Legislature(2017 - 2018)GRUENBERG 120
04/06/2017 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB125 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 125-LAO/HMONG VETERAN DRIVER'S LIC. & ID CARD
1:03:57 PM
CHAIR TUCK announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 125, "An Act relating to a veteran's designation
on an identification card or a driver's license for Hmong
veterans and Lao veterans."
CHAIR TUCK noted that Representative Saddler's question from a
previous hearing was answered by Hillary Martin with Legislative
Legal and Research Services, who stated that the current
drafting is correct: the long version of the definition only
needs to be stated once in each section.
1:04:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how many people are likely to
qualify for a Hmong or Lao [veteran] driver's license
designation under HB 125.
1:05:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor of HB 125, offered her understanding that the answer is
about 40 individuals.
1:05:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH stated that his notes indicated about 30
to 40.
1:05:43 PM
ROBERT DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), offered the department's estimate of
approximately 40.
1:05:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Verdie Bowen if Hmong veterans are
included in the count of veterans the Office of Veteran Affairs
assists and for whom the office facilitates the provision of
services.
1:06:19 PM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director of Veterans Affairs, Office of Veteran
Affairs, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA),
responded that the way the Office of Veteran Affairs accounts
for Hmong veterans is through events on May 15, Hmong Memorial
Day. He stated that his office does not currently provide
benefits to Hmong Veterans but the office does recognize and
honor their service to the nation.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated his understanding that a benefit
of the veteran driver's license designation is the opportunity
to "contact veterans and ... sign them up and increase our count
for federal VA purposes." He recalled a provision in HB 125
that would allow the Office of Veteran Affairs to make contact
with the veterans. He asked if Hmong and Lao veterans are
included in the current statewide count of veterans and what
benefits the bill would bring to any qualifying individuals.
MR. BOWEN stated that HB 125 reflects [the department's]
position of honoring these veterans. He stated that the only
benefit the Hmong veterans would receive under HB 125 would be
discounts for their veteran status at places which provide such
a discount. There would be no VA benefits set aside for these
veterans. The legislation would bring recognition that could
help establish the ability to allow Hmong veterans to receive
national recognition such as burial in national cemeteries.
1:08:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR stated that the recognition may be more
symbolic than material. She remarked, "To go into Denny's on
the day where they provide the discount for veterans, for the
first time ever in the United States, they will walk in and be
able to say to someone I'm a veteran who served this country."
1:08:51 PM
CHAIR TUCK stated that in such a circumstance, the server might
be interested in learning more and experiences and conversations
could be shared.
1:09:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH commended Representative Tarr for bringing
the legislation forward. He remarked, "We have a clear moral
obligation to Hmong veterans, and finally we're taking a step
towards honoring it in a way that they've requested. So I'm
fully in support of this bill."
1:09:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked if the bill authorizes a Hmong
veteran to receive the same veteran designation on his/her
driver's license or ID card as any other veteran.
1:09:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR answered yes.
1:10:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH moved to report HB 125 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HB 125 was moved from House
Military and Veterans' Affairs Special Committee.
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