04/19/1993 01:36 PM House FIN

  HOUSE BILL NO. 119                                                           
                                                                               
       "An  Act  authorizing a  sentencing  court to  impose a                 
       sentence  of  a  day  fine  instead of  a  sentence  of                 
       imprisonment on a defendant convicted of a misdemeanor;                 
       directing  the  Alaska  Supreme  Court  to develop  and                 
       implement a day fine plan;  requiring the Department of                 
       Corrections to report to the  legislature on the use of                 
       day fines;  amending Alaska Rule of  Criminal Procedure                 
       32; and providing for an effective date."                               
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE FRAN ULMER spoke  in support of HB 119.   She                 
  explained that HB  119 gives the  courts another option  for                 
  criminal penalties.   She stressed  that there are  over 200                 
  misdemeanors  waiting to serve  their time.    Only property                 
  crimes would be affected.  She clarified that the sentencing                 
  judge will determine if day fines are used.                                  
                                                                               
  Co-Chair  MacLean  asked  for  an  explanation of  day  fine                 
  calculations.  Representative Ulmer referred to page 4, line                 
  26.   She noted  that the maximum  fine is  set for  class A                 
  misdemeanors  not  to exceed  365  day fine  units;  class B                 
  misdemeanors not to exceed 90 day fine units.                                
                                                                               
  Co-Chair  MacLean  asked  if  seasonal employment  could  be                 
  considered.                                                                  
                                                                               
  ARTHUR  H.  SNOWDEN,  III,  ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR,  ALASKA                 
  COURT SYSTEM assured  her that seasonal employment  could be                 
  considered.   He discussed  the Alaska  Court System  fiscal                 
  note.  He asserted that day fines are an effective penalty.                  
                                                                               
  Representative Navarre MOVED to report CSHB 119 (JUD) out of                 
  Committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  with  the                 
  accompanying fiscal notes.  There being NO OBJECTION, it was                 
  so ordered.                                                                  
                                                                               
  CSHB 119  (JUD) was  reported out  of Committee  with a  "do                 
  pass" recommendation  and with a  fiscal impact note  by the                 
  Alaska Court System, dated 3/12/93; and with two zero fiscal                 
  notes by the Department of Administration, dated 4/9/93; and                 
  with three  zero fiscal  notes by the  Department of  Public                 
  Safety, dated 4/8/93;  the Department  of Law, 3/12/93;  and                 
  Department of Health and Social Services.