HOUSE BILL NO. 52 "An Act relating to the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision and the State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision; amending Rules 4 and 24, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date." CANDACE BROWER, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS provided information on HB 52. She noted that the legislation would repeal the current Interstate Compact for adult offender supervision and replace it with a new Compact. The old compact was enacted nationally in 1937 and in Alaska in 1957. The compact governs the state-to-state transfer and supervision of parolees and probationers. It is a reciprocal agreement to exchange these persons across state lines and continue needed supervision. The current compact is old and outdated. There are currently 2 million probationers and parolees nationwide. She noted that if Alaska were one of the first states to enact the compact that it would have a voice in decisions. The current compact is not much more than a gentleman's agreement between states. There is no mechanism for acquiring or maintaining routine data or structure to adopt rules to enforce compliance, or adequately consider victims. The restructuring provides more oversight at state and national levels and promotes communications between states. Offenders that cross state lines are overseen by thousands of different parole and probation officers operating within hundreds of different agencies. This fragmented system makes it difficult to account for offenders. The compact creates an effective management system that addresses public safety concerns and offender accountability. There have been a variety of entities working on the legislation. The compact would go into effect when it has been enacted by 35 states. The department feels that it is important to be one of the first 35 states to enact the legislation in order to have a voice in the rule making process. Representative John Davies spoke in support of the legislation and stressed the importance of Alaska's participation. Representative Whitaker asked if any states indicated that they would refuse involvement. Ms. Brower pointed out that many of the Western states have enacted the legislation. Fees are based on population and volume. Alaska exports more offenders than it imports. Representative Hudson asked if there is anything comparable with Canada. Ms. Brower stated that there is no similar agreement with Canada. In response to a question by Representative Croft, Ms. Brower observed that there are 343 Alaskan parolees or probationers being supervised outside of Alaska. There are 220 parolees or probationers from other states being supervised in Alaska. MICHAEL STARK, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF LAW provided information on the legislation. He pointed out that there is no way for the state to enforce rule violations under the current compact. The new compact will provide enforcement mechanisms. He stressed the need to prevent a dumping of parolees or probationers. The compact is looking at the establishment of a national registry system to track all parolees or probationers outside of their states. There would be an annual report. Alaska would have recourse to require other states to recall parolees or probationers that are not authorized in Alaska. Representative John Davies MOVED to report HB 52 out of Committee with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HB 52 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with two previously published fiscal impact notes by the Department of Corrections (#1 and #2).