Legislature(1993 - 1994)

1994-03-09 House Journal

Full Journal pdf

1994-03-09                     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"