2019-02-20                     House Journal                      Page 0167
HB 49                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 49 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                    
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to criminal law and procedure; relating to                                                                
     controlled substances; relating to probation; relating to sentencing;                                                      
     relating to reports of involuntary commitment; amending Rule 6,                                                            
     Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an                                                                   
     effective date."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                     
2.  Zero, Dept. of Public Safety                                                                                                
3.  Indeterminate, Dept. of Administration                                                                                      
4.  Indeterminate, Dept. of Administration                                                                                      
5.  Fiscal, Dept. of Corrections                                                                                                
6.  Fiscal, Dept. of Law                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Chief Clerk:                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the classification of                                                        
crimes, sentencing, and probation.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
By far, the most serious threat facing Alaska is crime. In 2017, the rate                                                       
of crime increased across all major categories from 2016 – violent                                                              
crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and assault increased by                                                               
seven percent; property crimes such as car theft and burglary rose by                                                           
six percent. These statistics are even more dramatic when compared to                                                           
the rate of crime in 2013. In 2017, property crime was up by 22                                                                 
percent and violent crime was up 34 percent when compared to crime                                                              
statistics from 2013. Alaskans do not feel safe in their homes,                                                                 
businesses are being targeted, and communities are impacted by                                                                  
senseless acts of violence.