HB 93 VILLAGE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS PROGRAM Number 503 LARRY LABOLLE, LEGISLATIVE AIDE TO REP. RICHARD FOSTER, PRIME SPONSOR OF HB 93, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Labolle stated that the bill put the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program into statute. He said that the VPSO program had been in existence since 1980, but had not been included in the state statutes. MR. LABOLLE noted that the Department of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) had a concern that this bill would increase the state's liability exposure, but added that it was the sponsor's contention that it actually would decrease the exposure because it would enable the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to set standards. Number 535 CAPTAIN TOM STEARNS, ALASKA STATE TROOPERS, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of the VPSO program. Captain Stearns noted that part of his duties involved supervising the VPSO program, and he believed that the program was widely supported by all of the communities it served. Captain Stearns added that passing this legislation would help give the program some stabilization and direction. Number 550 MARGIE DERENOFF, REPRESENTING THE KODIAK AREA NATIVE ASSOCIATION'S (KANA'S) VPSO PROGRAM, testified in support of HB 93. She stated that the program had been a very positive influence in the communities and she hoped that the committee would support the legislation. Number 572 CHARLES GREDIAGIN, A VILLAGE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER FROM DILLINGHAM, read a resolution dated March 24, 1993, sponsored by 124 communities around the state in support of HB 93. MR. GREDIAGIN echoed Captain Stearns' testimony regarding the need for the program to be recognized in statute. Number 603 REP. GREEN asked if the program was funded by grants and if that would continue to be the case. Number 608 CHAIRMAN PORTER answered "yes," and added that it was his understanding that it would continue in the same way. Number 610 REP. GREEN expressed concern that with the passage of this bill the VPSO employees would eventually become state employees. Number 620 MR. LABOLLE pointed out that section 18.65.670(b) of HB 93 specifically provided for the funding to be through "grants to nonprofit regional corporations." MR. LABOLLE added that by establishing the program in statute, the commissioner of DPS would have regulatory power to further define the program and its goals. Number 646 REP. GREEN inquired who would be liable if a VPSO got hurt under this legislation. MR. LABOLLE answered that it would continue to be the regional corporation, as was the case now. Number 651 REP. KOTT noted that the relationship between DPS and the nonprofit regional corporations had been a contractual one and wondered if that would change. MR. LABOLLE stated that the relationship would not change. REP. JAMES stated that she supported the bill to protect the program from disappearing due to deletion of the grant money. She added that the state could not anticipate what would be proper to do with this program in the future. Number 681 REP. DAVIDSON stated that HB 93 lent legitimacy to the VPSO program. He stated that he supported HB 93 because the VPSO program offered a basic protection to rural Alaska. Number 697 REP. NORDLUND added that he also supported the program but noted that HB 93 did not offer complete protection to the program as the governor and the commissioner of DPS had ways to undercut the program through funding or the lack thereof. Number 704 REP. KOTT supported HB 93 but expressed concerns that the grant mechanism was faulty as the regional nonprofit corporation that administered these grants answered to its shareholders and did not necessarily serve the public's interest. Number 720 REP. JAMES made a motion to move CSHB 93(CRA) out of committee with individual recommendations and a zero fiscal note, and asked for unanimous consent. No objections were heard, and the bill moved out of committee.