Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/28/2008 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB351 | |
| HB193 | |
| HB307 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 310 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 312 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 307 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 193 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 351 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 193
An Act relating to the composition of the Alaska Police
Standards Council; and providing for an effective date.
REPRESENTATIVE BOB ROSES, SPONSOR, explained that the bill
would add two certified police officers with at least five
years experience to the Alaska Police Standards Council
(APSC). By doing that, those who are charged with daily law
enforcement to the training and standards as State board
participating members, certifying police officers. At
present, APSC is the only board with no representation from
the group most affected by its decisions. APSC has assigned
seats for the police chiefs, the department commissioners
and to members of the public, there are no line officers on
board. He maintained that APSC has done a good job, but
could benefit from the presence of line officers that bring
experience and perspective to the board.
1:58:53 PM
Co-Chair Meyer MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1 to Page 2, Line 8,
deleting "and correctional". Vice-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED
for discussion purposes.
Vice-Chair Stoltze stated that he wanted to guarantee the
position of all correctional officers.
Co-Chair Meyer inquired if that language had been added
during another committee process.
CRYSTAL KOENEMAN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BOB ROSES, replied
the language was added in the House State Affairs (STA)
Committee. She said that adding the correctional officers
makes the language more complicated, hence Legislative Legal
Services suggested leaving it out. Vice-Chair Stoltze noted
for the record that they (LAA) should not be in the
"business" of providing policy direction.
2:00:54 PM
Representative Roses recalled the discussion, noting that
LAA was not attempting to make policy, but rather, it was a
part of an argument previously made. He agreed with the
comments made by Vice-Chair Stoltze.
Representative Joule inquired the percentage of correctional
officers that would be eligible to serve. Representative
Roses did not know. Representative Joule hoped that the
legislation would not remove a certain class of employee.
Vice-Chair Stoltze commented that within the law enforcement
and public safety community, the correctional officers are
underappreciated; he emphasized the importance of that group
of employees. He maintained his opposition to the amendment
on behalf of the correctional officers.
Representative Roses responded that he would support the
Committee's decision.
Representative Kelly asked if the amendment would change the
opposition voiced by the police chiefs & the commissioners.
Representative Roses noted that he had discussed the
legislation extensively with six police chiefs,
acknowledging he did not know their position on the
amendment.
2:04:20 PM
Co-Chair Meyer pointed out that the police chiefs do not
like the bill; he thought that amendment would not matter
either way. Representative Roses agreed.
Representative Kelly asked Co-Chair Meyer's intent for
offering the amendment. Co-Chair Meyer hoped the language
would keep it strictly for the police officers,
acknowledging the fine line between that group and the
correctional officers. For the record, Vice-Chair Stoltze
advised that correctional officers are accredited by the
Alaska Police Standards Council and are all law enforcement
professionals.
Representative Roses referenced language on Page 1, Line 9,
which allows the Governor to appoint a correctional
administrative officer. He did not want to see the
correctional officers eliminated.
Co-Chair Meyer asked if the sponsor supports the amendment.
Representative Roses explained, the language had been added
during another committee process. He thought the intent was
cleaner without the amendment, reiterating he would support
the will of the Committee.
2:07:51 PM
Co-Chair Meyer WITHDREW Amendment 1. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was withdrawn.
Representative Crawford agreed that passage of the bill is
the "right thing to do", noting that all other professional
standard councils have membership to represent the members
doing that work. He reiterated his support for the bill.
Representative Hawker noted for the record, he agrees it is
correct thing to do, however, recognize that the law
enforcement community does not favor the bill. He added his
support.
Representative Kelly realized it was clear that the
leadership of that community is not in favor of the proposed
change. He recommended that current law be maintained,
urging the bill not be moved out of Committee.
Vice-Chair Stoltze agreed with the statements submitted by
the police officers. Representative Roses referenced the
language of the bill indicating that the Governor may pick
from that group. He stated that it is important that those
names brought forward are recommended by the council & their
criterion checked. He wanted to see "line guys" on the
council.
Vice-Chair Stoltze asked if a police union could select
someone not represented by their organizational fraternity
and if so, could it become an exclusive placement. He
mentioned the political pressures that happen when
appointments occur. He maintained his support of the
correctional officers being included on the council.
Representative Roses agreed, understanding the conflict.
2:15:37 PM
Representative Gara advised that the bill does not address
the concerns of the Committee. The bill does not adopt pro
or anti labor positions. The bill adopts positions only on
police officers conduct and standards. He pointed out the
division of the Committee of those who are pro-labor or not.
He believed that either position would have little impact on
how the council accomplishes their work. He stated there is
nothing the council can do that would favor either pro or
con labor issues. He agreed that there are legitimate
arguments on labor concerns but thought they would not
happen under the context of HB 351.
2:17:15 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze interjected that no one on the Committee
was speaking about pro or anti labor, pointing out there is
no language addressing that. He discussed the concern of
eligibility. The work of a professional organization is to
protect jobs when someone is challenged. He reiterated his
concern with the eligibility pool and who might be excluded.
2:18:37 PM
Representative Gara stood corrected on his observation.
2:20:50 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to REPORT CS HB 193 (STA) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 193 (STA) was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with new zero notes by the Department of
Corrections and Department of Public Safety.
2:21:32 PM
Co-Chair Chenault apologized for the record that he had made
comments to Representative Nelson regarding charter school
funding. He understood that there had been $100 thousand
dollars put in, and last year during Conference Committee,
it was reduced to $50 thousand dollars. He pointed out that
zero dollars had been placed in by the House & $200 thousand
dollars was placed in by the Senate. The Conference
Committee did settle at $100 thousand dollars.
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