Here is a short description of some of the bills I am working on. If you would like to read the text or sponsor statements for the bills, please log on to my web site at http://www.akrepublicans.org/pastlegs/22ndleg/halford.shtml and follow the link to "Personal Legislation." Or, feel free to contact my office if you have questions or comments.

Office of Victim's Rights: In 1994, Alaskans overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to guarantee certain rights to victims of crime. However, to this day, there is no mechanism to ensure that crime victims are aware of these rights. That's why I introduced Senate Bill 105 (SB 105), which would establish the Office of Victims' Rights. The Office of Victims' Rights would make sure that victims are aware of their rights, guide them though the criminal justice system, advocate on their behalf, and investigate complaints if victims feel their constitutional rights have been violated. We first introduced the concept of the Office of Victims' Rights in 1998 and have been working hard to address any questions and concerns over the past few years, such as funding. Although the state spends more than $35.5 million each year on attorneys to defend and prosecute criminals, there are no advocates for the victims in our state budget. The Office of Victims' Rights would be completely funded by forfeited Permanent Fund Dividends of repeat criminals. Last session, the Legislature voted unanimously to enact this legislation, but the Governor vetoed the bill. SB 105 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 28 and the Senate Finance Committee today. I am hopeful that the Office of Victims' Rights will become a reality this year.

DNA Registration of Burglars: Experience has shown that DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) typing has been extremely useful in apprehending violent criminals. In 1996, Alaska established a DNA registry and started collecting samples from all violent felons. Senate Bill 99 (SB 99) would require collection of a sample from a convicted burglar. By 1998, almost all states had a DNA database and the federal government developed a national database that allowed states to share information. Sharing information with other states has helped local police solve crimes that would have been almost impossible otherwise. Recently, a five year old Anchorage case was solved when the murderer was convicted of another similar crime in North Carolina and the DNA samples from the Anchorage crime scene matched. It is not surprising that the technological advances of DNA typing have helped fight crime. What is surprising is that many of the matches in the states with the longest running and largest databases come from convicted burglars, not violent felons. Recent studies in Virginia and Florida have shown that almost half of the violent offenders have previous convictions for burglary. By including convicted burglars in the database, we will allow law enforcement officials to stop a violent criminal the first time, before other innocent people are victimized. SB 99 has moved through the Senate Judiciary and Finance Committees, and is supported by the Department of Public Safety and the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence.

Regulation of Aeronautics: Senate Bill 100 (SB 100) is essentially a clean up bill of outdated aviation statutes. Portions of the laws regarding aviation within Alaska are no longer in use due to federal preemption, new state statutes and changing technology. SB 100 removes the sections of law that are not currently used, makes changes regarding required survival gear and addresses questions regarding civil liability on private runways. SB 100 had its first hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday, March 13.

Land Entry Under State's Reservation: Senate Bill 125 will provide increased protection for Alaska's private property owners. Many people are not aware that on most parcels of private property in Alaska, the subsurface ownership is separate from the surface ownership. This typically means that while an individual citizen owns the surface estate on any given piece of property, the subsurface, or mineral estate, belongs to the State of Alaska. Recently, there have been several conflicts between surface owners and the state's subsurface oil and gas lessees. In many of these encounters, surface owners have lacked the information and legal power they need to ensure that subsurface lessees compensate them for damages to their land. It is my goal with SB 125 to provide Alaskan property owners some basic rights and protections in this area.

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Education

Special Olympics World Winter Games 2001 --- a great success for everyone involved. Over 2,500 athletes from 80 nations competed in Anchorage, Chugiak-Eagle River and Girdwood from March 4 through March 11th. Six events were held throughout the Anchorage area.

Congratulations to all who took part in the games: the volunteers, and most importantly, the athletes. For the game results please check out www.2001worldgames.org!

Education: As I mentioned in the last newsletter, this is a very timely subject generating a host of ideas and comments. Responses to my last newsletter showed that most Alaskans continue to favor some type of standard that will provide assurance that students receiving high school diplomas have achieved proficiency in the subjects they have been taught. However, we know that practical changes need to be made. Senator Lyda Green, chairman of the Senate Health, Education and Social Services committee has dedicated a great deal of effort to find a suitable solution to this educational dilemma.

This week, Senator Green introduced Senate Bill 133, a new proposal which I believe may have a great deal of merit and should be discussed in detail. SB 133 creates a two-phase approach and directly addresses the needs of special education students.

While I understand this proposal may not address every question and personal concern discussed, it does address the needs of the students, parents and prospective employers and is a positive step forward. The legislation also successfully addresses the needs of the special education students across Alaska.

Currently, Senate Bill 133 is before the Senate HESS committee. I am sure the legislation will receive its fair share of debate before a final proposal is produced and brought before the full Senate for a vote. Until then, I ask you to look at this proposal and let me know your thoughts.

Suicide Prevention Funding: As many of you may already know, Alaska's suicide rates are historically high. And, recently the Yukon-Koyukuk and the Mat-Su Valley regions have experienced "clusters" of suicides in their communities - epidemic in nature. I believe it is time to recognize the seriousness of this issue by increasing our commitment to suicide prevention, and that is why I requested the Senate Finance committee transfer $325,000 from the FY 02 Capital Budget to this year's fast-track supplemental (in essence making the money available immediately rather than waiting six months). I am pleased to say that the Republican-led finance committee agrees with the gravity of the issue and approved the funding. The bill will be discussed on the Senate floor starting today and then passed to the House for concurrence.

Budgets: The Senate Finance Committee approved the fast-track supplemental today. It should pass the Senate later this week. If you would like details on the supplemental, please let my office know.

The House continued discussion on the governor's operating budget today. Once the House passes the budget, the Senate will review and make recommendations.

Natural Gas Pipeline: The legislature continues to gather information primarily through the Senate Resource Committee, of which I am a member, on all facets of building a natural gas pipeline. While we learn, disseminate information and discuss various proposals, I stay committed to what I believe is the most important role of the legislature -- ensuring Alaskans receive the maximum benefit of this project!

Proposed Anchorage Sales Tax: On April 3rd Anchorage voters will consider Proposition 1, which would levy a 2% sales tax on the price of all retail sales and rentals of goods. The tax would be subject to exemptions for food, medical services and supplies, rental of primary residence, fuels and electricity for residential heat, light and telephone service. The Assembly may also establish future exemptions. The tax on an individual item purchased would be capped at $100. The revenues collected from the general sales tax shall be substituted for property taxes.

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If you would like to recieve this report via e-mail please drop me a note telling me so by e-mailing me at the following link:

• Senator_Rick_Halford@legis.state.ak.us

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