Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2004-02-16 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2004-02-16 Senate Journal Page 2177 SB 336 SENATE BILL NO. 336 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act imposing a correctional facility surcharge on persons convicted of a crime under state law, and on persons whose probation is revoked; relating to fees and expenses for interstate transfer of probation or parole; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Law Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13: Dear President Therriault: Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that would impose a surcharge on persons convicted of an offense and on persons whose probation is revoked. The bill also would require a person under state probation or parole supervision to pay an application fee for a requested transfer of that supervision to another state. Alaska has an urgent need to mitigate the cost of its correctional facilities. The bill imposes a surcharge on a person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is convicted of, a crime if the person was arrested and taken to a correctional facility or is sentenced to a term of imprisonment. The amount of the surcharge depends on the seriousness of the crime: $100 for a felony and $50 for a misdemeanor. The bill also would impose a surcharge on a person placed on probation after conviction of a crime. The surcharge is collected only if the defendant's probation is revoked for a probation violation and the person was either arrested and taken to a correctional facility for the violation, or sentenced to prison for it. 2004-02-16 Senate Journal Page 2178 Alaska participates in the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision (Compact), which regulates the transfer of supervision for persons under state probation and parole. The bill would establish an application fee for persons under active probation or parole supervision who request an interstate transfer of supervision under the Compact. According to the Department of Corrections, the great majority of other states already impose a fee for similar services. The bill also would require the applicant to post a bond or deposit cash, which would be forfeited if the state must escort the person back to Alaska for confined supervision. I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this proposal. Sincerely yours, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor