Legislature(1995 - 1996)
02/21/1995 03:37 PM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 4 DWI LAWS SENATOR SHARP brings up SB 4 as the next order of business before the Senate State Affairs Committee and calls the first witness. Number 340 RON OTTE, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety, states that though the administration has not yet identified a position on SB 4, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) supports SB 4. Commissioner Otte thinks most law enforcement agencies in Alaska are supportive of any legislation or approach which would target chronic impaired drivers. People who reach the category of driver outlined in SB 4 are a serious threat. There are about 400 persons per year who would fall into this category. Commissioner Otte states again that the administration has not come forward yet with a position on SB 4, he believes because of the fiscal implications, but that it would be very hard for DPS not to speak in support of the bill. Number 356 SENATOR LEMAN asks, since he thinks of Commissioner Otte as "the administration", to whom he is referring when he says "the administration"? COMMISSIONER OTTE responds the governor has not yet come forward with a position on SB 4. SENATOR LEMAN asks Commissioner Otte if he will be advising the governor on SB 4. COMMISSIONER OTTE replies he has shared his opinion with the governor's staff on SB 4. However, he cannot speak for the Department of Corrections or the Department of Law. Number 375 SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks Commissioner Otte what the process is for determining position on issues. It is Senator Phillips impression that Commissioner Otte is "out of the loop". COMMISSIONER OTTE responds that the process is for all departments affected to present a bill analysis to the governor. The OMB director, the chief of staff, the legislative liaison, and the governor take those into consideration when determining positions. Regardless of the position taken by the governor in terms of the fiscal implications of SB 4, the Department of Public Safety likes increasing penalties for third-time offenders. SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks if the governor's office has timelines for determining positions. COMMISSIONER OTTE is not aware of whether or not the governor's office has timelines. SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS thinks the governor's office should pick up the pace on issuing formal positions. He asks Commissioner Otte what his personal feeling is on SB 4. CHAIRMAN SHARP commented Commissioner Otte has already given his personal opinion. COMMISSIONER OTTE states if he did not have a personal opinion, he would not be at the hearing. Number 400 SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS makes a motion to discharge SB 4 from the Senate State Affairs Committee with individual recommendations. Number 405 CHAIRMAN SHARP, hearing no objection, orders SB 4 released from committee with individual recommendations.
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