Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/21/2014 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| HB292 | |
| SB170 | |
| SB176 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | HB 292 | ||
| = | SB 170 | ||
| = | SB 176 | ||
SB 176-REG. OF FIREARMS/KNIVES BY UNIVERSITY
2:19:51 PM
CHAIR COGHILL reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SB 176. "An Act relating to the regulation of
firearms and knives by the University of Alaska." He invited
public testimony.
2:20:21 PM
JARMYN KRAMLICH President, UAS Student Body Government, Juneau,
Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 176. He reported that
students at the Juneau campus feel that SB 176 will have
unintended consequences that will interfere with the main
purpose of the University of Alaska. Students voiced concern for
their safety and that the Board of Regents would not be able
enact policies in the best interest of students.
2:22:53 PM
JESSICA DOMINY, Vice-President, UAS Student Government, Juneau,
Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 176. She shared that
fellow students from rural areas are very comfortable around
firearms, but don't understand why they should be on the college
campus. She questioned what accommodations would be made for
high school and elementary students who are frequently on
campus. She urged the committee not to pass the legislation.
SENATOR DYSON said our form of government provides that rights
should only be restricted if there is a compelling public
reason. He questioned whether there is a compelling reason in
this instance and then if it extends to first amendment and
fourth amendment rights. He further questioned whether feelings
should govern the restriction of rights, particularly freedom of
speech.
MR. KRAMLICH replied that the issue is that students don't feel
concealed weapons have any place in the classroom.
2:29:04 PM
RUSSELL KELL, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 176. He said people are safest when they can
defend themselves. He questioned why millions of dollars should
be spent on an institution that ignores rights.
2:31:00 PM
MIKE COONS, representing himself, Palmer, Alaska, said he
opposes the committee substitute because it is an attempt to
placate the Board of Regents that is abrogating rights. He
recommended passing the original bill.
2:33:55 PM
ROBERT CLIFT, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 176. He pointed out that students are already
around people on campus who are armed. If the university knows,
they just ask the person to leave. He said the administration
enforces its policy when it sees fit and ignores it when it
doesn't.
2:36:29 PM
MICHAEL CHAMBERS, Chair, Alaska Libertarian Party, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified in support of SB 176. He maintained that the
right to bear arms is a fundamental right.
2:37:29 PM
BARBARA J. STRUBLE, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska,
asked the committee to pass SB 176 in its original form. She
concurred with the four previous speakers.
2:38:28 PM
MARK FISH, representing himself, Big Lake, Alaska, asked the
committee to pass the original version of SB 176. He said it is
a public university on public land and individual rights ought
to be respected. If the university doesn't provide for the
students, they ought to be able to provide for themselves.
CHAIR COGHILL closed public testimony. He removed his objection
and Version Y was adopted.
He explained that there has to be a compelling reason to
restrict a right. Requiring a permit may be restrictive, but it
may be the least restrictive option. He asked his staff to
comment.
2:42:31 PM
HANS RODVIK, Intern, Senator John Coghill, responded to some of
the concerns that have been raised in testimony on SB 176. He
said a large concern is there are K-12 students on campus. These
students are already surrounded by adults who conceal carry
statewide. Following the university's logic, the state should
prohibit concealed carry everywhere the students happen to be.
Another concern is that the university would be defenseless to
defend the campus. This is incorrect because all laws would
still stand. The bill simply says that people would be able to
defend themselves.
He maintained that the bill codifies current practice because
students and others are already exercising their fundamental
rights.
He said the idea that the policy distracts from the learning
environment argument is faulty because the public is already
around people who conceal carry.
He turned to the argument about the presence of drugs and
alcohol on campus and said his research shows evidence of that
not being a problem. It is a crime to conceal carry under the
age of 21.
MR. RODVIK concluded that this bill contains a proper balance
between the public safety interest of the university and two
fundamental rights. The data shows that lawful adults who go
through the rigorous process to obtain concealed hand gun
permits will remain law abiding, will be properly suited to
defend themselves and others, and won't distract from the
learning environment on university campuses.
2:48:25 PM
CHAD HUTCHISON, Staff, Senator John Coghill Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, described the CS for SB 176,
Version Y, as the least restrictive alternative and a fair
balance of the elements.
CHAIR COGHILL noted that this is the first committee of
referral.
2:49:35 PM
SENATOR DYSON moved to [report the CS for SB 176, Version Y,
from committee with individual recommendations and the attached
fiscal note(s).]
CHAIR COGHILL objected. He noted the legal principle is fully
debated. He said the bill has a fiscal note and will go to the
Senate Finance Committee.
SENATOR DYSON wished that the definition of lock box was better
and that long guns were permitted on campus.
2:50:59 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he would vote to move the bill forward
because there are strong constitutional issues to support it. He
recalled the examples in Utah and in Colorado with no
incidences.
CHAIR COGHILL removed his objection.
CHAIR COGHILL announced that without objection, CSSB 176(JUD)
was reported from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Written Testimony #5.zip |
SJUD 3/21/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SB 176 |