2024-02-21                     Senate Journal                      Page 1692
SB 255                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 255 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act relating to the obstruction of airports and                                                                   
          runways; relating to the obstruction of highways;                                                                     
          establishing the crime of obstruction of free passage                                                                 
          in public places; relating to the obstruction of public                                                               
          places; relating to the crime of trespassing; relating to                                                             
          the obstruction of navigable waters; and providing for                                                                
          an effective date."                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Judiciary                                                        
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Public Safety                                                                           
                                                                                                                                

2024-02-21                     Senate Journal                      Page 1693
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 20:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Stevens:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to obstruction of access                                                        
to public places. The bill increases the penalties for obstructing                                                              
highways and navigable waterways, and for criminal trespass, where                                                              
there is a substantial risk of physical harm or interference with                                                               
emergency response. The bill expands criminal liability for obstructing                                                         
airport runways. The bill also establishes a new crime of obstruction in                                                        
public places. Finally, the bill creates a new civil cause of action by                                                         
any person who is obstructed and provides for statutory damages in                                                              
addition to compensatory and other damages. Liability extends to                                                                
persons and organizations that conspire with or encourage anyone who                                                            
engages in public obstruction.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Alaskans have a constitutional liberty interest in freely moving about                                                          
the State. This bill will protect the right to freedom of movement                                                              
against infringement by increasing and expanding existing criminal                                                              
prohibitions on obstructing public places and rights of way and by                                                              
establishing new civil liability for obstruction of public places.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor