2023-02-08                     House Journal                      Page 0156
HB 66                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 66 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                    
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to homicide resulting from conduct involving                                                              
     controlled substances; relating to the computation of good time;                                                           
     and providing for an effective date."                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Corrections                                                                                                  
2.  Zero, Dept. of Family and Community Services                                                                                
3.  Zero, Dept. of Law                                                                                                          
4.  Zero, Dept. of Public Safety                                                                                                
5.  Fiscal, Dept. of Administration                                                                                             
6.  Fiscal, Dept. of Administration                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2023-02-08                     House Journal                      Page 0157
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 7 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Tilton:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to penalties for drug                                                           
distribution and using controlled substances.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Drugs and drug overdoses have had a devastating effect on our state.                                                            
According to the Department of Health's 2021 Drug Overdose                                                                      
Mortality Update, between 2020 and 2021, Alaska experienced the                                                                 
largest percent increase of drug overdose deaths of any state. In 2021,                                                         
Alaska recorded over 100 deaths more than the previous year.                                                                    
Unfortunately, fentanyl, a highly potent opioid, makes up a large                                                               
percentage of these drug related deaths. Increasingly, those who                                                                
distribute drugs are mixing fentanyl with other types of drugs in order                                                         
to cultivate addiction and attract buyers. These buyers may not                                                                 
necessarily know that fentanyl is mixed in with their drug of choice,                                                           
increasing the risks associated with drug use.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
This legislation attacks the problem at the point of distribution,                                                              
making it second degree murder when a person distributes or                                                                     
manufactures a controlled substance and a person dies as a direct                                                               
result of ingesting that substance. This legislation further serves to                                                          
protect our communities by ensuring offenders convicted of                                                                      
distributing or manufacturing drugs will not be subject to early release                                                        
due to a "good time" deduction from their sentence. Those who choose                                                            
to manufacture or distribute drugs illegally should be put on notice                                                            
that there are significant consequences for the harm they cause.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"