03/30/1993 03:00 PM House L&C

  HB 247 - WEIGHTS & MEASURES: INSPECTIONS/CITATIONS                           
                                                                               
  WENDY MULDER, SPECIAL ASSISTANT, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND                  
  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, read the following sponsor statement                   
  on HB 247:                                                                   
                                                                               
  "Prior to 1986, weights and  measures inspectors had the                     
  authority to issue citations for weights and measure                         
  violations.  Changes were made to AS 45.75 in 1986 to                        
  authorize weigh station operators to issue citations for                     
  truck size and permit violations.  When these changes were                   
  made, the weights and measures inspectors were inadvertently                 
  stripped of their authority to issue citations.  During the                  
  last year, the Division of Measurement Standards promulgated                 
  regulations that provide for the registrations of all                        
  weighing and measuring devices with the division and the                     
  payment of an annual fee.  To allow the division to                          
  adequately enforce AS 45.75 it is necessary for the weights                  
  and measures inspectors to have the authority to issue                       
  citations for those persons who choose to violate the law.                   
  Most, if not all, weights and measures jurisdictions in the                  
  United States and Canada possess this authority.  This does                  
  not mean that a rash of new citations will be issued, but it                 
  does give the weights and measures official an effective                     
  enforcement tool.                                                            
                                                                               
  "Within current budget constraints, the division is unable                   
  to maintain semiannual inspections in all locations in                       
  Alaska.  Amending AS 45.75.080 will allow the director to                    
  establish inspection priorities based on inspection history                  
  of various device types, inspecting most devices at least                    
  annually, and others more often if necessary."                               
                                                                               
  REP. SITTON moved for passage of HB 247 with individual                      
  recommendations, fiscal note, and asked unanimous consent.                   
  No objections were heard; it was so ordered.