03/19/1998 03:33 PM Senate STA

               SB 339 - FIRE FIGHTER LICENSE PLATES                            
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN GREEN brought SB 339 before the committee and invited Ms.             
Howell to present an overview on the legislation.                              
                                                                               
RENEE HOWELL, staff to Senator Green, read the following sponsor               
statement into the record:                                                     
                                                                               
"Currently, volunteer firefighters make up 80 percent of Alaska's              
4,255 firefighters.  Senate Bill 339 will establish a volunteer                
firefighter license plate available for purchase only by volunteer             
firefighters.  The purchase price is $50.  The license plate will              
provide recognition for volunteer firefighters and will provide a              
possible source of revenue for firefighter training around the                 
state.                                                                         
                                                                               
"Historically, small communities do not have the money to pay for              
a full-time fire department and they rely on volunteers.  These                
volunteers, in addition to their full-time careers, dedicate their             
spare time to firefighting and firefighter training.  A volunteer              
receives comparable training as that of a full-time paid                       
firefighter.  They risk their lives and are the unsung heroes of               
many communities across the state.  Let us honor their dedication              
and sacrifice by establishing a visible means of recognition for               
these important and dedicated community volunteers."                           
                                                                               
Number 195                                                                     
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN GREEN inquired how the design for these plates is created.            
MS. HOWELL responded that she was informed by Juanita Hensley of               
the Division of Motor Vehicles that there is a graphic designer                
that has a list of restrictions on size, color, etc., for the                  
design of the plates.  Individuals are allowed to submit                       
recommendations for the plates, but the division makes the final               
decision.                                                                      
                                                                               
Number 206                                                                     
                                                                               
JAY DULANY, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of                
Administration, said the division always tries to work with  the               
organizations, such as the Gold Rush Centennial Committee, when                
there is a special plate to get a design that is most beneficial to            
the organization and he doesn't see any problems with doing                    
something with this one as well.                                               
                                                                               
Number 217                                                                     
                                                                               
MRS. R.J. NELSON, Fire Chief Nenana Fire Department, testifying via            
teleconference from Nenana, related that she did a survey in her               
area asking what firefighters thought of these plates and she                  
received a lot of positive responses, and she has  submitted some              
examples and ideas for plates to the committee which were suggested            
by firefighters and herself.  She also pointed out that the                    
training requirements are exactly the same for volunteers and paid             
firefighters and most of the communities in the state are protected            
by volunteer department only.  Directing the revenue generated from            
the sale of these plates towards training of firefighters will be              
a real benefit to rural communities around the state.  She said the            
legislation honors the state of Alaska's volunteer firefighters                
with a lot of respect and appreciation.                                        
                                                                               
There being no further testimony on SB 339, CHAIRMAN GREEN asked               
for the will of the committee.                                                 
                                                                               
SENATOR MACKIE moved SB 339 and the accompanying zero fiscal note              
be passed out of committee with individual recommendations.                    
Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.