-state perspective is not considered at a national level unless the small state is there actively advocating for those issues.
Senator Tiffany:
How many times do you believe this person would be traveling for $7000?
Ms. Florence:
It would be four trips. Depending on the location, the travel that could be supported if meetings were in Washington, D.C., that would take $2000 per trip.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Can some of these be accomplished on Statewide conference, videoconferences or teleconferences? I am sure you would try to have that option instead of the national travel, correct?
Ms. Florence:
Videoconferencing has not been available for national meetings. Teleconferencing has been done. Since all out-of-State travel is approved out of my office, there is no unnecessary travel.
E-710 Replacement Equipment – Page DETR-40
Mr. Rodriguez:
I have backup documentation from the agency detailing the request and justification. For clarification of what is requested in this budget account (B/A), there is a request for a transfer of the administrative position to B/A 3265, vocational rehabilitation. They are not requesting a new authority for the rehabilitation administrator or the rehabilitation manager in this budget. Those are already part of the budget account.
Senator Tiffany:
Are you saying that of these six, only one would transfer, leaving five, and of those five there are three openings we do not have the ability to change? The three openings are the rehabilitation administrator, the rehabilitation manager, and the administrative assistant II.
Mr. Rodriquez:
The only part the request pertains to as presented in the 2003-2005 budget is not requesting reauthorization of the manager or the rehabilitation administrator. Those are just circumstances of the events of not filling those positions, as staff was pointing out. They are requesting one active position in that budget account and transferring it over to vocational rehabilitation.
Senator Tiffany:
Is there anything that says of those six, one cannot be changed because it is not filled, but if you think you need to fill it, go back to IFC and ask?
Ms. Florence:
You do have the ability to do that. I think that is a reflection of the events, not the need. The fact that positions of necessity had to be held vacant does not reflect the need for those positions to be filled. It is a financial reality as opposed to a programmatic and administrative need.
Senator Tiffany:
An administration person does not impact whether you get more caseloads or not for the vocational rehabilitation employees. It is an administrative overhead. You have not filled the position for 18 months. The Governor has asked you to continue the 3 percent savings. The agencies got these positions funded, but they call that the savings. That is what I do not think we should be doing anymore. There is no reason to have a false savings through not filling the position. If you are telling me you absolutely have to have it, you are going to fill it, you are not going to use it for your 3 percent and that somehow impacts the caseloads so you can serve your clients better, that is not what I heard.
Ms. Florence:
I think efficient administration affects the caseload. I also think having the resources to support that administrative component positively impacts how client dollars are spent, how caseloads are balanced throughout the State interacting with federal funding sources to obtain the best advantage that Nevada can experience.
Senator Tiffany:
Can you say you will not use this position for vacancy savings, that it will definitely impact the caseload outcomes, and that you are going to fill it as soon as possible?
Ms. Florence:
I will fill it based upon the resources being available to the State as the result of any kind of revenue package that is ultimately decided by this body.
Senator Tiffany:
If we approve it, you can fill it, there is nothing to stop you from filling it.
Ms. Florence:
If you approve all positions in State government and do not approve a revenue package to support all of those positions, none can be filled.
Senator Tiffany:
Would you use this position for vacancy savings again?
Ms. Florence:
We have not used this position to fully meet our 3 percent. As Mr. Ramirez indicated, the rehabilitation budgets 3 percent reductions are largely in the bigger budgets.
Assemblyman Beers:
I disclose that my wife is a full-time paid employee of Clark County. She supervises the parenting project. However, none of her salary is paid by any of the grants that have passed through this agency; therefore, our household has no pecuniary interest in issues regarding these grants or the Department of Human Resources.
SENATOR TIFFANY MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 101-3268 WITH GOVERNOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DECENTRALIZATION FOR THE AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT AS WELL AS RAISE FUNDING FOR THE AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT EXPENDITURES, AND THE OTHER TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN MCCLAIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR RHOADS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE).
*****
DETR, Vocational Rehabilitation - Budget Page DETR-49 (Volume II)
Budget Account 101-3265
Mr. Rodriguez:
There is one major issue in this budget account which involves three decision units: E-450, E-452, and E-453.
E-450 Reward Self-Sufficiency – Page DETR-52
E-451 Reward Self-Sufficiency – Page DETR-52
E-453 Reward Self-Sufficiency – Page DETR-53
Taken together these three decision units recommend funding of approximately $408,000 in General Fund in total to gain access to $1,500,000 in federal funds. I will speak to the General Fund side first. E-450 requests authority to match Federal Section 110 funding to the Governor’s two-times rule. That is requesting $166,823 in the first year and $169,148 in the second year in order to match federal funds of $616,000 in the first year and $624,974 in the second year. In total, E-450, E-452 and E-453 propose to maximize as much current federal FY 2002 federal funds, FY 2003 federal dollars, and a projected 4.8 percent increase in federal funds into the next biennium. In order to do that, they need the authority to match the federal fund in order to get about $1,500,000 in total for all three of those decisional units in federal funds.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
These are for services such as counseling, job placement, reader services for the blind, and transportation services. The more you can secure, the more services can be given to the people needing these services. Can you tell us whether you will be able to spend more of this money that you get? In the past you have not been able to spend all of it.
Ms. Florence:
The projections for the balance for this fiscal year would indicate a potential of $78,000 remaining for the last quarter. I think we are on a spending plane that would enable us to fully expend all State and federal funds.
Senator Tiffany:
Referring to the $78,000, would that be carried forward, or is that spent or just obligated?
Ms. Florence:
As of April 3, 2003, of $5.3 million budgeted, $3.2 million has been spent. We have about $.5 million in grants that are incurred obligations and $907,000 in other obligations that are contractual services, not grants. From that, of the $5.3 million, our projection is $5.295 million will be spent, leaving an unexpended balance of $78,000.
Senator Tiffany:
What is actually left in the checking account?
Ms. Florence:
There is $1.9 million.
Senator Tiffany:
Would this close out June 30?
Ms. Florence:
Final expenditures go through August 15. There will be payments between the end of the fiscal year and the final closing date of August 15.
Mr. Rodriguez:
The next portion of E-450 is to allow the department to recoup costs that were used to fund the division’s client service computer system in FY 2002. The budget looked at these as one-time costs and deleted them from the base budget. The department requests that the money moved to reserve be put back into client services.
A request of $100,000 in the first year of the biennium and $212,297 in the second year has been made in E-452. This goes back to their ability to access federal funds that are available in federal FY 2003. With that investment the department indicates they can access Federal Section 110 funding of $369,484 in FY 2004 and $784,402 in FY 2005.
Decision unit E-453 represents the department’s projection of the growth into the next biennium available through federal funds. The request is for General Funds of $31,461 in the first year and $150,498 in the second year. They are projecting a 4.8 percent growth in federal funds availability and they indicate for that investment, they can access $116,255 in federal funds in the first year and $556,067 in the second year. There has been an issue with the amount of funding authority the department has been approved for in the past, what the performance has been to date, and the level of unutilized funds in the past biennium. Staff has looked at all three requests and has made some recommendations not based on any firm recommendations from the department, but these options have been discussed with them and they are familiar with what staff is proposing.
Staff is proposing that this committee consider approving E-450 in total. For decision unit E-452, staff recommends the subcommittee reduce the recommended authority in the second year of that biennium from $212,797 to $100,000, so you will have $100,000 of federal funds each year of the biennium. For E-453, staff is recommending subcommittee consider eliminating that decision in total. Notwithstanding the department’s current revised numbers and projections for the end of the year, staff made a projection of where they would be at the end of the year and it was slightly different. Staff estimates that the recommendation as presented would allow the department to provide client services at the current work program level, FY 2003, plus a 5 percent growth in client services. However, if the department’s revised projections of an ending expenditure authority of $78,000 is accurate, that would significantly affect staff’s recommendation here.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Ms. Florence, would you agree with the recommendations to approve in total E‑450 and to approve E-452, but bring that down to $100,000 in the second year and in E-453, eliminate the growth portion? All of that total would be a cost reduction of $147,791 and $118,862, in 2003-2004 and 2004‑2005, respectively. Would that still provide you a 4 to 5 percent increase in client services?
Ms. Florence:
Currently, we have 5 vacancies. So those caseloads are not being covered and the client expenditures would not be the full level, based on having all positions filled. I think the investment of $1 for a return of $4 federal dollars makes sense. I understand the constraints on the State, but again, given a better revenue picture and the ability to fill positions, the client services expenditures will proportionately grow with those services. I cannot agree to turn my back on federal funds. That is a decision for you. One alternative may be for E-453 to provide the federal level of authorization and then should we be able to find ways to match those funds, we would not have to bother you at IFC.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
What difference would that be, Mr. Rodriguez, if we kept the federal authorization in place?
Mr. Rodriguez:
It means they would have unmatched federal authority in their budget. That gives them the opportunity to find matching funds from another source. It would not affect the General Fund side.
Senator Tiffany:
You wanted this match, so you asked for General Funds. Where would you look for matching funds?
Ms. Florence:
No, that is my fallback position, that is not my recommendation.
Senator Tiffany:
Where do you think you could get it?
Ms. Florence:
Utilizing claimant employment funds from the Employment Security budget set match. We do a cross match with that program. The improved ability there is we have vocational rehabilitation staff stationed in job connect offices and there is more opportunity today than 2 years ago of having clients who are both Service Employment Program clients and vocational rehabilitation clients.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Let us proceed to the other closing items.
Mr. Rodriguez:
Decision unit 451 recommends funding of $4196 in FY 2004 and $5266 in FY 2005 for additional out-of-state travel for staff to attend conferences and meetings related to reauthorization of the WIA. It is also used for additional travel for quarterly meetings and conferences relating to workforce investment issues. Staff has looked at the request and compared it to previous authorizations and expenditures. This request is appropriate.
E-600 Budget Reductions – Page DETR-53
Decision unit E-600 is the bureau’s General Fund reduction adherence to the Governor’s mandate. It requests a 3 percent reduction which is $83,067 for each year of the biennium with corresponding reduction in case services.
E-605 Budget Reductions – Page DETR-54
Assemblywoman Chowning:
Decision unit E-605 is the elimination of the interns and the one half-time public service intern because you were not able to get it off the ground.
E-805 Major Reclassifications – Page DETR-55
Mr. Rodriguez:
The department has four chiefs, two unclassified, two classified. The department has indicated they want to make all chiefs equal, more appropriately classified at a Grade 41. The reclassification of the Chief of Vocational Rehabilitation is the other unclassified chief position. Classification of this position, and chief position in blind services would make all four of the chiefs classified on the same level.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
How do you think this will enhance the services to the population who needs this service by making this change?
Ms. Florence:
I do not think that point alone would impact services. I believe it is more of an equitable alignment within the department as well as other departments in State government.
E-900 Transfer Base From 3268 to 3265 – Page DETR-55
E-901 Transfer M150 From 3268 to 3265 – Page DETR-55
E-902 Transfer E-710 From 3268 to 3265 – Page DETR-56
Mr. Rodriguez:
This is the transfer from the rehabilitation administration account that we have already discussed and it more appropriately places this position for its function. It is the primary support to the administrator of vocational rehabilitation. Enhancement 710 makes technical adjustments to revise computer prices from purchasing.
SENATOR TIFFANY MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 101-3265 WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AND TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS; E‑450 APPROVED AS STATED; E-452 AND E-453 UNMATCHED WITH AUTHORITY IN PLACE.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
DETR, Client Assistance Program - Budget Page DETR – 63 (Volume II)
Budget Account 101-3258
Mr. Rodriguez:
Staff recommends closing this budget with Governor recommendations.
ASSEMBLYMAN BEERS MOVED TO CLOSE BUDGET ACCOUNT 101-3258 WITH GOVERNOR RECOMMENDATIONS.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN MCCLAIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
DETR, Services to the Blind & Visually Impaired - Budget Page DETR–67 (Volume II) Budget Account 101-3254
Mr. Rodriguez:
Vocational Rehabilitation takes the bulk of the federal section 110 funding, which is 80 percent, and this budget gets the other 20 percent of the federal section 110 funding. The decision units mirror those we just discussed in vocational rehabilitation, with the exception of FFY 2003 funding component.
E-450 Reward Self-Sufficiency – Page DETR-70
E-453 Reward Self-Sufficiency – Page DETR-71
There is an E-450 here, it also serves the same purpose as the E-450 decision unit in the vocational rehabilitation budget. It requests General Fund in order to go back and get available federal fiscal year 2002 funding. And E-453 is requesting additional General Fund to accommodate an anticipated 4.89 percent growth in available Federal Section 110 funds. The department has some concerns about staff recommendations to reduce the E-453 component of this request. They indicate that they have obligated all but $60,000 of their current authority to get them through the next quarter. If that is correct, it will take them below the FY 2003 current level of client services. It would be up to the committee to decide where they want to fall within this component of the request.
Senator Tiffany:
The E-450 is straightforward.
Mr. Rodriquez:
It has three components, two federal components and the General Fund component for the FY 2002. On E-453 the choices would be similar to those made in the vocational rehabilitation budget accounts. This request is asking to provide some General Fund in order for them to get what they project will be increased federal funds in the coming biennium. They are projecting 4.89 percent growth in available federal funds.
Senator Tiffany:
Was this the same situation with the money not spent down, but no visible increase in caseloads or difficulty in the caseloads that would require more services?
Mr. Rodriquez:
That is correct. Both of these budget accounts function similarly.
Senator Tiffany:
What is our option if we do not go with Governor recommendations on E-453?
Mr. Rodriguez:
We eliminated this decision unit in vocational rehabilitation. The decision would be to either modify the request or eliminate the decision unit. The margin is much smaller in this budget account and reducing this decision unit would potentially reduce the level of client services below the FY 2003 work program amount.
Senator Tiffany:
It seemed that the blind and visually impaired did not have as many requests as the vocational rehabilitation did. Vocational Rehabilitation had more growth potential in one-stop centers, but the blind and visually impaired did not necessarily have that, which would increase their caseloads. If we did not do the growth, it would not hurt them as badly as if we did not do the growth for the vocational rehabilitation.
Mr. Rodriguez:
The issue here is not hurting anybody or adversely affecting anybody. The issue is making services available to clients who need a service.
Senator Tiffany:
Did we get feedback that they were short of any of those services?
Mr. Rodriguez:
They have not expended what they had on the books, and that is what brought up the issue of whether or not the additional funding is needed.
Senator Tiffany:
If any decision is made, it would be not to eliminate it but to adjust the percentage of growth, is that correct?
Mr. Rodriguez:
That is a valid option, yes.
Ms. Florence:
We are concerned about even making it through the balance of this fiscal year. This budget did not experience the vacancy problems that the other budget has. The average cost per client for the blind and visually impaired is about four times the cost for a vocational rehabilitation case without those disabling conditions. The concern is the cost per case, a lot of the client service money in this account goes to two very high-cost areas. One is medical treatment and the other is workplace adaptations, which are costly. I can only imagine there will be new and more improved products. I would be very concerned if we did not go with the Governor’s recommendation on this account.
Mr. Ramirez:
I would not like to see the available case service dollars for the biennium actually go down from what we have in FY 2003 given that we are likely to expend all of them.
E-325 Improve Pupil Achievement – Page DETR-70
Mr. Rodriguez:
Decision unit E-325 recommends elimination of the rehabilitation coordinator II position. Last session the Legislature approved a pilot program in the school system to assist school-age children with blind services and transitional services from the school environment to the work environment. It was indicated that the funding source for this position would be the sale of stocks that were gifted to the department. Unfortunately, the economic conditions turned and the value of the stocks were no longer sufficient to support this position, so the pilot program was never initiated. This decision unit recommends elimination of that position. Although the pilot program will not be able to access the population they want to expand into, the department will continue to maintain these services for school-age children between 16 and 21 years old.
E-451 Reward Self-Sufficiency – Page DETR-71
Mr. Rodriguez:
Decision unit E-451 is similar to the request in the other budget account, requests $4406 for each year of the biennium for additional travel.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
This is a significant increase, 170 percent. Could you explain the benefits to this population by approving this? These are for conferences regarding the Randolph Shephard Act.
Ms. Florence:
That relates to another budget account we will not be discussing today. The Blind Enterprise Program, not only with regard to the Randolph Shephard Act, but the Workforce Investment Act, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Acts, which are being reauthorized.
Even though we projected a 4.89 percent increase in this budget, it increased the federal funding for this year by 6.1 percent. That is the reason to be active nationally and with the appropriate organizations to ensure Nevada gets its fair share.
Assemblywoman Chowning:
So this is trying to influence national policy and funding to provide better service and training with this population?
Ms. Florence:
These are the best service practices in serving individuals with disabilities.
SENATOR TIFFANY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE E-450 AND E-453, ELIMINATE THE COORDINATOR, AND APPROVE THE REST OF STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AND TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
Assemblywoman Chowning:
We are adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Julie Walker,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Assemblywoman Vonne Stout Chowning, Chairman
DATE:
Senator, Sandra J. Tiffany, Chairman
DATE: