HB 187 INTERCEPTION OF PRIVATE COMMUNICATIONS TAPE 93-32, SIDE A Number 050 MARGOT KNUTH, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY, DEPARTMENT OF LAW, spoke in support of the bill. She said HB 187 would authorize the interception of private communications by state law enforcement officers to investigate the serious crimes of murder, kidnapping, and specified drug offenses. According to Ms. Knuth, federal law allows states to enact wiretapping laws only if, like this bill, they are at least as restrictive and protective of private communications as federal law. (further analysis by the Department of Law is on file in the committee office) Number 175 CAPTAIN GLENN FLOTHE, ALASKA STATE TROOPERS, testified in support of HB 187. Captain Flothe stated that this bill would be another tool to be used in the most serious of crimes. Captain Flothe added that he supported the comments of Ms. Knuth. Number 218 REP. MULDER moved for passage of HB 187 with individual recommendations and three fiscal notes. No objections were heard; it was so ordered.