Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/18/2010 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB260 | |
| SB261 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 260 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 261 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 261-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL BD MEMBERS
9:18:40 AM
CHAIR MENARD said the next item to come before the committee was
SB 261.
TIM BENINTENDI, aide to Senator Olson, said SB 261 responds to
the array of alcohol related problems unique to small
communities in rural Alaska. Wellness services cannot keep up
with the adverse impact of alcohol related problems. The profile
of these problems needs to be raised. The state's Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board (ABC) is comprised of five members, two
of whom must be actively engaged in the alcoholic beverage
industry and three of whom represent the general public. SB 261
would require one of the three general public positions to be
filled by a resident of a rural area. SB 261 defines "rural
area" as a community with a population of 4500 or less that is
not connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks. A
defined rural board member could affect policy discussion and
ABC Board decisions in a positive way.
SENATOR MEYER asked for examples of communities that would
qualify.
MR. BENINTENDI listed several communities that would qualify:
Dillingham, Unalaska, any community in the Lincoln Peninsula
Borough, Nome and Kotzebue. He noted he is referring to cities
or communities as opposed to census areas. He stated that SB 261
would not take effect until the next available public member
seat turns over.
9:22:49 AM
SENATOR MEYER noted some areas under 4500 are dry communities
and asked if someone from a dry community should be on the ABC
Board.
MR. BENINTENDI replied yes, an applicant from a dry community
would be valid. He explained that while dry communities are
officially dry, they still have alcohol related problems and
rural representation on the ABC Board could bring attention to
these problems and some specific focus into the forum.
SENATOR FRENCH said he questioned how to define a rural area. He
asked if our statutes define "community" and how big of an area
a community is.
MR. BENINTENDI replied that he originally looked at a definition
of a small community as 5500 people. He said communities of that
size have more resources; SB 261 is aiming at smaller
communities and their issues.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if Auke Bay or Douglas, in the Juneau
region, are smaller communities.
MR. BENINTENDI replied that Auke Bay and Douglas are within the
Juneau City and Borough and would not be eligible.
SENATOR FRENCH said someone from the greater Juneau area, for
example, should not be the rural representative. He said he
supports the idea of SB 261 but is concerned that "community"
could be interpreted as a subset of a city or a borough.
9:26:08 AM
CHAIR MENARD asked about Southeast communities that would be
eligible.
MR. BENINTENDI replied he thought any community outside of a
borough in Southeast would qualify. He noted that Ketchikan and
Sitka would be too big but Skagway and Angoon would be eligible.
DALE FOX, President and CEO, Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant
and Retailers Association (CHARR), noted only ten days had
passed since SB 261 was posted online and CHARR'S Government
Affairs Committee has not had a chance to review it. CHARR
members have expressed, through initial emails, that they don't
think a problem exists and that governors have done a great job
of balancing boards. He said the five current ABC members are
from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Cordova. Belen Cook, from
Cordova, would fit the definition of rural community
representative according to SB 261. He noted that Ms. Cook is
Chair of the annual Sobriety Celebration in Cordova and is very
concerned about alcohol issues. He asked the committee not to
pass SB 261 out until the industry has an opportunity to review
and discuss it.
9:29:14 AM
CHAIR MENARD said SB 261 goes to Labor and Commerce next which
would allow ample opportunity for CHARR to weigh in.
ROBERT FROEHLE, Superintendant, Nome Youth Facility and member,
Regional Wellness Forum (RWF), said the RWF is in strong support
of SB 261. He said he appreciates that the ABC Board currently
has a member from Cordova and would like to ensure that small
communities continue to get representation. He said he sees the
effects of alcohol on daily basis on the community's kids and
families.
BIRDIE TRAINOR, Director, Coed Wellness Program and Suicide
Prevention Program, testified on behalf of Berda Willson, Chair
of the Regional Wellness Forum (RFW). Ms. Trainer read a written
statement from Ms. Willson. Ms. Willson wrote that she has seen
the ravages that alcohol and substance abuse are inflicting on
her people. She wrote that the RWF supports the Safety Patrol,
made up of about 150 volunteers, which patrols during the PFD,
New Year's Eve and the Iditarod to keep residents and visitors
safe and to reduce suicides, missing persons and death by
accident or freezing when people are intoxicated.
9:33:17 AM
She wrote that the RWF's next meeting will be held at the Anvil
Mountain Correctional Center where inmates will talk about how
RWF can help them prevent repeating their mistakes.
Anecdotally, 90 percent of the prisoners would not be
incarcerated if alcohol abuse were not a factor. She wrote that
rural communities need a voice on the ABC Board from someone who
understands rural problems like suicide, child abuse, domestic
violence, accidental death and alcohol abuse. She noted that
while most villages are dry, alcohol is sold or bootlegged. Her
written statement concluded that the RWF is not against alcohol
consumption and appreciates the ABC Board's help in ensuring
that liquor establishments conform to state law.
9:34:48 AM
CHAIR MENARD closed public testimony.
SENATOR MEYER asked if anyone from the ABC Board was present.
CHAIR MENARD replied no.
SENATOR MEYER said that the sponsor of SB 261 wants to ensure
that rural representation on the ABC Board continues, which he
feels is a good idea.
SENATOR FRENCH concurred. He said he has some concern with the
definition of "community" but noted that a subsequent committee
can grapple with it to make sure the intention of SB 261 is
fulfilled.
CHAIR MENARD reported that Senator Kookesh joined the meeting.
9:36:59 AM
SENATOR FRENCH moved to report SB 261 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, the motion carried.
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