00                       CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 438(MLV)                                                                    
01 "An Act relating to motor vehicle registration plates for disabled veterans; and                                        
02 providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1.  AS 28.10.181(d) is amended to read:                                                                  
05            (d)  Vehicles owned by disabled veterans, including persons disabled in the                                  
06       line of duty while serving in the Alaska Territorial Guard, or other persons with                                 
07       disabilities.  Upon the request of a person with a disability that limits or impairs the                          
08       ability to walk, as defined in 23 C.F.R. 1235.2, the department shall (1) register one                            
09       passenger vehicle in the name of the person without charge, except for a registration                         
10       under (3) of this subsection; [AND] (2) issue a specially designed registration plate                         
11       that displays (A) recognition of the disabled veteran if the applicant's disability                               
12       originated from the applicant's service with the Alaska Territorial Guard or the armed                            
13       forces of the United States; and (B) the standard symbol of disability (the wheelchair                            
14       logo); and (3) if the vehicle is not registered under (1) of this subsection, register                        
01       one passenger vehicle and issue a registration plate that contains the Alaska and                             
02       United States flags and red, white, and blue colors.  A person [DISABLED                                  
03       VETERAN] who is not otherwise qualified under this subsection, but who meets the                              
04       qualifications of a disabled veteran under AS 29.45.030(i) [PRESENTS TO THE                                   
05       DEPARTMENT WRITTEN PROOF THAT THE PERSON IS AT LEAST 70                                                           
06       PERCENT DISABLED OR MEDICALLY HANDICAPPED AS A                                                                    
07       CONSEQUENCE OF SERVICE IN THE ALASKA TERRITORIAL GUARD OR                                                         
08       THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES], may register one passenger                                                
09       vehicle without charge unless the person requests a plate described under (3) of                              
10       this subsection, and the department shall issue a specially designed registration plate                       
11       described under (2) or (3) of this subsection that displays recognition of the disabled                       
12       veteran that does not display the standard handicap symbol and does not carry with it                             
13       special parking privileges.  For purposes of this subsection, proof of disability may be                          
14       provided by a person licensed as a physician under AS 08.64 or as an advanced nurse                               
15       practitioner under AS 08.68.                                                                                      
16    * Sec. 2.  AS 28.10.421(d)(3) is amended to read:                                                                  
17                 (3)  a vehicle owned by a disabled veteran or other handicapped person,                                 
18       and registered under AS 28.10.181(d) [AS 28.10.181] or a resident 65 years of age or                          
19       older who files a written application for an exemption on a form prescribed by the                                
20       department........................................................................................................
21    * Sec. 3.  AS 28.10.421(d) is amended by adding a new paragraph to read:                                           
22                 (16)  special request disabled veteran plates...................................$30;                    
23       the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance for a                            
24       vehicle registered under AS 28.10.181(d)(3), and on the replacement of special request                            
25       plates; the commissioner of administration shall separately account for the fees                                  
26       received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund;                                   
27       notwithstanding (g) of this section, the annual estimated balance in the account that is                          
28       in excess of the cost of issuing special request plates may be appropriated by the                                
29       legislature to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs for veterans                                      
30       rehabilitation and service work.                                                                                  
31    * Sec. 4.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2003.