APPROPRIATIONS- Week of April 22, 2009

STAFF CONTACT: Theresa Kehoe

SF 452 – Community Grants for Energy Efficiency Projects

SF 470 – Education FY10 Appropriations

SF 472 – Judicial Branch FY10 Appropriations

SF 475 – Justice FY10 Appropriations

HF 809 – Admin & Reg FY10 Appropriations

FLOOR ACTION:

SF 452 provides that 4 percent of the money in the Power Fund shall be used to create a community grant program that focuses on energy efficiency efforts. Based on current funding levels, that would provide $1 million for grants, which the Office of Energy Independence could disburse to groups for programs that focus on reducing energy consumption. Grants may be from $1,000 to $50,000. [4/16: 35-15]

SF 470 appropriates a total of $909.8 million from the General Fund and 12,457.0 full-time equivalent (FTE, where one FTE equals one full-time worker) positions to the Department for the Blind, the College Student Aid Commission, the Department of Education, and the Board of Regents. This is a decrease of $361.0 million and 4.2 FTE positions compared to the estimated net FY09 General Fund appropriations. Highlights include:

Department for the Blind

A decrease of $205,000 for Administration.

College Student Aid Commission

A decrease of 8.3 percent to all budget units, with the following exceptions:
A net increase of $282,000 for the National Guard Tuition Aid Program with appropriations and projected transfers.
A new appropriation of $688,000 for the All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant Program to meet the FY09 Program level of demand, including the 8.3 percent reduction.
A decrease of $1.4 million for the All Iowa Opportunity Assistance Scholarship Program to reduce the appropriation to the FY09 level of demand, to eliminate an allocation for the All Iowa Foster Care Grant Program, and to make the 8.3 percent reduction.
Eliminates the $100,000 Washington D.C. Internship Grant appropriation.

Department of Education

A decrease of 8.3 percent to all budget units, with the following exceptions:
A decrease of $42,336 (6.8 percent) for Vocational Education Administration.
Appropriations for Enrich Iowa Libraries and Library Service Areas were maintained at the FY 2009 level.
An increase of $233,295 (2.7 percent) for Iowa Public Television.
A decrease of $195,929 (6.8 percent) for Vocational Education Secondary.
An overall decrease of $5.3 million (14.4 percent) for Community Empowerment as follows:
A decrease of $1.0 million to eliminate funding for Professional Development.
A decrease of $246,000 to eliminate funding for the First Years First initiative.
A decrease of $99,000 to shift funding of the Ready to Learn Coordinator to IPTV.
The Bill requires the Iowa Empowerment Board to use $2.0 million from the First Years First Account to be distributed to local boards for FY10 School Ready Grants. This transfer results in an effective FY10 overall decrease to Empowerment of $5.3 million (14.4 percent).
A decrease of $237.6 million (96.9 percent) for Student Achievement and Teacher Quality. Most of the reduction results from shifting the teacher compensation and professional development portions of the program to the School Aid standing appropriation.

Other reductions include:

A decrease of $915,000 to eliminate funding for Early Childhood Professional Development.
A decrease of $582,500 for National Board Certification Awards to reflect the annual decrease in the State’s commitment to past recipients of the awards.
A decrease of $335,000 to reflect the completion of the Pay for Performance and Career Ladder Pilot Projects.
A decrease of $250,000 to eliminate funding for the Institute for Tomorrow’s Workforce.
A decrease of $700,000 for a general reduction. This reduction is backfilled by transfers of FY09 ending balances.
A decrease of $21.6 million (12 percent) for Community College General Aid.
A FY10 appropriation of $917,000 for Community College Salaries. The estimated net FY09 appropriation of $1.5 million is part of each college’s base for FY10 general aid purposes.
A decrease resulting from the elimination of funding for these programs:
Jobs for America’s Grads (I-JAG) – $591,000
Senior Year Plus – $1.9 million
Community College Interpreters for the Deaf – $197,000
Private Instruction – $146,000

Board of Regents

A decrease of 11.9 percent to the total Regents’ budget, with the three universities’ general operating budgets receiving greater reductions than the special purpose appropriations.
An increase of $917,000 for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University, including the 8.3 percent reduction to fund the fourth and final year of increases as specified by legislative intent. The offsetting FY09 reduction to the Iowa State University general operations budget was carried forward in FY10.
A new appropriation of $35,000 for an engineering study of the facilities for the Research, Development, Demonstration, and Dissemination School at the University of Northern Iowa.
Eliminates the Midwest Higher Education Consortium membership payment for FY10.
Eliminates the Agricultural Health and Safety appropriation that was historically passed through to Easter Seals.
Eliminates the appropriation for the George Washington Carver Endowed Chair at Iowa State University.

The House made extensive changes to SF 470. This is a summary of the Senate changes to the House version of SF 470:

Allow corporate donations to School Tuition Organization (STO) to be eligible for the tax credit. An individual may claim the tax credit allowed a partnership, limited liability company, S corporation, estate, or trust electing to have the income taxed directly to the individual. The amount claimed by the individual shall be based upon the pro rata share of the individual’s earnings of the partnership, limited liability company, S corporation, estate, or trust. Corporate contributions shall be limited to no more than 25% of each STOs total tax credit allocation.
Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) are to adopt rules for non-professional recognition degree folks who work with kids.
BOEE to adopt rules to incorporate Athletic Trainers into Teacher Quality (TQ) funds.
Accept House language to require Regent information collection.
Accept House language on ISU College of Veterinary Medicine.
Higher Ed Compact-Keep language in Code but STRIKE the out-year funding for dues.
Return appropriation amounts to Senate version.
Retained the following language from the House:�
- Adds language relating to state department or agency cost-savings measures. These include
  - For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2010, state agencies under this budget are required to submit all reports electronically to the general assembly rather than submitting a printed copy
  - Develop and implement procedures to identify and result in cost savings for office supplies, service contracts, professional services, video conferencing, use of the ICN, equipment purchases, and interstate and intrastate travel by state employees and members of state boards, committees, commissions, and councils for which the department or agency provides administrative services
  - Require employees to submit actual receipts for meals and other costs
  - Requires school districts to spend the revenues received relating to weighted enrollment for the purposes for which the weighting was assigned under home school assistance program
Strike: Price LabLanguage.Return to Senate version with $35,000 RDDD study funded.
Strike: Out of state travelrestriction
Strike: Pledge of Allegiance
Strike: Display of Flags
Strike: Student Photos on Social Pages [4/21: 31-17]

SF 472 appropriates a total of $149.2 million from the General Fund to the Judicial Branch. This is a decrease of $2.9 million and an increase of 6.1 FTE positions compared to the estimated net FY09 General Fund appropriation. The increase in FTE positions is due to the receipt of two grants and Department of Human Services (DHS) funding for Drug Courts. The Bill also merges the Judicial Retirement appropriation line item into the Judicial Branch operating budget appropriation line item. This includes funding the employer’s share of Judicial Retirement at 30.6 percent. The Senate concurred with a House amendment to allow a judicial officer to waive travel expenses. [4/16: 30-19]

SF 475 appropriates a total of $515.4 million from the General Fund and 1,907.6 FTE positions to the Departments of Justice, Corrections, Inspections and Appeals, Public Defense, Public Safety, the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Board of Parole, and the Civil Rights Commission. This is a decrease of $18.4 million and an increase of 7.5 FTE positions compared to the estimated net FY09 General Fund appropriations. Highlights include:

Department of Justice:

Office of the Attorney General: A decrease of $768,000 for a general reduction.
Victim Assistance Grants: An increase of $2.3 million to provide the minimum match requirements for federal funds.
Farm Mediation Program: A decrease of $289,000 to eliminate the pilot project.
Office of the Consumer Advocate: A decrease of $219,000 for a general reduction.

Department of Corrections (DOC): A decrease of $10.8 million compared to the estimated net FY09 General Fund appropriation. The change includes:

A decrease of $3.3 million to eliminate funds for the operating budget at Farm Three at Fort Madison.
A decrease of $966,000 to eliminate funds for the Violator Program at the Newton and Mitchellville prisons and the Violator Aftercare Programs in the First, Third, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Community-Based Corrections (CBC) District Departments.
A decrease of $2.0 million to eliminate funds for the operating budget for the Clarinda Lodge.
A decrease of $107,000 to the County Confinement Account.
A decrease of $238,000 to the DOC Central Office.
A decrease of $1.0 million to eliminate funds for a supervisor in each of the CBC District Departments.
A decrease of $400,000 to the mental health residential facility in Cedar Rapids. Approximately $900,000 remains in the appropriation to operate the 26-bed facility.
A decrease of $50,000 to eliminate funds for a youth intervention program in the Sixth CBC District Department.
A decrease of $2.7 million for a general reduction to all appropriations to the DOC.

Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA): A decrease of $109,000 for a general reduction.

Department of Public Safety: A decrease of $1.6 million, including:

A decrease of $79,000 for a general reduction to Public Safety Administration.
A decrease of $381,000 for a general reduction to the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
A decrease of $115,000 for a general reduction to the Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
A decrease of $72,000 for a general reduction to the Fire Marshal’s Office.
A decrease of $903,000 for a general reduction to the Iowa State Patrol.

The Senate accepted a House provision which instructs the Departments of Correction and Public Safety to make every effort to retain correction officer and peace officer positions. The Senate struck a House provision relating to prison industries. [4/21: 31-17]

HF 809, the Administration and Regulation budget, appropriates a total of $85.9 million from the General Fund and authorizes 1,633.2 FTE positions for FY10. This is a decrease of $11.6 million and an increase of 14.2 FTE positions compared to estimated net FY09. The Bill also appropriates a total of $21.1 million from other funds, an increase of $7,000 compared to estimated net FY09. Highlights include:

Department of Administrative Services (DAS)

A decrease of $968,000 for a general reduction to the DAS operating budget. The decrease includes a reduction of $114,000 for a position that will be funded from the Rebuild Iowa Office in FY10.
A decrease of $126,000 for a reduction to the utilities appropriation. (Page 1, Line 14)

Auditor of State: A decrease of $328,000 for a general reduction to the Auditor’s operating appropriation.

Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board: A decrease of $14,000 for a general reduction to the Board’s operating appropriation.

Department of Commerce: A total decrease of $1.6 million for general reductions to all divisions of the Department of Commerce.

Governor’s Office: A total decrease of $857,000 for general reductions to the Governor’s Office appropriations. The decrease includes a reduction $163,000 and 2.0 FTE positions that will be funded from the Rebuild Iowa Office in FY10.

Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy: A decrease of $1.7 million associated with eliminating State funding for Drug Task Forces. For FY10, the Drug Task Forces will be funded through federal Block Grant and the American Recovery and Investment Act (ARRA) monies.

Department of Human Rights: A total decrease of $404,000 for general reductions.

Department of Inspections and Appeals: A total decrease of $1.3 million for general reductions.

Department of Management: A total decrease of $432,000 for a general reduction.

Department of Revenue: A decrease of $3.6 million for a general reduction.

Secretary of State: A decrease of $284,000 for a general reduction.

Treasurer of State: A decrease of $115,000 for a general reduction.

Rebuild Iowa Office: Appropriates $198,000 and 12.0 FTE positions for the newly established Rebuild Iowa Office. The FTE positions will be primarily funded with federal funds.

The Senate adopted an amendment making these changes:

Language to allow the Office of Auditor to audit federal money.
Strikes Department of Commerce and restructures for revolving language replaces with appropriations for these divisions: Commerce, Alcoholic Beverages, Professional Licensing, Insurance, Banking, Credit Union, Utilities.
Requires Department of Inspections and Appeals to report:
- Number of Inspections annually by type of service provider and type of inspection.
- Total annual operations budget for the Division of Facilities, including state appropriations all types and federal contract dollars received by type of service provider inspected.
- State and federal survey trends, cited regulations and the scope and severity of deficiencies and federal fines and the state fines assessed and collected for nursing facilities and assisted living programs.
- In addition, the Department shall continuously solicit input from the regulated community to assess and improve its level of collaboration and to identify new opportunities for cooperation.
Strikes (HF 801) language & $5,000 for establishing a searchable budget and tax database and website, if enacted by the Legislature. Also strikes $5,500 for an open meetings, public records, and privacy advisory committee, if enacted by the Legislature.
Strikes FY10, out-of-state travel, which shall not be authorized unless the Executive Council authorizes the travel as necessary for the performance of official state business.
Insert this broader fleet language: The Department of Administrative Services shall seek to procure motor vehicles for state use at the lowest cost to the state. Motor vehicles purchased by the department shall not include optional equipment that results in an increase in the cost of the motor vehicle unless such optional equipment is specifically required by the requesting state agency or unless such equipment is part of the lowest cost package available meeting minimum specifications. A state agency seeking to replace a motor vehicle shall not request any equipment to be added to its motor vehicles except as the state agency determines is necessary for the department’s employees in the safe and efficient operation of the motor vehicle. The department shall not seek to have any optional equipment removed or deleted from an order if such action would increase the cost of the vehicle to the state.
City of Sioux City Code of Ethics language request by Charlie Smithson for the city to avoid political infighting and conflict of interest in enforcement. This gives the Ethics and Campaign Finance to enter into a 28E agreement with Sioux City to enforce the code.
Bingo and DIA licensing of fraternal organizations at county fairs for four consecutive days. Increases the license fee from $25 to $50.
DIA Language for Child Care Advocacy Board and foster care
- Removes a requirement that local foster care review boards review all cases in a given jurisdiction and instead give the state board the authority to select a sample of case to be reviewed by a local board.
Additional 1 FTE for Insurance Division
Restore GEMS language on Grant Enterprise Management but no funding
Language that prevents the auditor from subjecting an agency to unplanned expenses for audits that are discretionary and not required by statute. This would not prohibit the auditor from seeking reimbursement when an agency requests the auditor’s assistance in a review or audit.
- Would limit the reimbursement amount for financial reports which the auditor has typically reviewed in the normal course of business (for example, the State’s CAFR), but would require that the auditor still perform the necessary audit duties related to the report.
- The limitation on reimbursement is for the period beginning on April 1, 2009 and extends through FY10. This protects agencies from any unplanned audit expenses during the balance of FY09 as they continue to deal with the budget cuts already implemented, as well as during FY10 as agencies deal with even greater budget reductions resulting from the economic downturn.
Strike language prohibiting out of state travel for FY 2010 for legislative ex officio board members from receiving per diem.
Insert the appropriation of $3,138,888 and 27 FTEs Office of Consumer Advocate and the new revolving fund like the other divisions in the revolving fund.

Allow hard liquor sales at gas stations statewide. [4/21: 21-19]

Posted Jun. 2nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm by Senate Staff

APPROPRIATIONS- Week of April 22, 2009

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