Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/15/2002 02:36 PM Senate JUD
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 231-CORRECTIONAL FACILITY EXPANSION
VICE-CHAIR DONLEY informed members the committee already had one
hearing on SB 231. He then took public testimony.
MR. JIM ELKINS, representing the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, said
all eleven communities mentioned in SB 231 see the legislation as
an economic stimulus package that will have a positive long range
impact.
MS. JODY SIMPSON, a member of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly, stated support for the regional approach to prison
expansion in SB 231. The Assembly believes it meets the needs of
the various communities across the state. SB 231 will bring
prisoners closer to home, their families, support networks and
cultures, thereby increasing the probability of successful
rehabilitation. The Assembly believes the economic impact
associated with expanded facilities should be shared statewide
and that Alaskans and contractors should be the ones to benefit
from the $20 million currently spent in Arizona each year. The
Assembly also believes the facility expansion should be publicly
operated and managed. The Assembly suggests, if a private prison
is considered, that an open, competitive process should be used
to select the private operator.
MR. JOHN MAPES, representing himself, stated support of SB 231 as
it will put inmates in Alaska near their homes, families and
support groups and it will save money by having inmates near
medical personnel in programs already at the facilities. It will
also save money on transportation costs.
MR. T.C. KAMAI, Kodiak Chief of Police, said that the Kodiak jail
is one of the oldest operating jails in the state at 60 years
old. It is also one of the busiest contract jails and often
operates at full capacity. The City of Kodiak is committed to
working with the State of Alaska to replace and expand the Kodiak
Community Jail because it believes it is of vital importance to
the community, region and the State of Alaska. The City believes
that replacement and expansion of the jail is essential to
mitigating the liability that the City of Kodiak is burdened with
under the current terms of its contract with the state. Despite
efforts of jail staff to operate the jail in a professional
manner, it finds the burden increasingly difficult to justify as
the facility continues to age and liability increases daily. SB
231 will allow municipalities to bond for construction of
correctional facilities. The Kodiak City Council passed a
resolution in support of SB 231 in March of 2002. He urged
committee members to support SB 231.
MS. NANCY WEBB, testifying from Fairbanks, noted the Fairbanks
Borough Assembly unanimously supported a resolution endorsing
facility expansion at the Fairbanks Correctional Center. The
Assembly supports an expansion of 100 beds to revitalize the
building. The existing facility needs a new kitchen facility to
adequately serve the inmates there. The Fairbanks Correctional
Center is just a jail holding facility at this time with
inadequate space to house inmates.
MR. JERRY BURNETT, staff to Senator Lyda Green, sponsor of SB
231, explained the two changes made to the proposed committee
substitute (Version P).
· On line 8, the phrase "not later than July 1, 2006" was
added.
· On page 2, in subsection (b)(1), the three percent inflation
factor was removed and replaced by "adjusted for inflation
each year at a rate equal to the percentage increase in the
Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical
workers for Anchorage, Alaska, during the previous calendar
year..."
MR. BURNETT noted the Consumer Price Index rate has been lower
than three percent for the past several years. That change was
designed to address the concern raised by Senator Therriault.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said the change satisfies his concern. He was
not sure why the original inflation factor was set at three
percent and why the authorization would be on the books forever.
He asked if the new cut-off date will accommodate the problem
with the Spring Creek facility.
MR. BURNETT stated, "The Spring Creek - they had a concern about
doing refinancing prior to 2006 although I understand there's a
possibility that they could do it sooner, according to Deven
Mitchell."
SENATOR THERRIAULT moved to adopt Version P as the working
document before the committee.
VICE-CHAIR DONLEY announced that without objection, Version P was
adopted. He then noted there was no more public testimony and
that he would like to hold the bill until Senator Taylor returns.
SENATOR ELLIS asked if Senator Taylor requested that the bill be
held in committee.
VICE-CHAIR DONLEY said he did not.
SENATOR ELLIS asked what the additional concerns are with SB 231.
VICE-CHAIR DONLEY said the cost is still a major concern.
SENATOR ELLIS said, "It sounds like a Finance issue to me."
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