Legislature(2011 - 2012)
2012-09-25 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2012-09-25 House Journal Page 2679 HB 125 The following letter dated June 1, 2012, was received: "Dear Speaker Chenault: On this date, I have signed the following bill passed by the second session of the Twenty-Seventh Alaska State Legislature and am transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 125(L&C)(efd am) "An Act moving the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and relating to duties of that department; relating to the exercise of peace officer powers granted by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; and providing for an effective date." Chapter No. 55, SLA 2012 [Effective Date: July 1, 2012] The bill moves the Alcohol Beverage Control Board (ABC Board) to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development from the Department of Public Safety. The bill does not change the primary statutory duties, enforcement responsibilities, or focus of the ABC Board from regulating this industry. Some testimony during legislative hearings expressed concern that moving the ABC Board could decrease its enforcement abilities. However, law enforcement agencies, both State and local, will continue to enforce Alaska liquor laws, and the legislative record contains testimony that the ABC Board will continue to perform enforcement and oversight duties wherever it is housed. The laws 2012-09-25 House Journal Page 2680 being enforced by the ABC Board are virtually unchanged by the move - the ABC Board would merely be organized in a different department for administrative purposes only. I am not convinced that merely moving an independent board for administrative purposes will be detrimental to law enforcement. Nor am I convinced that this move will cure all ills identified by the legislation's supporters. On balance, however, I am deferring to the Legislature's judgment. I assume the ABC Board and law enforcement will work together effectively, ensuring enforcement and oversight will not be diminished, and the Department of Public Safety will continue its mission to vigorously enforce all of Alaska's public safety laws. If our underlying information and facts turn out to be different from the reality of regulating this industry in the public interest, then I will remain open to revisiting the placement, organization, and structure of the ABC Board. The Legislature should continue to monitor the bill's implementation to assure it has the desired outcomes of balancing strict enforcement with the administrative and commercial interests related to regulating commerce. Sincerely, /s/ Sean Parnell Governor"