HJR 17 - DESTROY BRADY BILL RECORDS Number 1707 CHAIR ROKEBERG announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17, Urging the President of the United States and the Congress to act to ensure that federal agencies do not retain records relating to lawful purchase or ownership of firearms gathered through the Brady Handgun Bill instant check system. Number 1724 REPRESENTATIVE JOE HAYES, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor, explained that the purpose of HJR 17 is to ensure that the federal government destroy information pertaining to persons who may lawfully own firearms that is gathered per the Brady Handgun Bill. Currently the federal government retains such information although doing so is contrary to both the letter and the spirit of the Brady Handgun Bill. He urged members to pass HJR 17. Number 1800 RALPH SEEKINS, President, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Association (AWCA), testified via teleconference. He stated that the AWCA is in favor of HJR 17, believing that it is an intrusion for the federal government to retain records longer than anything specifically laid out in the Brady Handgun Bill. He concluded by encouraging the legislature to support HJR 17 adding that it is a step in the right direction. CHAIR ROKEBERG closed the public hearing on HJR 17. Number 1880 REPRESENTATIVE OGAN made a motion to adopt Amendment 1: on page 2, line 5, insert "dangerous" after "WHEREAS the". Number 1886 CHAIR ROKEBERG objected. REPRESENTATIVE OGAN withdrew Amendment 1. Number 1894 REPRESENTATIVE JAMES moved to report HJR 17 out of committee with individual recommendations. REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ noted that in the section of HJR 17 that specifies to whom a copy shall be sent to, all but Louis Freeh are referred to as "the Honorable". CHAIR ROKEBERG said this is because Mr. Freeh is an employee rather than an elected official. REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ said he recalls that at one point in time Mr. Freeh was also a federal judge. CHAIR ROKEBERG asked the sponsor to investigate this further because if Mr. Freeh has had the appellation at any time, he retains it. Number 1952 CHAIR ROKEBERG asked whether there were any objections to reporting HJR 17 from committee. There being no objection, HJR 17 was reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.