Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/05/2005 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB119 | |
| HB16 | |
| HB156 | |
| HB122 | |
| HB149 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 122 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 149 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 156 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 201 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | HB 16 | ||
| = | HB 119 | ||
HOUSE BILL NO. 122
"An Act relating to payment of premiums for
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance on behalf of
members of the Alaska National Guard deployed to a
combat zone; and providing for an effective date."
KELLY HUBER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM,
explained that HB 122 allows military men and women in
foreign countries in combat zone to defer payments for
various contracts and bills.
Representative Holm asked why there is a zero note on the
education loans portion. Ms. Huber replied that the loans
are deferred and will still have to be paid in full.
3:20:15 PM
Co-Chair Meyer Moved to ADOPT Amendment 1:
Page 2, lines 18 - 19:
Delete "; a termination under this paragraph does not
remove the liability for any amount"
Insert ", and the payment of any amounts"
Page 3, line 27, following "Bank":
Insert ", except for a loan made by the Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation"
Vice-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED.
Ms. Huber explained that the sponsor's intent is to exempt
AHFC.
In response to a question by Vice-Chair Stoltze, Ms. Huber
replied that it helps so families are not displaced or
evicted.
Vice-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his objection to adopt Amendment
1. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
3:23:05 PM
Representative Weyhrauch MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 2:
Page 1, line 7
Delete Section 1
Co-Chair Meyer OBJECTED for discussion purposes.
Representative Weyhrauch explained that Section 1 could be
written in a letter of intent.
Representative Croft noted that it is a temporary law and
the section does no harm.
Co-Chair Meyer agreed with Representative Croft.
Representative Weyhrauch asked if making an exception for
the National Guard is appropriate.
REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM requested that the statement
stay in the bill because it reflects how the legislature
feels about the National Guard.
Co-Chair Meyer asked Representative Foster if there is a set
pattern for including such sections. Representative Foster
replied that there is no set pattern.
Representative Weyhrauch WITHDREW Amendment 2.
3:25:34 PM
Representative Weyhrauch MOVED to adopt Amendment 3:
Page 2, line 9
Delete Section 2
Vice-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED.
Representative Weyhrauch explained that the original section
allowed reimbursement similar to a life insurance program.
Ms. Huber explained that National Guardsmen already have
access to life insurance premiums. She clarified that
Section 2 was added as areas for relief which DMVA wished to
address, and was based on what other states do.
Representative Weyhrauch replied that he likes the original
bill and has problems with Section 2 because it puts a
burden on some and is not defined. He pointed out that the
National Guard is a volunteer service. He referred to costs
imposed on motor vehicle leasing companies, wireless
telephone services, higher education institutions, heating
fuel companies, state loans, and the Department of Fish and
Game. He opined this goes beyond the original intent of the
bill. It is too broad and has unintended consequences.
3:29:47 PM
Ms. Huber related that the bill developed into one which
provides more relief for guardsmen than just life insurance.
There have been no complaints about these new items. All
the bill does is terminate a contract; it does not allow
someone out of making payments. The University of Alaska
already has this in policy. Public utilities provisions
such as this one are found in legislation in other states to
prevent family hardships. The guardsman will still have to
pay their bills, but with no penalties charged. The
Department of Fish and Game will only have to re-issue the
actual license. Deferments of student loans are already in
place. This bill is not trying to create a hardship on
private companies.
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT an amendment to
Amendment 3, to delete Section 2 through page 3, line 27.
He voiced concerns about Section 2 and suggested that
legislative legal take a look at it.
Representative Dahlstrom related that she is comfortable
with the bill as it is because it has been a matter of
public record and no opposition has been voiced.
3:36:23 PM
Representative Croft suggested that the goals of Section 2
are appropriate.
Vice-Chair Stoltze commented on the scope of the bill.
Co-Chair Meyer suggested holding Amendment 3.
Representative Weyhrauch WITHDREW Amendment 3.
Representative Foster thanked the sponsor of the bill. He
suggested that the public would support this bill. He asked
how many would be impacted by the bill.
MAJOR GENERAL CRAIG CAMPBELL, COMMISSIONER, MILITARY AND
VETERANS AFFAIRS, related the numbers of guardsmen overseas,
many who are earning significantly less than they were in
the private sector. There are 125 soldiers from the Third
Battalion in Iraq, 27 soldiers in Haiti, 70 in Afghanistan,
150 deployed from the 176 Wing, plus many from the rescue
squad, for a total of 500 out of 4,000 National Guard
overseas this year.
3:43:43 PM
Representative Weyhrauch declined to move Amendment 4.
Co-Chair Meyer noted that a new fiscal note would be written
by the Department of Fish and Game.
HB 122 was HELD in committee for further consideration.
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