SB 98 : Liability: Plane And Boat Passengers
Signed into Law! Chapter 119 SLA 2003
Sponsored by Sen. Con Bunde

An Act relating to civil liability for guest passengers on an aircraft or watercraft; and providing for an effective date.

06-18-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed SB 98 into law. Sponsored by Sen. Con Bunde (R-Anchorage), SB 98 would clarify in statute that people who accept an invitation to participate in a non-commercial recreational activity in a watercraft or aircraft also accept the inherent risks of such activity.

| Sponsor Statement |

SB 1 : Increase Amt Of Base Student Allocation
Sponsored by Sen. Gary Wilken

An Act relating to the base student allocation used in the formula for state funding of public education; and providing for an effective date.

Version: SSSB 1
Contact: Sheila Peterson, 465-2872
Action: 03-01-04: (S)HES » (S)FIN

Increases the base student allocation in the public education funding formula from $4,169 to $4,263.

| Sponsor Statement |

SB 2 : Parent Liability For Damage By Child
Sponsored by Sen. Fred Dyson

An Act relating to recovery of civil damages from the parents or legal guardian of a minor; and providing for an effective date.

05-09-03 : Senate Bill 2 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee Friday. Sponsored by Sen. Fred Dyson (R-Eagle River), SB 2 would allow recovery of civil damages from the parents or legal guardian of a minor.
SB 2 moves next to the Senate Rules Committee.

| Sponsor Statement |

SB 8 : Tampering With Public Records
Signed into Law! Chapter 141 SLA 2003
Sponsored by Sen. Bettye Davis

An Act relating to tampering with public records.

| Sponsor Statement | [PDF - 1 page - 21 KB]

HB 1 : Stalking & Protective Orders
Signed into Law! Chapter 87 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Harry Crawford, Rep. Cheryll Heinze

An Act relating to stalking and to violating a protective order; and amending Rules 4 and 65, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 9, Alaska Rules of Administration.

06-13-03 : Governor Murkowski signed HB 1 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Cheryll Heinze (R-Anchorage) and Rep. Harry Crawford (D-Anchorage), HB 1 allows the victims of stalking to seek and obtain a protective order in cases of stalking that are not crimes involving domestic violence. The bill streamlines the process for public safety and judicial practitioners by harmonizing the arrest and notification procedures to mirror those already in place for domestic violence situations. The bill adds the crime of violation of a child protective order and of a violation of a stalking protective order; these changes also reflect existing practitioner procedures.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 2 : Civil Statute Of Limitations/Sex Offenses
Signed into Law! Chapter 40 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer

An Act relating to the statute of limitations for certain civil actions; and providing for an effective date.

06-05-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed HB 2 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer, HB 2 establishes the civil statute of limitations at three years for misdemeanor sexual assault, misdemeanor sexual abuse of a minor, incest, and felony indecent exposure. Under HB 2, Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor, a class B felony, is added to the list of sexual assault crimes in which the civil statute of limitations is removed.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 12 : Harassment By Electronic Communication
Signed into Law! Chapter 13 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer

An Act relating to harassment.

05-01-03 : Governor Frank Murkowski signed House Bill 12 into law on Thursday. Sponsored by Representative Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage), House Bill 12 adds obscene email and email that threatens physical injury or sexual contact to the legal definition of harassment.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 16 : Stranded Gas Development Act Amendments
Signed into Law! Chapter 4 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Hugh Fate

An Act amending the standards applicable to determining whether, for purposes of the Alaska Stranded Gas Development Act, a proposed new investment constitutes a qualified project, and repealing the deadline for applications relating to the development of contracts for payments in lieu of taxes and for royalty adjustments that may be submitted for consideration under that Act; and providing for an effective date.

04-09-03 : Governor Murkowski signed House Bill 16 into law on Wednesday. Sponsored by Rep. Hugh "Bud" Fate (R-Fairbanks), HB 16 expands the areas of potential gas exploration and development that fall under the Act. Currently, the statute only qualifies natural gas projects that export the gas in liquefied form. HB 16 would allow gas development and transportation in any form and does not specify a pipeline route. HB 16 also extends the June 30, 2001 deadline to March 31, 2005 to allow the state and producers to begin new contract negotiations.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 25 : Health Care Services Directives
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch

An Act relating to health care decisions, including do not resuscitate orders and the donation of body parts, and to powers of attorney relating to health care, including the donation of body parts; and providing for an effective date.

Version: SCS HB 25 (JUD)
Contact: Linda Sylvester, 465-4963
Action: 05-02-04: Passed the Senate

HB 25 offers a comprehensive simplified alternative to the power of attorney enacted in Alaska in 1996 relating to health care services and directives for the terminally ill patient. Five simple directives request the patient's comprehensive details and instructions should they become incapacitated. These Five Wishes are: the person I want to make care decisions for me when I can't; the kind of medical treatment I want or don't want; how comfortable I want to be; how I want other people to treat me; and what I want my loved ones to know. Amended to provide guidelines for surrogate in DNR decisions and life sustaining procedures and refined DNR qualifications.

| Sponsor Statement |
| Sectional Analysis | [PDF - 18 Pages - 216 KB]

HB 46 : Primary Election Ballots
Signed into Law! Chapter 96 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Hawker

An Act relating to ballots.

06-16-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed HB 46 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Mike Hawker (R-Anchorage), HB 46 instructs the Director of the Division of Elections to offer voters in primary elections the choice of a separate ballot presenting only the ballot titles and propositions for voting. HB 46 does not change the closed-primary system. HB 46 offers voters the additional choice of a "no-party," "issues-only" ballot.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 49 : Expand DNA Database
Signed into Law! Chapter 88 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Tom Anderson, Rep. Mike Hawker

An Act relating to the DNA identification registration system; and providing for an effective date.

06-13-03 : Governor Murkowski signed HB 49 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Tom Anderson (R-Anchorage) and Rep. Mike Hawker (R-Anchorage), HB 49 requires all convicted felons and sexual offenders, including those in custody, to submit DNA samples to the Alaska State Database. Juveniles adjudicated and in custody on the same offenses must also submit samples to the database.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 52 : Sex Crime And Pornography Forfeitures
Signed into Law! Chapter 41 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Lesil McGuire

An Act relating to the forfeiture of property used to possess or distribute child pornography, to commit indecent viewing or photography, to commit a sex offense, or to solicit the commission of, attempt to commit, or conspire to commit possession or distribution of child pornography, indecent viewing or photography, or a sexual offense.

06-05-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed HB 52 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage), HB 52 will give courts additional punitive sentencing options against sexual predators and award forfeited computer technology to law enforcement agencies for ongoing monitoring operations. HB 52 also makes providing billing services for a child pornography website a felony.

| Sponsor Statement |
| Sectional Analysis |

HB 69 : Regulation Of Shallow Natural Gas
Signed into Law! Chapter 45 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Vic Kohring

An Act relating to regulation of shallow natural gas leasing and closely related energy projects; and providing for an effective date.

06-06-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed HB 69 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla), HB 69 ensures that the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has the authority and discretion necessary to regulate shallow gas drilling while also providing for human safety and environmental protection.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 82 : Commercial Electronic Mail
Signed into Law! Chapter 14 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer

An Act making certain activities related to commercial electronic mail unlawful as unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Act enumerating unfair trade practices and consumer protections.

05-01-03 : Governor Frank Murkowski signed House Bill 82 into law on Thursday. Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage), House Bill 82 requires anyone sending unsolicited commercial email with sexually explicit content to include the letters "ADV: ADLT" in the subject line.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 139 : Closing Certain Land To Mineral Entry
Signed into Law! Chapter 8 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Hawker

An Act approving an interim classification by the commissioner of natural resources closing certain land within the Glacier Creek and Winner Creek drainages to new mineral entry; and providing for an effective date.

04-16-03 : Governor Murkowski signed House Bill 139 into law on Wednesday. Sponsored by Rep. Mike Hawker (R-Anchorage/Girdwood/Portage/Whittier), HB 139 will close state land in the upper Glacier Creek and Winner Creek drainages to new mineral entry for ten years.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 213 : Provisional Driver's License
Passed Legislaturee! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch

An Act relating to a provisional driver's license and to issuance of a driver's license; and providing for an effective date.

Version: SCS CS HB 213 (FIN)
Contact: Linda Sylvester, 465-3744
Action: 05-01-04: Passed the Senate

House Bill 213 creates a three-tiered system whereby young drivers pursue their full, unrestricted driver's license. Amended to clarify the definition of who may receive an exception for provisional license. Minor technical amendments made in FIN.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 233 : Increase Education Funding
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov. Sponsored by Rep. Peggy Wilson

An Act increasing the base student allocation used in the formula for state funding of public education; and providing for an effective date.

Version: CS HB 233 (FIN)
Contact: Jean Ellis, 465-3824
Action: 05-03-04: (S)FIN » (S)RLS

House Bill 233 moved out of the House on Monday. Sponsored by Rep. Peggy Wilson, HB 233 increases the base student allocation in the state foundation formula. The increase will assist state local schools districts to meet, or, exceed the public's expectations and demands. HB 233 moves to the House Finance Committee. Amended to add $419 dollars per student to the foundation formula. Adds $84.5 million dollars for education.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 304 : Jack Coghill Bridge To The Interior
Signed into Law! Chapter 7 SLA 04
Sponsored by Rep. John Coghill

An Act naming the Jack Coghill Bridge to the Interior.

Version: HB 304
Contact: Rynnieva Moss, 465-3719
Action: 02-25-04: Passed the Senate ==> awaiting transmission to Gov.

This bill names Bridge #216, which currently has no name, the "Jack Coghill Bridge to the Interior" to commemorate the contributions of one of Alaska's great citizens. Jack Coghill has served the state in various positions throughout the twentieth century.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 334 : Unlawful Exploitation Of Minor/ Child Porn
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer

An Act relating to unlawful exploitation of a minor.

Version: CS HB 334 (RLS)
Contact: Suzanne Cunningham, 465-4945
Action: 05-08-04: Passed the Senate

CS HB 334 (RLS) increases the criminal penalty for AS 11.41.455 Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor to a class A felony for a person who has been previously convicted of this crime. Also, the criminal penalty for AS 11.61.125 Distribution of Child Pornography is raised to a class A felony for a person who has been previously convicted of this crime.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 344 : Mining Fees, Rentals, & Royalties
Signed into Law! Chapter 26 SLA 04
Sponsored by Rep. Hugh Fate

An Act relating to annual rental fees for mining claims, and providing for reduced royalties during the first three years of production.

Version: SCS HB 344 (RES)
Contact: Jim Pound, 465-4976
Action: 04-13-04: House Concurrence with Senate Amendments

Allows a grace period if the mine's filing deadline is missed. By filing the necessary paperwork, paying the royalties, rent, and a penalty equal to one year's rent the claim remains protected.

| Sponsor Statement |

HCR 11 : Alaska Salmon Day
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 15
Sponsored by Rep. Kelly Wolf

Relating to Alaska Salmon Day.

05-01-03 : The Alaska State Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 11 by a vote of 19 to zero on Friday. Sponsored by Rep. Kelly Wolf (R-Kenai), HCR 11 proclaims July 2, 2003 as "Alaska Wild Salmon Week" to recognize the salmon industry's significance to the state.
Permanently Filed: 05-09-03.

| Sponsor Statement |

HCR 31 : Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month
Passed Legislature! Legis Resolve 43
Sponsored by Rep. Lesil McGuire

Proclaiming March 2004 as Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Version: SCS CSHCR 31(HES) AM S
Contact: Heath Hilyard, 465-6841
Action: 04-20-04: Passed the Senate

By making Alaskans aware of traumatic brain injuries, their cause, and prevention we can lower the number of injuries and deaths caused each year. Amended to make June Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month and recognizing Alaska Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board. Amended to make June Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month.

| Sponsor Statement |

HJR 14 : National Wheelchair Games
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 26
Sponsored by Rep. Eric Croft

Relating to urging that the 2006 National Veterans Wheelchair Games be held in Anchorage, Alaska.

| Sponsor Statement | [PDF - 1 Page - 12 KB]

HJR 29 : US Coast Guard ROTC Program
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 30
Sponsored by Rep. Bob Lynn

Relating to the establishment of Reserve Officer Training Corps programs in Alaska by the United States Coast Guard.

05-20-03 : The Alaska State Senate unanimously approved House Joint Resolution 29 by a vote of 19 to zero on Tuesday. Sponsored by Rep. Bob Lynn (R-Anchorage), HJR 29 urges the Coast Guard to create an ROTC program at the University of Alaska Southeast and to create JROTC programs at Juneau-Douglas High School and Kodiak High School.

| Sponsor Statement |

HJR 30 : Eliminate Social Security Offset
Passed Legislature! Legis Resolve 42
Sponsored by Rep. Carl Gatto

Relating to supporting the repeal of the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provisions from the Social Security Act.

Version: CS HJR 30 (STA) Am
Contact: Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, 465-3743
Action: 04-20-04: Passed the Senate

This resolution calls on the Alaskan Congressional Delegation to repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision which reduces social security benefits based on other retirement earnings from public servants who participated in other retirement and pension plans during their work history.

| Sponsor Statement |