(Juneau) - Rural communities that ban the importation of alcohol now have more legal protection to shield themselves from the devastating effects of alcohol. Today the Alaska Senate concurred with changes made by the House to SB 210, clearing the way for Gov. Frank Murkowski to sign the bill into law.

Sponsored by Sen. Gene Therriault (R- North Pole), SB 210 gives law enforcement and rural communities extra authority to stop the illegal importation of alcohol.

"Rural communities that ban alcohol needed tougher seizure laws to stop bootlegging and to make their community safer for everyone. I am proud to say this legislation achieves those goals," said Sen. Therriault.

The bill is based on recommendations made by the Alaska Rural Justice and Law Enforcement Commission released in March 2006.

• Allows property to be seized if it was bought with profits earned by illegally importing alcohol.
• Outlines the process for an innocent third party claiming an interest in property that was seized.
• Beefs up forfeiture laws by permitting law enforcement to confiscate bootleg alcohol brought into a "dry" community as freight.

For more information, contact Heather Brakes at (907) 465.4797.

# # #