SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE May 2, 1996 1:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Robin Taylor, Chairman Senator Lyda Green, Vice-Chairman Senator Mike Miller Senator Al Adams MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Johnny Ellis COMMITTEE CALENDAR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 306(STA) "An Act providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount of $148,500,000 for the purpose of paying the cost of design and construction of state correctional facilities; and providing for an effective date." CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 379(JUD) "An Act authorizing establishment of community dispute resolution centers to foster the resolution of disputes between juvenile offenders and their victims." * SCHEDULED BUT NOT TAKEN UP THIS DATE. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 306(JUD) "An Act relating to a lien for services provided by a hospital, nurse, or physician." * SCHEDULED BUT NOT TAKEN UP THIS DATE. PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION SB 306 - See State Affairs dated 4/02/96. HB 379 - No previous action to record. HB 306 - No previous action to record. WITNESS REGISTER Laurie Otto Deputy Attorney General Department of Law P.O. Box 110300 Juneau, AK 99811-0300 POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information in support of SB 306 John Yarbor Alaska State Employees Association P.O. Box 671073 Chugiak, AK 99567 POSITION STATEMENT: Opposes Section 7 of bill and suggests a letter of intent to accompany bill ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 96-45, SIDE A - DUE TO RECORDING PROBLEMS THE TAPE OF THIS MEETING IS INAUDIBLE. CHAIRMAN ROBIN TAYLOR called the Judiciary Committee meeting to order and announced the first order of business before the committee was SB 306. Senators Taylor, Adams and Green were present. SB 306 G.O. BONDS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES  LAURIE OTTO, Deputy Attorney General, explained SB 306 was introduced by the Senate Rules Committee at the request of the Governor. Prisons are overcrowded and have not been expanded since 1988. Debate has focussed on whether to issue general obligation bonds to build more prisons or to privatize future prisons. The proposed committee substitute would provide for a general obligation bond vote on the ballot to expand regional facilities, and allow the Municipality of Anchorage to enter into lease agreements with private prison contractors. JOHN YARBOR, Alaska State Employees Association, testified he originally supported the bill, but is opposed to Section 7 which appears to allow the state to contract out for private prison employees. He asked the committee to include a letter of intent to accompany the bill to request that a 15 percent savings be shown in prisons that are privatized. SENATOR ADAMS asked Mr. Yarbor if he had prepared a draft letter of intent. MR. YARBOR had not. SENATOR ADAMS discussed a draft letter of intent for the committee's approval which would require the Department of Labor to keep statistics on prison work forces, union and non-union, showing the percentage of Alaskans hired. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR noted version F of the proposed committee substitute does not make any reference to the Municipality of Anchorage. SENATOR GREEN moved to adopt version F as the Senate Judiciary committee substitute. There being no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR ADAMS moved adoption of the amendment submitted by the Department of Revenue. There being no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR GREEN moved SCS CSSB 306(JUD) as amended from committee with individual recommendations, with Senator Adams' letter of intent. There being no objection, the motion carried. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR announced the committee would not hear any more bills at this time as the Speaker of the House was not permitting any legislation sponsored by those who voted against the tort reform bill in the Senate to be scheduled on the House floor and adjourned the meeting.