SB 306 G.O. BONDS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES  LAURIE OTTO, Deputy Attorney General, explained SB 306 was introduced by the Senate Rules Committee at the request of the Governor. Prisons are overcrowded and have not been expanded since 1988. Debate has focussed on whether to issue general obligation bonds to build more prisons or to privatize future prisons. The proposed committee substitute would provide for a general obligation bond vote on the ballot to expand regional facilities, and allow the Municipality of Anchorage to enter into lease agreements with private prison contractors. JOHN YARBOR, Alaska State Employees Association, testified he originally supported the bill, but is opposed to Section 7 which appears to allow the state to contract out for private prison employees. He asked the committee to include a letter of intent to accompany the bill to request that a 15 percent savings be shown in prisons that are privatized. SENATOR ADAMS asked Mr. Yarbor if he had prepared a draft letter of intent. MR. YARBOR had not. SENATOR ADAMS discussed a draft letter of intent for the committee's approval which would require the Department of Labor to keep statistics on prison work forces, union and non-union, showing the percentage of Alaskans hired. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR noted version F of the proposed committee substitute does not make any reference to the Municipality of Anchorage. SENATOR GREEN moved to adopt version F as the Senate Judiciary committee substitute. There being no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR ADAMS moved adoption of the amendment submitted by the Department of Revenue. There being no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR GREEN moved SCS CSSB 306(JUD) as amended from committee with individual recommendations, with Senator Adams' letter of intent. There being no objection, the motion carried.