2001-01-23                     Senate Journal                      Page 0148
The work of the council will remain the same. Its duties will continue                              
to include making recommendations concerning veterans' priority                                     
service needs, developing public and private partnerships to meet                                   
those needs, and providing coordination of information regarding                                    
veterans' benefits and services around the state. The chair of the                                  
council would also serve on the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home                                 
Advisory Board as proposed under separate legislation.                                              
                                                                                                    
This bill would maintain the present 20-member structure of the                                     
council to include one or more persons affiliated with a veterans                                   
organization, one or more persons from a state agency that manages                                  
programs affecting veterans, and one or more members of the general                                 
public familiar with veterans' issues. Council members would continue                               
to serve without compensation other than per diem and travel                                        
expenses.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                  Sincerely,                                                       
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Tony Knowles                                                       
                                 Governor                                                           
                                                                                                    
SB 55                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 55 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act changing the name of the Alaska Pioneers'                                         
          Home to the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home                                           
          and of the Alaska Pioneers' Homes Advisory Board                                          
          to the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home Advisory                                       
          Board; relating to services for veterans in the home;                                     
          relating to the advisory board for the home; making                                       
          other amendments to the statutes relating to the                                          
          home; making conforming amendments to other                                               
          statutes; and providing for an effective date."                                           
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Health,                                  
Education and Social Services and Finance Committees.