E-Newsletter from AKDemocrats.org
Sen. EllisDemo Memo logoRep. Kerttula
"Demo Memo" - A weekly report from your Democratic legislators in Juneau working for an Alaska that is safer, healthier, smarter, and richer.
Please join Senator Johnny Ellis and special guest Representative Beth Kerttula today at 4:30 pm for the "Demo Memo" on KUDO radio 1080 AM. This is a weekly segment on The Aaron Selbig Show, KUDO 1080's local progressive voice, a chance for Senator Ellis and a special guest to do the week in review...what happened in Juneau, what's going on next week, what bills are moving and so on. The Demo Memo is only broadcast in Anchorage at this point, but we hope it will be available statewide soon.

Guess' Bill To Curb Youth Vandalism Passes Judiciary

Sen. Gretchen GuessSenate Bill 10, sponsored by Senator Gretchen Guess (D-Anchorage),will establish a consistent set of policies for all three processes for holding minors and their parents accountable for restitution related to youth vandalism. to ensure full restitution, to hold minors and their parents appropriately accountable, and to improve the collection of restitution.will address the problem of youth vandalism by allowing the courts to make minors pay along with their parents, by making the minor responsible for any remaining debt when he or she turns 18, and requiring the courts to use a payment plan to ensure parents and kids are able to afford repaying the debt.

Senate Bill 10 now goes to Senate Finance.

Gara Bill to Protect Alaskan Drivers Passes State Affairs

Rep. Les GaraHouse Bill 347, sponsored by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage), closes a loophole in the law that has caused a number of drivers to be charged criminally for driving without auto insurance when, in fact, they had insurance.

HB 347 does two things. First, it provides that if a person's driver's license is suspended because of lack of insurance, the driver can use the defense of having in fact had the legally required auto insurance to the criminal charge of driving without a valid license.

HB 347 also provides that DMV should send the required insurance paperwork to a driver's last known address, not just the address DMV has on file. This rule will minimize the number of cases where DMV sends required insurance paperwork to the wrong address.

HB 347 serves the dual goals of requiring drivers to have automobile insurance, and preventing drivers from being charged with crimes they did not commit.

House Bill 347 now goes to House Judiciary.