2000-02-11                     House Journal                      Page 2180
HB 367                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 367 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act providing for the revocation of driving privileges by a               
court for a driver convicted of a violation of traffic laws in                 
connection with a fatal motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle              
accident; and amending Rules 43 and 43.1, Alaska Rules of                      
Administration."                                                               
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and      
Finance Committees.                                                            
                                                                               
The following fiscal notes apply:                                              
                                                                               
Indeterminate fiscal note, Dept. of Administration, 2/11/00                    
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Law, 2/11/00                                        
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Public Safety, 2/11/00                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 10, 2000, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
Many Alaskans are killed annually by drivers who are operating their           
vehicles in an unsafe way, but are not specifically violating any              
criminal laws.  In 1998, approximately 20 deaths on our state                  
highways may have fallen into this category.  The extent of any                
punishment in these cases is merely a fine for a traffic violation of up       
to $300.                                                                       
                                                                               

2000-02-11                     House Journal                      Page 2181
HB 367                                                                       
Regardless of whether their conduct is criminal, drivers whose traffic         
violations contribute to an accident causing the death of another person       
pose a risk to people on the highways and cause much suffering to              
family and friends of their victims.  This bill I transmit today addresses     
this unfortunate situation by requiring, under certain circumstances,          
revocation of driving privileges of a driver involved in a fatal traffic       
accident.                                                                      
                                                                               
This bill requires the court to revoke driving privileges in cases where       
a person violated traffic laws and the violation contributed to an             
accident that resulted in a death.  The license revocation would be for        
one year and applies to drivers of all vehicles, including those for           
commercial use.  The court would be allowed to grant limited license           
privileges if it determines driving is critical to the person's livelihood     
and will not pose a danger to the public.                                      
                                                                               
When people drive in an unsafe way and cause the death of another,             
their privilege to drive should be taken to protect other drivers and          
pedestrians on the roadways.                                                   
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"