SB 53 - REVOKE DRIVER'S LIC. FOR FATAL ACCIDENT Number 2335 CHAIR McGUIRE announced that the next order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 53, "An Act relating to disposition of a traffic offense involving the death of a person; providing for the revocation of driving privileges by a court for a driver convicted of a violation of traffic laws in connection with a fatal motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle accident; amending Rules 43 and 43.1, Alaska Rules of Administration; and providing for an effective date." Number 2340 SENATOR SCOTT OGAN, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 53, said that he has been working on this legislation for nine years. He noted that last year, Governor Knowles introduced this bill, and although it passed the House, it didn't have time to pass the Senate. Senate Bill 53 would give the Alaska Supreme Court the ability to establish rules that require a court appearance for a fatal car accident that resulted from a traffic violation. TAPE 03-66, SIDE B  Number 2392 SENATOR OGAN said that this bill was engendered by an accident that took the lives of two dear friend's sons. Because the person responsible for causing that fatal accident had only violated a traffic law, he had six points taken off his driver's license, had to perform community service, and had to pay a minimal fine. He mentioned that in order to be charged with manslaughter, there has to be a culpable mental state. Thus, merely running a red light or engaging in some other traffic violation could not reach that level of charge even if a resulting accident caused another's death. What SB 53 would do is it would allow for more than just a small fine and community work service if a person violated a traffic law and any resulting accident caused another's death. He relayed that at one point, someone provided testimony that a person who'd caused a fatal accident by running a red light had only gotten a $50 fine. SENATOR OGAN indicated that adoption of SB 53 is simply a matter of justice. In addition to requiring a court appearance, the bill provides the court with the discretion to revoke a driver's license for up to three years and grant limited licenses in hardship cases. He opined that SB 53 is a balanced bill, and noted that it does not alter existing language. He asked the committee for its support of the bill. REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS opined that SB 53 is a good idea. He thanked Senator Ogan for bringing it forward. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG mentioned that he's had very close friends of his die in an accident that was caused by someone who'd been watching a DVD while driving an RV. He also mentioned that several states have made it a crime to operate a vehicle while watching a DVD. He asked whether a similar provision could fit into SB 53. SENATOR OGAN relayed that the person responsible for that accident was charged with manslaughter. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said that he wanted to specifically make it against the law to operate a vehicle while watching a DVD. SENATOR OGAN suggested that perhaps legislation to that effect could be introduced next year. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG agreed. Number 2176 REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON moved to report SB 53 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SB 53 was reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.