SB 87-SEAT BELT VIOLATION AS PRIMARY OFFENSE  8:35:40 AM CHAIR SEEKINS announced SB 87 up for review. He called Senator Con Bunde and Ms. Lauren Wickersham to introduce SB 87. SENATOR CON BUNDE introduced SB 87. Over 20 years ago federal law passed requiring the use of seatbelts. SB 87 addresses enforcement of that law. Currently Alaska has a secondary seatbelt law, meaning one can be stopped for not wearing a seatbelt only if their passenger is 16 years or younger. One can be issued a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt only if stopped by an officer for another offense. SB 87 proposes a seatbelt violation could be probable cause for an officer to stop a vehicle. Research shows the majority of Alaskans wear seatbelts. Failure to use seatbelts cost Alaskans thousands because insurance rates are negatively impacted. Monetary losses also impact Medicaid. In states where a primary seatbelt law is in effect, seatbelt usage has gone up. Had last year's bill passed it would have delivered a positive monetary impact and seven people would still be alive. 8:41:57 AM MS. LAUREN WICKERSHAM, staff to Senator Con Bunde, referenced a survey of 586 people. The survey indicated most people favor a law requiring seatbelt use. 8:43:36 AM CHAIR SEEKINS commented he spoke with a national highway traffic safety officer and statistics show that seven Alaskans would be alive had the previous bill passed. Damages, loss of income, hardships, and economic and sociological impact also should be considered. 8:46:46 AM SENATOR BUNDE concluded with reference to a news article. SB 87 will save lives. Others' rights stop when they impact other people. 87 percent of accidents cost Alaskans money in some form. 8:50:06 AM MS. JOAN DIMOND, municipality of Anchorage, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), testified SB 87 is a priority of the city of Anchorage. SB 87 will save lives and reduce medical costs. 8:52:34 AM LT. TODD SHARP, Alaska State Troopers, offered to answer questions. SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS asked Lt. Sharp the cause and effect of SB 87. LT. SHARP said the data shows when SB 87 passes, more people will wear seatbelts through education efforts. CHAIR SEEKINS asked Lt. Sharp if he anticipated troopers would stop vehicles more frequently. LT. SHARP answered no. SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH asked Lt. Sharp if a trooper would make a stop if s/he were unsure whether someone was wearing a seatbelt. LT. SHARP answered that would not be a probable cause. The trooper has to be certain. 8:55:05 AM SENATOR GRETCHEN GUESS made a motion to move SB 87 out of committee with individual recommendations and zero fiscal notes. There being no objections, it was so ordered.