05/13/2002 08:37 PM Senate RLS

The   committee  took   up  CSHB   393(JUD)am-SALES  OF   BUSINESS                                                          
OPPORTUNITIES.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GARY STEVENS,  sponsor of  HB 393, explained  that                                                              
the measure  is considered to be  a consumer protection  bill from                                                              
"biz-ops"  or   business  opportunities  that   impact  vulnerable                                                              
Alaskans.  Biz-ops come  in  the form  of  infomercials and  other                                                              
advertisements. Some  are legitimate while others are  not. HB 393                                                              
will have  no impact on the  legitimate businesses. The  bill will                                                              
require these businesses to register  with the state, establish an                                                              
escrow account, and  provide a 30-day cancellation  period for the                                                              
buyer.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COWDERY  recounted a newspaper  story about a  credit card                                                              
scam  and asked  if this  bill would  offer protection  in such  a                                                              
situation.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS said he was not aware of that story.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  HALFORD   moved  to  calendar  CSHB  393(JUD)am   at  the                                                              
Chairman's discretion.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN  PHILLIPS announced  that without  objection, the  motion                                                              
carried.