SENATE BILL NO. 64 "An Act establishing the Alaska Sentencing Commission; relating to jail-time credit for offenders in court- ordered treatment programs; allowing a reduction of penalties for offenders successfully completing court- ordered treatment programs for persons convicted of driving while under the influence or refusing to submit to a chemical test; relating to court termination of a revocation of a person's driver's license; relating to limitation of drivers' licenses; relating to conditions of probation and parole; and providing for an effective date." 5:15:31 PM Co-Chair Kelly MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee substitute for CS SB 64 (FIN), Work Draft 28-LS0116\L (Gardner, 3/12/14). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CHRISTINE MARASIGAN, STAFF, SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, remarked that the most substantial change was in the CS was adding the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission as it was in the original version. She pointed out that the commission was increased from 10 to 12 members. In the original 12 members there were two legislators from each body, this was reduced by two, so there was only one legislator from the senate and one legislator from the house. Co-Chair Meyer surmised that the membership was reduced from 12 to 10. Ms. Marasigan agreed. Ms. Marasigan shared that the second significant date was a sunset date in 2018, which was contingent on an audit, which was the third change in the CS. The only other changes were small editorial changes that were addressed while waiting for the fiscal changes. Co-Chair Meyer wondered if there were conversations with the sponsor's office regarding the changes. Ms. Marasigan replied in the affirmative. Co-Chair Meyer stated that the sponsor was present. He asked for explanation of the new fiscal notes. He wondered if there were any questions from committee members. Senator Olson stated that he had some questions regarding the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission. Ms. Marasigan explained the fiscal notes. 5:20:14 PM AT EASE 5:23:37 PM RECONVENED Ms. Marasigan referred to a comparison sheet that outlined the differences between the old fiscal notes and new fiscal notes (copy on file). Co-Chair Meyer wondered if the fiscal note for 2015 had been reduced from $6.9 million to $3.2 million. Ms. Marasigan replied in the affirmative. Co-Chair Meyer surmised that the fiscal note for 2016 had been reduced from $7.4 million to $3.8 million. Ms. Marasigan agreed. Co-Chair Meyer noted that the number of positions was reduced from 23 through 34 to 17 through 28. Ms. Marasigan agreed. Co-Chair Meyer wondered how those reductions affected the program. He assumed the program was still intact, but the numbers were moved from Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and Department of Corrections (DOC). Ms. Marasigan agreed. She explained that the DHSS had more infrastructures to deal with the grant recidivism fund, wish programs in place to absorb some of those costs. Vice-Chair Fairclough wondered how the $4 million in program receipts were affected by the legislation. Ms. Marasigan deferred to Ms. Ryder. 5:28:25 PM AMANDA RYDER, FISCAL ANALYST, LEGISLATIVE FINANCE DIVISION, (LFD) explained that the program receipt funds were possibly over-inflated. The fiscal notes were a more accurate reflection of the program. Vice-Chair Fairclough asked if the inter-agency receipts on the fiscal note were intended for the health position. Ms. Marasigan replied in the affirmative. She stated that there was an existing program for testing that would be contracted out for services. Vice-Chair Fairclough wondered if there was enough capacity inside the budget to spend the extra money without additional appropriation power. Ms. Marasigan replied that the current program was in three different communities, and the program would be phased in. She remarked that the purpose of the program was to reduce recidivism. Co-Chair Meyer asked if the sponsor was supportive of the changes in the legislation. 5:33:18 PM SENATOR JOHN COGHILL, responded that he was in support of the legislation. He shared that he would continue to work on the licensing provisions, but could not be included in the current version of the legislation. Senator Olson queried the reason why a task force or audit capability could not take the place of the commission, rather than another financial burden. Senator Coghill understood that concern. He felt that a group must be organized to represent the best in the industry including superior and supreme court justices; public defenders; prosecutors; and individuals in the Alaska Native population to ensure that the best efforts were practiced under the rigid sentencing laws. He felt that the commission must be highly professional in order to deliver the most informed recommendations related to ensuring public safety and examining some flexibility in the current laws. Vice-Chair Fairclough looked at the combined total of new travel of over $50,000. She asked for explanation of the ongoing travel funding. Ms. Marasigan deferred to Ms. Huston. LESLIE HUSTON, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, assumed the question was related to the $23,000 in travel in association with the implementation of PACE for probation and parole statewide. The funds were necessary for the response for the swift, certain, and short-term offenders. Vice-Chair Fairclough stressed that there was an addition of $50,000 worth of new travel. Ms. Huston only saw $23,000 in travel. Vice-chair Fairclough remarked that the new travel costs included more departments than just DOC. 5:41:55 PM AT EASE 5:43:03 PM RECONVENED Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to REPORT CS SB 64 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS SB 64 (FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with previously published zero fiscal notes: FN:8(ADM), FN:9(ADM), FN:10(ADM), FN:11(LAW), FN:12(GOV); three new fiscal impact notes from the Senate Finance Committee; new fiscal impact note from the Department of Corrections; new fiscal impact note from the Alaska Court System; and new zero fiscal note from the Alaska Court System.