HB 155-COURT SYSTEM PROVIDE VISITORS & EXPERTS  1:45:50 PM CHAIR CLAMAN announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 155, "An Act relating to court-appointed visitors and experts; relating to the powers and duties of the office of public advocacy; relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Court System; and providing for an effective date." 1:46:25 PM CHAIR CLAMAN reminded members that at a prior hearing on HB 155, a question had been asked of Doug Wooliver as to how many cases were filed each year under [AS 47.30.839], which pertains to court ordered administration of medication. He reported that last year there were a total of 63 cases: 50 in Anchorage; 5 in Fairbanks; 5 in Juneau; and 3 in Palmer. He said he looked at the conservatorship-related statute - conservatorship being managed by the court system - and listed were a number of items that need to be put in a report. He observed there is no similar recording requirements that are in the guardianship provision. He questioned if there is a reason for that. 1:48:10 PM JAMES STINSON, Director, Office of Public Advocacy, Department of Administration, answered that since 1984, "it has essentially not been needed to be stated." He explained that court visitors are doing the same thing, whether it's a conservatorship case or a guardianship case; they are giving an independent investigative report to the court. He continued: At the point the court takes administration of this program over, I imagine they could set their own administrative requirements or ... give guidance into what they need in a report, because ultimately a judge is having to make a finding on whether or not a certain threshold is met for somebody to get a conservatorship or to get a guardianship in either case, so there has to be sufficient evidence of that, and the court visitor ... report is sort of one of those important pieces of evidence where they can collect ... medical evidence and other things that can give a court the ability to make that decision. MR. STINSON concluded that he does not think it is necessary for the guardianship statute to mirror the conservatorship statute. He added, "I imagine it'll continue to be the same." 1:49:28 PM CHAIR CLAMAN invited final comments from committee members. 1:49:39 PM REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND said HB 155 "sounds like a smart move" and she has no problem supporting it. 1:49:52 PM REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN mentioned the two fiscal notes and questioned why, if one department gains a service the other one loses, the cost would not remain consistent. He observed the amount would increase. 1:51:09 PM CHAIR CLAMAN noted for the record that Representative Snyder would be voting via Teams. 1:51:22 PM REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER moved to report HB 155 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 155 was reported out of the House Judiciary Standing Committee.