HB 24 - SELF DEFENSE  1:07:02 PM CHAIR KELLER announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 24, "An Act relating to self-defense in any place where a person has a right to be." 1:08:29 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG made a motion to adopt Amendment 1, which read [original punctuation provided]: Page 2, line 3, following "any": Insert "other" CHAIR KELLER objected. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG explained that Amendment 1 would clarify that HB 24's proposed new AS 11.81.335(b)(5) addresses locations other than those already outlined in existing AS 11.81.335(b)(1) and (3), which are premises that the person owns or leases, premises where the person resides at, premises where the person is the guest or agent of the owner, lessor, or resident, and a building where the person works in the ordinary course of his/her employment. He added his belief that Amendment 1 would improve HB 24. CHAIR KELLER expressed concern that Amendment 1 might introduce confusion [in cases where the affirmative defense of self- defense is pursued]. 1:14:30 PM REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEUMAN, Alaska State Legislature, as one of the joint prime sponsors of HB 24, characterized Amendment 1 as a friendly amendment, one that would assist in clarifying that [the affirmative defense of self-defense could be available to anyone who uses] deadly force in any place he/she has a right to be - that there is no duty to leave the area if the person is in any place where he/she has a right to be. CHAIR KELLER removed his objection to the motion to adopt Amendment 1. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX, in response to comments, suggested that paragraphs (1)-(5) of proposed AS 11.81.335(b) be reordered such that those paragraphs addressing locations be grouped together separately from those paragraphs addressing persons. REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN, noting that he's had discussions with the drafter, indicated disfavor with making such a change. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX mentioned that the drafter has also recommended that existing AS 11.81.335(b)(1) and (3) be retained regardless that proposed new paragraph (5)'s language would include the locations currently outlined in those paragraphs (1) and (3). CHAIR KELLER ascertained that there were no further objections, and stated that Amendment 1 was adopted. 1:24:45 PM BOB BIRD characterized HB 24 as a wonderful bill, one that he hopes he never has to use, and said he is all in favor of HB 24, adding his belief that it would be helpful in situations wherein [the affirmative defense of self-defense is pursued]. 1:26:30 PM DAVID LEE, referring to the defense of one's self as an absolute right, characterized HB 24 a fabulous bill, and commended the [joint prime sponsors] for introducing it. CHAIR KELLER, offering his understanding that no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 24. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG, mentioning that a lot of his constituents have contacted him expressing support for HB 24, said he would be signing "do pass" on the committee report for HB 24. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX characterized HB 24 as a good bill, and noted that she received many letters from constituents regarding the bill. 1:30:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved to report HB 24, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations [and the accompanying fiscal notes]. There being no objection, CSHB 24(JUD) was reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.