04/06/1994 09:07 AM Senate STA

 CHAIRMAN LEMAN brings up HB 315 (THEFT OF SUBSCRIPTION TV SERVICES)           
 as the next order of business before the Senate State Affairs                 
 Committee.                                                                    
                                                                               
 Number 348                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR asks if a committee substitute has been drafted for            
 HB 315.                                                                       
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN LEMAN replies there was not a cs drafted for HB 315.                 
                                                                               
 SENATOR ELLIS asks if the bill has been heard previously.                     
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN LEMAN responds the committee has heard the bill and taken            
 testimony on it.                                                              
                                                                               
 Number 355                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR DUNCAN asks what the penalty for theft of cable services              
 would be under HB 315.                                                        
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN LEMAN calls a representative of the prime sponsor to                 
 respond to that question.                                                     
                                                                               
 Number 364                                                                    
                                                                               
 ERIC MUSSER, Aide to Representative Porter, responds that the                 
 manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of converter boxes, if               
 convicted, would be guilty of a class C felony.  Users of                     
 unauthorized boxes could be subject to a penalty of a class A                 
 misdemeanor.                                                                  
                                                                               
 SENATOR DUNCAN asks if this type of theft is occurring at this                
 time.                                                                         
                                                                               
 MR. MUSSER replies that it is.  Presently, Alaska's theft of                  
 service statute makes unauthorized use of converter boxes illegal.            
 But at this time, the theft of services statute is too broad and              
 undefinable.  HB 315 would define the crime.                                  
                                                                               
 Number 381                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR MILLER makes a motion to discharge HB 315 from the Senate             
 State Affairs Committee with individual recommendations.                      
                                                                               
 Number 382                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN LEMAN, hearing no objection, orders HB 315 released from             
 committee with individual recommendations.