CSHB 68(JUD)-OFFICE OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS: INCLUDE MUNIS    SENATOR THERRIAULT made a motion to adopt CSHB 68 (JUD) as the working document. There being no objection, the motion carried. REPRESENTATIVE RALPH SAMUELS, bill sponsor, explained CSHB 68(JUD) is a clarification of the language of the 22nd Legislature in the creation of the Office of Victims' Rights (OVR). The OVR was created in an effort to give victims of crime an independent voice in the criminal justice system. Essentially the OVR is an ombudsman; they have the power to collect data and issue reports to the appropriate body. A situation arose because of the tragic shooting of former Commissioner Glenn Godfrey and his wife Patti in Anchorage. A war of words and attorneys ensued over whether or not the OVR had jurisdiction within a municipality. The municipality said the OVR had no jurisdiction because the word municipality was not specifically in the statute. That was despite the fact that 55 percent of the people live in the municipality and therefore 55 percent of the crime victims are in the municipality. The OVR office is located within the Municipality of Anchorage. This bill merely adds the word municipality. The Anchorage Assembly has passed an ordinance that agrees with this legislation and the Mayor of Anchorage has also agreed. "Everybody has kissed and made up now and the bill is moving forward." SENATOR ELLIS asked if Mr. Branchflower requested the legislation. REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS replied Mayor Wuerch requested it and it was his city attorney who made the ruling that created the conflict. 2:15 pm  SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if there was anything at the time of the original act that talked about OVR being specifically for the state entities or just the opposite. REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS said there was no specific discussion for state entities. He said when he read through the minutes of the various hearings and talked to Senator Halford, the sponsor, it was obvious the intent was to include municipalities. Without the Anchorage Police Department (APD) and the Fairbanks Police Department being included, up to 80 percent of the victims of crime are excluded. According to the sponsor, it was an oversight. SENATOR FRENCH added this would also clear up a potential conflict if APD investigated a case and forwarded it to the State District Attorneys' Office where APD is then an arm of the state agency. Those little disputes are frequent. If the municipal prosecutor handles the case APD is a municipal organization. One investigation would be in the hands of OVR and one would not. He said this is a good idea. REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS said that's true; particularly with the municipal prosecutor's office rather than APD, but this would include both cases. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked about the difference between the original bill and the CS. He asked if it was just the change in the title. REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS answered yes. SENATOR ELLIS said it was always clear to him and the people who worked on this legislation, supported Senator Halford and voted for it that the intent was to cover everyone. He disagreed with the Anchorage Municipal Attorney, Mr. Greene, on many occasions and this opinion was laughable. He added he was pleased this was being corrected. CHAIR SEEKINS observed this is a fairly simple thing to accomplish the intent of the original legislation. SENATOR THERRIAULT moved CSHB 68(JUD) from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. There being no objection, the motion carried.