HB 325-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE  11:46:32 AM CHAIR CLAMAN announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 325, "An Act relating to domestic violence." CHAIR CLAMAN sought final comment from committee members. 11:47:12 AM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE expressed concern about classifying acts of harassment, such as revenge porn, as domestic violence for fear of minimizing [the severity] of physical assault. Ideally, she said, she would want to create a separate section for this egregious conduct; in the meantime, however, she acknowledged the need to provide a tool for individuals dealing with this type of harassment. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said he would be objecting to passing HB 325 from committee because the bill would create a new crime of domestic violence for a non-violent act. REPRESENTATIVE KURKA said he identified with the remarks shared by the two previous speakers. He agreed that revenge porn should be stiffly penalized; however, he disagreed with how the bill classified the conduct as domestic violence. 11:53:14 AM CHAIR CLAMAN characterized the rates of domestic violence in Alaska as appalling. He expressed his support for the bill; however, he cautioned the legislature from viewing it as a solution to the problem. He opined that there would be few changes without changed behavior. 11:54:56 AM The committee took an at-ease at 11:54 a.m. 11:55:15 AM CHAIR CLAMAN asked the bill sponsor, on behalf of Representative Vance, to speak to the intent of the bill. 11:55:51 AM REPRESENTATIVE SARA RASMUSSEN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, explained that with the prevalence of electronic images and revenge porn, the state needed a tool for Alaskans experiencing this type of domestic violence to obtain a restraining order against the perpetrator. She expressed her hope that the cases would be handled seriously by law enforcement without overextending resources from cases involving physical violence. 11:57:09 AM REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND moved to report HB 325 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN objected. 11:57:57 AM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Vance, Drummond, and Claman voted in favor of HB 325. Representative Eastman voted against it. Therefore, HB 325 was reported out of the House Judiciary Standing Committee by a vote of 3-1.