Legislative Briefs for March 15, 2015

Parolee legislation passes House

JUNEAU — A bill that directs probations officers to accommodate their clients’ schedules and also allow them to travel for work has cleared the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Knik-Fairview, the bill moderately tweaks the laws outlining the duties of the state’s probation officers both to get them to reasonably accommodate the work schedules of probationers and parolees and to allow them to travel within the state for work as long as it doesn’t violate other terms of their release.

“Those with criminal convictions, particularly felonies, face significant hurdles after their release from jail or prison,” Tilton said in a Legislature press release. “Few employers are willing to hire them, yet employment is one of three major factors, along with housing and social services, that prevents recidivism. Our probation and parole practices can help to remove barriers to work.”

She went on to note that a lot of jobs in Alaska require traveling great distances. As of Wednesday, the bill was awaiting action in the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Bill would exempt teachers from jury duty

JUNEAU — Saying that he wants to keep teachers in the classroom, a Mat-Su Republican has proposed an exemption from jury duty for teachers during the school year.

“This bill exempts Alaska’s teachers from jury duty service requirements during the school year. With more required tests and teacher evaluation requirements crowding out valuable classroom time, this is a simple, straight forward proposal to try and keep our teachers in the classroom and our students learning,” reads the entirety of the sponsor’s statement for Jim Colver’s House Bill 98.

In a newsletter to constituents, Colver said the bill had been well received. As of Wednesday it was awaiting action in the House Education Committee.

‘School Choice Week’ resolution passes

JUNEAU — Rep. Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, got a resolution though the House of Representatives that would designate a School Choice Week in Alaska.

According to an Alaska Legislature press release, School Choice Week is a national celebration held to stress the importance of education options for children.

“Alaska has many education opportunities,” Gattis said in the press release. “This resolution is really about school choice. It’s about a parent’s right to choose when, where, and how their child is educated.”

School Choice Week would last from Jan. 24 to Jan. 30, 2016.

After passing the house, Gattis’ resolution went to the Alaska Senate where, as of Wednesday afternoon, it was in the Senate Education Committee.

House considers creating ‘Peony Month’

JUNEAU — A Fairbanks representative is trying to get the Legislature to recognize a flower that an increasing number of Valley farmers consider a cash crop: peonies.

A resolution from David Guttenberg, D-Fairbanks, would proclaim July to be Alaska Peony Month in celebration of the state’s peony industry.

“With this resolution we are fertilizing the opportunities that are expected to come from this blossoming industry,” Guttenberg punned in a press release on the topic.

The press release also quoted a North Pole farmer.

“The demand for peonies from Alaska continues to increase every year and exceeds our annual production,” said longtime peony farmer Ron Illingworth. “While production is doubling and tripling each year, demand is quadrupling. We anticipate no change in this relationship for the foreseeable future. With demand exceeding supply, we are able to get premium prices.”

The House Resources Committee will take up the bill next.