An Act relating to impersonating a public servant.

Senate Bill 114 was introduced last session to deal with a situation that surfaced in Juneau. It was brought to my attention because it could actually expand across the State. On a regular basis, police departments dispose of their vehicles through the public auction process. Those vehicles have the identifying markings removed prior to the sale.

In the Juneau situation the vehicle was restored to give the appearance of being a patrol car. The owners stopped by the Juneau Police Station to find out if it presented a legal problem. There is no law on the books that prevents anyone from marking their vehicles appear to be a police or other emergency vehicle.

While this case involved an honest individual, the chance of someone doing the same thing and committing a crime is extremely high. Section 1 of this legislation will make it illegal to operate such a vehicle.

This legislation also deals with the current growing concern over political activity ethics. For us in the legislature it is clearly spelled out what we can and can not do. For state public officials it is not so clear. The amendments proposed in this bill would clearly define the use of a state title, equipment including badges or uniform for partisan political purposes.