2001-01-23                     Senate Journal                      Page 0147
SB 54                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 54 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
              "An Act establishing the Alaska Veterans Advisory                                    
          Council; and providing for an effective date."                                            
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs                                     
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
In 1996 I issued Administrative Order No. 164 to establish the Alaska                               
Veterans Advisory Council. The council advises the state on ways to                                 
better address the needs and concerns of Alaska's veterans, their                                   
dependents and their survivors. Its work is vital and deserves a                                    
permanent status. I am therefore transmitting this bill to establish the                            
Alaska Veterans Advisory Council in statute within the Department of                                
Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).                                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

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