03/05/2014 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB171 | |
| SB108 | |
| SB173 | |
| SB176 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 176 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 108 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 173 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SB 171 | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
March 5, 2014
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator John Coghill, Chair
Senator Fred Dyson
Senator Donald Olson
Senator Bill Wielechowski
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lesil McGuire, Vice Chair
OTHER LEGISLATOR PRESENT
Senator Dennis Egan
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 171
"An Act relating to multidisciplinary child protection teams;
and relating to investigation of child abuse or neglect."
- MOVED CSSB 171(JUD) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 108
"An Act relating to the confidentiality of certain records of
criminal cases; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 108(JUD) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 173
"An Act relating to a prohibition on the offer, display,
marketing, advertising for sale, or sale of illicit synthetic
drugs."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 176
"An Act relating to the regulation of firearms and knives by the
University of Alaska."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 171
SHORT TITLE: MULTIDISCIPLINARY CHILD PROTECTION TEAMS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) COGHILL
02/12/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/14 (S) JUD
02/24/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/24/14 (S) Heard & Held
02/24/14 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
03/03/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/03/14 (S) Scheduled But Not Heard
03/05/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 108
SHORT TITLE: LIMIT PUBLIC ACCESS TO CRIMINAL RECORDS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DYSON
01/22/14 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/14
01/22/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/14 (S) JUD, FIN
02/24/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/24/14 (S) Heard & Held
02/24/14 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
02/28/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/28/14 (S) Heard & Held
02/28/14 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
03/03/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/03/14 (S) Heard & Held
03/03/14 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
03/05/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 173
SHORT TITLE: SYNTHETIC DRUGS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) MEYER
02/14/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/14/14 (S) JUD
03/05/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 176
SHORT TITLE: REG. OF FIREARMS/KNIVES BY UNIVERSITY
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) COGHILL
02/14/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/14/14 (S) JUD
03/03/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/03/14 (S) Heard & Held
03/03/14 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
03/05/14 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
RYNNIEVA MOSS, Staff
Senator John Coghill
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes that appear in Version
C of SB 171.
PAM KARALUNAS
Alaska Children's Alliance (ACA)
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 171.
CHUCK KOPP, Staff
Senator Fred Dyson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Described the five pertinent changes found
in Version Y of SB 108.
KATHY HANSEN, Senior Attorney
Office of Victims' Rights (OVR
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified that she submitted testimony on
Version Y of SB 108.
SENATOR KEVIN MEYER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 173.
EDRA MORLEDGE, Staff
Senator Kevin Meyer
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Described the changes between the new CS and
Version A for SB 173.
HANS RODVIK, Intern
Senator John Coghill
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided supporting information relevant to
SB 176.
BRIAN JUDY, Alaska State Liaison
National Rifle Association (NRA)
Sacramento, California
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 176.
CEEZAR MARTINSON, Vice President
UAA Political Science Association
University of Alaska-Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 176.
MIKE COONS, representing himself
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 176.
MONTANA WARE, President
Young Americans for Liberty (YAL)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 176.
MATTHEW CARBERRY, representing himself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 176.
MICHAEL BUCKLAND, representing himself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 176.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:34:29 PM
CHAIR JOHN COGHILL called the Senate Judiciary Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Dyson, Olson, and Chair Coghill. Senator
Wielechowski arrived soon thereafter.
SB 171-MULTIDISCIPLINARY CHILD PROTECTION TEAMS
1:36:09 PM
CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of SB 171."An Act
relating to multidisciplinary child protection teams; and
relating to investigation of child abuse or neglect."
1:36:25 PM
SENATOR DYSON moved to adopt CS for SB 171, labeled 28-LS1416\C,
as the working document.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI joined the committee.
1:37:05 PM
RYNNIEVA MOSS, Staff, Senator John Coghill, sponsor of SB 171,
explained the changes that appear in Version C.
Section 1, subsection (a), page 1, line 5, the language
describing the investigating entity was broadened to "the
department or another investigating agency" in order to include
local police, tribes, and child advocacy centers.
Section 2, subsection (b), page 2, narrows the expertise of the
team established under subsection (a) to ensure they have
training and knowledge of child abuse cases.
Section 3, subsection (c), page 3, lines 10-12, language was
included at the request of the Department of Law to ensure that
the confidentiality of the information is protected. A
multidisciplinary team member may only use the information as
necessary for the performance of the member's duties.
CHAIR COGHILL removed his objection. Finding no further
objection, Version C was adopted. He recapped that the primary
purpose of the legislation is to allow these multidisciplinary
child protection teams to work for the benefit of the child when
the Office of Children's Services isn't involved.
1:40:30 PM
PAM KARALUNAS, Alaska Children's Alliance (ACA), Chugiak, Alaska
testified in support of SB 171. She said ACA appreciates SB 171
because it clarifies misunderstandings of the multidisciplinary
team process at child advocacy centers. The bill also updates
the statute to reflect best practices.
1:41:25 PM
SENATOR DYSON moved to report CS for SB 171 with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note.
CHAIR COGHILL announced that, without objection, CSSB 171(JUD)
moved from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.
1:42:01 PM
At ease.
SB 108-LIMIT PUBLIC ACCESS TO CRIMINAL RECORDS
1:43:14 PM
CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of SB 108. "An Act
relating to the confidentiality of certain records of criminal
cases; and providing for an effective date." He asked for a
motion to adopt the new committee substitute (CS), Version Y.
SENATOR DYSON moved to adopt the CS for SB 108, labeled LS-
280973\Y, as the working document.
CHAIR COGHILL objected for an explanation of the differences.
1:43:53 PM
CHUCK KOPP, Staff, Senator Fred Dyson, sponsor of SB 108,
described the five pertinent changes found in Version Y. The
first change found on page 1, lines 6-10, introduces a
legislative intent section. It asks the court, to the extent
practical, to treat as confidential the records of criminal
cases disposed of before the effective date of the Act by
acquittal or dismissal of some or all of the charges to the same
extent that the records are held confidential by this bill.
1:44:51 PM
At ease to distribute copies of the CS.
1:45:28 PM
CHAIR COGHILL reconvened the meeting and asked Mr. Kopp to
continue.
MR. KOPP explained that the second change is found on page 1,
line 13. It changes the time limit from 90 days to 120 days for
a court record to become confidential following the date of
acquittal or dismissal. This was done at the request of the
Department of Law and is consistent with the court rule deadline
of 120 days for those petitions. The third change is found on
page 2, line 3. It adds language that limits the application of
confidential status to dismissals by the prosecuting attorney.
This was at the request of the Department of Law and will cover
the majority of dismissals.
The fourth change is found on page 2, lines 6-16. At the request
of DHSS, DOL and OPA, language was added to allow state agency
child protection workers, employees that protect other
vulnerable citizens, and Alaska Public Safety Information
Network (APSIN) users to have access to information made
confidential. He noted that the courts have advised that the
legislature may make such an exception in statute. The fifth and
final change is found on page 2, line 22. The effective date of
the Act is changed from July 1, 2014 to October 1, 2014. This
gives the courts more time to implement the changes.
1:47:15 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI questioned limiting the confidential
designation of cases to the prosecuting authority because it
means a dismissal by a judge wouldn't be considered
confidential.
MR. KOPP said the sponsor agreed to that inconsistency to move
the bill along.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the Department of Law could
explain the rationale for the distinction, because a case is
dismissed if a judge dismisses it. The question is on the record
and he would suggest addressing it in the next committee.
CHAIR COGHILL posited it would be discussed before the bill
reaches the floor.
MR. KOPP added that Senator Wielechowski's point is well taken,
but this will cover the majority of dismissals.
1:49:19 PM
KATHY HANSEN, Office of Victims' Rights (OVR), said she reviewed
the new committee substitute and submitted written testimony
that was added to BASIS. The primary concern is that at trials
there is a difference between not being convinced that a case
has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt and innocence. When a
victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or child sexual
abuse speaks up and has the courage to testify and go through an
entire trial, it's a disservice to the victim and the public for
that record to disappear in the case of an acquittal.
CHAIR COGHILL said the general principle he follows is that a
person is innocent until proven guilty.
MR. KOPP said OVR plays a valuable advocacy role and the
legislature's role is more balancing: protections of the accused
and the interest of justice and public safety. The sponsor has
worked hard with a variety of agencies and is satisfied that the
bill wisely balances the protections of the public and the need
to protect people's privacy and liberty interests, he said.
1:53:46 PM
CHAIR COGHILL removed his objection. Finding no further
objection, Version Y was adopted.
1:54:02 PM
SENATOR DYSON moved to report CS for SB 108 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR COGHILL announced that without objection CSSB 108(JUD)
moved from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.
1:54:34 PM
At ease
SB 173-SYNTHETIC DRUGS
1:55:57 PM
CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of SB 173. "An Act
relating to a prohibition on the offer, display, marketing,
advertising for sale, or sale of illicit synthetic drugs." This
was the first hearing. He noted the proposed committee
substitute, Version N.
He welcomed Senator Egan to the committee.
1:56:37 PM
SENATOR DYSON moved to adopt CS for SB 173, labeled 28-LS1242\N,
as the working document.
CHAIR COGHILL objected for purposes of an explanation.
SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SB 173, deferred to his staff to explain the changes
found in the committee substitute.
1:57:34 PM
EDRA MORLEDGE, Staff, Senator Kevin Meyer, highlighted the
changes between the new CS and Version A for SB 173. The first
change, found on page 3, lines 16-25, changes the enforcement
agency from the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
to the Department of Public Safety and identifies DHSS as the
cooperating agency. The reasoning is that it is more appropriate
for DPS to address this because it's a violation and civil
infraction. The next change found on page 3, line 21, clarifies
that the penalty for violation of this statute is a $500 fine.
The next change, found on page 3, line 29, eliminates the
definition of "department" as the Department of Health and
Social Services (DHSS). The final change, found on page 4, line
10-16, clarifies that DHSS shall cooperate with DPS.
1:59:50 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the definition of synthetic drugs
would include nicotine for e-cigarettes.
MS. MORLEDGE said she didn't know but there is an FDA ruling
that nicotine falls under the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the
United States, which is included in the statutory definition of
"drug."
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI noted that Wasilla just rejected similar
legislation and questioned whether it should be left to
individual communities to decide.
SENATOR MEYER said he believes that these substances are
dangerous enough to warrant a statewide policy. He said he also
believes that the Wasilla Assembly will have a different outcome
when it votes again.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked for clarification that this ordinance
is already on the books in Anchorage.
SENATOR MEYER said that's correct.
2:02:49 PM
SENATOR DYSON expressed appreciation for the balance the
legislation strikes.
SENATOR MEYER refreshed the committee's recollection of the
bill, speaking to the following sponsor statement: {Original
punctuation provided.]
SB 173 intends to help solve the problem of the ever
changing chemical make-up of synthetic drugs by
targeting the packaging of the product, and is aimed
not at what the illicit drug is, but what it isn't.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse,
labels on these products often claim that they contain
"natural" psycho-active material taken from a variety
of plants. Sold at smoke shops, and gas stations as
"incense" or "potpourri," easy access and the
misperception that these products are "natural" and
therefore harmless, have likely contributed to their
popularity. SB 173 will make it illegal to sell these
designer drugs that are packaged as "spice,"
"potpourri," or a variety of other misleading labels.
Senate Bill 173 would prohibit the offer, display,
marketing, advertising for sale, or sale of illicit
synthetic drugs. The Legislature has made several
attempts to prohibit the use of synthetic illicit
drugs by classifying certain known chemical compounds
as controlled substances. Unfortunately, what we're
seeing as a result of this and similar efforts by the
federal government, is that manufacturers simply
change the chemical compound slightly, thus evading
law enforcement efforts.
With the passage of SB 173, it will be considerably
more difficult, if not impossible, for the sale or
distribution of these synthetic illicit drugs state-
wide.
He pointed out that this is a civil rather than criminal
penalty, so it doesn't overload the courts. In the short time
the ordinance has been in effect in Anchorage, the results have
been very positive, he said.
2:08:13 PM
CHAIR COGHILL asked what duties the Department of Public Safety
and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) each
would carry out.
SENATOR MEYER said originally DHSS was asked to do enforcement
because they are statutorily involved with labeling, but he
determined that (DPS) was more appropriate to do enforcement.
2:09:13 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there was a conscience effort not
to include possession or manufacture.
MS. MORLEDGE explained that criminal statute AS 11.73 already
imposes a class C felony penalty for the manufacture, delivery,
possession, or possession with the intent to deliver an
imitation controlled substance.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI observed that possession or manufacture is
a felony but selling the same imitation controlled substance is
a $500 fine.
MS. MORLEDGE agreed that is how the existing statute and the
proposed legislation are crafted.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said the Department of Law would probably
have something to say because they're always concerned about
lesser included offenses. Having possession of an imitation
controlled substance in a store seems to imply ownership and
this legislation essentially reduces the penalty to $500, which
may or may not be something the legislature wants to do.
SENATOR MEYER said he chose this route to provide flexibility.
CHAIR COGHILL expressed interest in hearing from the Department
of Law at the next hearing.
2:11:55 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked how the bill affects the situation in his
district where residents order these products over the Internet.
SENATOR MEYER said Internet purchases are federal jurisdiction,
but VPSOs have the same authority as police officers and could
issue the $500 citation per package.
2:13:17 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI pointed out inconsistencies with the
definition of synthetic drug in Section 1, paragraph (2). He
also expressed concern that the more general definition
criminalizes things like synthetic caffeine.
SENATOR MEYER said he thought about that and there is some
concern, but the reality is that the police won't cite somebody
for possessing or using synthetic caffeine. He opined that
they'll instead go after items that are harmful to society and
cause a public nuisance.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI responded that he's always cautious about
giving police discretion to arrest someone when lawmakers have
an opportunity to provide clarity.
CHAIR COGHILL commented that the flexibility in this law could
result in a claim of harassment, but the opposing view is that
this could be a worthwhile tool.
SENATOR MEYER agreed it is a delicate balance.
CHAIR COGHILL commented on the cultural discussion associated
with the marijuana initiative.
SENATOR DYSON maintained that a lot of due process is available
to anyone who is charged under this legislation.
2:18:46 PM
CHAIR COGHILL announced he would hold SB 173 in committee for
further consideration.
SB 176-REG. OF FIREARMS/KNIVES BY UNIVERSITY
2:19:09 PM
CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of SB 176."An Act
relating to the regulation of firearms and knives by the
University of Alaska." This was the second hearing.
HANS RODVIK, Intern, Senator John Coghill, sponsor of SB 176,
informed the committee that Brian Judy was available to testify.
2:20:35 PM
BRIAN JUDY, Alaska State Liaison, National Rifle Association
(NRA), Sacramento, California, testified in support of SB 176.
He opened his testimony with several questions and stated that
SB 176 simply erases arbitrary lines that require different
standards. He said the Alaska Constitution recognizes that self-
defense is a fundamental preexisting right and SB 176 is about
law abiding citizens being able to provide self-protection on
both sides of that arbitrary line. He pointed out the problems
with the idea that defense ought to be left up to the
professionals: 1) it can take law enforcement too long to
respond; and 2) the courts have ruled that police are
responsible for protecting society at large, not individuals. He
cited mass killings in recent years perpetrated in gun-free
zones as evidence that gun-free school zones are a public policy
failure. He said this comes as no surprise to those who support
the individual right to keep and bear arms and the right to
provide a means of personal defense. He said it's astounding
that many people don't grasp the simple truth that criminals
don't obey gun laws or designated gun-free zones, because the
reality is that only potential victims are gun free in gun-free
zones.
2:23:49 PM
He described the arguments that were made during a previous
committee hearing as predictable scare tactics designed to
derail the bill. He said the hypotheticals that were posed are
similar to hypotheticals of horror that the legislature has
heard every time firearm legislation has been introduced in the
past 20 years, but they've never materialized.
MR. JUDY stressed that the majority of people on campuses are
law abiding and they currently don't have an opportunity to
protect themselves, just as the victims at Virginia Tech didn't
have an opportunity. The Virginia Legislature considered, but
didn't pass, similar legislation just before the attack. That
lack of action ensured those individuals were sitting ducks, he
said. The bottom line is that SB 176 is intended to erase the
arbitrary lines and make the laws uniform both off and on
campus. It's a matter of common sense, he said.
2:29:36 PM
SENATOR DYSON asked if he had statistics to show that more
children have died from accidents like drowning than from
firearms.
MR. JUDY replied he didn't have the statistics in hand, but that
is generally true.
CHAIR COGHILL asked Mr. Rodvik if he had compiled that
information.
MR. RODVIK replied he posted to BASIS some statistics provided
by the Gun Owners Association including that, in a four-year
period, twice as many children are killed playing football in
school compared to the number of students who were murdered by
firearms during that same period.
2:31:58 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked Mr. Judy to talk about the
experiences in states like Utah that have similar laws.
MR. JUDY said Utah has allowed the possession of firearms on
campuses for about ten years and there has never been a gun
violence incident. He offered to provide a copy of the letter
that the Utah attorney general wrote when Nevada was considering
similar legislation.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI indicated interest in receiving a copy.
CHAIR COGHILL said he would distribute copies of the letter.
2:34:04 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked his experience with guns that accidentally
go off in public forums.
MR. JUDY said the fact is that firearms accidents are relatively
rare compared to other types of accidental harm. The empirical
evidence across the states is the same; there are virtually no
accidents associated with law-abiding citizens carrying
firearms. He cited military recruiting on campus and stressed
that people who can be trusted to carry firearms in defense of
the country should be trusted to carry a firearm in their own
defense.
SENATOR OLSON commented that his experience in school was that
many students shouldn't be trusted with a firearm. He added that
he didn't believe that the bill with the concealed provision was
relevant to the Virginia Tech example.
MR. JUDY agreed that the responsible way to carry a firearm for
self-protection is in a holster and concealed. Perhaps the
legislature will want to tighten this law at some point to
ensure certain, more responsible ways to carry, he said.
2:40:32 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there have been challenges under
the Alaska Constitution to the individual right to carry
anywhere including a university campus.
MR. JUDY said not to his knowledge.
2:42:44 PM
CEEZAR MARTINSON, Vice President, UAA Political Science
Association, University of Alaska-Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 176. He said Article 1, Section 19 of
the Alaska Constitution is very clear that neither the state nor
any political subdivision can violate the individual right to
keep and bear arms, and the university policy regarding
concealed carry on campus is in direct contradiction. He
stressed that it is time for the legislature to correct the
inequity that the university policy creates.
MIKE COONS, representing himself, Palmer, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 176. He disagreed with the points that President
Gamble made when he testified in a previous hearing. He
maintained that the testimony was designed to create emotion and
hide facts.
2:47:24 PM
MONTANA WARE, President, Young Americans for Liberty (YAL),
Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 176. He questioned
the logic of the signs that prohibit guns on campus and pointed
out that this policy violates Article 1, Section 9 of the Alaska
Constitution. He said he considers it his right to have the
means to protect himself under any threatening circumstances,
and believes that the UAA policy potentially puts lawful
students in an unnecessarily unfavorable position. It is
pertinent to the incident at Virginia Tech; with a bill like SB
176, any victims or potential victim would have had an
opportunity to stop the gunman before he hurt many other
students. He thanked Senator Coghill and his staff for taking
steps to make Alaskans feel secure and protecting the right to
self-defense.
SENATOR DYSON voiced exception to Mr. Coons' remarks about
President Gamble and encouraged everyone to be respectful.
CHAIR COGHILL echoed the comment, with the caveat that it should
not dampen passion.
2:51:07 PM
MATTHEW CARBERRY, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 176. He referenced the question about
whether the university policy had been challenged and offered
his opinion that there is a strong case that the university
policy violates both the state and federal constitutions. He
cited recent Ninth Circuit Court opinions that say government
agencies can't utterly abrogate the right to carry and noted
that the same right exists under the state constitution. By
comparison, the Board of Regents' grant of authority is limited
to adopting reasonable rules, orders and plans for good
governance of the university and regulation of the Board of
Regents. Clearly, the university doesn't have a legal leg to
stand on; their position is weak and has been dependent on no
one challenging it, he said.
MR. CARBERRY indicated he would submit written testimony.
2:56:41 PM
MICHAEL BUCKLAND, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, said
he's a lifelong Alaskan, decorated Vietnam veteran, and tenured
professor at UAA who strongly supports SB 176. He has taught for
25 years and doesn't feel threatened by the idea that his
students and other law-abiding Alaskans will have weapons. The
fact is that horrible shootings happen in zones that are
effectively gun-free, he said.
He concluded that public safety will be enhanced with this
legislation, because a good guy with a gun will be able to stop
the bad guy with a gun.
CHAIR COGHILL said public testimony would be taken again on
Monday.
He held SB 176 in committee.
3:00:31 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Coghill adjourned the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting at 3:00 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 173 ADN Article 2.8.14.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 173 |
| SB 173 ADN Article 2.4.14.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 173 |
| SB 173 ADN Article 1.22.14.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 173 |
| SB 173 - Anchorage Ordinance.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 173 |
| SB 173 - Alaska Dispatch Article 1.10.14.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 173 |
| SB 173 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 173 |
| Legal Memo 2.10.14.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 173 |
| SB 173 ADN Article 12.18.13.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 173 |
| Fiscal Note - University.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 176 |
| Written Testimony - OVR #2.pdf |
SJUD 3/5/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 108 |