SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE April 1, 2016 1:06 p.m. 1:06:30 PM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair MacKinnon called the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:06 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Anna MacKinnon, Co-Chair Senator Pete Kelly, Co-Chair Senator Peter Micciche, Vice-Chair Senator Click Bishop Senator Mike Dunleavy Senator Lyman Hoffman Senator Donny Olson MEMBERS ABSENT None ALSO PRESENT Jordan Schilling, Staff, Senator John Coghill; Graham Smith, Southeast Monitoring and Compliance Services, Juneau; Sarra Khlifi, Alaska Food Coalition, Juneau; Kara Nelson, Director, Haven House, Juneau; Michelle Federico, Self, Juneau; Veronica Parks, Haven House, Juneau. PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Anne Seymour, National Victim Advocate, Michigan; Katherine Hansen, Acting Director, Office of Victims Rights, Anchorage; Janet Kincaid, Self, Palmer; Clinton Cerda, Self, Palmer; Marty Kincaid, Self, Palmer; Tony Piper, ASAP Program Manager, Department of Health and Social Services, Anchorage; Ronald Michael Allen Jr., Self, Fairbanks; Casey St. Rose, Fairbanks Reentry Coalition, Fairbanks; Cara Durr, Food Bank of Alaska, Anchorage; Nikki Hines, Coordinator, Fairbanks Prisoner Re-Entry Program, Fairbanks; Butch Moore, Self, Anchorage; Reese Burke, Self, Fairbanks; Edward Smagge, Self, Fairbanks; Michael Jeffery, Self, Barrow; Chris Nettels, Member, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Anchorage; Marna Sanford, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Fairbanks; Christina Love, Self, Juneau; Vicki Wallner, Founder, Stop Valley Thieves, Palmer; Jayce Robertson, Self, Kenai; Zachary Finkel, Self, Fairbanks. SUMMARY SB 91 OMNIBUS CRIM LAW and PROCEDURE; CORRECTIONS SB 91 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. SENATE BILL NO. 91 "An Act relating to protective orders; relating to conditions of release; relating to community work service; relating to credit toward a sentence of imprisonment for certain persons under electronic monitoring; relating to the restoration under certain circumstances of an administratively revoked driver's license, privilege to drive, or privilege to obtain a license; allowing a reduction of penalties for offenders successfully completing court-ordered treatment programs for persons convicted of driving under the influence; relating to termination of a revocation of a driver's license; relating to restoration of a driver's license; relating to credits toward a sentence of imprisonment, to good time deductions, and to providing for earned good time deductions for prisoners; relating to the disqualification of persons convicted of certain felony drug offenses from participation in the food stamp and temporary assistance programs; relating to probation; relating to mitigating factors; relating to treatment programs for prisoners; relating to the duties of the commissioner of corrections; amending Rules 32 and 35(b), Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date." 1:07:08 PM Co-Chair MacKinnon queried comments regarding the notion of jail term versus continuing to incarcerate perpetrators of sexual violence. She hoped that there would be a new perspective. 1:09:20 PM ANNE SEYMOUR, NATIONAL VICTIM ADVOCATE, MICHIGAN (via teleconference) read from a written statement: Good afternoon Chairwoman McKinnon and Chairman Kelly and members of the Alaska Senate Finance Committee, and thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of Senate Bill 91. I helped facilitate the outreach to crime victims, survivors and victim service professionals last year in the early stages of the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission's reform initiative, and I'd like to talk briefly today about this process. I've been a national crime victim advocate for 33 years and, in the 1980s, co-founded what is now the National Center for Victims of Crime. I have worked in all 50 states and at the Federal level to improve victims' rights and services. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of five national organizations that promote pretrial justice; safety and crime prevention on college campuses; victim services in corrections; and international victim assistance. I am also a member of the Victims Committees of all three major national corrections associations, and had the honor of serving on the DC Sentencing Commission for nearly a decade. Over the past two decades, I've worked in Alaska, first to support your state's victims' constitutional amendment and later on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice on efforts that helped create your Department of Corrections victim services program; and that helped ensure that victim safety and concerns are addressed through sex offender management and policy. I offer this brief background as a way of showing that I have been quite "deep in the weeds" in criminal justice and corrections reform efforts for my entire career, and this involvement has been to simply assure that victims' voices are heard, and that when we speak often about "public safety," that we also consider the "individual safety" of victims, survivors and members of our communities. I recall with great frustration and sadness my early days as a victim advocate, when victims had virtually no rights. They were an "afterthought" in justice processes if they were thought about at all - the mother of a murdered child in Texas spoke of the need for victims' rights when she said: "Just about the only right a victim of crime has is to be present at the commission of the crime." We watched from the sidelines as justice reform efforts passed in state after state with little or no consideration of victims' concerns. I think it's also important to note that in the early 1990s, I was a national leader in my field in the movement to build more prisons and lengthen sentences for violent offenders. This was, again, a time when victims had few rights and their voices remained largely un-heard. To say "times have changed" is an understatement. To me, the most significant change in justice reform and reinvestment efforts is the strategic, proactive involvement of crime victims, survivors and those who serve them. Over the past five years, I've been involved in justice reinvestment efforts in almost 20 states, and I've learned that the needs of victims vary widely from state-to-state. South Dakota's reinvestment is helping to build a statewide victim notification system. In Pennsylvania, one of the outcomes now provides victim advocates for victims of juvenile offenders. Hawaii's reinvestment overhauled that state's victim restitution program to the point that it is now considered the "standard" for our field. And in Oregon, JRI doubled the amount of money available in its Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Fund, among other provisions. Yet what is consistent is that states that reduce their prison population have also reduced their crime rates. For example, in the first two states I worked in: • In 2010, South Carolina reduced its prison population by 20 percent and has seen a reduction in its crime rate of over 12 percent. • In 2011 in Kentucky, the 1.6 percent reduction in the state's prison population has been accompanied by a 17.1 percent reduction in its crime rate. Which brings me to the Commission's work here in Alaska and SB 91: I applaud any justice reform effort that is bipartisan in nature, and I give "bonus points" when the needs of crime survivors are given the attention they so rightfully deserve. I want to recognize the Commission's efforts and the fact that it included an amazing victim advocate, Brenda Stanfill, on the Commission itself. The Commission's early and strong commitment to hearing the voices of victims in Alaska is where I came in. My work in Alaska began last summer, first reviewing a rich body of research in your state that showed that while Alaska has some of the finest victim assistance programs in the Nation, there are still many victims who remain un-served or under-served: victims of child abuse and neglect; the majority of Alaska women who experience at least one incident of intimate partner or sexual violence in their lifetimes; and so many victims whose need for legal assistance far outweighs Alaska's capacity to provide it. We reached out to over 50 survivors and victim advocates to inform them about the Commission's efforts and to invite them to join discussions to clarify victims' most important needs and concerns. Over a week in September, I had the opportunity to speak personally with seven crime survivors and finally got to meet Butch and Cindy Moore in person, having learned of and appreciated their efforts to pass Bree's Law from 5000 miles away. I heard from domestic violence survivors for whom "personal safety" is an oxymoron. And I interviewed victim assistance professionals who simply struggle to provide quality services to the many victims in Alaska who need them. Instead of hosting one Victim/Advocate Roundtable as we do in most states, we held two Roundtables in Alaska last September: in Fairbanks, and in Bethel (where we flew in tribal elders and survivors to ensure that we learned about the needs of victims in Alaska's bush communities). Overall, 29 survivors and victim advocates joined the Roundtable discussions. It's important to note that their input truly informed the Commission's work and the bill you have before you today. The Roundtables presented 10 priorities to the Commission and, while you can read the Summary Report I wrote (which has been provided under separate cover to the Committee), I'd like to highlight three of them for you: 1. There was strong consensus about the need to strengthen victim assistance services in remote and bush communities to promote justice, healing, wellness and crime prevention. 2. Participants emphasized the need to focus on crime prevention and bystander intervention, with a goal of less crime and fewer victims in Alaska. 3. Finally, there was strong support for evidence- based and culturally-competent programming and supervision for convicted offenders, including batterers' intervention and restorative community service. I believe that SB 91 offers both a foundation and reinvestment funding that can make the Roundtables' recommendations a reality. In addition, this bill's emphasis on involving victims and providing them with rights to information, notification, input, safety and restitution across the entire criminal justice spectrum - from pre-trial through parole consideration - equates to one of the most victim-centered pieces of legislation I've seen over the past decade. I have never sought to speak on behalf of victims and survivors because each victim is unique and it's impossible to paint them with a broad brush. Instead, my work over the past three decades and in Alaska over the past eight months is to make sure that the voices of victims and those who serve them are heard, and respected and reflected in public policy that affects their lives. I believe SB 91accomplishes this, and I thank each of you and the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission for validating the voices of victims and their advocates through this important bill. Thank you very much. Co-Chair Kelly wondered if she supported the commission's recommendations. Ms. Seymour replied in the affirmative. 1:18:26 PM KATHERINE HANSEN, ACTING DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF VICTIMS RIGHTS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), introduced herself. Co-Chair MacKinnon encouraged the use of a handset during the testimony. Ms. Hansen continued encouraged the committee to keep the Alaska constitution in perspective. She remarked that, in 1994, the constitution was amended to provide specific rights to crime victim, which were overwhelmingly approved by voters. She noted that a section was added to Article 1 of the constitution that read: Criminal administration should be based upon the following: the need for protecting the public, community condemnation of the offender, the rights of crime victims, restitution from the offender, and the principles of reformation. Ms. Hansen expressed concern that SB 91 focused offender rehabilitation, but not on the rights of victims. She stressed that every one of the concerns should be addressed in the legislation. She wanted to reduce recidivism, but not at the expense of crime victims. 1:24:50 PM Ms. Hansen continued with her testimony. Co-Chair MacKinnon shared that she had distributed the document. She encouraged an overarching reason for the concern with the bill. 1:29:04 PM Ms. Hansen stated that there was a proposed amendment in Senate Judiciary Committee which would reduce crimes based on their age. She did not support that amendment. ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY 1:31:05 PM JANET KINCAID, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke to the driver's license reform, and felt that it was a step in the right direction. She felt that permanently revoking a driver's license limited the ability to become a functioning member of community. She felt that those who had struggled to overcome their abuse, would benefit by hope that the driver's license provision would allow. She felt that the bill was a good step forward. Co-Chair MacKinnon appreciated the specific comments on the bill. 1:32:56 PM CLINTON CERDA, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke in support of the change in the driver's license provision. He shared that he had been without a license for two years. He stressed that the new language did not reflect the past offenses. He hoped that the bill would allow for him to obtain a license again. He stressed that he wanted to be a contributing member of society. 1:34:46 PM MARTY KINCAID, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke to the driver's license provisions in the bill. She would like to change the language to return licenses for past offenders. She echoed Mr. Cerda's comments. She explained that families were at extreme risk for homelessness and poverty, without the hope of reinstatement of driver's license. She remarked that treatment was often unavailable for many of the offenders. Co-Chair MacKinnon queried the accuracy, and wondered if the bill only reflected future. JORDAN SCHILLING, STAFF, SENATOR JOHN COGHILL, replied that provision was retroactive. 1:37:49 PM Co-Chair MacKinnon stressed that there is a path forward in the bill. 1:38:27 PM TONY PIPER, ASAP PROGRAM MANAGER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), shared that he was only available for questions. 1:38:37 PM RONALD MICHAEL ALLEN JR., SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in support of the driver's license provision. He stated that he was a member of the Fairbanks Wellness Court. 1:40:10 PM CASEY ST. ROSE, FAIRBANKS REENTRY COALITION, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke to the community provider in SB 91. She stated that the bill would provide hope for rehabilitation of offenders. 1:41:43 PM CARA DURR, FOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), felt that the bill provided provisions that encouraged positive change. She expressed concern over Section 197. She remarked that Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) would see an increase in costs. She stressed that the provision would require additional funding. She remarked that states with similar programs had more costs than savings. 1:43:52 PM NIKKI HINES, COORDINATOR, FAIRBANKS PRISONER RE-ENTRY PROGRAM, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of job training provisions. She stressed that most released prisoners wanted the opportunity to succeed. She felt that SB 91 provided supportive services upon release. 1:45:17 PM BUTCH MOORE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke to three items. He referred to his submitted written testimony (copy on file): 1. Murder-Increase the minimum mandatory sentences for murder, by adding; 15 years to each minimum sentence and no parole, (So that it is equal to/exceeds Rape sentencing) 2. ID-Surrender of Driver's License/ID and replacement with "ALCOHOL RESTRICTED" Driver's License/ID when parole/probation/sentencing carries an alcohol restriction. 3. The Pre-Trial time exceeding 120 days will not be credited towards the defendant's sentenced time, if trial is continued at no fault of the State of Alaska. Here is why: On 6/26/14, my daughter, Breanna Moore, age 20, was murdered by Joshua Almeda who pled guilty to Second Degree Murder for killing Bree, at his home, with a handgun, while drunk. Almeda, almost two years later has still not been sentenced. At the time, Almeda was on parole (with a restriction on alcohol and firearms). Almeda was not required by law to surrender his license, so he went into a liquor store and bought alcohol, got drunk, used his gun, (that his mother knew he had in her home) and shot my daughter Bree in the head. Now that Josh has admitted to and has been convicted of murder, he can receive a minimum sentence of only 10 years. Also, he can be released on parole after only 1/3 of the sentenced time. If he had only raped Breanna, while possessing the same handgun, and she was alive today, the minimum sentence would be 25 to 35 years, (This time must be served in Jail). (See the Alaska Statutes highlighted below, as well as full version attached). 1-Mandatory Murder Minimum (Amendment 3/23/16 1.7) Current Law AS 12.55.125. Sentences of Imprisonment For Felonies. (a) A defendant convicted of murder in the first degree or murder of an unborn child under AS 11.41.150 (a)(1) shall be sentenced to a definite term of imprisonment of at least 20 years but not more than 99 years. (b) A defendant convicted of attempted murder in the first degree, solicitation to commit murder in the first degree, conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree, kidnapping, or misconduct involving a controlled substance in the first degree shall be sentenced to a definite term of imprisonment of at least five years but not more than 99 years. A defendant convicted of murder in the second degree shall be sentenced to a definite term of imprisonment of at least 10 years (i) A defendant convicted of (1) sexual assault in the first degree, sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, or promoting prostitution in the first degree under AS 11.66.110 (a)(2) may be sentenced to a definite term of imprisonment of not more than 99 years and shall be sentenced to a definite term within the following presumptive ranges, subject to adjustment as provided in AS 12.55.155 - 12.55.175: (A) if the offense is a first felony conviction, the offense does not involve circumstances described in (B) of this paragraph, and the victim was (i) less than 13 years of age, 25 to 35 years; (ii) 13 years of age or older, 20 to 30 years; (B) if the offense is a first felony conviction and the defendant possessed a firearm, used a dangerous instrument, or caused serious physical injury during the commission of the offense, 25 to 35 years; (Under AS 33.16.090 and AS 33.20.010 there is No Eligibility For Discretionary Parole or No Computation of Good Time for early release.) (Please change the minimum mandatory sentences for murder, by adding; 20 years to each minimum sentence, (30 and 40 years), and require the minimum time served in prison to have the same restrictions as for a sexual felony, on Discretionary Parole, and of Good Time. This would be adding murder to; (AS 33.16.090) No Eligibility For Discretionary Parole, and (AS 33.20.010) No Computation of Good Time.) 2-ID (This may be a new amendment?) Please add: If an alcohol restriction is part of parole/probation/DUI/sentence, etc., the Surrender of Drivers License/ID and replacement with "ALCOHOL RESTRICTED" Drivers License/ID for the offender should be required. There is no law requiring surrender/replacement of ID's that carry an alcohol restriction. (Bree would be alive if Josh had not been drinking.) 3- Time exceeding 120 days will not be credited towards the defendant's sentence time. (Amendment 3/22/16 1.7) Proposed amendment for SB91. As the prison population in Alaska has increased 27 percent in the last 10 years and 93 percent of that is Pre-Trial, I propose we SAVE THE MOST MONEY BY addressing the Pre-Trial population expansion with the following; These rules, in part, already exist. See the attached ALASKA COURT RULES, page 72, Rule 45: Speedy Trial, which I have highlighted. Rule 45. Speedy Trial. (a) Priorities in Scheduling Criminal Cases. The court shall provide for placing criminal proceedings upon appropriate calendars. Preference shall be given to criminal proceedings and the trial of defendants in custody shall be given preference over other criminal cases. The court shall consider the circumstances of the victim, particularly a victim of advanced age or extreme youth, in setting the trial date. Trial dates in criminal cases in the superior court shall be set at the time of arraignment, and if a trial date is thereafter vacated, the trial shall be immediately set for a date certain. (b) Speedy Trial Time Limits. A defendant charged with a felony, a misdemeanor, or a violation shall be tried within 120 days from the time set forth in paragraph (c) of this rule. Please add: If by actions of the defendant / defendant's attorney, the trial date is continued beyond the 120 days, the time exceeding 120 days served in pre-trial will not be credited towards the defendant's sentence time. Further, any cost to; house, feed, monitor, maintain, etc. for the time in excess of the 120 days, will be paid for by the defendant, at current costs. (To avoid a massive amount of cases that are currently in pretrial now, there may be a "Phase In" for those currently in the system. The effective date for new offenders could be 1/1/2017. Current cases that do not have trial dates set, less than 2 years from arraignment date could have 240 days (Double) from the effective date of the change and any current cases that do not have trial dates set, that are past two years from arraignment date could have 120 days. Benefits are higher cost savings than all other proposed legislation in SB91, with defendants wanting a speedy trial, resulting in; · Less costs to house/monitor pre-trial prisoners · Less costs to trial courts, as defendants will agree to "plea deals" if they no longer have the ability to drag it out for years · Less manipulation of the criminal justice system by the defense attorneys. · Quicker justice for victims The only loss is to the defense attorneys who will no longer be able to drag out/continue trials and charge defendants and their families attorney fees over many years. The Criminal Justice Working Group thru the Court System ran a report on the average of days that a case stays open, prior to trial/sentence. It's HUGE! And the State of Alaska is paying for it, while Defense Attorneys are getting "RICH" by postponing trial dates, while Alaska pays the bill to house/monitor defendants whose only chance of getting off is to "Postpone/Continue" their trial. This in the hopes that witness's, law enforcement and other persons vital to their conviction will: quit, die, retire, get fired, transfer, move or just plain forget the facts to convict them. This is their only defense... TO STALL at the cost of the state and victims. 1:50:52 PM Co-Chair MacKinnon stated that Senate Judiciary added five years to the sentence. The sentence is now 25 years for Murder 1 and 15 years for Murder 2. 1:51:25 PM REESE BURKE, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), noted that the bill would save the state $400 million over 10 years. He also remarked that the fee to reinstate the driver's license would put more money back into the state. He remarked that the driver's license provision would add money to the entire automobile industry. He shared that he did not have an Alaska driver's license. He announced that he was over 1000 days sober. He spoke in support of SB 91. 1:53:45 PM EDWARD SMAGGE, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), stated that he was a wellness court graduate, and he had been sober for almost two years. He shared that many people struggled to get their licenses back, and he spoke in support of the provisions related to driver's licenses. He stressed that it was difficult to obtain a job without a driver's license. He stated that he was willing to pay for an interlock device for his entire life in order to drive a car. He shared that he was currently sitting at Safeway, and he was observing people driving. He understood that he had made a mistake, but wanted to be able to drive to improve his quality of life. He stressed that his family was the most important thing in his life. He remarked that he was limited in his job opportunities without a driver's license. He expressed appreciation for the Fairbanks Wellness Court. Co-Chair MacKinnon congratulated Mr. Smagge on his sobriety. 1:57:44 PM MICHAEL JEFFERY, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), testified in support of the legislation. He stated that he had retired from the criminal justice system. He highlighted the prisoner assessment. 2:00:23 PM GRAHAM SMITH, SOUTHEAST MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE SERVICES, JUNEAU, encouraged the state to use existing providers and services in the communities. He remarked that the private industry was flexible and cheaper than the state employees. He felt that the service would provide identical results to ensure that people were compliant with their court orders and the conditions of their release. He shared that there was monitoring in custody cases. He remarked that there was a notification service on the phones. Co-Chair MacKinnon shared that the language had been changed in the Senate Judiciary Committee was amended to allow for contracted pretrial electronic monitoring. Mr. Smith felt that the language was an add-on. 2:04:07 PM SARRA KHLIFI, ALASKA FOOD COALITION, JUNEAU, shared that the bill provided concrete steps to access to treatment. She voiced concern about mandatory drug testing for all drug felons to receive public assistance. She stressed that the other state's drug testing programs proved extremely costly. Senator Bishop requested a copy of her written testimony. Ms. Klifi agreed to provide that information. Vice-Chair Micciche stressed that there was an expectation of personal responsibility and performance. He queried the connection for the food banks interest in the legislation. Ms. Klifi replied that the food banks wanted people to be self-sufficient, and productive members of society. She wanted felons to be able to buy their own groceries, rather than use the food banks. 2:09:56 PM KARA NELSON, DIRECTOR, HAVEN HOUSE, JUNEAU, spoke on the reinvestment piece. She shared that she was formerly incarcerated and recovering from drug addiction. She read from a prepared statement. Vice-Chair Micciche congratulated Ms. Nelson on turning her life around in the face of adversity. 2:13:35 PM MICHELLE FEDERICO, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the legislation. 2:15:59 PM CHRIS NETTELS, MEMBER, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke against the increase in the felony threshold to $2500. He remarked that there was an increase in small crimes near his home. He remarked that his business had suffered theft, and shared that many of his employees found that their cars had been broken into with items stolen. He stressed that he was already looking to protecting his business with a fence or other measures. He stressed that, because of the economic situation in the state, there was an added competition to the current market. 2:19:00 PM MARNA SANFORD, TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of the legislation. She shared that she was a former public defender, and she thanked the sponsor's staff to their receptiveness to the victims' rights advocates. She spoke in support of the increase in the felony theft threshold. She looked at Section 146, and spoke in support of the provision. She urged the committee to consider Section 61, page 35, which was specific to a very small class of people. 2:22:29 PM CHRISTINA LOVE, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke in support of the rehabilitation provisions within SB 91. She shared that there were policies in place to reduce recidivism, and felt that the bill would transform the system. She 2:26:46 PM VICKI WALLNER, FOUNDER, STOP VALLEY THIEVES, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke in support of some various portions of the bill. She, however, felt that the bill greatly favored the offender. She felt that the research was based on a preset outcome. She remarked that the presentations showed only support of the legislation from the commission. She felt that the information presented was in oppositions to her organization's personal observations. She shared that she had prepared a PowerPoint. Vice-Chair Micciche queried any specific concepts. Ms. Wallner replied that the savings portion seemed inflated. She felt that the savings portion included an $8 million reduction that was already in DOC that did not relate to the bill. She felt the implementation costs would be higher than the report. She remarked that there would also be continuing costs that were not taken into account when considering savings. Vice-Chair Micciche queried the position on the theft threshold increase. Ms. Wallner replied the property crimes were examined of the depreciated value of the property, with no accounting for replacement costs. 2:33:41 PM JAYCE ROBERTSON, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), expressed support for SB 91. He shared that he was a rehabilitated DUI offender, but he had been sober for five years. He remarked that he was continually held back by the inability to obtain a driver's license. He specifically spoke in support of granted limited licenses to felony DUI offenders. He felt that DOC had a façade of focus on rehabilitation, but spoke to his personal experience in the corrections system. He felt that the cost of housing an offender was greater than the cost of rehabilitation. He stated that he had raised $400 to travel to Juneau to speak to legislators on the bill. 2:36:32 PM VERONICA PARKS, HAVEN HOUSE, JUNEAU, testified in support of the bill. She shared that she was convicted of two drug felonies in 2012. She shared that she was recently released, and that the Reentry Coalition had helped her become a productive member of society. 2:38:08 PM ZACHARY FINKEL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), stated that he was a felony DUI offender, and was currently in the wellness court program. He spoke in support of the driver's license provision in the bill. Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony. 2:40:13 PM Co-Chair MacKinnon encouraged the committee to review the conversation from the day's hearing. She stated that amendments were due at 5pm. She shared the following day's agenda. SB 91 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. ADJOURNMENT 2:42:07 PM The meeting was adjourned at 2:42 p.m.