Legislature(2017 - 2018)
2017-03-08 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2017-03-08 House Journal Page 0432 HB 163 HOUSE BILL NO. 163 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act authorizing the Department of Public Safety to enter into agreements with nonprofit regional corporations and federal, tribal, and local government agencies to provide law enforcement services; authorizing the Department of Public Safety to collect fees for certain law enforcement services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Indeterminate, Dept. of Public Safety The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 7 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill authorizing the Department of Public Safety to enter into agreements with and collect fees from nonprofit regional corporations and federal, tribal, and local government agencies to provide law enforcement services. 2017-03-08 House Journal Page 0433 The State's current fiscal crisis has forced many agencies to reevaluate how they allocate their limited resources. In particular, the Department of Public Safety has been forced to reduce its Trooper presence in some areas. Under current law, the Department of Public Safety does not have the ability to enter into contractual agreements with communities to provide continued law enforcement services. This requires many of these areas to consider procuring alternate law enforcement services. The bill would allow nonprofit regional corporations and governmental agencies to contract with the Department of Public Safety and pay for Trooper presence in their area. This will not only have a positive effect on public safety in those local areas, but will also allow the Department to better allocate resources in order to continue to provide basic law enforcement services statewide. This bill would limit contracts to communities that currently lack an organized police force. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Bill Walker Governor"