Legislature(2007 - 2008)
05/15/2007 11:19 AM Senate FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SR7 | |
| HB184 | |
| SR7 | |
| HB244 | |
| Alaska Marine Highway System Review and Approval | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7
Creating and relating to the Senate VPSO Task Force.
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
SENATOR DONNY OLSON, the sponsor of the Resolution, moved to
adopt committee substitute Version 25-LS0856\C, Cook, dated
April 25, 2007, as the working document.
There being no objection, the Version 25-LS0856\C committee
substitute was ADOPTED as the working document.
11:20:33 AM
Senator Olson informed the Committee that this Resolution
addresses an issue of importance to people living in Rural
Alaska, that being the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO)
program. It is unfortunate that the attention given this program
has diminished in recent years as small communities consider it
"their first line of defense".
11:21:43 AM
DENICE LICCIOLI, Staff to Senator Donny Olson, explained that
the VPSO Task Force this Resolution would create would be
charged with determining what changes could be made to the VPSO
program to "strengthen and improve public safety in Rural areas"
of the State.
Ms. Liccioli stated that the program's recent inability to fill
vacancies and recruit and retain qualified people has further
reduced it effectiveness.
Ms. Liccioli advised that the Task Force, which would be
comprised of three members of the Senate, the Commissioner of
the Department of Public Safety or their designee, two public
members appointed by the Senate President, and the State
Attorney General or their designee, would likely meet no more
than six times or as directed by the Task Force chairperson.
Ms. Liccioli specified that Version "C" added the State Attorney
General or their designee to the Task Force. The intent was for
the Task Force to meet over the Legislative Interim and report
of their findings to the Legislature at the beginning of the
Second Session of the 25th Legislative Session.
11:23:53 AM
WALT MONEGAN, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety,
announced that he was "in complete agreement" with the intent of
this Resolution. The VPSO program is "a foundational public
safety issue that should be expanded" rather than diminished.
11:24:50 AM
Senator Olson asked the Commissioner to speak to how the energy
and optimism embodied in now-Governor Sarah Palin's campaign for
office might affect the VPSO program.
11:25:18 AM
Commissioner Monegan stated that while the initial concept of
the VPSO program was good, the program has "been allowed to
languish" in recent years. His desire would be that the Task
Force explore avenues through which the program could be
sustained and broadened. This might include such things as
"creating a whole new separate category in the Alaska Police
Standards Council."
11:26:15 AM
Senator Thomas noted that separate legislation has been
introduced that addresses some of the issues VPSO officers must
deal with. The point is that the VPSO program has had to deal
with external as well as internal issues.
11:27:33 AM
Commissioner Monegan considered the VPSO program "a piece of the
puzzle." An enhanced VPSO program would not be the "silver
bullet" that would address all the problems in Rural
communities, but that action would have a significant impact.
The State must take a "holistic" approach in utilizing its
resources to address the problems in Rural Alaska.
11:28:06 AM
There being no further Committee discussion or public
commentary, Senator Olson moved to report committee substitute,
Version 25-LS0856\C, from Committee with individual
recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.
Co-Chair Stedman pointed out that the lack of any accompanying
fiscal note indicated that the Resolution had no fiscal impact.
There being no objection, CS SR 7(FIN) was REPORTED from
Committee with individual recommendations.
AT EASE 11:29:12 AM \ 11:30:19 AM
Co-Chair Stedman announced that the Resolution would be HELD in
Committee in order to clarify whether it should be accompanied
by a fiscal note.
[NOTE: The Resolution was brought back before the Committee
later in the hearing. See Timestamp 11:43:54 AM.]
11:30:41 AM
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7
Creating and relating to the Senate VPSO Task Force.
Co-Chair Stedman announced that the committee substitute for SR
7, Version 25-LS0856\C, was again before the Committee in order
to review a new fiscal note pertaining to it.
AT EASE: 11:44:17 AM / 11:45:24 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman moved to rescind the Committee's earlier action
of reporting the Resolution from Committee.
Without objection, the motion was RESCINDED.
Co-Chair Stedman directed attention to the $45,000 fiscal note
dated April 27, 2007 from the Legislative Affairs Agency (LAA).
11:45:45 AM
Senator Thomas observed that the fiscal note depicted travel
expenses for Task Force members, but did not provide funding for
staff. While language on page 2 line 13 of the Resolution
specifies that the LAA would provide administrative support for
the Task Force that same provision indicates that staff might
also be hired.
11:46:19 AM
Senator Olson explained that the staff of the three Senators on
the Task Force would attend to Task Force needs.
Senator Thomas acknowledged.
11:46:54 AM
Senator Dyson spoke in support of the Resolution. He advised the
Committee that, several years earlier, he had discussed with the
Adjunct General of the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs "the concept that VPSOs, if they choose, could also be a
part of the Guard." This venture would make federal training
money and equipment available to the VPSOs. The discussion also
included the idea of sharing facilities and equipment. He has
advised Commissioner Monegan of this opportunity.
Senator Dyson also hoped that the Task Force would explore the
possibility of having the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs and the Department of Public Safety "share personnel and
resources."
11:47:57 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman moved to report the committee substitute for
Resolution 7, Version 25-LS0856\C, from Committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note.
Without objection, CS SR 7(FIN) was REPORTED from Committee with
new $45,000 fiscal note, dated April 27, 2007, from the
Legislative Affairs Agency.
11:48:23 AM
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