Legislature(2021 - 2022)GRUENBERG 120
04/27/2021 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB40 | |
| HJR16 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 40 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HJR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SB 40-VETERANS' BENEFITS SERVICES; DISCLOSURE
1:05:09 PM
CHAIR TUCK announced that the first order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 40, "An Act relating to veterans' benefits
services and veterans' benefits appeal services."
1:05:30 PM
SENATOR JOSH REVAK, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor,
thanked the committee for hearing SB 40 and noted that this bill
is for consumer protections for veterans.
1:05:53 PM
CHAIR TUCK opened public testimony on SB 40.
1:06:16 PM
CHRISTOPHER BLOCK testified in support of SB 40. He said that
he is a disabled Air Force veteran who has worked through the
Veterans Administration process since 2006. He described his
expenses for accessing benefits and expressed his belief that SB
40 would help many veterans. He said that even well-educated
veterans need the protection that SB 40 would provide.
1:09:37 PM
CHAIR TUCK asked Mr. Block how he knew about this proposed
legislation.
MR. BLOCK replied that he sits on the Anchorage Chamber of
Commerce and is very involved in anything concerning veterans.
1:10:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR asked Mr. Block whether he believes the fine
of $1,000 per violation would be appropriate, given how much
money he had spent on veterans' benefits providers.
MR. BLOCK explained that the provider he used retained a
percentage of the benefit as payment. He said that companies
may not be deterred by a fine of $1,000, but that getting the
information out is an important step in the process.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR said that she has often visited
organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and
American Legion and noted that membership in those organizations
is "on the older side." She asked Mr. Block whether he had any
thoughts on getting younger veterans involved in the
organizations.
MR. BLOCK replied that since leaving active duty and being
involved with disabled veterans, he's noticed the age gap and
difficulty in reaching younger veterans. He said that even with
involvement in Disabled Veterans of America and Wounded Warrior
Project it's difficult to connect, and he's noticed that
veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom haven't been able to
connect with the VFW or American Legion the way those of the
Vietnam War have. He said that it would be helpful to be able
to access information outside of the Veteran Services
Organizations.
1:17:26 PM
CHAIR TUCK, after ascertaining that no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on SB 40.
1:17:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR moved to report SB 40 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, SB 40 was reported out of the
House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 40 Testimony Received by HMLV 4.25.2021.pdf |
HMLV 4/27/2021 1:00:00 PM |
SB 40 |
| HJR 16 Supporting Document Letter to the Alaska Congressional Delegation 4.27.2021.pdf |
HMLV 4/27/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 16 |