SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE April 3, 2008 9:10 a.m. CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order at 9:10:09 AM. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair Senator Kim Elton Senator Donny Olson Senator Joe Thomas MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Fred Dyson ALSO PRESENT Michael Pawlowski, Staff, Co-Chair Meyer PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE None SUMMARY CSHB 19(FIN) "An Act relating to ignition interlock devices; to limited driver's license privileges; and to ignition interlock limited driver's license privileges." SCS CSHB 19(JUD) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with four new fiscal notes: a zero fiscal note by the Department of Law, a zero fiscal note by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, a fiscal note by the Department of Administration, and an indeterminate fiscal note by the Department of Corrections. CSHB 75(STA) "An Act relating to driver's licenses and to alcohol and drug awareness and safety testing." CSHB 75(CRA) was REPORTED out of Committee with "no recommendation" and with a new zero fiscal note by the Department of Health and Social Services and a new fiscal note by the Department of Administration. CSHB 285(CRA) "An Act relating to an optional exemption from municipal property taxes for residences of widows and widowers of certain members of the armed forces of the United States." CSHB 285(CRA) was REPORTED out of Committee with "no recommendation" and with fiscal note #1 by the Department of Administration. 9:11:04 AM CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 19(FIN) "An Act relating to ignition interlock devices; to limited driver's license privileges; and to ignition interlock limited driver's license privileges." MICHAEL PAWLOWSKI, STAFF, CO-CHAIR MEYER, addressed previous questions from the Committee in a memorandum dated March 31, 2008 (copy on file.) He answered a question from Senator Elton asking if Section 2 would lead municipalities to defer prosecutions to the Department of Law. He noted that the Department of Law does not think this will happen and has issued a new zero fiscal note. Mr. Pawlowski spoke to Senator Elton's question about coordination between DMV and the Court System. He explained that the DMV and Court System already coordinate in regards to license revocations and ignition interlock devices can make that easier because they use an automated system. Mr. Pawlowski addressed a previous question from Senator Elton about a performance based exit before a person is allowed to drive without an ignition interlock device. He reported that Senator French's additions to HB 19 require a person maintain an ignition interlock device on their vehicle for a minimum period during their probation. The sponsor believes that the current probation system is comprehensive enough to evaluate when a person should or should not exit the program. A minimum period is required under statute, which leaves it open for an extension. Mr. Pawlowski responded to a previous question from Senator Dyson about seizure of a vehicle that someone else who requires an interlock device was driving. AS 28.36.037 provides remission for that situation. Another question was about allowing felons to have an ignition interlock limited license. Mr. Pawlowski maintained that the preference is to stick with what has been drafted, which applies only to misdemeanor offenders. The final question was raised about which communities were exempted from requiring an ignition interlock device. Mr. Pawlowski reported that the list was prepared by DMV and is attached to the memo. 9:15:18 AM Co-Chair Stedman listed the fiscal notes. Senator Elton voiced appreciation for the sponsor's response to the questions. 9:16:00 AM Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT SCS CSHB 19(JUD) out of Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SCS CSHB 19(JUD) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with four new fiscal notes: a zero fiscal note by the Department of Law, a zero fiscal note by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, a fiscal note by the Department of Administration, and an indeterminate fiscal note by the Department of Corrections. 9:17:27 AM CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 75(STA) "An Act relating to driver's licenses and to alcohol and drug awareness and safety testing." Co-Chair Stedman noted two fiscal notes with the bill. Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT CSHB 75(STA) from Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 75(CRA) was REPORTED out of Committee with "no recommendation" and with a new zero fiscal note by the Department of Health and Social Services and a new fiscal note by the Department of Administration. AT-EASE: 9:18:32 AM RECONVENED: 9:19:23 AM CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 285(CRA) "An Act relating to an optional exemption from municipal property taxes for residences of widows and widowers of certain members of the armed forces of the United States." Senator Huggins complimented the sponsor and staff for their hard work. 9:20:31 AM Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT CSHB 285(CRA) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 285(CRA) was REPORTED out of Committee with "no recommendation" and with fiscal note #1 by the Department of Administration. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 AM.