Resolve, To Ensure Proper Accounting for Funds at the Department of Health and Human Services
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1949
Committee Amendment CA_A_S546 (Senate)

COMMIITEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 748, L.D. 1949, "Resolve, To Ensure 
Proper Accounting for Funds at the Department of Health and Human Services" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Ensure Financial Management at the Department of Health and 
Human Services' 
Further amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and inserting in its 
place the following: 
'Sec. 1. 
Department of Health and Human Services Financial 
Management Work Group. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Administrative 
and Financial Services and the Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall 
convene the Department of Health and Human Services Financial Management Work 
Group, referred to in this resolve as "the work group," to develop the report described in 
section 3 and the plan described in section 4. Employees of the Department of 
Administrative and Financial Services and the Department of Health and Human Services 
shall serve as chairs, cochairs and staff for the work group as needed; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Work group members. Resolved: That the work group consists of 
representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services, including the 
Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the Deputy Commissioner of Finance, 
and representatives of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, 
including the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services, the State 
Controller, the State Budget Officer, the Director of the Health and Human Services 
Service Center and the Chief Information Officer, or their designees. The Commissioner 
of Administrative and Financial Services and the Commissioner of Health and Human 
Services shall invite 2 members of the Senate and 2 members of the House of 
Representatives. One Senate member and one House member must be from the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and 
fmancial affairs. One Senate member and one House member must be from the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services 
matters; and be it further 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,A" to S.P. 748, L.D. 1949 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the work group shall present a report to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and 
financial affairs and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over health and human services matters no later than March 30, 2007. The report must 
include the following information as defined by and agreed to by the work group: 
1. A description of specific information requirements and specific activities needed 
in order for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, the Department of 
Health and Human Services and the Legislature to make informed budgetary decisions, 
provide for effective and efficient program operations and ensure adequate financial 
reporting by the Department of Health and Human Services; 
2. 
Specific timelines and assignment of responsibility related to the information 
requirements and activities agreed to by the work group; and 
3. 
Recommendations for legislation necessary to prepare and implement the 
Department of Health and Human Services plan described in section 4 and the adjustment 
or realignment of accounts and programs; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Plan. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services 
shall use the information from the report in section 3 to prepare and present a plan that 
will assist the department and the Legislature in making informed budgetary decisions, 
provide for effective and efficient program operations and ensure adequate fmancial 
reporting by the department. The department shall present ·the plan to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs 
and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and 
human services matters no later than March 30, 2008. The plan, which the department 
shall implement in time to prepare the budget for the 2010-2011 biennium, must include 
the following: 
1. Recommendations that address the information requirements identified in section 
and the appropriate format for presenting the information; 
2. 
Recommendations related to continuing education to ensure staff members 
become and remain informed about and trained in the current laws and rules governing 
program requirements; 
3. Information on the reconciliation of all program accounts; 
4. 
Details of an accounting structure that meets the requirements of fmancial 
accountability and reporting; 
5. 
Recommendations for exercising due diligence to minimize any unintended 
consequences or disruptions in services during the transition to the new accounting 
structure; and 
6. Recommendations for any additional legislation necessary to fully implement the 
plan; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Legislation authorized. Resolved: That the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and fmancial affairs and the 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human 
services matters may each report out legislation related to the adjustment or realignment 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,4" to S.P. 748, L.D. 1949 
of accounts and programs as well as any legislation necessary to fully implement the 
plan.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the resolve. The amendment creates the Department of 
Health and Human Services Financial Management Work Group, which is required to 
develop a report and a plan to assist the Department of Administrative and Financial 
Services, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Legislature in making 
informed budgetary decisions, providing for effective and efficient program operations 
and ensuring adequate fmancial reporting by the Department of Health and Human 
Services. The work group shall recommend any legislation needed to implement the 
plan. 
It directs that employees of the Department of Administrative and Financial 
Services and the Department of Health and Human Services convene, chair and staff the 
work group and lists the parties to be represented on the work group. It requires the work 
group to present the report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over appropriations and fmancial affairs and the joint standing committee of 
the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by March 30, 
2007 and outlines the contents of the report. It requires the Department of Health and 
Human Services to prepare and present a plan, which must be implemented in time to 
prepare the budget for the 2010-2011 biennium, to the 2 committees by March 30,2008. 
It authorizes the 2 committees to report out legislation related to the adjustment or 
realignment of accounts and programs and any legislation necessary to fully implement 
the plan. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUJRED 
(See Attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/24/06 ;t;vae 
LD 1949 
LR3071(02) 
Resolve, To Ensure Proper Accounting for Funds at the Department of Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,11 " 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current Costs - Legislative Participation in a Work Group 
Legislative Study 
The projected costs to fund the general operating expenses of four legislators required .to participate on the 
Department of Health and Human Services Financial Management Work Group are $2,480 in fiscal year 2006-07. 
The Legislature's proposed budget includes $20,000 in fiscal year 2006-07 for legislative studies and other legislative 
requirements. Whether the amount is sufficient to fund all legislative requests will depend on the amount aUthoriz 
by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
The additional costs associated with developing a plan, SUbmitting a report and staffing the Work Group can be 
absorbed by the Department of Health and Human Services utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR3071(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1