SB 4-VICTIMS' RIGHTS/PRISONER'S PFD  CHAIRMAN HALFORD called the Conference Committee on SB 4 to order at 2:00 p.m. Present were Senators Lincoln and Halford and Representatives Green, Berkowitz and Murkowski. CHAIRMAN HALFORD noted the conference committee discussed the sunset provision and the department location. The proposed conference committee substitute places the Office of Victims' Rights in the Department of Public Safety however that department does not want to house it. The committee then discussed placing the office in the Department of Law, recognizing that anywhere the Office of Victims' Rights is placed, other than in a separate ombudsman-type setting, a conflict of interest will be created. He suggested adopting the proposed conference committee substitute and then amending it. SENATOR LINCOLN moved to adopt the proposed conference committee substitute dated 5/2/00, Version X. Without objection, the motion carried. CHAIRMAN HALFORD noted a conceptual amendment to change the department location from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Law was in order. REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ so moved. There being no objection, the location was changed to the Department of Law. CHAIRMAN HALFORD asked for a motion to include a letter of intent requesting that an audit be performed in the third year of operation. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN so moved. There being no objection, the motion carried. CHAIRMAN HALFORD asked members if they would like to view the letter of intent prior to moving CCSSB 4 out of committee. SENATOR LINCOLN said she did not but reminded members that the sunset provision needs to be addressed. CHAIRMAN HALFORD informed committee members that the conference committee substitute contains a sunset date of 2006. He pointed out the letter of intent will request a performance audit in the year 2005. No one objected. CHAIRMAN HALFORD asked members to sign the conference committee report. With no further business to come before the committee, he adjourned the meeting at 2:05 p.m.