Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/15/2004 01:51 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 15, 2004
1:51 P.M.
TAPE HFC 04 - 84, Side A
TAPE HFC 04 - 84, Side B
TAPE HFC 04 - 85, Side A
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Williams called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:51 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative John Harris, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair
Representative Kevin Meyer, Vice-Chair
Representative Mike Chenault
Representative Hugh Fate
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Bill Stoltze
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Eric Croft
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Lesil McGuire; Representative Dan Ogg; Pete
Ecklund, Staff, Representative Bill Williams; Linda
Sylvester, Staff, Representative Bruce Weyhrauch; Nico Bus,
Acting Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Natural Resources; Heath Hilyard, Staff,
Representative Lesil McGuire
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Bob Loeffler, Director, Division of Mining Land and Water,
Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage; Kathy Hartman,
Co-Owner Fantasies Club, Anchorage; Don Hudson, Physician,
Alaskan Regional Hospital, Anchorage; Carol Hartman, Co-
Owner Fantasies Club, Anchorage; Kara Nyquist, Director of
the Covenant House, Attorney, Anchorage; Terry Dittman,
Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA), Anchorage; Andree
McLeod, Anchorage; Diana L. Straub, Assembly Member,
Wasilla; Officer Pablo Paiz, Anchorage Police Department,
Anchorage; Regina Manteufel, Anchorage
SUMMARY
HB 333 An Act relating to an endowment for public
education; and providing for an effective date.
CS HB 33 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with
a "no recommendation" and with three new fiscal
notes by the Department of Natural Resources, one
new zero note by the Department of Revenue, one
new fiscal note by the Department of Revenue,
fiscal note #1 by the Department of Education &
Early Development and fiscal note #4 by the
University of Alaska.
HB 367 An Act relating to the licensing and regulation of
sex-oriented businesses and sex- oriented business
entertainers; relating to protection of the safety
and health of and to education of young persons
who perform in adult entertainment establishments;
and providing for an effective date.
CS HB 367 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with
"no recommendation" and with a new fiscal note by
the Department of Community & Economic
Development, a new zero note by Department of
Public Safety and zero note #2 by the Department
of Labor & Workforce Development.
HB 533 An Act relating to the state's administrative
procedures and to judicial oversight of
administrative matters.
CS HB 533 (JUD) was reported out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal
note by Department of Law, indeterminate note #1
by the Alaska Court System, indeterminate note #2
by the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, and
indeterminate note #3 by the Department of Health
& Social Services.
HOUSE BILL NO. 333
An Act relating to an endowment for public education;
and providing for an effective date.
Co-Chair Harris MOVED to ADOPT work draft #23-LS099\G,
Bullock, 4/14/04, as the version of the legislation before
the Committee. (Copy on File).
Representative Joule OBJECTED, asking for a description of
the changes made to the draft.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN OGG, SPONSOR, spoke to the changes made
to the work draft, noting the main difference was repealing
the sectional reference to SB 7, Section 8.
In the "G" version, Page 3, Lines 15-17, contains new
language that further clarifies that. Page 6, Lines 9-12,
addresses a previous oversight; the language was needed
because the grant is not included as net income in the
existing school trust fund.
Representative Joule inquired if the work draft allowed the
University to generate funds as originally intended through
the endowment with the 5% split. In addition to that, the
University would keep 250 thousand acres of land to help
generate income. Representative Ogg agreed that was
correct. Representative Joule pointed out that he had not
supported SB 7.
Representative Joule WITHDREW his OBJECTION stating that
there should be further consideration on the House floor.
There being NO further OBJECTION, the committee substitute
was adopted.
Co-Chair Williams MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #1. (Copy on
File). Co-Chair Harris OBJECTED.
BOB LOEFFLER, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), DIRECTOR,
DIVISION OF MINING LAND AND WATER, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE, stated that the amendment was created
to rectify a technical change in how revenues are accounted
for in oil and gas leases. Because of the manner in which
royalty settlements are handled, a contract should include
all revenue.
Mr. Loeffler added that in order to accomplish the sponsor's
intent, language was changed so that it would only affect
new revenue, and in this case, revenue from oil and gas
leases following the effect of the proposed act. He pointed
out this was a technical change.
Co-Chair Harris asked if the Representative Ogg supported
Amendment #1. Representative Ogg replied he did. Co-Chair
Harris WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
Representative Chenault asked if it would include mineral
exploration. Mr. Loeffler replied it would.
There being NO further OBJECTION, the Amendment #1 was
adopted.
Representative Joule reiterated that he did not know how he
felt about the proposed legislation. Co-Chair Williams
advised that he had requested additional language be added,
pointing out that it has taken the University 40-years to
get up and going. He did not know what would happen in the
future years if the University needed further funding. He
believed that the legislation would help the University for
future planning, allowing more time for property management.
Representative Joule spoke to support for the University's
growth, noting that he was not a supporter of SB 7. He
anticipated that the proposed legislation would repeal that
act.
Co-Chair Williams commented that it could take up to twenty
years to develop a land management plan for 250,000 acres.
He did not know what would happen in the next twenty years
and that the proposed legislation would help the University
plan for the future.
Representative Joule referenced the last version of SB 7,
pointing out that there was an issue of borough-selected
lands and entitlements. He understood that the University
would not be able to choose lands over the boroughs. He
asked if headway was being made for the boroughs and their
entitlements. Mr. Loeffler acknowledged that the Department
is making headway and completing a 12,000-acre initial
entitlement. At the previous rate, it would have taken
fifty years to get the land to all the municipalities. He
thought that would be available by the end of the decade.
Representative Joule asked if there was a plan for statewide
conveyance to those boroughs. Mr. Loeffler offered to
provide that information to the Committee.
Co-Chair Harris referenced the Department of Natural
Resources fiscal note, pointing out the $412 thousand
dollars coming from the FY05 University endowment.
NICO BUS, ACTING DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, explained that
the legislation would transfer $353.9 thousand dollars out
of the general fund and $59 thousand dollars out of the land
disposal income fund into the University Endowment Fund and
the Public School Trust Fund for the first year. That ratio
would change over the years. He added that it would be the
amount of money for any new resource development revenue to
be generated after the effective date of the legislation.
Co-Chair Harris asked the intent of the $459 thousand dollar
note in the FY05 expense budget. Mr. Bus explained that the
th
most current note was dated April 9, and the note
referenced by Co-Chair Harris no longer applies.
Co-Chair Harris mentioned the timber sale receipts. Mr. Bus
stated that the amount of timber sales that would be lost
through the program could amount up to $21.8 thousand
dollars.
Co-Chair Harris noted an additional request from
administrative services component in the amount of $48
thousand dollars. Mr. Bus advised that in the first year,
the Department would need to change the computer programs to
be able to implement capability for revenues coming out of
the various leases and accounts, moving into the school
trust fund and the University endowment. After the initial
investment, it would cost $15 thousand dollars for
maintenance level up keep. He maintained that this would
double the current accounting structure.
Representative Chenault inquired about the fiscal analysis
accompanying the note. Mr. Bus explained that in the
initial conversion, it would be $10 thousand dollars; by the
end of the year, it would amount to $7 thousand dollars and
would fund a part time position.
Representative Hawker reminded members of a previous
discussion with Representative Ogg regarding the Supreme
Court challenge that had been made to SB 7. He understood
that ruling did not violate the Constitution as being an
appropriation and they declined to rule whether making this
type of grant to the University was a violation of a
dedication of funds. He inquired if that had been resolved.
Representative Ogg replied that it has not and was still
before the Supreme Court.
Representative Hawker questioned if HB 333, which transfers
interest to the University, would be affected by the outcome
of that court case. Representative Ogg responded that the
bill before the Committee attempts to differentiate between
that concern. However, they are similar issues and the
accounts have been bifurcated. He added that the University
portion could be subject to that concern but that the school
portion should not.
Representative Hawker grilled the representative that the
sponsor did not appear comfortable providing assurance that
the bill before the Committee was sufficiently different and
that it would not be subject to a court challenge.
Representative Ogg acknowledged that he did not know and
that a potential challenge could be out there.
PETE ECKLUND, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BILL WILLIAMS, attempted
to clear up some of the fiscal concerns. He pointed out
that there are two notes, which are a cost to the State and
that they would change with the adoption of the committee
substitute. The change is from general funds to public
school trust funds. The committee substitute changed one of
the purposes that those funds could be used for. They could
be used for paying the costs of education and the costs of
managing the fund itself. Fiscal note #3, from Department
of Revenue has costs, which should be moved to the "other"
component. The last fiscal note addressed by Mr. Bus,
Information Services component should also be changed from
general funds to the "other" category.
Co-Chair Harris MOVED to ADJUST the fiscal note to reflect
testimony made by Mr. Ecklund. There being NO OBJECTION,
the fiscal change was adopted.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CS HB 333 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 33 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "no
recommendation" and with three new fiscal notes by the
Department of Natural Resources, one new zero note by the
Department of Revenue, one new fiscal note by the Department
of Revenue, fiscal note #1 by the Department of Education &
Early Development and fiscal note #4 by the University of
Alaska.
HOUSE BILL NO. 367
An Act relating to the licensing and regulation of sex-
oriented businesses and sex-oriented business
entertainers; relating to protection of the safety and
health of and to education of young persons who perform
in adult entertainment establishments; and providing
for an effective date.
REPRESENTATIVE LESIL MCGUIRE, SPONSOR, noted that the
statewide Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) passed a
resolution asking the Legislature to pass a law to protect
under 21-year-old employees and minors from some of the ill
effects caused by strip clubs, massage parlors and other
nude entertainment businesses. Accordingly, they worked to
help craft HB 367. Among the findings in the statewide PTSA
resolution, from a review of studies and court findings, is
a showing that the operation of sexually oriented businesses
(SOB) leads to higher rates of crime, including sexual
assaults, prostitution, drug sales and drug use.
Representative McGuire stated that the primary goals of HB
367 are to permit the legal operation of these businesses
while protecting young Alaskans who work at them, to protect
minors, and to protect the public from operations by those
adult establishments that do not follow the law.
Representative McGuire highlighted the provisions of the
bill, which would protect the public and young adults in the
following ways:
· Prohibits nude entertainment from sharing a common
entrance, restroom or hallway with businesses or
residences used by minors.
· Prohibits the use of closed private booths where
illegal sexual activities may occur.
· Prohibits the operation of sexually oriented
businesses by those with felony records, or records
involving sexually related, drug-related, or
violence-related crimes.
· Prohibits the employment of nude or semi nude
entertainers under the age of 19.
· Requires entertainers to obtain a license, and
prove they have attended a State approved course
teaching the entertainer how to protect her/himself
from sexual assault; and a course teaching
entertainers of wage and working condition
violations that occur in that area of business.
· Requires entertainers under 21 years old to show
they have attended a State-approved counseling
session that is aimed at letting young adults know
of career and educational alternatives, financial
aid and vocational training available to them as
viable options to entering or remaining in a career
in adult entertainment. While it is likely
unconstitutional to ban all 21 year olds from these
jobs, it is important that young adults at least
know about other life options. Many young adults
who enter into these careers come from backgrounds
where those options are not generally discussed.
· Entertainers under age 21 shall also be required to
show they have taken a state-approved course on
sexually transmitted diseases.
· Businesses and entertainers are required to obtain
licenses to show these requirements have been
followed. The State, as it does in other areas,
will set the license fees at a level to cover the
State's costs of administration and enforcement.
· Communities shall be apprised of adult business
license applications through reasonable public
notice rules.
· Allows suspension of an adult entertainment
business license if provisions of the law are
knowingly violated.
Representative McGuire pointed out the faxed testimony from
Shawn Ruggley, who spent many years dancing in teen strip
clubs. Ms. Ruggley mentions that the selling and buying of
drugs is intermingled within that scene; it is almost as if
the two were one in the same. (Copy on File).
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #1, #23-
LS1394\X.2, Craver, 4/15/04. (Copy on File). Co-Chair
Williams OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
Representative McGuire explained that the amendment was a
collection of all the changes made to the bill in an effort
to garner support. It eliminates references to age
restrictions. Some of the changes come as a reflection on
Supreme Court rulings that would cause legal expense and be
challenged. She pointed out that most of the changes were
to the age requirement.
Representative Hawker MOVED to add a "friendly" amendment to
Amendment #1, Page 11, Line 6, deleting "public" and
inserting "pubic". There being NO OBJECTION, the amendment
was amended.
TAPE HFC 04 - 84, Side B
OFFICER PABLO PAIZ, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE),
ANCHORAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ANCHORAGE, spoke in favor of
the legislation. He was disappointed with the language of
the amendment as he thought it would "water down" the bill.
He commented that he has witnessed the plight of many young
dancers who are victims to their employment. In addition to
the employing, many employers house them. Having the
businesses being licensed and regulated would keep them on
the up and up.
DON HUDSON, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), PHYSICIAN,
ALASKA REGIONAL HOSPITAL, ANCHORAGE, voiced his support for
the bill, voicing concern that it had been watered down. He
commented on the dramatic increase of sexually transmitted
diseases that many of the young girls are treated for at
local hospitals. These girls are frequently pregnant,
having multiple complications. He assessed that this is a
sad commentary on the life of these young people,
reiterating his support for the bill.
CAROL HARTMAN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CO-OWNER,
FANTASIES, ANCHORAGE, spoke strongly against the
legislation. She stated that she owns a business in the
industry and thought that the bill should not have been
brought forward. The industry was excluded from the
discussions that formulated the bill. She believed that
these issues should have been addressed at a local level.
There are already municipal codes which grandfather in this
industry including specific requirements. She mentioned
that they would not be against regulating the industry if it
was handled fairly, making a better business world for
everyone. The concern is with over-regulation.
Ms. Hartman added that many of the alleged referenced abuses
took place years ago when current laws were not in place.
She added that the situation in Anchorage is totally
different than those in the large cities in the Lower forty-
eight states and that mishandling in the Alaskan businesses
is unproven. She emphasized that there are no secondary
effects from this business.
Ms. Hartman disliked being called a "sexually oriented
business". She stressed that there is no "sex" in the
industry. She asked for specific information that could be
substantiated. She referred to the reference regarding the
high rate of sexually transmitted diseases, pointing out
that the North Slope area has the highest amount of
Chlamydia in the nation. She asked if all those girls were
dancers. She claimed that the legislation was harsh and
asked that it be reconsidered.
KARA NYQUIST, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ATTORNEY,
DIRECTOR OF COVENANT HOUSE, ANCHORAGE, spoke in strong
support of HB 367. She noted that she had worked with
Representatives McGuire and Gara on the legislation. She
offered a brief legal description of her experience on the
issue. The Alaska Supreme Court and the U. S. Supreme Court
have recognized that dancing is constitutionally protected,
however, both courts recognize that those judgment
restrictions and that local governments have the right and
duty to regulate sexually oriented businesses. The Supreme
Court uses the term SOB when describing those businesses.
She mentioned the secondary effects of this type of local
business with increased crime including drug traffic,
prostitution and sexual assault and the increase of
spreading sexually transmitted diseases and wage and hour
violations.
Several of the minors interviewed have spoken about the
things that occurred to them when working in clubs in
Anchorage. Some of the things reported were:
· Required to pay $50 dollars a night to work
at the clubs and if they did not make that
amount they then owed the house;
· Encouraged to do lap dances with no clothing
on;
· Encouraged to engage in prostitution;
· Forced to work in unclean conditions; and
· Concluded that 16-year-old girls are engaging
in sex.
Ms. Nyquist pointed out that these things are happening in
Anchorage. The club owners in the State should not employ
anyone under the age of 21. She urged that the bill be
passed from Committee.
TERRY DITTMAN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), PARENT-
TEACHER-STUDENT ASSOCIATION (PTSA), ANCHORAGE, read the
testimony from Nancy Fair, Parent-Teacher-Student
Association, Service High School, Anchorage. (Copy on
File).
She noted that they had spent over a year researching the
impacts of the SOB's, finding no benefits, only negative
impacts from that type of business to the children of the
State. She claimed that business licensing as proposed in
HB 367 would be an important step in protecting the teens.
It would help insure that underage teens are not involved
and it would insure that the club owners are not criminals.
The PTA strongly supports raising the minimum age for both
customers and strippers to 21 years. Raising the minimum
age would not be inconsistent with supporting the minimum
voting and military age requirements.
Ms. Dittman added that participation in SOB's is frequently
a pathway to drug and alcohol addiction and prostitution.
Use of drugs and alcohol contributes to an unsafe
environment for teens. Many of the customers at the non-
liquor strip clubs arrive intoxicated. Strip clubs without
a liquor licenses have no designated closing times, so when
the bars close a "rush" of intoxicated customers appear in
the clubs and interact with the under-aged clients.
Ms. Dittman added other benefits of the bill would be
statewide jurisdiction, so that all communities are
protected. She strongly encouraged review of the
legislation, as the industry is detrimental to individuals
and to the communities.
ANDREE MCLEOD, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ANCHORAGE,
testified in opposition to the legislation because of the
manner in which it was drafted. She stated that she is not
in favor of allowing high school students to participate in
stripping, but maintained that the process did not include
the industry members when formulating the bill. The
industry has offered to address the issues of employing high
school students. Ms. McLeod emphasized that this is a local
issue and observed that men and women over 18 years of age
have the right to make their own decisions.
Ms. McLeod recommended that the operations should be
regulated around the State but that the young people in the
18-21 year old range are able to make their own decisions
without the interference of State government.
DIANA L. STRAUB, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), PARENT-
TEACHER ASSOCIATION, ASSEMBLY MEMBER, WASILLA, voiced strong
support for the bill. Through the licensing process, the
public will have the ability to comment. The public should
have the right to comment during the renewal process and the
community would be able to participate in the licensing
process. It is valuable that the public can revoke these
licenses.
Ms. Straub recommended that the licensing process mirror the
liquor licensing process and be regularly checked for
compliance. Requests for application could be approved or
rejected by the State for incompliance. Ms. Straub
recommended that parole be added on Page 4, Line 7 & 8 and
on Page 5, Line 10, also inserting cities and boroughs.
REGINA MANTEUFEL, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), FORMER
STRIPPER, ANCHORAGE, voiced strong support for the
legislation. She urged that the patrons be 21 years old.
She noted that she first started dancing for the military.
Those clients tend to be very rude and often would grab the
dancers. She pointed out that many dancers have stage names
to protect themselves from being followed.
Ms. Manteufel discussed labor laws that a person cannot be
paid a shift rate to work. Dancers cannot be paid their
stage tips to work. Any stage tip is considered a tip and
it is illegal that the owners of the club use that to
suffice minimum wage. She claimed that is done everywhere
and that it is illegal to have a shift-pay.
Ms. Manteufel recommended that the Department of Labor &
Workforce Development visit the clubs twice a year and go
over the labor laws with the dancers, including information
on making a wage claim.
Ms. Manteufel did not support young girls table dancing
naked. She stressed that there should be no naked table
dancing at any age. The original bill contains one-hour
assertiveness training, which she thought would be cost
effective for all clubs.
Ms. Manteufel referenced the domestic violence records for
the State of Alaska, pointing out that the men abusing
between the ages 18-21 years old are usually in the
military.
TAPE HFC 04 - 85, Side A
Ms. Manteufel concluded her testimony and reiterated her
support for the bill.
KATHY HARTMAN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CO-OWNERS,
FANTASIES, ANCHORAGE, spoke against the passage of the bill.
She referenced the packet in member's files. (Copy on
File). She noted that her business is in the Union and is
audited every year for workmen's compensation. She stressed
that much of the testimony is off base. Much of the
information is being provided from very old surveys. She
claimed that the "deep" research performed by Representative
McGuire was not true. She responded to comments made in
previous testimony.
Ms. Hartman pointed out that there are only six of this type
business in the Northern Alaskan area. The Municipality of
Anchorage and Matsu have laws on the books regulating them.
Currently, these businesses are required to do all the
reporting that other businesses are required to provide.
She strongly urged that the bill not be moved from
Committee.
Representative Hawker MOVED a conceptual to Amendment #1,
Page 2, Line 15, inserting language:
(4) Information on the State's wage and labor
laws as it pertains to the entertainer's
employment.
There being NO OBJECTION, the conceptual amendment was
adopted.
Vice Chair Meyer inquired how performances in places like
the Performing Arts Center and out-door theatres that from
time to time offer presentations where clothing is removed,
would be handled.
Representative McGuire responded that the sponsor's were
careful in drafting the legislation that those situations
were not included. There is a definition on Page 10,
outlining an adult oriented business and operating for
compensation. She added that sexually oriented business is
a legally tested term words used throughout the Supreme
Court documentation.
Co-Chair Harris MOVED to report CS HB 367 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 367 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with a new fiscal note by the Department
of Community & Economic Development, a new zero note by the
Department of Public Safety and zero note #2 by the
Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
HOUSE BILL NO. 533
An Act relating to the state's administrative
procedures and to judicial oversight of administrative
matters.
LINDA SYLVESTER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE WEYHRAUCH,
noted that Representative Weyhrauch was carrying the
proposed legislation for the House State Affairs Committee.
She commented that HB 533 was a part of a package put forth
by the Regulation Review Committee, Chaired by Senator
Therriault. The component is called Judicial extraction and
would address circumstances when there is an unreasonable
delay for an instate agency issue.
She stated that Representative Weyhrauch was interested in
carrying the bill, as it would address the impact of
unreasonable delays causing irreparable harm.
DAVE STANCLIFF, STAFF-REGULATION REVIEW COMMITTEE,
REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT, stated that HB 533 was the final
stage of a three-bill system, working through the
Legislature and providing a safety valve.
He referenced the data provided by Legislative Research. To
date, only half the agencies have reported in. It is worthy
to note for the record that since 1980, over 8,000
administrative cases have languished for more than a year.
That does not count the contract-hearing officers. Mr.
Stancliff commented it would be difficult to quantify how
that would affect State government knowing it is a huge
expense. The courts require that the administrative remedy
must be exhausted before they can be brought before the
court. He commented that the trick is to provide a safety
valve without providing too easy a way to opt out of
regulations. He noted that the sponsor had worked with the
Department of Law. By the time it makes it to court, the
court would have three options:
· Site the agency to speed the process up;
· Some type of alternate dispute resolution;
· Claim that it was out there long enough to
come to a resolution and in the matter of
public interest, the court would opt to
consider the case.
Mr. Stancliff pointed out that the theory is, once a safety
value is in place, on-going cases would become resolved.
The reform is not sweeping, but to the businesses and
citizens, it would be a sign that politicians understand
that there are cases, which have gone on too long, and that
there is an alternative option. It is anticipated that once
the Department of Environmental Conservation and the
Department of Education & Early Development weigh in with
the contract cases, there could be somewhere between 12,000
and 15,000 cases that have gone on for more than a year.
The cost is extraordinary.
Mr. Stancliff pointed out the indeterminate notes. The
intention is that once the cases are processed, the savings
would reduce that level by offsetting them. He offered to
answer questions of the Committee.
Representative Hawker asked about the fiscal note from the
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation. He pointed out that note
related to HB 553 (analysis) and should not be included in
the file for HB 533.
Representative Hawker noted that he was disappointed that
Representative Weyhrauch was not present. He asked if the
bill was a vehicle being considered as an administrative
relief language related to the expungement statute. Mr.
Stancliff replied that it had not been considered for that
reason. He discussed that they would respectfully request
that it remain "whole" as it is one part of a three-part
process. Ms. Sylvester interjected that Representative
Weyhrauch was very interested in expungement concept and had
investigated that.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CS HB 533 (JUD) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 533 (JUD) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by
Department of Law, indeterminate note #1 by the Alaska Court
System, indeterminate note #2 by the Commercial Fisheries
Entry Commission, and indeterminate note #3 by the
Department of Health & Social Services.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:53 P.M.
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