HB 152:  JURISDICTION OF MAGISTRATES                                         
                                                                               
  Number 201                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title of HB 152 and called for                       
  testimony on the bill.                                                       
                                                                               
  Number 206                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHARLES S. "CHRIS" CHRISTENSEN III, STAFF COUNSEL FOR THE                    
  ALASKA COURT SYSTEM, testified in favor of HB 152.  He                       
  explained how it would modify jurisdiction of magistrates to                 
  allow them to hear cases involving minor offenses, and also                  
  to hear cases of post-conviction relief.  He stated this was                 
  an effort to relieve district judges of a heavy caseload.                    
                                                                               
  Number 296                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS asked if HB 152 would preclude                        
  possible appeals to a higher court.                                          
                                                                               
  Number 303                                                                   
                                                                               
  MR. CHRISTENSEN stated it would not.                                         
                                                                               
  Number 310                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY questioned the language in one line of HB 152                 
  which allowed magistrates to hear misdemeanor cases that                     
  were not minor offenses, when in another line, magistrates                   
  would be allowed to hear minor offenses.                                     
                                                                               
  Number 315                                                                   
                                                                               
  MR. CHRISTENSEN noted the discrepancy, and suggested a                       
  committee substitute (CS) might be appropriate.                              
                                                                               
  Number 327                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted that a motion for amendment would be                    
  appropriate.                                                                 
                                                                               
  Number 338                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if a revision was made, whether the                     
  provision for misdemeanors in one line and then minor                        
  offenses in another would be redundant.                                      
                                                                               
  Number 347                                                                   
                                                                               
  MR. CHRISTENSEN said it would not.                                           
                                                                               
  Number 357                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if magistrates would have jurisdiction                  
  in a felony case.                                                            
                                                                               
  Number 369                                                                   
                                                                               
  MR. CHRISTENSEN explained it would only give a magistrate                    
  jurisdiction in those cases where a misdemeanor defendant                    
  consented to such a hearing.                                                 
                                                                               
  Number 376                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked the cost advantage of a magistrate                      
  handling such cases over a district judge.                                   
                                                                               
  Number 385                                                                   
                                                                               
  MR. CHRISTENSEN explained that a district judge made between                 
  $80,000 to $90,000 a year plus benefits, but magistrates                     
  were state employees paid at five step ranges with a maximum                 
  of about $50,000.                                                            
                                                                               
  Number 399                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY PROPOSED a CS to HB 152 that deleted the                      
  underlined portion of line 5, page 2, without objection.                     
                                                                               
  Number 424                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY entertained a MOTION to allow CSHB 152 to be                  
  MOVED from committee with individual recommendations.                        
                                                                               
  Number 425                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE BETTYE DAVIS MOVED for acceptance of CSHB 152                 
  and for it to be moved from committee.                                       
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY called for a short at ease at 8:26 a.m., and                  
  reconvened at 8:28 a.m.                                                      
                                                                               
  Number 434                                                                   
                                                                               
  Committee Substitute to HB 152 was PASSED unanimously with                   
  individual recommendations.                                                  
                                                                               
  ADJOURNMENT                                                                  
                                                                               
  Number 449                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY adjourned the meeting at 8:31 a.m.