Sponsor Statement for HB 474

The Alaska Police Training Fund, created by the legislature, was established January 1, 1996. The purpose of this fund is to "... provide a stable funding source for law enforcement and corrections officer training ..." To this end, the legislature established a schedule of surcharges to be applied to various offenses and provided that the equivalent of the surcharges be deposited in the Police Training Fund. This fund allows for the establishment of training programs through the Alaska Police Standards Council, such as the Department of Corrections Municipal Corrections Officer Academy.

HB 474 creates a separate new class of officers called municipal corrections officers." Its purpose is to provide the Alaska Police Standards Council regulatory authority, over participating municipalities, for certification and training of Municipal Corrections Officers.