2005-01-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 0089
SB 65                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 65 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
             "An Act relating to certain weapons offenses                                           
             involving minors; to aggravating factors in                                            
             sentencing for certain offenses committed against a                                    
             school employee; and providing for an effective                                        
             date."                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Law                                                         
 Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Health and Social Services                                  
                                                                                                    

2005-01-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 0090
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Stevens:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill, the School Violence Prevention Act of 2005, that                               
addresses certain weapons violations by children and assault and other                              
crimes by adults in schools.  Violence by students and adults in                                    
schools is simply unacceptable.                                                                     
                                                                                                    
This bill would provide that minors who are 16 or 17 years old and                                  
commit certain felony misconduct involving weapons are                                              
automatically waived to adult court.  This will deter such potentially                              
lethal activity with a weapon by holding these minors accountable to                                
the same legal consequences adults face for this conduct.  When                                     
minors engage in a dispute and weapons are brought into the situation,                              
the negative effects are magnified for all involved.                                                
                                                                                                    
This bill also addresses violence by adults at school.  It would adopt an                           
aggravating factor in sentencing for those convicted of a crime against                             
a person, such as assault, on a school employee on school grounds or                                
at a school-sponsored event.                                                                        
                                                                                                    
The enactment of this legislation will send the message that Alaskans                               
will not tolerate violence in our schools, either by minors or adults.                              
All children and teachers in this state should have a safe environment                              
in which to work and learn.                                                                         
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor