Truce on coastal zones; DV laws pass Legislature

Day 89 of the 90-day legislative session closed the door on one looming conflict, saw widespread approval of laws advancing Gov. Sean Parnell's domestic violence initiative, and ushered through a bill outlawing sexual acts with animals.

The House was still in a floor session debating rural school funding, early childhood education and cruise ship taxes, among other things, at 11 p.m.

Some highlights from the day:

* A Senate bill that's whipped the House Majority into a fuss and has splintered allegiances throughout the Capitol (more here) was laid to rest, for now. The bill (SB4) would have given coastal communities more say in developments - like OCS oil and gas drilling - with the potential to change a way of life nurtured for decades.

Following news Friday of potential compromises between Parnell and North Slope Borough Mayor Edward Itta, the Senate pulled the measure off the table. In doing so, Sen. Charlie Huggins, R-Wasilla, warned that the issue wouldn't disappear, and without major inroads opening better communication between communities and the state, lawmakers could take swift action next year.

* The Senate checked off on Rep. Bob Lynn's bill (HB 6), which outlaws sexual acts with animals and incorporates Sen. Bill Wielechowski's bill bolstering potential charges for the ugliest acts of violence against animals.

Both bestiality and violence toward animals are considered signs that an offender may commit violent crimes against people, particularly domestic violence, the bill sponsors said.

* Two bills pushed as part of Gov. Sean Parnell's sweeping domestic violence agenda cruised through both bodies, and should land soon on his desk for a signature. Another key piece sponsored by Sen. Hollis French, D-Anchorage, also met with approval.

SB222 ups the penalties for intentionally accessing child pornography on computers, and creates a new misdemeanor charge for "offensive touching" that doesn't quite meet the standards of a sexual assault charge. The bill also gives judges more discretion in sentencing offenders with aggravating circumstances.

Senate Bill 110, by French, requires a new standard for retaining evidence, among other things.

And HB 324, by Parnell, revises old bail statutes in an attempt to better protect the public and assure court appearances. Under the plan, offenders found guilty of sexual felonies wouldn't be released pending sentencing or appeal. The bill also gives a bit more time to bring a prisoner before a court.