00                            HOUSE BILL NO. 181                                                                          
01 "An Act relating to a state veterans' home; directing the Department of Administration                                  
02 to apply for federal grants available for construction of a state veterans' home; and                                   
03 providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
05    * Section 1.  AS 44.21.035(a) is amended to read:                                                                  
06            (a)  The Department of Administration shall apply for federal assistance to                                  
07       establish and operate state veterans' home facilities that provide domiciliary care and                           
08       nursing home care with related medical services.  The department, within available                                
09       funds, shall establish and operate veterans' homes at sites selected by the                                       
10       commissioner of administration after consultation with the adjutant general and                                   
11       veterans' organizations.  A site selected under this subsection must meet the                                 
12       requirements for receiving federal construction assistance under 38 U.S.C. 8131 -                             
13       8136 and applicable federal regulations.                                                                      
14    * Sec. 2.  The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to                         

01 read:                                                                                                                   
02       APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.  By January 1, 2004, the                                                      
03 Department of Administration shall, under the authority granted in AS 44.21.035, submit to                              
04 the federal Secretary of Veterans Affairs an application for federal assistance to construct a                          
05 state veterans' home with a capacity of 150 beds or the maximum bed capacity that is eligible                           
06 for federal assistance under 38 U.S.C. 8131 - 8136, whichever is less.  The application must                            
07 include all of the information required under applicable federal laws and regulations.                                  
08    * Sec. 3.  This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).