An Act To Cancel the No-bid Alexander Group Contract To Produce Savings in Fiscal Year 2013-14

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  in September 2013, the Alexander Group, Inc. was retained by the Department of Health and Human Services to perform a comprehensive review of the safety net programs administered by the department; and

Whereas,  in January 2014, the Alexander Group, Inc. released the first phase of its study, a report on the feasibility of Medicaid expansion, and has received a portion of the funds originally contemplated for the entire project; and

Whereas,  this legislation proposes to deappropriate and deallocate the unexpended funds that are encumbered for this project, thus making them instead available to pay for much-needed services for the citizens of the State in fiscal year 2013-14; and

Whereas,  in order to make these funds available before the close of fiscal year 2013-14, it is necessary for this legislation to take effect immediately; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. Expenditure prohibited; legislative intent. The Department of Health and Human Services may not expend or transfer during fiscal years 2013-14 or 2014-15 any state, federal or other funds to the Alexander Group, Inc. or its successor for the performance of a comprehensive evaluation of the safety net programs administered by the department or a review or analysis of the department's programs, processes, practices or potential reforms or for any other consulting services. The Legislature intends by this Act to eliminate legal authority for the Department of Health and Human Services and the State to expend funds for the performance of the September 2013 agreement or a successor agreement with the Alexander Group, Inc. and to deappropriate and deallocate funds consistent with section 22 of Rider B of that agreement.

Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)

Office of MaineCare Services 0129

Initiative: Deappropriates and deallocates unexpended funds for the contract between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Alexander Group, Inc. encumbered on September 30, 2013.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	($89,100)	$0
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	($89,100)	$0

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	($89,100)	$0
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	($89,100)	$0

Office of the Commissioner 0142

Initiative: Deappropriates and deallocates unexpended funds for the contract between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Alexander Group, Inc. encumbered on September 30, 2013.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	($175,296)	$0
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	($175,296)	$0

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	($144,033)	$0
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	($144,033)	$0

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 0138

Initiative: Deappropriates and deallocates unexpended funds for the contract between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Alexander Group, Inc. encumbered on September 30, 2013.

FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	($49,270)	$0
FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND TOTAL	($49,270)	$0

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2013-14	2014-15
GENERAL FUND	($264,396)	$0
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	($89,100)	$0
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	($144,033)	$0
FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND	($49,270)	$0
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	($546,799)	$0

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from expending or transferring funds to the Alexander Group, Inc. for the performance of a comprehensive evaluation of the safety net programs administered by the department or a review or analysis of the department's programs, processes, practices or potential reforms or for any other consulting services, and it deappropriates and deallocates unexpended funds that are encumbered for this project.