03/03/1994 03:00 PM House HES

  HB 337 - DRUG FREE RECREATIONAL AND YOUTH CENTERS                            
                                                                               
  REP. JIM NORDLUND, Prime Sponsor of HB 337, addressed his                    
  bill.  He stated that in current law there are provisions                    
  for drug free school zones that increase the penalties for                   
  individuals who are arrested for possession of drugs in                      
  school areas.  He said the proposal would expand the zone to                 
  include recreation and youth centers.  He indicated that his                 
  committee substitute (CS) would specify those recreation and                 
  youth centers as those operated by the municipality or the                   
  state.  He referred to the sponsor statement and said that                   
  within his district the legislation would address the                        
  problems in the Spenard, Fairview, and Mountainview                          
  Recreational Centers.  He indicated that the Chief of                        
  Police, Kevin O'Leary, maintains that the areas around                       
  recreation and youth centers are fertile ground for those                    
  who promote and sell drugs to children.  He also indicated                   
  that police officer Patrick O'Brien, school liaison officer,                 
  asserts that the parking lot of the Fairview Recreation                      
  Center is the sight of a huge drug trade.                                    
                                                                               
  REP. NORDLUND stated that HB 337 has no fiscal note.  He                     
  indicated that the CS would narrow the zones down to                         
  recreational centers operated by the municipality or the                     
  state.  Also, the CS would make provisions to allow centers                  
  operated by the municipality the option of posting signs                     
  indicating drug free zones.                                                  
                                                                               
  Number 170                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. TOOHEY asked how a person would know an area is a drug                  
  free zone.                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. NORDLUND said when some of the violators are arrested,                  
  they will learn that the penalties are more severe than they                 
  used to be.  Also, media sources and the general public will                 
  help to disseminate the provisions of the new law.                           
                                                                               
  Number 192                                                                   
                                                                               
  (CHAIR BUNDE indicated that Rep. Vezey arrived at 3:09 p.m.                  
  and both Rep. Nicholia and Rep. Brice arrived at 3:11 p.m.)                  
                                                                               
  REP. TOOHEY asked how much a sign would cost.                                
                                                                               
  REP. NORDLUND said he did not know.                                          
                                                                               
  CHAIR BUNDE stated that all-weather signs are approximately                  
  $200 apiece.                                                                 
                                                                               
  REP. TOOHEY suggested that the recreation centers have a                     
  bake sale to raise money for the signs.  She felt that the                   
  signs needed to be seen.                                                     
                                                                               
  Number 215                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIR BUNDE clarified that the CS narrows the zones to                       
  municipal and state recreation and youth centers.                            
                                                                               
  REP. NORDLUND agreed.                                                        
                                                                               
  REP. TOOHEY made a motion to adopt the CS as a working                       
  draft.                                                                       
                                                                               
  CHAIR BUNDE, hearing no objections, said the CS for HB 337                   
  was before the committee and asked for further testimony.                    
                                                                               
  Number 249                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. NORDLUND stated that he did not bring other witnesses                   
  to testify because he felt the concept of the bill is                        
  simplistic and does not need much explanation.  He indicated                 
  a number of letters of support in the committee bill                         
  packets.                                                                     
                                                                               
  CHAIR BUNDE asked for further questions.  He then asked the                  
  pleasure of the committee.                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. BRICE made a motion to pass the CS for HB 337 out of                    
  committee with individual recommendations and accompanying                   
  fiscal note.                                                                 
                                                                               
  CHAIR BUNDE, hearing no objections, declared that the CS for                 
  HB 337 was so moved.  He brought HJR 52 to the table.