March 28, 2002
Thursday - 8:30 pm

House Joint Resolution 45 supporting the labeling of wild and farmed salmon passed the House unanimously Wednesday. Labeling requirements currently being considered by Congress would give Americans the right to know whether their salmon was wild or farmed and the country of origin. HJR 45 supports the legislation being considered by Congress. The unanimous vote proves that the Alaska State House of Representatives truly is wild about wild salmon. In her speech to the House, Representative Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau) said, "Wild salmon have health benefits that are far superior to farmed salmon. American consumers have the right to know what they,re eating and where it came from. Federal legislation, HR 2646, is currently being heard in a conference committee in the U.S. Senate.

HJR 45 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 348 passed the House unanimously this week. The bill cracks down on violations of court ordered restraining orders issued in cases involving domestic violence. "The most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is when they try to get away from their abuser, said Representative Eric Croft (D-Anchorage). "People need to know that when they get a protective order against an aggressor, that order will be upheld. HB 348 changes the allowable defense for violations of protective orders by accepting only reasonable misinterpretations as an excuse for the violation. As the law stands a defendant can claim ignorance that his or her actions were prohibited by the protective order, no matter how ridiculous that claim may be. "The responsibility of following the letter of the law should fall squarely on the shoulders of the criminal, said Rep. Croft.

HB 348 moves next to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 321 which changes the victims, compensation board guidelines when considering sexual assault and sexual abuse of a minor, passed the house Wednesday with no opposition. HB 321 limits the factors considered in making a crime victims, compensation award in cases of sexual assault or sexual abuse of a minor. "It is a shameful insult to deny a sexual assault victim aid on the misguided implication they are somehow responsible for what happened to them, said Representative Gretchen Guess (D-Anchorage). The unintended consequence of the preexisting language was child abuse and sexual assault victims could be denied funding if the board found them to have contributed to the circumstances of the crime. This bill acts toward absolving the victim of any blame. "These guidelines have the very unfortunate consequence of not only withholding aid, but also making a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse of a minor feel as though they somehow deserved or played a role in being victimized. This is a horrible outcome that this simple bill seeks to remedy, said Rep. Guess. The bill adds language prohibiting the consideration of provocation, the use of drugs or alcohol, or past social history of the victim by the compensation board.

HB 321 now moves to the Senate.

Source of News Release:

Alaska Democrats
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