SENATOR KELLY introduced SB 97 (ENHANCED 911 SYSTEMS) and invited the sponsor, SENATOR DRUE PEARCE, to review her bill. She clarified the committee was on teleconference to Anchorage and Soldotna. SENATOR PEARCE offered a committee substitute as a working draft, and said the legislation would enable the emergency dispatchers to better assist people who call 911 when they are in a threatening situation. She explained victims, often the elderly and the very young, have difficulty giving clear directions after they dial 911, and if passed the bill would create a mechanism to help fund and enhance the 911 recording systems. SENATOR PEARCE said the bill was permissive, and the benefits would be the immediate visual display of the location of the caller to the dispatcher, automatic routing to appropriate emergency response unit, for a faster response time. Also, there would be a curtailment of the abuses of the system, except in certain cases. SENATOR PEARCE gave some history of the legislation and explained that REPRESENTATIVE FRAN ULMER had been working on a similar bill, which was of great interest locally. She thought there might also be some interest state-wide. SENATOR KELLY opened the teleconference to Soldotna and introduced TOM BOEDEKER, Attorney for the Kenai Peninsula Borough. MR. BOEDEKER indicated support for CSSB 97 from the Kenai Peninsula Borough for the enhanced 911 system, and he discussed the cost factors. He was pleased the bill was put under Title 29 rather than Title 42, as it would allow some flexibility in dealing with the issue. SENATOR KELLY invited LARRY CRAWFORD, Manager for the Municipality of Anchorage, to testify. Number 098 MR. CRAWFORD said the municipality supported the bill, but was unclear as to the cost. SENATOR RIEGER asked MR. CRAWFORD whether the boundaries of the Anchorage Telephone Utility match up with the Municipality of Anchorage. MR. CRAWFORD explained it nearly did, and in talking to ATU, it was indicated they could collect fees from the MatSu - Eagle River area, as well. They discussed border lines and agreements. JOHN GEORGE, representing the Alaska State Fire Fighters Association and the Alaska State Fire Chiefs Association, testified in favor of the legislation to enhance the 911 system. He praised the bill as being a funding mechanism to support the system and make it work. GORDON PARKER, Director of Carrier Relations for the Anchorage Telephone Utility, indicated the utility's support for the legislation, and he gave some history of previous support from other telephone companies in the state. Number 158 LARRY FANNING, the Fire Chief representing the City and Borough of Juneau, in supporting the bill and offered a recommendation to enhance the 911 system. He suggested they send the communications by radio to the emergency response units from the information received at the public safety answering point. He explained how the extra communication would work, and SENATOR KELLY asked if he had proposed language. MR. FANNING directed the committee to page 7 of the work draft, and conceptualized an amendment, which would include essential communication equipment necessary for the success of the emergency response. SENATOR KELLY suggested some language on line 22, of page 7, and the amendment passed. Without objections, so ordered. Number 180 SENATOR RIEGER directed attention to page 5, lines 8 and 9, and asked for clarification on the wording. He moved to amend the language on those lines to include "all of" before city and municipality. Without objections, so ordered. SENATOR RIEGER moved to adopt the CS FOR SB. 97 incorporating the new amendments. Without objections, so ordered. SENATOR RIEGER moved to pass CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 97(L&C) from committee with individual recommendations and a zero fiscal note. Without objections, so ordered.