Committee: Joint Appropriations Subcommittee #2
MOTION:
TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF January 25, 1999
Moved by:
Senator Frederick
Second by:
Representative Putnam
Action:
Prevailed by voice vote.
Bureau of Information and Telecommunications
Ms. Annie Mertz, LRC, staffed the meeting.
Mr. Otto Doll, Commissioner, Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT), reviewed the
Bureau's request for an imaging system. Commissioner Doll described the imaging technology and
its applications. The Bureau tracks technology and determines when the use of it or need for it has
expanded beyond one agency. BIT staff have the ability to create imaging applications and are
looking to play a central role in the use of imaging by state agencies. Currently no agencies use
contractors for their imaging needs.
Commissioner Doll was asked to explain the Bureau's request for a $494,000 increase in general funds for Public Broadcasting. Commissioner Doll noted that $279,000 of the request is budgeted for contractual services related to a market increase in production requests from state agencies.
Representative Putnam asked about the costs of acquiring new programs and the cost of updating
programs. Commissioner Doll explained Public Broadcasting did some work with the overweight
truck video; most of the production was handled by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
There is no re-billing involved if the video is updated.
Senator Bogue inquired to what extent Public Broadcasting would be negatively impacted if the
budget increase request were denied. Commissioner Doll responded the ability to deliver local
programming would be hindered. “Friends of Public Broadcasting” contributions help cover costs
of acquiring national programming but not costs of producing local programming. Senator Bogue
asked what amount of the $279,000 is budgeted to cover costs of inflation. Commissioner Doll will
provide those figures when he receives them from Public Broadcasting.
Department of Human Services
Mr. Bill Pike, LRC, staffed the meeting.
Representative Putnam assumed the gavel.
Mr. John Jones, Secretary, Department of Human Services, responded to Representative Derby's
question concerning how adjustment training centers handle special needs clients and how the
Department will handle the 38 new clients, without creating a waiting list, who are coming into the
system because they are turning 21 years old when only 19 clients are expected to leave. Secretary
Jones said the Department relies on historical attrition of numbers. The tradition of the Department
is to request funding for the 38 individuals coming into the system. The unknown number in the
equation is the number of individuals who may need assistance in the future but who currently are
not known to the state system. Representative Derby requested a breakdown showing the number
of patients leaving the system and the reason why they leave.
Senator Dennert read a statement to the committee regarding the Donovan case and other South
Dakotans who may be in a similar situation. Secretary Jones noted the Department has been working
with the population of citizens coping with brain injuries and that it will continue working to find
solutions.
Senator Frederick assumed the gavel.
In response to Senator Kleven's question, Secretary Jones said currently there are eight pregnant women voluntarily committed to a residential drug and alcohol treatment center and seven committed involuntarily. The single residential center in the state is located in Sioux Falls. The proposed West River Center is not going forward at this time due to lack of funding.
In response to Senator Hainje's question Secretary Jones responded anyone can petition to refer
pregnant women for involuntary commitment to a drug and alcohol treatment program.
Representative Klaudt asked if the center provides education programs for high-risk mothers.
Secretary Jones responded that counseling is provided.
Secretary Jones reviewed the $1.1 million increase in new federal fund authority for drug and alcohol
addiction. The increase cannot be used for gambling addiction. The Department is moving gambling
addiction funds over to the Drug and Alcohol Abuse program for use in treating gambling addiction.
Department of Social Services
Mr. Bill Pike, LRC, staffed the meeting.
Mr. Jim Ellenbecker, Secretary, Department of Social Services, responded to Representative
Klaudt's question regarding the last time the Department increased funding for the Elderly and
Nutrition Program. Secretary Ellenbecker said there was a $.03 increase per meal last year because
there was a decrease in the number of meals contracted, but it has been several years since an
increase was budgeted. In response to Senator Frederick's request Ms. Gail Ferris, Department of
Social Services, addressed the process by which the Department formulates a list of potential new
meal sites for the elderly in the state. The list is not put together in order of priority. The new sites
are selected from a waiting list based on community readiness. The waiting list is created when the
Department is contacted by someone in the community. The sites proposed to be funded in FY00
will be selected from among the 30 currently on the waiting list.
The actual number of sites funded could vary between 5 and 15 depending on the amount of funding
each site requires. Secretary Ellenbecker distributed information on the elderly meal sites
( Document #1). The Department will use the proposed $182,000 in the FY00 budget to operate the
10 additional sites. The $182,000 will translate to 125,000 new meals. The current meal sites are
reviewed annually.
In response to Senator Lange's questions, Ms. Ferris responded that the Department does provide
some funding for mass transit for the elderly, in conjunction with community programs. Citizens
should see expanded mass transit hours.
Department of Agriculture
Mr. Dave Becker, LRC, staffed the meeting.
Mr. Ron Cody, Department of Agriculture, reviewed the history of the Ag in the Classroom program. Last year it was funded at $20,000; the previous year it was funded at $15,000. The program requested funding of $30,000 for FY00. The Department has decided to fund the program
at $15,000 from the Rural Rehab Fund. This amount will provide funding for items previously
funded. Mr. Cody stated there are other avenues the program can pursue outside state resources to
gain additional monies. The balance of the Rural Rehab Fund as of February 1, 1999 was $4.4
million cash available. Mr. Cody proceeded to describe other programs financed through the Rural
Rehab Fund including the Junior Livestock Program, agriculture loans to agriculture lenders, value
added loans, computer loans, and the Conservation Tillage Program. If Ag in the Classroom receives
money from private sources the Department will not require additional other fund expenditure
authority.
MOTION:
TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF February 5, 1999
Moved by:
Senator Dennert
Second by:
Representative Putnam
Action:
Prevailed by voice vote.
MOTION:
TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF February 9, 1999
Moved by:
Senator Bogue
Second by:
Representative Klaudt
Action:
Prevailed by voice vote.
MOTION:
TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF February 3, 1999
Moved by:
Senator Hainje
Second by:
Representative Derby
Action:
Prevailed by voice vote.
In response to committee member's questions, Secretary Cruea affirmed that the purchase of the
Bambi buckets will be made by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs rather than by the
Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry in the Department of Agriculture. He also affirmed
that the Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry plans to proceed with its radio frequency
study.
MOTION:
ADJOURN
Moved by:
Senator Dennert
Second by:
Senator Bogue
Action:
Prevailed by voice vote.
Deborah Rumrill