News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: February 19, 1997 Contact: Senator Loren Leman 907/465-2095

Senate Passes Bill To Keep Neighborhoods and Public Servants Safe

JUNEAU -- The Senate Wednesday passed Senator Loren Leman’s (R-Anchorage) regulatory reform measure to simplify the requirements for reporting hazardous substances by a unanimous vote.

Last year, Senator Leman introduced a similar version of Senate Bill 39. It received strong support in both the House and Senate but did not become law because the Senate was unable to concur with changes made to the bill by the House in the closing hours of the 1996 session.

Senator Leman noted that SB 39 streamlines reporting procedures for hazardous substances and makes reporting requirements consistent with federal law. "A business in Anchorage that deals with hazardous materials currently has to report under four different programs, using several different forms," said Leman.

"My legislation will consolidate all this paperwork into one form," Leman said. "This will allow businesses to more easily comply with important rules set up to protect health and safety. And, this is a first step toward a system of electronic filing that will greatly increase the availability and accuracy of report data."

Leman explained that one form, containing the same information, and electronically distributed to all parties responding to an emergency, will result in a more safe and effective response.

"With electronic filing, firemen will be able to access a computer and quickly find out whether a burning building contains materials that could endanger themselves and the public nearby," Leman said. "The current warning method relies on placards that are one square foot in size posted on the buildings. These signs are small and in many instances, not current. What good does a sign do if it cannot be read from a safe distance? We need a better method -- my legislation is a step in that direction."

"Making our neighborhoods safer does not begin and end with crime. It includes giving those who work to protect the public the tools they need to do their job," said Leman.

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