Legislature(2019 - 2020)SENATE FINANCE 532
05/03/2019 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB32 || SB33 || SB34 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 32 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 33 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 34 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 32
"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."
SENATE BILL NO. 33
"An Act relating to pretrial release; relating to
sentencing; relating to treatment program credit
toward service of a sentence of imprisonment; relating
to electronic monitoring; amending Rules 38.2 and
45(d), Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and
providing for an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 34
"An Act relating to probation; relating to a program
allowing probationers to earn credits for complying
with the conditions of probation; relating to early
termination of probation; relating to parole; relating
to a program allowing parolees to earn credits for
complying with the conditions of parole; relating to
early termination of parole; relating to eligibility
for discretionary parole; relating to good time; and
providing for an effective date."
1:34:16 PM
Co-Chair von Imhof introduced the bill and OPENED public
testimony.
1:34:55 PM
KATIE BOTZ, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), testified
with questions related to the bill. She asked the committee
to consider the value of humans compared to the value of
money. She stressed that Alaska was the most dangerous
state in the country, where most citizens were affected by
crime. She testified in support of SB 32, SB 33 and SB 34.
She disclosed that she was a survivor of sexual abuse and
was dismayed that sexual offenders were treated with
leniency in Alaska.
1:37:16 PM
WILL MADISON, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 32, SB 33 and SB 34. He
advocated for stiffer penalties for those caught driving
with a revoked or canceled driver's license. He believed
that the majority of people with revoked driver's license
were career criminals.
1:38:54 PM
JANE MADISON, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference),
testified in support of fine increases for speeding
drivers. She discussed various examples of fines and
charges related to speeding and the problems associated
with the system.
DON HABEGER, JUNEAU REENTRY COALITION, JUNEAU, asked to
address all three bills with his testimony.
1:41:23 PM
AT EASE
1:41:42 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair von Imhof explained to the public that the
committee noticed SB 32, SB 33 and SB 34 separately. The
topics of the three bills were related, so she allowed
testimony about all three bills.
1:42:17 PM
Mr. Haberger discussed the mission of the Juneau Reentry
Coalition. The mission aided integration of Alaskans
recently released from time incarcerated. He commented that
there were 27 fiscal notes for all three bills, totaling
$50 million for the first year. In five years, the cost
would accumulate to $368 million. He stressed that the
fiscal notes mentioned did not address treatment for mental
health or substance abuse. He asked the legislature to
address the important issues to limit recidivism.
Senator Bishop requested written testimony from Mr.
Haberger. He acknowledged the validity of the content of
the testimony.
Co-Chair von Imhof agreed that written testimony was always
accepted.
1:44:28 PM
KANE MCCAUGHEY, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 32, SB 33 and SB 34. He provided
personal reasons for all three crime bills to pass. He
recalled his own interactions with Alaska State Troopers
related to stolen material. He acknowledged that the
troopers were discouraged by the current law.
1:46:35 PM
VINCENT GARAY, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 32, SB 33 and SB 34. He
advocated for a complete repeal of SB 91. He elaborated
about his time in Alaska and experience with law
enforcement. He stated that SB 91 was a failure and he
advocated for a complete repeal.
1:48:35 PM
Co-Chair von Imhof asked testifiers to consolidate their
opinions about all three bills in their testimonies. She
offered additional time for individual testimony.
Mr. Garay highlighted his 24 years in law enforcement while
living in Alaska.
1:51:07 PM
MIRANDA NELSON, SELF, NIKISKI (via teleconference),
testified in support of the three bills. She asked the
committee to fix the broken system. She stated that SB 91
was a "sad social experiment that failed Alaskans." She
advocated for allowing law enforcement officers to do their
job with necessary tools.
1:52:07 PM
BUTCH MOORE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
addressed a situation that his family faced. He stated that
the executive power of the state was vested in the
governor, who was therefore responsible for full execution
of the laws. He added that the attorney general should
prosecute all cases involving violation of state law. He
discussed a policy set by the administration related to
felony-level crimes. He mentioned his written testimony.
1:54:57 PM
Senator Micciche asked if Mr. Moore supported SB 32, SB 33
and SB 34.
Mr. Moore responded that he would support the bills with
the addition of the language included in statute: "duties
and powers of the attorney general prosecute all cases in
violation of state law." He believed that the state had too
much prosecutorial discretion, which conflicted with the
proposed legislation.
1:56:23 PM
JACQUELINE BOCK, SELF, STERLING (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 32, 33 and 34. She stressed that
Alaska required tougher crime laws. She stated that
criminals must be held accountable and not enabled. She
stressed that the ongoing tsunami of drug-related crime
must be stopped. She highlighted an aspect of SB 32
addressing children in drug houses.
1:57:37 PM
CRYSTAL BOURLAD, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in opposition to
SB 32, 33 and 34. She spoke about mental illness disorders.
She mentioned that she was a member of the local reentry
coalition. She stated that the Department of Corrections
was the largest provider of behavioral health services. She
noted that people with persistent mental illness and
addiction disorders were cycling in and out of the criminal
justice system. She believed that increasing penalties and
sentences for low-level offences rather than treating
individuals did not reduce recidivism or enhance public
safety.
1:59:09 PM
HERMAN MORGAN, SELF, ANIAK (via teleconference), testified
about the intent of SB 91. He believed that the bill
ironically increased recidivism. He urged the committee to
"scrap" SB 91. He believed that Alaska was on the verge of
collapse.
2:01:41 PM
SHERRY MILLER, SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
testified in support of all three bills including a full
repeal of SB 91. She stated that her daughter was murdered,
and the perpetrator was going to be released very soon. She
was appalled to see criminals go free for the sake of the
state budget.
2:03:03 PM
SANDY TAYLOR, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference),
testified in support of all three bills. She advocated for
a full repeal of SB 91. She felt that the criminals were
ruining everything without penalties. She advocated for
tougher treatment of criminals.
2:04:03 PM
TERRIA VANDENHUERK, FOUNDER OF FALLEN UP MINISTRIES,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in opposition to
SB 32, SB 33 and SB 34. She stated that she was a victim of
a crime. Her son was robbed and killed in 2015. She herself
served 20 years for a drug charge. She stated that she was
in foster care prior to prison. She stressed that the
system was broken that the three bills would not repair it.
She believed that reinvestment of funds was the answer. She
asked the committee to invite testimony from those with
similarly lived experience.
2:07:30 PM
SANDY STUBBLEFIELD, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference),
testified in support of the repeal of SB 91. She shared
that her son was killed by three people. She was saddened
by the lack of accountability of the accused murderers.
2:09:18 PM
ELIZABETH HOLT, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 32, SB 33 and SB 34. She
declared that a change in criminal laws would protect
citizens and law enforcement officers.
2:10:14 PM
LINDSAY WYATT, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 32, SB 33 and SB 34. He thanked
Senator Micciche for his work on the legislation.
2:11:11 PM
Co-Chair von Imhof allowed an additional minute for the
initial testifiers.
Ms. Botz testified further about the crime bills. She
stated that the proposed legislation would allow victims to
know when the perpetrator was free. She advocated for truth
and transparency during sentencing. She brought up SB 12
and asked the committee to address it further. She asked
that SB 35 be addressed again as well.
2:13:46 PM
Ms. Madison elaborated that she supported SB 32, SB 33 and
SB 34. She encouraged larger deposit amounts and stricter
rules for third-party custodians. She informed the
committee that friends or family of the accused person
often paid bail as third-party custodians. They promised to
watch the accused person 24 hours a day. She advocated for
a fine for the custodian if the offender left supervision.
She encouraged forfeiture of the deposit if the third-party
custodians did not fulfill their promise.
2:15:44 PM
Co-Chair von Imhof CLOSED public testimony for SB 32, SB 33
and SB 34. She provided the email address for written
testimony.
SB 32 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 33 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 34 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair von Imhof reviewed the schedule for the following
day.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 32 Testimony W.Madison.pdf |
SFIN 5/3/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32, 33, 34 Testimony Murdock.pdf |
SFIN 5/3/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 Testimony Madison.pdf |
SFIN 5/3/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32, SB 33, SB 34 written testimony - Felt.pdf |
SFIN 5/3/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 32 SB 33 SB 34 |