80^th Legislative Session _ 2005

Committee: Joint Appropriations

                                            P - Present
                                            E - Excused
                                            A - Absent

Roll Call
P    Apa, Chair
P    Bartling
P    Dennert
P    Earley, Vice-Chair
P    Gant
P    Glenski
P    Greenfield
P    Hanson (Gary)
P    Haverly
P    Hunhoff
P    Klaudt, Vice-Chair
P    Napoli
P    Peters
P    Rausch
P    Smidt
P    Sutton (Duane)
P    Tidemann
P    Putnam, Chair

OTHERS PRESENT: See Original Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Chairman J. E. “Jim” Putnam

Summer Studies

Senator Apa presented the following recommendations for Summer Study Assignments for the Special Committee on Appropriations:

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1 *      A comprehensive review of the revenue sources available for distribution through the State Aid to Education general foundation program analyzing the history of which revenue sources are equalized and which are not, and the ramifications of expanding the number of revenue sources that are equalized. The study shall also: review for each school district all sources of revenue and all expenses; compare teacher salaries; identify property tax assessments; quantify each school district's small school factor, if any; assess costs of e-learning and students; address each district's opt-out revenues, if any; compare administrator salaries; compare retirement costs; and identify administration/student ratios.

2 *      A comprehensive study of the state's self-insured health insurance plan comparing the state plan to county, city, school district, and private health insurance plans. The study may include facets of the health insurance industry pertinent to the study.

3 *      A Summer Study on the Reimbursement Methodology of Long Term Care Facilities. The study shall include, but is not limited to consideration of the following factors:    

    (1)    The cost based methodology of reimbursement for long term care including rebasing; and
    (2)    Capacity of the long term care continuum including nursing facilities, assisted living centers, and home health services.

Following discussion, the Joint Appropriations Committee recommended that all of the above mentioned studies be sent to the Executive Board. Representative Hunhoff requested that the study on the reimbursement methodology include home and community based services.

Representative Dennert asked if the subcommittee on the state fair would be meeting. Representative Putnam informed the committee the state fair was on the summer study list.

Reed Holwegner, Chief Fiscal Analyst explained the Letters of Intent process and the upcoming East River tour. Representative Putnam informed the committee the Interim meeting will be held in June and the tour dates will be decided at that time.

Senator Apa thanked the Joint Appropriations Committee, LRC staff, Interns and Committee Secretary for their work over the past 39 days.

MOTION:     ADJOURN

Moved by:    Gant
Second by:    Greenfield
Action:    Prevailed by voice vote.

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Barb Bjorneberg

Committee Secretary