Legislature(2007 - 2008)BELTZ 211
02/20/2007 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing, Commissioner, Department of Administration | |
| Confirmation Hearing, Commissioner, Department of Corrections | |
| Confirmation Hearing, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety | |
| SB75 | |
| SB43 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 75 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 43 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 75-EXTENDING COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
9:43:34 AM
CHAIR McGUIRE announced the consideration of SB 75.
SENATOR KIM ELTON, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 75,
said the bill extends the Council on Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault, which is due to expire in June. Between 2000 and
2004 there were over 32,000 incidents of domestic violence and
sexual assault reported across Alaska. Extending the council
will provide continued program planning and coordination of
victim services. He noted that Legislative Budget and Audit
supports the extension, and it has been endorsed by the Network
on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Juneau Police
Department, Standing Together Against Rape, Sitkans against
Family Violence, Abused Women, Women's Aid in Crises, Kenai
LeeShore Center, Tundra Women's Clinic, Unalaskans against
Sexual Assault and Family Violence, and the Alaska Women's
Lobby.
9:45:34 AM
SENATOR GREEN said there have been many conversations about the
network and the council including "a certain amount of
questions." She said the extension is too long, and she has
talked to people about having study groups gather information.
There is some concern, she said. She asked to extend the council
to 2011 instead of 2014.
SENATOR ELTON said he has been part of those conversations, and
he agrees that there needs to more. He said that everybody sees
the need for the council and a need to continue discussions on
how the council does business and who sits on the council. He
advocates a rural designee, for example. The conversations can
be done within the context of the extension, he stated. Alaska's
House of Representatives bill extends the council to 2011. He
doesn't have a strong opinion on the time period.
SENATOR GREEN said the task force to be formed would begin its
work immediately. It would have a plan in place regarding "where
the people come from and who's contributing to it and what is
the role of whom, so there is a little more assurance that
everyone is in agreement."
She moved Amendment 1:
Page 1, line 6:
Delete "2014"
Insert "2011"
Hearing no objections, Amendment 1 passed.
CHAIR MCGUIRE said she has visited the Alaska Women's Resource
Center in Anchorage, and she said, "In our community, Covenant
House, certainly for young women, is a place that will often be
a refuge for those who are seeking help in a domestic violence
situation at a young age. Stepping Stones-to get in you've got
to have been in a domestic violence situation and have a child.
Then you have AWAKE, and so forth." She asked how this agency
helps bring those groups together and facilitates help.
SENATOR ELTON said the council works with federal and state
money and the process is semi-protected from decisions that are
made by elected officials. The decisions are made by
professionals. The council has members from the executive branch
and from service providers. He said others can answer the
question about delivery of services to the other groups.
9:51:27 AM
CHRIS ASHENBRENNER, Interim Program Administrator, Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, said the council uses
communication to coordinate the multiple services and agencies.
The council funds the 20 victim service agencies around the
state with a two-year funding cycle. The council funds training
and participates with its sister agency-the Network on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault, which is the advocacy agency for
many of the victim service programs as well as other programs
that may not be members of the network. She said the council
coordinates trainings and venues for discussions on domestic
violence and sexual assault.
CHAIR MCGUIRE asked about administrative overhead. When she goes
onsite, it is always a tough day seeing people in a tough life,
and the resources are never enough. She noted that people in
Stepping Stones are trying to get back on their feet, get a job,
and get their children in day care.
MS. ASHENBRENNER said overhead is about ten percent, which
includes the council administrative offices that do auditing and
the council itself, which has quarterly meetings. She said 76
percent of the funding goes directly to victim service programs.
9:54:58 AM
MS. ASHENBRENNER said she would be happy to participate in a
report. She urged movement of the bill so the council can do its
work instead of figuring out how to dismantle.
9:55:45 AM
WALT MONEGAN, Commissioner Designee, Alaska Department of Public
Safety, said police officers responding to domestic violence or
sexual assault only work on a problem to a certain point, and
that is not enough. Organizations such as the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault are necessary to help
people "get the rest of the way." He strongly supports the bill.
9:57:43 AM
SENATOR FRENCH moved SB 75, as amended, from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, CSSB 75(STA) passed from committee.
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