Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 120
04/01/2009 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB201 | |
| HB153 | |
| HB13 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 153 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 201 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 13 - PROPERTY CRIMES 1:47:52 PM CHAIR RAMRAS announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 13, "An Act relating to property crimes." CHAIR RAMRAS, after ascertaining that no one wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 13. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL, speaking as the sponsor, offered his belief that some of the existing fines for property crimes are not equitable, and opined that it's the right policy call to effect the changes proposed by HB 13, surmising that doing so would result in a less costly legal system. CHAIR RAMRAS asked whether felony property crimes that have been plead down to misdemeanors always get heard in superior court anyway. 1:50:54 PM DOUG WOOLIVER, Administrative Attorney, Administrative Staff, Office of the Administrative Director, Alaska Court System (ACS), said it depends on when the plea agreement occurs, and that oftentimes, most "low value" [property] crime cases don't ever go to superior court because they are resolved before then. CHAIR RAMRAS offered his understanding that there are a lot of property crimes that "go under investigated." He expressed favor with establishing higher thresholds for property crimes, and characterized doing so as good public policy, though he acknowledged that to some extent the proposed thresholds are arbitrary. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN said HB 13 seems to be inflation-proofing crime, and relayed that he has concerns with doing so. CHAIR RAMRAS acknowledged that concern, but noted that the current thresholds have not changed in over 30 years. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN said he does not support HB 13 regardless. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO referred to the language on page 1, lines 10-13, which refers to property crimes involving safety equipment and survival equipment from vessels and aircraft, and questioned whether those provisions are meant to protect vessels and aircraft to a greater degree. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL said the bill is only establishing higher property value thresholds between misdemeanor and felony property crimes, and is not intended to alter any specific property descriptions. 1:56:29 PM REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM moved to report HB 13 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 13 was reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.