The House Finance Committee will meet on Saturday and Monday to accept public testimony on Senate Bill 54, making additional reforms to Alaska’s criminal justice system. The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee late Thursday night and has been referred to the House Finance Committee.
There are TWO more opportunities for you to make your voice heard on Senate Bill 54, the crime bill, which is now before the House Finance Committee: Saturday, October 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday, October 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
House Finance will be hearing SB 54: Crime and Sentencing tonight, the bill focuses on amending SB 91: Omnibus Crime Law & Procedure by providing judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement with more tools. If you want to know more about SB 54 and how it will help Alaska, go to the FAQ here.
I know the crime bills (SB91/SB54) have been on a lot of minds lately. Down in Juneau, the House is holding many a hearing on these bills and, although we’ve heard from several of you in recent public meetings and town halls, we would love to hear official public testimony.
The Governor recalled members of the Alaska State House to a 4th Special Session to consider changes to SB 91 , the Criminal Justice Reform bill of 2016.
After four days in the House Judiciary Committee, the bill to strengthen criminal penalties where prior law left them arguably (in my view) too soft has passed, and is now being heard by the House Finance Committee. I am on that committee, and serve as Vice Chair.
I know that many commercial fishermen, residents, and businesses in my district were deeply affected by disastrous pink salmon returns in 2016. Pink salmon fishing is the mainstay of our seine fleet and the effect on families and the economy was devastating. I want to provide an update of where we are in the process of securing funding from the Federal Government for hard-working fishermen.
The two items on the call for this special session are the governor’s payroll tax proposal and SB 54 making adjustments to criminal justice reform. Both bills will be heard in House Finance this week and next.
