NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Minutes of the

BUDGET COMMITTEE ON INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES

Monday and Tuesday, March 13-14, 2000
School for the Blind
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Developmental Center
Grafton, North Dakota

Representative Merle Boucher, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

Members present: Representatives Merle Boucher, LeRoy G. Bernstein, Jeff Delzer, Scot Kelsh, Joe Kroeber, Chet Pollert; Senators David E. Nething, Harvey Sand, Wayne Stenehjem, Harvey D. Tallackson

Members absent: Representatives Rod Froelich, William E. Gorder, Ralph Metcalf

Others present: Ole Aarsvold, State Representative, Blanchard

Darrell D. Nottestad, State Representative, Grand Forks

Ken Svedjan, State Representative, Grand Forks

Gil Herbel, State Representative, Grafton

See attached appendix for additional persons present

It was moved by Senator Stenehjem, seconded by Representative Bernstein, and carried on a voice vote that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as distributed.

BUDGET TOUR

Ms. Carmen Suminski, Superintendent, School for the Blind, reviewed the services and programs of the School for the Blind including its outreach services across the state. Ms. Suminski said the School for the Blind serves approximately 362 individuals per year, 257 of which are students and 105 of which are adults.

Ms. Suminski said the School for the Blind has teachers located in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, and Williston. A copy of the report is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Ms. Laura Thoreson, Business Manager, School for the Blind, reviewed the status of the school's budget. Ms. Thoreson said the school is projecting actual revenue will exceed projections for the biennium by approximately $39,000. She said this primarily relates to income from the Land Department being more than projected.

Ms. Thoreson said expenditures are currently projected to be $134,000 less than budgeted primarily due to a delay in extending teaching contracts from 9 to 11 months during the first year of the biennium. She said the 11-month teacher contracts will be instituted for the second year of the biennium.

Ms. Thoreson commented on the school's 2001-03 budget request. She said the Governor announced that state agencies must submit a "hold even budget." She said the School for the Blind does not anticipate any major changes to its budget request but has not yet developed any specifics for the request.

Senator Tallackson asked for information on capital improvement projects of the school for the 1999-2001 biennium. Ms. Thoreson said 1999-2001 biennium capital improvement projects include constructing a storage area in the gymnasium, resurfacing the school parking lot, and some Americans with Disabilities Act-related projects.

Representative Pollert asked why the cost per person receiving services from the School for the Blind is greater than the cost per person receiving services from Vocational Rehabilitation vision services. Ms. Thoreson said the primary reason relates to facility costs at the School for the Blind which include major improvements, upkeep and maintenance, and maintenance personnel.

Senator Sand asked for the number of maintenance personnel at the School for the Blind. Ms. Thoreson said four of the school's 28 FTE positions are maintenance personnel.

The committee conducted a tour of the School for the Blind.

CONSOLIDATING VISION SERVICES

The Legislative Council staff presented the following four bill drafts that:

1. Clarify that the School for the Blind is responsible for serving persons of all ages with visual impairments.
2. Consolidate vision services provided by the Vocational Rehabilitation Division under the School for the Blind.
3. Consolidate the School for the Blind under the Department of Human Services.
4. Consolidate the School for the Blind and vision services provided by the Vocational Rehabilitation Division under a separate Department of Vision Services.

Senator Nething commented the bill draft clarifying that the School for the Blind is responsible for serving persons of all ages with visual impairments addresses key concerns of the committee.

Representative Boucher said the School for the Blind should act as a case management agency for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. He said the school would coordinate services for blind or visually impaired persons that are available from the Department of Public Instruction, school districts, the Department of Human Services, and Job Service.

Mr. Gene Hysjulien, Director, Disability Services Division, Department of Human Services, commented on the bill drafts.

Mr. Hysjulien said the Vocational Rehabilitation Division is concerned with establishing a separate vision services agency that would serve only individuals with visual impairments. He said many times individuals with vision impairments also have other disabilities which require interventions from other disability service providers. If a separate vision services agency is established, he said, other disability groups may also request separate service agencies. He said the philosophy of independent living is to serve all disabilities and focus on service needs regardless of the nature of the specific disability.

Regarding the bill draft clarifying that the School for the Blind is responsible for serving persons of all ages with visual impairments, Mr. Hysjulien said additional general fund support may be needed if the school is to serve individuals aged 21 to 54 who are not seeking employment, since this group is not currently receiving services.

Regarding the bill draft that would create a separate Department of Vision Services, Mr. Hysjulien said duplicative reporting and planning would result because the new department and the Department of Human Services would need to prepare similar reports to comply with federal requirements associated with receiving federal vocational rehabilitation funding. He also indicated that a separate department may create confusion regarding which agency would be the appropriate service provider for a person who has a visual impairment as well as other physical or mental disabilities.

Mr. Hysjulien said the bill draft that consolidates Vocational Rehabilitation vision services under the School for the Blind would also result in duplicate reporting and planning by the School for the Blind and the Department of Human Services to comply with federal guidelines.

Mr. Hysjulien said with additional funding flexibility, the bill draft that consolidates the School for the Blind under the Department of Human Services may allow for the 21 to 54 age group to receive vision services without requiring additional general fund support. He said if the School for the Blind services were provided regionally similar to other Department of Human Services programs, less space would be required at the School for the Blind which may result in less funding needed for the facility. He said the funding available from these cost-savings could be used to contract with the independent living centers to provide vision specialists in each of the eight regions of the state.

A copy of the testimony is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Ms. Tracy Wicken, Vision Rehabilitation Specialist, Department of Human Services, supported consolidating vision services under the Department of Human Services. Ms. Wicken said it is important to provide vision services to persons with visual impairments in their home rather than asking the visually impaired individual to travel to Grand Forks for specialized training. Ms. Wicken said the Vocational Rehabilitation Division employs vision rehabilitation specialists in Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, and Dickinson. She suggested that if the School for the Blind is consolidated under the Department of Human Services, vision specialists currently employed by the School for the Blind could also serve older visually impaired individuals across the state.

Ms. Wicken distributed written testimony from Ms. Helen Baumgartner regarding vision rehabilitation services. A copy of Ms. Wicken's and Ms. Baumgartner's testimony is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Dr. Gary Gronberg, Department of Public Instruction, commented on the bill drafts. Dr. Gronberg said two types of changes are being considered by the committee--service delivery and administration.

Considering changes to service delivery, Dr. Gronberg said the department supports the bill draft that clarifies that the School for the Blind is responsible for serving individuals of all ages. He said this bill draft could be changed to further define the School for the Blind's role as a resource center rather than a school, to remove language that the school would receive and educate students which it no longer does, and to remove provisions requiring that the school provide instruction in general subjects which it also no longer provides.

Considering administrative changes, Dr. Gronberg said if the committee wishes to change the administration of vision services, the bill draft that would consolidate all vision services under the Department of Human Services would be most appropriate.

Ms. Suminski commented on the bill drafts. Ms. Suminski said regardless of which bill draft is approved, it is important the School for the Blind be a statewide resource for all residents of the state who are blind or visually impaired and that appropriate services be provided to each person whether the person resides in the city of Fargo or Adams County. She said it is imperative that the law be clarified to define the appropriate role for the School for the Blind; however, she said the structural options of the school reporting to the Governor, Department of Human Services, or Department of Public Instruction are not as important as meeting the needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

A copy of her testimony is on file in the Legislative Council office.

The committee recessed for lunch at 12:10 p.m. and reconvened at 12:35 p.m.

Mr. Jay Johnson, Executive Director, Options, the independent living center in Grand Forks, commented on the bill drafts. Mr. Johnson expressed support for the bill draft that consolidates all vision services under the Department of Human Services. He said since most persons with visual impairments being served in the state are adults and are being served by the Department of Human Services, administration should be by the Department of Human Services.

Mr. Johnson suggested that the independent living centers across the state be used to a greater extent to provide vision services. He said the centers do not have eligibility guidelines and provide integrated service delivery for all persons with disabilities. Mr. Johnson said local service delivery should be a priority over maintaining state institutions.

A copy of the report is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Mr. Johnson distributed testimony from a number of individuals expressing support for services received from independent living centers. Copies of the testimony are on file in the Legislative Council office.

Mr. Rodney Ringbloom, Grand Forks, expressed support for integrated services for persons with disabilities. He expressed support for referral sources and the need for continuity of services for persons with disabilities.

Mr. Allan Peterson, North Dakota Association of the Blind, expressed support for the bill draft that consolidates vision services under the School for the Blind and the bill draft that establishes a separate Department of Vision Services.

Mr. Peterson said consolidating vision services under one agency will improve services for persons with vision impairments. He said studies have shown results are improved when clients are served through a blind services agency rather than by a general vocational rehabilitation service agency. He said a separate service agency for the blind provides people with visual impairments ways to adapt to changing needs. He said a service system needs to be responsive to the needs of the people with severe vision loss and to be accountable for those services. He said consolidating all vision services under the School for the Blind or under a separate Department of Vision Services would be the best way to achieve these needs.

A copy of his testimony is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Ms. Elaine Kelm, Jamestown, commented on the bill drafts. Ms. Kelm expressed support for the bill draft that would establish a separate Department of Vision Services. She said it is important for persons with visual impairments to have the specialized services available from the School for the Blind. She expressed concern with consolidating vision services under the Department of Human Services because she believes the Department of Human Services has become too large an agency to serve persons with disabilities effectively. She suggested that agencies providing services to individuals with disabilities place more emphasis on the quality of services.

Ms. Suminski distributed testimony from individuals expressing support for services of the School for the Blind and for consolidating all vision services under the School for the Blind, a copy of which is on file in the Legislative Council office.

BUDGET TOUR

The committee traveled to the Northeast Human Service Center, Grand Forks.

Mr. Bob Sanderson, Director, Northeast Human Service Center, welcomed the committee to its new facility. Mr. Sanderson said the center has been located in its new facility since December 1999 and that rent and related operating expenses are approximately $30,000 per biennium less than the costs of being located at the HEMP Center, its previous location.

Mr. Sanderson commented on initiatives of the center, including:

1. Healthy families - Region 4. A coalition of 14 private and public agencies with a goal of providing prevention services to parents who are at risk of needing services in the future.
2. Welfare reform initiative. The Northeast Human Service Center, Grand Forks County, Job Service, and the Prairie Harvest Human Service Center are collaborating to work with people who will have a difficult time leaving welfare programs.
3. Agency directors meeting. Since the center has relocated, the agency directors housed in the new facility that are involved with human service programs meet at least monthly to discuss ways to collaborate and more effectively coordinate services between agencies.

Mr. Sanderson reviewed the current status of the Northeast Human Service Center 1999-2001 budget. Mr. Sanderson said the center is currently projecting a revenue shortfall of $400,000 due to medical assistance and social service block grant revenues being less than projected. He said the shortfall will be made up by keeping vacant employee positions open longer than normal, reducing training, contracting, and equipment expenditures, and increasing revenues, when possible.

A copy of the report is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Senator Nething asked why operating expenses are projected to be $43,000 more than budgeted. Mr. Lynn Bingham, Business Manager, Northeast Human Service Center, said the center has implemented two new programs that were not anticipated in its budget--the foster care case management program and the retired senior volunteer program.

The committee then toured the Northeast Human Service Center.

Ms. Kate Kenna, Director, Community Services Department, Northeast Human Service Center, commented on the center's community services programs. Ms. Kenna said the center focuses on emphasizing a family's strengths, collaborating with other agencies to protect children by providing early intervention and prevention services, allocating resources to support families, and promoting a system of care that is coordinated and easily accessed by families.

Regarding foster care, Ms. Kenna said 208 children from the northeast region are in foster care, an increase of 16 children compared to one year ago. She said 30 percent of these children are in residential facilities and three children are placed out of state.

A copy of the report as well as reports from other program administrators at the Northeast Human Service Center are on file in the Legislative Council office.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Mr. Dave Zentner, Director, Medical Services, Department of Human Services, commented on the status of the nursing facilities alternative grants and loans provided for in 1999 Senate Bill No. 2168 and on the department's plans for continuing the program during the 2001-03 biennium, including any related statutory changes.

Mr. Zentner said the department anticipates the first governmental nursing facility funding pool payment will be made in April 2000. He said the department has received 56 requests for grants or loans and 21 responses indicating that a request for a grant or loan will be submitted for grants or loans available in the future. Mr. Zentner said the department has received Emergency Commission and Budget Section approval for additional spending authority of $24 million to make the April 2000 funding pool payment to the government-owned nursing facilities. Mr. Zentner said the department anticipates requesting approval to continue the loan and grant program into the 2001-03 biennium, contingent on the federal Health Care Financing Administration not changing current regulations that allow North Dakota to access these funds.

Mr. Zentner suggested the Legislative Assembly consider making the following changes if the program is reauthorized:

1. Clarify activities that qualify for loans or grants.
2. Eliminate the separate loan and grant trust funds and establish one fund for both loans and grants.
3. Change or eliminate the definition of an assisted living facility depending on the outcome of recommendations of the Task Force on Long-Term Care Planning.
4. Provide more flexibility in determining loan interest rates.
5. Increase the percentage of project costs that can be financed through the program.
6. Expand the use of the trust fund to allow for assistance in reducing nursing facility debt or to improve nursing facilities without reducing the number of beds if it can be shown that the number of current nursing facility beds are appropriate for a particular region of the state.

A copy of the report is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Ms. Shelly Peterson, President, North Dakota Long Term Care Association, commented on the nursing facility alternative grant and loan fund program.

Ms. Peterson presented the following recommendations of the association for the committee to consider regarding the program:

1. Use funding generated from the intergovernmental transfer program to conduct and develop a long-term vision and plan for long-term care in North Dakota.
2. Provide more flexibility for facilities to receive grants rather than loans and reduce the interest rate from a maximum of seven percent to a maximum of three percent.
3. Use moneys in the health care trust fund only for long-term care or related health programs rather than for other purposes such as education, state buildings, or roads.

Ms. Peterson said the association is studying possible modifications to the program for the future. She reviewed the following changes being studied:

1. Provide funding for a "wage-pass-through" for all long-term care staff.
2. Provide funding for fringe benefits for long-term care staff similar to state employee benefits.
3. Provide funding to consortium groups that includes a long-term care facility and other community service entities such as hospitals, home health providers, hospice organizations, or volunteer ambulance providers to meet regional and local health needs.
4. Provide funding to buy out nursing facilities that choose to close.
5. Provide ongoing funding within the Medicaid program for nursing facilities to allow for periodic rebasing of nursing facility rates.
6. Consider increasing the per bed limitation for nursing facilities.
7. Provide funding for quality improvement survey programs for nursing facilities.
8. Provide additional funding for basic care.
9. Provide appropriate reimbursement for the two governmental nursing facilities that are involved in accessing the federal funding through the intergovernmental transfer program.

A copy of the report is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Senator Nething expressed concern that many of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association's suggestions will result in more governmental involvement in private nursing home operations.

Mr. Jeff Sjoquist, YHR Partners, Moorhead, Minnesota, commented on the needs of nursing facilities in North Dakota.

Mr. Sjoquist said in a survey of nursing facilities, key problems that were reported include:

1. Staffing.
2. Paperwork.
3. Facility improvements.

Mr. Sjoquist said many of the nursing facilities in North Dakota were built in the 1950s and 1960s. He said many of these facilities are in need of major improvements. Because remodeling or reconstruction is expensive, he said many nursing facilities do not have the financial resources to pay for these major repairs or improvements. He suggested the state provide financial assistance for remodeling or reconstruction projects of nursing facilities. A copy of the testimony is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Mr. Zentner presented a status report on the establishment of a traumatic brain-injured (TBI) facility in western North Dakota, the status of funding for services provided by the facility, how the facility will affect the moratorium on the number of beds, and on any recommended statutory changes. Mr. Zentner said HIT, Inc., of Mandan, the organization that has obtained approval from the State Health Council to establish a TBI facility in western North Dakota, intends to break ground for its facility in April 2000 and to begin facility operations in late summer of 2000. He said the project was approved by the State Health Council in 1998 and is authorized until 2003. Mr. Zentner said if the moratorium on basic care bed capacity remains in place in the next biennium and HIT, Inc., is unable to acquire any other basic care beds, the facility may not be able to obtain a license to operate after 2003 unless the Legislative Assembly provides an exception for this facility.

Mr. Zentner said although the Legislative Assembly appropriated $200,000 to be used if additional beds for traumatic brain-injured persons are established in western North Dakota, if Medicaid spending continues to be less than projected, the department may not need to access this additional funding.

A copy of the report is on file in the Legislative Council office.

The Legislative Council staff distributed testimony and the proposed budget for the TBI facility in Mandan submitted by Mr. Kirk L. Greff of HIT, Inc. A copy of the testimony and proposed budget are on file in the Legislative Council office.

Mr. Zentner presented a report on the status of Alzheimer's and related dementia projects and on any statutory changes needed to continue these projects in the future. Mr. Zentner said 1999 Senate Bill No. 2036 directs the State Department of Health and the Department of Human Services to review and make recommendations regarding the licensure for basic care and assisted living facilities. He said the facilities currently operating as pilot projects should qualify for licensure under the new requirements that will be recommended by these departments and that the Legislative Assembly will consider during the next session. If no changes are made to the current licensing requirements, the facilities will likely need to be licensed as basic care facilities. Therefore, he said the department believes the pilot projects can be discontinued at the time the new licensing standards become effective or at the end of the current biennium if no new standards are adopted and the facilities seek to be licensed as basic care facilities. If licensing standards are not changed, he said, the department recommends these facilities be allowed to seek basic care licensing even if a moratorium on basic care beds is continued in the next biennium.

A copy of the report is on file in the Legislative Council office.

The committee recessed at 5:30 p.m. and reconvened Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Developmental Center at Westwood Park, Grafton.

BUDGET TOUR

Mr. Brian Lunski, Superintendent, Developmental Center, welcomed the committee to the center. Mr. Lunski announced he has submitted his resignation as superintendent of the Developmental Center effective April 10, 2000.

Mr. Lunski said the population of the Developmental Center is 152 individuals aged 11 to 75. He said over the past few years admissions to the Developmental Center have averaged 1.5 per month, but since July 1999, the center has averaged 2.6 admissions per month.

Mr. Lunski reviewed the major program areas of the Developmental Center, including:

1. Day/residential - Provides training and assistance with daily living activities.
2. Health/clinical - Provides assessment therapy, training, and supportive services.
3. Administration - Provides leadership, training, support, resources, and maintenance of the center's programs and infrastructure.
4. Safety net - Provides specialized evaluation treatment or crisis management services.

Mr. Lunski presented the status of the 1999-2001 center budget. Mr. Lunski said the Developmental Center's 1999-2001 budget totals $40 million, $9.7 million of which is from the general fund. He said the center anticipated an average population of 140 to 145 residents.

Regarding salaries and wages, Mr. Lunski said the center is authorized 481.30 positions in the following programs:

Day/residential	305.30
Health/clinical	95.05
Auxiliary	55.05
Administration	25.90
Total	481.30

Mr. Lunski said revenues are projected to be $1.2 million less than estimated primarily as the result of lower than estimated other funds collections due to the center not receiving revenues relating to three out-of-state sexual offenders who were anticipated to be served at the Developmental Center this biennium. He said the reduction in revenues will be offset by savings in salaries and wages of $850,000 associated with vacant positions and a reduction in overtime costs and operating expense savings of $359,000 associated with cost-savings relating to utilities and client supplies.

Mr. Lunski said the Developmental Center was appropriated $423,610 for capital improvements. He said to date, the center has overhauled two air-conditioning units and completed a dehumidification project in Colette auditorium. He said remaining projects include roof repairs on Sunset Hall and the Health Service Center.

For the 2001-03 biennial budget, Mr. Lunski said the center anticipates requesting the same number of FTE positions and similar funding for operating expenses. He said capital improvement needs include repairing roofs on the PT/OT building, Colette auditorium, and the chapel; replacement of electric entrance doors at Maplewood, Cedar Grove, and New Horizons; replacing or overhauling the air-handling systems at food service, Maplewood, and Cedar Grove; and to update electrical lighting in various buildings.

Mr. Lunski reviewed long-term capital improvement needs, including:

1. Replace or overhaul air-handling systems throughout the campus.
2. Replace condensation lines and tanks within the power house.
3. Replace the circulating system in the PT/OT therapy pool.
4. Overhaul the electrical backup generator.
5. Replace steamlines to Prairieview, vehicle maintenance, and professional services buildings.

A copy of the report is on file in the Legislative Council office.

COLLOCATION OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER AND THE STATE HOSPITAL

Mr. Lunski responded to committee questions regarding the feasibility and desirability of collocating the State Hospital and the Developmental Center at one location.

Senator Nething asked how the State Hospital and Developmental Center may begin to implement cooperative efforts between the institutions. Mr. Alex Schweitzer, Superintendent, State Hospital, said the department, by naming him as the superintendent of the Developmental Center has begun the process of cooperative efforts. As superintendent of both institutions, he said he will be traveling between the two institutions; however, an individual will be named at the State Hospital as well as an individual at the Developmental Center to be responsible for direct care services at each institution. He said his role as superintendent will be to focus on budgeting, human resources, legislative matters, accreditation, and external issues.

Senator Sand expressed concern regarding the sharing of the superintendent positions between the institutions due to the additional time that will be spent traveling. Senator Sand indicated that it is important to have a full-time superintendent at each institution. Mr. Schweitzer said the sharing of the superintendent position is a pilot project that the department will be evaluating on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Jim Martini, Director, Traumatic Brain Injury Program, Developmental Center, provided information on the services provided for persons with traumatic brain injury at the Developmental Center and related costs. Mr. Martini said the traumatic brain injury program began operating in July 1999 with the admission of three individuals. He said the program admitted its fourth client on March 1, 2000. He said the program is designed to be the "safety net" for individuals who have suffered a brain injury for which there is no other appropriate placement available in North Dakota.

Mr. Martini said the cost per individual receiving services in the traumatic brain injury program is approximately $450 per day.

A copy of the report is on file in the Legislative Council office.

Representative Delzer asked for information on the number of beds available in the traumatic brain injury program and its biennial budget. Mr. Martini said based on a State Department of Health recommendation, the Developmental Center has certified 12 beds for the program. He said the program employs 10 staff to serve the four individuals. He said the 1999-2001 appropriation for the program is $575,000, and the Developmental Center projects that costs will total approximately $600,000 for this biennium.

The committee conducted a tour of the Developmental Center, including the vocational program, residential unit, traumatic brain injury program, sexual offender treatment program, the Cedar Grove building, and the gift shop.

Senator Tallackson said that funding may be requested from the 2001 Legislative Assembly to expand parking at the Developmental Center and to resurface a bicycle path that residents in wheelchairs use around the Developmental Center. Senator Tallackson indicated that cost estimates were not yet available for these projects.

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

It was moved by Senator Stenehjem, seconded by Representative Bernstein, and carried on a roll call vote that the committee, in its study of vision services, continue consideration of the bill draft that clarifies that the School for the Blind is responsible for serving persons of all ages with visual impairments and the bill draft that consolidates the School for the Blind under the Department of Human Services and discontinue consideration of the bill draft that consolidates vision services provided by the Vocational Rehabilitation Division under the School for the Blind and the bill draft that provides for the consolidation of the School for the Blind and vision services provided by the Vocational Rehabilitation Division under a separate agency. Representatives Boucher, Bernstein, Delzer, Kelsh, Kroeber, and Pollert and Senators Nething, Sand, Stenehjem, and Tallackson voted "aye." No negative votes were cast.

Senator Nething suggested a provision be added to the bill drafts still under consideration that the Department of Human Services and the School for the Blind coordinate, when possible, the use of funding for vision services available through the Department of Human Services for vision services provided by the School for the Blind. Chairman Boucher asked that the Legislative Council staff incorporate these changes into the two bill drafts still under consideration.

It was moved by Senator Nething and seconded by Senator Tallackson that the committee conclude its work on the study of the feasibility and desirability of collocating the Developmental Center and the State Hospital at one location and that the committee continue to review information on cooperative efforts to share administrative and support services between the institutions.

It was moved by Representative Delzer and seconded by Representative Bernstein that the motion be amended to provide that the committee recommends that the State Hospital continue to be located in Jamestown and the Developmental Center in Grafton and that the committee continue to review information on cooperative efforts to share administrative and support services between the two institutions. Representatives Bernstein and Delzer voted "aye." Representatives Boucher, Kelsh, Kroeber, and Pollert and Senators Nething, Sand, Stenehjem, and Tallackson voted "nay." The motion to amend the previous motion failed.

On a roll call vote, the original motion carried. Representatives Boucher, Kelsh, Kroeber, and Pollert and Senators Nething, Sand, Stenehjem, and Tallackson voted "aye." Representatives Bernstein and Delzer voted "nay."

Chairman Boucher said the Department of Human Services would be asked to continue to provide progress reports to the committee at future meetings on collaborative efforts between the institutions. He said the committee will be considering a recommendation at a future meeting providing that the State Hospital and the Developmental Center remain at their current locations.

Senator Sand expressed his opposition to the proposed TBI facility that HIT, Inc., plans to construct in Mandan. He believes the amounts included in the proposed budget for the facility are inadequate and unrealistic.

Chairman Boucher indicated that HIT, Inc., will be invited to the committee's next meeting to comment and respond to questions regarding the proposed facility.

Chairman Boucher announced that the next committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for early June 2000.

It was moved by Senator Stenehjem, seconded by Representative Kroeber, and carried on a voice vote that the committee adjourn subject to the call of the chair.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

___________________________________________
Allen H. Knudson
Assistant Legislative Budget Analyst and Auditor

___________________________________________
Jim W. Smith
Legislative Budget Analyst and Auditor

ATTACH:1

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