Legislature(1993 - 1994)
1994-03-09 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1994-03-09 House Journal Page 2690 HB 527 HOUSE BILL NO. 527 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the maximum period of probation after conviction for certain offenses." 1994-03-09 House Journal Page 2691 HB 527 was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. The following fiscal notes apply: Zero fiscal notes (2), Dept. of Administration, 3/9/94 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Corrections, 3/9/94 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Law, 3/9/94 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Public Safety, 3/9/94 The Governor's transmittal letter, dated March 9, 1994, appears below: "Dear Speaker Barnes: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill extending the maximum period of probation that may be imposed when a defendant is convicted of a felony sex offense. Current law allows a maximum period of probation of only five years. This bill increases that time period to 10 years for the felony offenses of sexual assault and sexual abuse of a minor. Among other benefits, this simple proposal will help protect Alaska's children and others from sexual assault or abuse because it will allow the courts to impose a longer period of probation for these defendants. If the defendant completes the first five years of probation without violating the terms set by the court, the additional probationary period will be unsupervised. If, however, the defendant demonstrates an inability to comply with the court's conditions, the additional probationary period will be supervised. We can't lock all these offenders up forever. But by simply extending the allowable period of probation to up to 10 years for these felony offenses, we can give the courts the tool they need to monitor these offenders longer in order to better protect the public, without the more expensive costs of full-time incarceration. Proposals like this have been pending in the legislature during the past several years. It is generally supported by both prosecutors and defense lawyers, and should be acted upon this session. 1994-03-09 House Journal Page 2692 HB 527 I urge your favorable action on this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Walter J. Hickel Governor"