Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/28/2004 09:06 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 65 "An Act authorizing the Department of Corrections to enter into agreements with municipalities for new or expanded public correctional facilities in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Bethel, and the Municipality of Anchorage." This was the third hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. Co-Chair Green overviewed the proposed committee substitute Version "E". She noted it incorporates the amendments adopted by the Committee at the previous hearing. In addition, new language has been added intending to assure bond ratings by stipulating that "the commission may not enter into the agreement if any bonds issued for the project are rated below investment grade" on page 5 lines 10 and 11 and also on page 3 lines 23 and 24. Further bond assurance language has been added on page 6 lines 5-7 and 10-14. Co-Chair Green stated the intent of the committee substitute is to authorize the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections to review multiple correctional facility location options, and to increase participant bids in the State with the purpose of bringing prisoner's being housed in out-of-state facilities back into Alaska. The high costs and inefficiencies incurred by transferring prisoners should be avoided. These prisoner transfers have especially inconvenienced the communities of Bethel, Anchorage, and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The occupancy levels of Alaska's correctional facilities are only getting worse; prison capacity must be increased. She urged continued discussion on strategies to increase correctional facility capacity within the State. Co-Chair Green moved for adoption of CS SB 65, 23-LS0392\E as a working document. There was no objection and the committee substitute, Version "E" was ADOPTED as a working document. Co-Chair Wilken ordered the bill HELD in Committee.
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