Legislature(1997 - 1998)
1997-01-30 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1997-01-30 Senate Journal Page 0176 SB 71 SENATE BILL NO. 71 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: 1997-01-30 Senate Journal Page 0177 SB 71 An Act relating to the issuance, suspension, limitation, revocation, and reinstatement of drivers licenses, permits, or privileges to drive concerning alcohol-related offenses; relating to the fees charged for the reinstatement of drivers licenses, to alcohol information courses for drivers, and to youth assessment and referral programs for minor drivers. was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services, Judiciary and Finance Committees. Fiscal notes published today from Department of Public Safety, Department of Health and Social Services (2). Indeterminate fiscal note published today from Department of Administration. Governors transmittal letter dated January 30: Dear President Miller: Alcohol abuse among minors is one of the most serious and disturbing problems facing this state. It is crucial that we discourage young Alaskans from making the wrong choices about alcohol. This bill helps achieve that goal by enhancing our current laws regarding treatment for underage drinkers. It is part of my package of legislation based on recommendations of the Governors Conference on Youth and Justice. This bill ensures that minors whose driver's licenses have been revoked for alcohol-related offenses are properly screened and monitored for compliance with education and treatment programs before their licenses are reinstated. It does so by extending toward minors a treatment program which has proved successful for adult offenders -- the alcohol safety action program, or ASAP. The state oversees the ASAP which screens offenders, determines what education or treatment is appropriate for them and then monitors their compliance with the recommendations. If the offender fails to comply, further court proceedings are initiated. 1997-01-30 Senate Journal Page 0178 SB 71 My proposal for zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving was passed last year and is now in effect in addition to our use it, lose it law. Under the zero tolerance law, a minors drivers license is revoked if the minor drives a vehicle after consuming any quantity of alcohol. The use it, lose it law revokes a minors drivers license if the minor possesses or consumes unlawful drugs or alcohol, regardless of whether the minor was driving a vehicle at the time. Both laws require the minor complete an education or treatment program before the license may be reinstated. However, there is currently no program for minors similar to the ASAP. To fill this gap, this legislation proposes a program for minors that would be housed in the Department of Health and Social Services. The program would be funded with the fees charged for reinstating any drivers license that has been revoked. This bill increases that fee for first-time offenders from $100 to $250 -- creating another deterrent to underage drinking and drinking and driving for anyone, at any age. The increased fee is expected to generate more than $1 million which will easily cover the $605,000 cost of the youth treatment program. This bill to address the problem of underage drinking is an integral component of my package on the youth justice system and an attempt to take an aggressive approach toward ending a growing crisis in our state. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor