2020-02-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 1890
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 239                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 239 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act relating to psychiatric examination under                                                                     
          criminal law and procedure; relating to notice of                                                                     
          reasonable cause to believe the defendant has become                                                                  
          competent; relating to defendants who are civilly                                                                     
          committed; and providing for an effective date."                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Public Safety                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Corrections                                                                             
 Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Department of Health and Social Services                                                              
 Fiscal Note No. 4, zero, Department of Law                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 27:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Giessel:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to psychiatric                                                                  
examination under criminal law and procedure, providing notice to the                                                           
prosecuting authority and court of the defendant's return to                                                                    
competency, and clarifying statutory procedures when a defendant is                                                             
subject to civil commitment proceedings as well as criminal                                                                     
competency proceedings.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under current law, if a defendant intends to rely on an insanity defense                                                        
or if there is reason to doubt the defendant's fitness to proceed, or if                                                        
there is reason to believe that a mental disease or defect will become