Legislature(2007 - 2008)

2008-01-16 House Journal

Full Journal pdf

2008-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1717
HB 313                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 313 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act providing for and relating to the issuance of general                                                              
     obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of a scientific                                                        
    crime detection laboratory; and providing for an effective date."                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                                                           
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Fiscal, Office of the Governor                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 15, 2008, follows:                                                              
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                                                      
transmitting a bill providing for and relating to the issuance of general                                                       
obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of a scientific                                                             
crime detection laboratory.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
This revenue would be utilized for the construction of a "state of the                                                          
science" crime lab that will serve the needs of Alaska's citizens and                                                           
law enforcement agencies for at least the next 40 years.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Over the last 30 years, both the types of evidence analysis and the                                                             
number of cases submitted by law enforcement for assistance from the                                                            
crime lab have increased tremendously. Currently, the crime lab                                                                 
provides expert assistance in the areas of fingerprints, biological                                                             
screening, hair analysis, trace screening, blood alcohol content, drug                                                          
analysis, DNA, crime scene investigations, shoe prints, and                                                                     
firearm/toolmark ballistics.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Forensic science continues to improve.  New technology and added                                                                
analysis are expanding the importance of forensic science in criminal                                                           
justice investigations; examples include arson analysis equipment,                                                              
laser examination equipment, vacuum metal deposition chamber                                                                    

2008-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1718
examination equipment, trace evidence examinations, space and                                                                   
equipment examinations, toxicology, and question document analysis.                                                             
Additionally, expanded processing space is necessary to examine                                                                 
evidence from small items such as drug baggies and blood stained                                                                
clothing to larger items such as entire vehicles. The new crime lab will                                                        
have sufficient space to accommodate such improvements.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The crime lab has managed to provide an excellent level of assistance                                                           
to law enforcement during this time of growth.  However, in the past                                                            
five years, the growing demand for lab services has exceeded the                                                                
capacity of the lab to provide all the services needed by Alaskans.                                                             
Alaska needs a new crime lab.  The new crime lab will provide 80                                                                
thousand square feet with room for future expansion.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Section 1 of the bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the                                                           
state authorizing the issuance and sale of state general obligation                                                             
bonds in the principal amount of not more than 100 million, if ratified                                                         
by a majority of the qualified voters of the state who vote on the                                                              
question.  The full faith, credit, and resources of the state would be                                                          
pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest and redemption                                                          
premium, if any, on the bonds.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Section 2 of the bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the                                                           
state establishing the "scientific crime detection laboratory project                                                           
fund" if the voters ratify the issuance of the bonds, to which shall be                                                         
credited the proceeds of the sale of the bonds except for the accrued                                                           
interest and premiums.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Section 3 of the bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the                                                           
state appropriating 100 million from the scientific crime detection                                                             
laboratory project fund and up to 6 million in anticipated investment                                                           
earnings to the Department of Public Safety to be allocated to the                                                              
design and construction of a state scientific crime detection laboratory                                                        
in Anchorage.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Section 4 of the bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the                                                           
state appropriating from the general fund to the state bond committee                                                           
$500,000 or as much of that amount as is found necessary to carry out                                                           

2008-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1719
the provisions of this bill and to pay expenses incident to the sale and                                                        
issuance of the bonds.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Section 5 of the bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the                                                           
state providing that the amount withdrawn from the public facility                                                              
planning fund (AS 35.10.135) for the purpose of advance planning for                                                            
the capital improvements financed under this bill shall be reimbursed                                                           
from the proceeds of the sale of the bonds.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Section 6 of the bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the                                                           
state providing that the unexpended and unobligated balance of the                                                              
appropriation made in sec. 3 lapses and is appropriated to the state                                                            
bond committee to redeem bonds sold under this bill.  Further, sec. 6                                                           
provides that amounts expended from the general fund to pay the                                                                 
principal, interest, and redemption premium on the bonds shall be                                                               
reimbursed from this appropriation to the extent that the money is not                                                          
needed to redeem the bonds.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Section 7 of the bill amends the uncodified law of the state to add a                                                           
new section directing the submittal to the voters for ratification at the                                                       
next general election the question of whether the state shall issue its                                                         
general obligation bonds in the principal amount of not more than 100                                                           
million for the purpose of paying the cost of design and construction                                                           
of a scientific crime detection laboratory.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                Sincerely,                                                                                     
                                /s/                                                                                             
                               Sarah Palin                                                                                     
                                Governor"