HB 186-DEFINITION OF POLICE OFFICER  5:34:29 PM CHAIR DYSON announced that the next order of business would be HB 186. REPRESENTATIVE CHARISSE MILLET, sponsor of HB 186, introduced the bill. She said the bill defines a police officer so all police officers are covered under the Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) and would receive minimal training approved by the APSC. There are a lot of seasonal and part-time employees who don't have to be trained under APSC and are coming into the police force. This provides difficulties for communities that hire the wrong person. The bill requires all officers receive a minimum level of training. 5:36:15 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there has been any opposition to the bill. REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT said there is no opposition; all police departments and APSC are very supportive. The Sitka Police Department reported that it has had this problem and suggested the change. The Anchorage Police Department fully supports it. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the bill has a zero fiscal note even though more training is required. REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT said yes; the Alaska Police Standards Council covers those costs. SENATOR DYSON asked Senator Wielechowski if he could support the bill. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said yes, barring negative public testimony. 5:38:13 PM MARK MEW, Chief of Police, Anchorage Police Department, testified in support of HB 186. SHELDON SCHMITT, Chair, Alaska Police Standards Council, spoke in support of HB 186. AL BARRETTE, representing himself, testified during the discussion of HB 186. He suggested a friendly amendment to include the Department of Fish and Game officers in the bill and change "a police officer in the state" to "a police officer of the state." REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT explained that Fish and Game officers are covered in the bill. MR. BARRETTE wished to prevent federal agencies from usurping their authority over state officers. REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT thought Mr. Barrette was trying to give authority to Fish and Game officers. She opined that this bill was not the place for that issue. SENATOR DYSON explained that Fish and Game officers are a part of the state troopers and would be covered under HB 186. He noted that the sponsor will look at the federal issue. 5:43:06 PM SENATOR COGHILL moved to report HB 186 from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, it was so ordered.