05/07/1997 01:20 PM Senate JUD

                   SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE                                  
                          May 7, 1997                                          
                           1:20 p.m.                                           
                                                                               
  MEMBERS PRESENT                                                              
                                                                               
 Senator Robin Taylor, Chair                                                   
 Senator Drue Pearce, Vice-chair                                               
 Senator Mike Miller                                                           
 Senator Sean Parnell                                                          
                                                                               
  MEMBERS ABSENT                                                               
                                                                               
 Senator Johnny Ellis                                                          
                                                                               
  COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                           
                                                                               
 HOUSE BILL NO. 163                                                            
 "An Act relating to designating gamma-Hydroxybutyrate as a schedule           
 IVA controlled substance; and providing for an effective date."               
                                                                               
 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 50(FIN)                                                 
 "An Act relating to the use of broadcasting to promote certain                
 classics or sweepstakes; and providing for an effective date."                
                                                                               
  PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION                                             
                                                                               
 HB 163 - No previous Senate committee action.                                 
                                                                               
 HB 50 - See Senate Judiciary minutes dated 5/1/97.                            
                                                                               
  WITNESS REGISTER                                                             
                                                                               
 Representative Al Vezey                                                       
 Alaska State Legislature                                                      
 State Capitol                                                                 
 Juneau, Alaska  99801-1182                                                    
  POSITION STATEMENT:   Sponsor of HB 163                                      
                                                                               
 Tom Manninen                                                                  
 Legislative Aide to Representative Hodgins                                    
 Alaska State Legislature                                                      
 State Capitol                                                                 
 Juneau, Alaska  99801-1182                                                    
  POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified for the sponsor of HB 50                     
                                                                               
 Representative Mark Hodgins                                                   
 Alaska State Legislature                                                      
 State Capitol                                                                 
 Juneau, Alaska  99081-1182                                                    
  POSITION STATEMENT:   Sponsor of HB 50                                       
                                                                               
  ACTION NARRATIVE                                                             
                                                                               
 TAPE 97-34, SIDE A                                                            
 Number 00                                                                     
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN ROBIN TAYLOR  called the Judiciary Committee meeting to             
 order at 1:20 p.m.  Present were Senators Taylor, Miller and                  
 Pearce.  The first order of business before the committee was HB
.                                                                          
       HB 163 GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE AS CONTROLLED SUBST                       
                                                                            
  REPRESENTATIVE AL VEZEY , sponsor of HB 163, explained the bill is           
 an effort to classify the drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate as a                     
 controlled substance under Schedule IV-A of Alaska's controlled               
 substance act.                                                                
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  noted Representative Vezey previously discussed the         
 issue with many committee members who are concerned about the date-           
 rape drugs that have been proliferating on the market.  He thanked            
 Representative Vezey for bringing this important piece of                     
 legislation to the committee's attention.                                     
                                                                               
 There being no questions,  SENATOR MILLER  moved HB 163 out of                
 committee with individual recommendations.  There being no                    
 objection, the motion carried.                                                
          HB  50 BROADCASTING OF RAFFLES AND CLASSICS                         
                                                                              
  TOM MANNINEN , legislative aide to Representative Hodgins, sponsor           
 of the measure, explained HB 50 removes the prohibition on                    
 broadcast advertising for legislatively-identified Classics.   At             
 present, the only Classics that are allowed to use broadcasting are           
 fishing derbies.                                                              
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  remarked the bill is self-explanatory, and does not         
 expand the classics, but allows the legislatively-designated                  
 raffles the opportunity to advertise on public radio.                         
                                                                               
  MR. MANNINEN  clarified HB 50 gives the Classics the opportunity to          
 use broadcast advertising.                                                    
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  asked if that includes all forms of media.   MR.            
 MANNINEN  explained it would allow groups to use broadcast                    
 advertising, but not to conduct charitable gaming activity when               
 using it.                                                                     
                                                                               
 Number 076                                                                    
                                                                               
  SENATOR MILLER  expressed concern about HB 50 because of his                 
 opposition to gaming legislation.  He stated although HB 50 does              
 not add any new Classics, allowing existing Classics to use air               
 waves is an expansion of gaming activities.  He noted he would not            
 be supporting this legislation.                                               
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  announced Senator Parnell had arrived, and that             
 Representative Hodgins was available to speak to HB 50.                       
                                                                               
  SENATOR PARNELL  noted he would not be supporting HB 50 either.              
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE HODGINS  stated that he agrees with Senator Miller            
 regarding the issue of gambling, however the Legislature has                  
 allowed certain sweepstakes, fishing derbies, to use the broadcast            
 media.  HB 50 would allow other legislatively-designated                      
 sweepstakes the same ability.  As the Legislature cuts funding, it            
 is difficult to not allow community groups the opportunity to try             
 to raise money for scholarships, etc.  He clarified the Classics do           
 not involve pull-tabs or bingo, or any other game of chance.                  
                                                                               
  SENATOR MILLER  agreed with Representative Hodgins that the                  
 Legislature has created an uneven playing field, but he would                 
 heartily support the bill if it disallowed all groups from using              
 the broadcast media.                                                          
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  stated HB 50 would be pending before the committee          
 and adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m.