Interior Delegation Chair
Pete Kelly
Weekly Legislative Update Contact: Lorna Ramert (907) 465-2327 March 5, 1997
The Tobacco Tax: Kelly Says Enforcement is Key
Proponents of the one-dollar per pack tax increase argue that the incidence of minors smoking will decrease as the immediate costs of cigarettes increase. I'm afraid I just can't buy that argument.
If the goal is to decrease tobacco use among minors, this is not the way to accomplish it--enforcement is. Under current Alaska State Law, it is illegal for a minor to smoke, buy tobacco products including cigarettes, or possess tobacco products. Police can issue a citation, and a juvenile can receive a fine or other punishment for the citation. These citations require the minor to go directly to district court.
Under FSNB School District policy, smoking is forbidden on school grounds by anyone. At area high schools, during lunch and other breaks, both students and adults can be seen standing in plain view of school grounds, smoking. The minors presumably pocket their cigarettes and return to school. It is also a criminal act for a teacher, principal, or other adult to "aid...or encourage...a child...to do any act prohibited by state law." I am not interested in destroying a principal's or teacher's career with a conviction for "contributing to the delinquency of a minor" but drive by Lathrop or West Valley. What do you see?
Alaska's Tobacco Tax Legislation
House Bill 1, sponsored by Rep. Con Bunde of Anchorage, would increase Alaska's cigarette tax by one dollar per pack. This bill has had several hearings, most recently in the House Finance Committee, and is now awaiting consideration before the full House. It will be interesting to see how it turns out. Many legislators campaigned with a promise of no new taxes. This is a tax and therefore a favorable vote would breach the circumstances under which some legislators were elected. On the other hand, some legislators campaigned with a promise of a tobacco tax increase. It is the group of legislators in the middle that will make the decision.
Senate Bill 13 has been Sponsored by Senator Bert Sharp of Fairbanks. It passed out of the Health, Education and Social Services Committee and is awaiting action in Senate Finance. From there it will progress to the Senate floor for a vote. If both houses pass the tax it will be transmitted to the governor's desk to be signed into law.
Cigarette Taxes: Where Does Alaska Stand?
| Alaska: | Current - $0.29 per pack | Proposed - $1.29 per pack |
| Washington: | $0.825 per pack | (highest in the U.S) |
| Oregon: | $0.68 per pack | |
| Idaho: | $0.28 per pack | |
| Montana: | $0.18 per pack | |
| Hawaii: | $0.60 per pack | |
| Wyoming: | $0.12 per pack | |
| Kentucky: | $0.03 per pack | |
| Virginia: | $0.025 per pack | (lowest in the U.S.) |
How much is $1.29 a pack? Its a 444% increase.
Kelly's HB 45 on Way to Becoming Law
House Bill 45, which passed the House on Monday, Feb. 24, provides a technical correction to return to a parent or guardian the decision to allow an unemancipated minor to remain on the street or to require the minor to return home. A runaway minor should not have the right of refusal as to where the minor should live. This decision should lie with the minor’s parent, legal guardian, or in remote cases, a peace officer.
Everyone agrees that it is not in a minor’s best interest for the minor to be "habitually absent from home or refusing to accept available care" (AS 47.10.010(a)(1)). It was not intentional for our statutes to read that a minor who has run away from home, must first consent to her or his return to that home. HB 45 corrects this problem.
House Bill 45 was heard and moved out of Senator Wilken's Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee this week and is waiting to be scheduled for a vote before the full Senate. Rep. Kelly has asked Sen. Wilken to carry HB 45 on the Senate Floor. From there it will be transmitted to Governor Knowles action to be signed into law.
Brown Bag Lunches
Brown bag lunches for the Interior Delegation to meet with constituents visiting the capitol are scheduled for the following Thursdays:
Please come join us if you will be in Juneau. We are happy to schedule lunches for an off Thursday. Just let us know!
Teleconferences
Legislative Teleconferences with the Interior Delegation are scheduled for the following alternate Tuesdays from 7-8pm:
These meetings are broadcast over KUAC and we welcome you to participate. You may go to the LIO on Cushman St. or call 1-800-478-7612. We hope to hear from you!
We're on the Internet
Come see our web pages! The members of the Interior Delegation are accessible via the Internet! You will find legislation, speeches, sponsor statements, photos, profiles and more! Please come visit majority members at:
All members at: