SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE May 7, 1997 1:20 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Robin Taylor, Chair Senator Drue Pearce, Vice-chair Senator Mike Miller Senator Sean Parnell MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Johnny Ellis COMMITTEE CALENDAR HOUSE BILL NO. 163 "An Act relating to designating gamma-Hydroxybutyrate as a schedule IVA controlled substance; and providing for an effective date." CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 50(FIN) "An Act relating to the use of broadcasting to promote certain classics or sweepstakes; and providing for an effective date." PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION HB 163 - No previous Senate committee action. HB 50 - See Senate Judiciary minutes dated 5/1/97. WITNESS REGISTER Representative Al Vezey Alaska State Legislature State Capitol Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 163 Tom Manninen Legislative Aide to Representative Hodgins Alaska State Legislature State Capitol Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for the sponsor of HB 50 Representative Mark Hodgins Alaska State Legislature State Capitol Juneau, Alaska 99081-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 50 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 97-34, SIDE A Number 00 CHAIRMAN ROBIN TAYLOR called the Judiciary Committee meeting to order at 1:20 p.m. Present were Senators Taylor, Miller and Pearce. The first order of business before the committee was HB 163. HB 163 GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE AS CONTROLLED SUBST  REPRESENTATIVE AL VEZEY , sponsor of HB 163, explained the bill is an effort to classify the drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate as a controlled substance under Schedule IV-A of Alaska's controlled substance act. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR noted Representative Vezey previously discussed the issue with many committee members who are concerned about the date- rape drugs that have been proliferating on the market. He thanked Representative Vezey for bringing this important piece of legislation to the committee's attention. There being no questions, SENATOR MILLER moved HB 163 out of committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, the motion carried. HB 50 BROADCASTING OF RAFFLES AND CLASSICS  TOM MANNINEN , legislative aide to Representative Hodgins, sponsor of the measure, explained HB 50 removes the prohibition on broadcast advertising for legislatively-identified Classics. At present, the only Classics that are allowed to use broadcasting are fishing derbies. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR remarked the bill is self-explanatory, and does not expand the classics, but allows the legislatively-designated raffles the opportunity to advertise on public radio. MR. MANNINEN clarified HB 50 gives the Classics the opportunity to use broadcast advertising. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR asked if that includes all forms of media. MR. MANNINEN explained it would allow groups to use broadcast advertising, but not to conduct charitable gaming activity when using it. Number 076 SENATOR MILLER expressed concern about HB 50 because of his opposition to gaming legislation. He stated although HB 50 does not add any new Classics, allowing existing Classics to use air waves is an expansion of gaming activities. He noted he would not be supporting this legislation. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR announced Senator Parnell had arrived, and that Representative Hodgins was available to speak to HB 50. SENATOR PARNELL noted he would not be supporting HB 50 either. REPRESENTATIVE HODGINS stated that he agrees with Senator Miller regarding the issue of gambling, however the Legislature has allowed certain sweepstakes, fishing derbies, to use the broadcast media. HB 50 would allow other legislatively-designated sweepstakes the same ability. As the Legislature cuts funding, it is difficult to not allow community groups the opportunity to try to raise money for scholarships, etc. He clarified the Classics do not involve pull-tabs or bingo, or any other game of chance. SENATOR MILLER agreed with Representative Hodgins that the Legislature has created an uneven playing field, but he would heartily support the bill if it disallowed all groups from using the broadcast media. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR stated HB 50 would be pending before the committee and adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m.