02/27/2001 03:38 PM House MLV
| Audio | Topic |
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND
VETERANS' AFFAIRS
February 27, 2001
3:38 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Chenault, Chair
Representative Beverly Masek
Representative Joe Green
Representative Pete Kott
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Joe Hayes
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Lisa Murkowski
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Richard Foster
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 87
"An Act establishing the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 87(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 137
"An Act relating to records of veterans of the armed forces; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 137 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 87
SHORT TITLE:ALASKA VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL
SPONSOR(S): RLS BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
01/24/01 0154 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME -
REFERRALS
01/24/01 0154 (H) MLV, STA, FIN
01/24/01 0154 (H) FN1: (MVA)
01/24/01 0155 (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER
01/24/01 0155 (H) REFERRED TO MLV
02/20/01 (H) MLV AT 3:30 PM CAPITOL 120
02/20/01 (H) Bill Canceled
02/27/01 (H) MLV AT 3:30 PM CAPITOL 120
BILL: HB 137
SHORT TITLE:RECORDS OF VETERANS
SPONSOR(S): SP CMTE ON MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
02/23/01 0410 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME -
REFERRALS
02/23/01 0410 (H) MLV, RES
02/27/01 (H) MLV AT 3:30 PM CAPITOL 120
WITNESS REGISTER
CAROL CARROLL, Director
Administrative Services Division
Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
400 Willoughby, Suite 500
Juneau, Alaska 99811
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 87 on behalf of the DMVA and
the administration.
PAT CAROTHERS, Chair
Alaska Veterans Advisory Council (AVAC)
P.O. Box 32926
Juneau, Alaska 99803-2926
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained AVAC's twofold mission and
testified in support of HB 87.
SHARON YOUNG, State Recorder
State Recorder's Office
Division of Support Services
Department of Natural Resources
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1210
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3564
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the need for HB 137 and answered
questions.
AL ZANGRI, Chief
Vital Statistics
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0675
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke briefly in support of HB 137.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 01-4, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR MIKE CHENAULT called the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 3:38 p.m.
Members present at the call to order were Representatives
Chenault, Masek, Green, and Hayes. Representatives Kott and
Cissna arrived as the meeting was in progress. Representative
Murkowski was excused, attending another meeting. Chair
Chenault noted the presence of Representative Foster.
HB 87 - ALASKA VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL
CHAIR CHENAULT announced the first order of business, HOUSE BILL
NO. 87, "An Act establishing the Alaska Veterans Advisory
Council; and providing for an effective date."
Number 0266
CAROL CARROLL, Director, Administrative Services Division,
Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), came
forward to present HB 87 on behalf of the DMVA and the
administration. She informed members that HB 87 establishes in
statute the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council (AVAC). The
council has assisted the DMVA since 1996 in identifying the
needs of veterans and their families, and in addressing ways to
recognize veterans in Alaska. The purpose of the council is to
give recommendations to the DMVA and to the governor concerning
those needs, as well as the development of public and private
partnerships to meet those needs.
MS. CARROLL reported that AVAC members would serve without
compensation other than per diem and travel [expenses]. The
council would consist of 20 members appointed by the governor.
Membership would include one or more persons affiliated with
veterans organizations; one or more persons from a state agency
that manages programs affecting veterans; and one or more
members of the general public who are familiar with veterans'
issues. She concluded by saying the council has done a real
service to the DMVA and to the veterans of the state.
Number 0403
REPRESENTATIVE HAYES asked what the difference would be between
AVAC and the American Legion, the DAV [Disabled American
Veterans], or other veterans organizations currently in place.
Number 0446
PAT CAROTHERS, Chair, Alaska Veterans Advisory Council, answered
by explaining AVAC's mission. He informed the committee that
AVAC's mission statement succinctly says the council attacks
problems of a general nature, not individual problems, for
Alaska's veterans.
MR. CAROTHERS explained that the major service organizations all
have service officers who, when they identify a specific problem
at their convention, will make note of that, as will AVAC. The
council listens to the reports of all the service officers at
these conventions, because those service officers represent all
of their posts statewide. If there is a common problem, or one
that AVAC recognizes as potentially dangerous to the veteran
community, that is where AVAC steps in. He noted that AVAC
represents veterans from all over the state, regardless of
whether that person is a member of an organization; nor does a
veteran have to be a member in order to go to an organization's
service officer.
MR. CAROTHERS reported that AVAC's other function is as a
"listening post" for the governor, the commissioner of DMVA, and
the legislature. He indicated AVAC brings forward problems that
affect the total veteran community and, therefore, should
interest the legislature; he offered the assistance of AVAC to
answer legislators' questions or provide information, pointing
out that both he and the state commander of the American Legion
live in Juneau. Mr. Carothers also noted that he has been the
chair of AVAC since it was reestablished six years ago. He
requested favorable consideration of HB 87.
Number 0720
MS. CARROLL, in response to questions by Chair Chenault,
explained that after Governor Knowles came into office, he
recreated AVAC by Administrative Order [No. 164] in 1996.
Regarding funding, [the DMVA] has been supporting AVAC out of
the regular operating budget, with about $5,000 in the "veterans
affairs component" that funds travel; when the travel has
exceeded that, the commissioner's office has been taking it out
of [DMVA's] travel budget to fund it. The fiscal note contains
a request to the committee to fund the part that [DMVA] cannot
fund out of the component, or which is over and above that
amount.
Number 0819
MR. CAROTHERS reported that although four meetings [a year] are
authorized, only three are being held; that reduction came in
the first two years after he'd deemed it almost impossible to
get a quorum during times of the year when people are fishing.
Through his efforts, the original one face-to-face meeting [a
year] was increased to two - one in Anchorage and one in Juneau
- because 80 percent of the council's productivity came from the
face-to-face meetings. In order to save money, the third
meeting is held telephonically, which is fine to check back to
see whether assignments have been accomplished, for example.
Number 0924
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK made a motion to adopt a conceptual
amendment on page 1, line 9, or somewhere under the "purpose"
section, to add the words "and legislators". She deferred to
Representative Kott for comment.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT suggested it could be left to the drafters
to include the legislature, members of the legislature, or -
depending on the committee's preference - the Speaker of the
House and the President of the Senate.
Number 1006
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK mentioned a second amendment she would
like, on page 2 where it says the council consists of twenty
members who are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the
governor. She specified that she would prefer four members to
be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the
House.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT proposed addressing the second amendment
first. He pointed out that the duties of the council are merely
to advise. He suggested that if the membership included members
of the House and Senate, there should be some advisement or
feedback [to the legislature] by virtue of that fact. He
proposed that before addressing the amendment, however, there
should be clarification about the meaning of "the council shall
advise" and the mechanism used to do that.
Number 1094
MS. CARROLL responded that she believes the [council] makes
recommendations in written form to the department and the
governor.
MR. CAROTHERS added that in past sessions, AVAC had always
provided the chair [of the House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs] with a copy of the minutes of the
meetings. He offered to continue that practice.
CHAIR CHENAULT responded that he believes Representative Masek
just wants to ensure that the legislature is involved in the
process.
Number 1143
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK concurred. She restated her desire to have
the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House appoint
members to the advisory council.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT responded that as long as [the appointed
members] were retired veterans, he would have no problem with
it. He asked to hear from the department.
Number 1176
MS. CARROLL stated the department's intent to institute the
existing membership in statute, so those people can continue to
provide the department with the kind of advice it has been
getting. She emphasized that the DMVA provides all of the
information, including any recommendations, to the legislature;
the department would continue to do that. Ms. Carroll added,
however, that she didn't believe the department would have a
problem saying the purpose is to advise the legislature, the
department, and - through the governor - other agencies.
Number 1231
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT noted that under the bill, there seems to be
a lot of discretion about who is appointed. For example, one
person could be from a veterans' organization, one could be a
member from the general public who is familiar with veterans'
issues, and the remaining eighteen could be from state agencies.
MS. CARROLL said she would be frank: The people on the council
now have done a very good job for the DMVA, and the department
would recommend to the governor that they be reappointed.
Number 1302
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT requested a breakdown of the specific
members. He emphasized the desire to ensure that the veterans
organizations are well represented. He said he didn't want to
leave it to the discretion of any governor.
MR. CAROTHERS responded that the current composition is
approximately 85 percent veterans. There are representatives
from the Alaska Housing [Finance Corporation], for example,
because there are many problems with veterans' loans; he said
that representative is responsive, and AVAC has no reason to
believe that will change. A former legislator, Ed Willis, has
been a member for the past six years and has done a fine job;
there are former mayors who also are veterans; a member from
Kotzebue sits on the council for the Tanana Chiefs Conference;
and there are two members from Fairbanks, one a veteran and the
other a veterans' auxiliary member.
MR. CAROTHERS spoke against having the legislature appoint
members. He cautioned about the possibility that someone who is
parochial could be appointed if the legislature appoints
members. He also cautioned that any committee could be "loaded"
with certain members; he emphasized his desire to keep the
membership from the three service organizations even, for
example. He suggested it is safer to have one person, the
governor, doing the appointing because of the danger of loading
the membership, resulting in divisiveness and the loss of
effectiveness of the council as certain members "run shy." He
expressed the need to have the playing field level, so that
there is complete response and cooperation, particularly among
the three largest service organizations.
Number 1558
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked Mr. Carothers whether he would object
to putting in statute that 50 percent, or more, of the members
must be veterans.
MR. CAROTHERS responded that it should be more than 50 percent,
because then [AVAC] will be something that the organizations
believe in. Currently the council is comprised of 80-85 percent
veterans and only four AVAC members came to mind who aren't
veterans; that is healthy because veterans understand the
language and the problems. He asked who would be better to
advise the legislature and the governor how to help veterans.
Number 1616
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked what advice the council has provided
to the department, the governor, or other affected state
agencies. He further asked, as a consequence of that advice,
whether there has been any legislation required to fulfill an
objective stated in the advisory opinion.
MR. CAROTHERS answered by saying there are three bills before
the House now that AVAC proposed to the governor in the past
year; one involves a high school diploma [for World War II
veterans], one puts AVAC in statute, and one relates to
[changing the Pioneers' Homes to the Alaska Pioneers' and
Veterans' Homes].
Number 1673
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT said he sees nothing wrong with having the
Speaker of the House appoint only one member from the House, and
having the Senate President appoint one member from the Senate
to sit on [AVAC]; those members could be responsible for
shepherding legislation through the process and could be the
"eyes and ears" for the legislature regarding veterans.
MR. CAROTHERS said he would have no problem with that; right now
AVAC's providing minutes to the chair [of the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs] is the only way
that the legislature has an ear.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT added that he wouldn't want to "stack the
deck" by having six or eight members from the legislature. He
restated that one from each house is plenty.
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK remarked that nothing in the bill would
give legislators that ability [of appointment], however. She
pointed out that the legislature makes the laws and controls
appropriations, even if the governor proposes legislation. She
stated the desire to have the Senate President and the Speaker
of the House appoint one member [each], at least, from the
legislative body.
Number 1805
REPRESENTATIVE HAYES said he agreed somewhat with Representative
Masek, but that it seems the purpose would be skewed that way.
He referred to the proposed amendment to page 1. He said he
would be more comfortable if the entities specified to be
advised were the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs,
the chair of the House Special Committee on Military and
Veterans' Affairs, and [other departments and agencies] through
the governor. In that way, the chair of the committee would be
the conduit [to the legislature].
CHAIR CHENAULT said that may be true, but asked whether it is
the chair's responsibility to propose the bills that the
governor wants.
REPRESENTATIVE HAYES said it would be the chair's call, he would
think. He emphasized that it would just put the chair of the
committee in the loop, providing a legislative connection.
Number 1870
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT suggested that the purpose section on page 1
is so loosely written that it would be sufficient just to say
the council shall advise the Department of Military and
Veterans' Affairs, the legislature, and, through the governor
[other departments and agencies]. Therefore, the details could
be worked out. He felt that it would be incumbent upon the
member appointed by the Speaker of the House and the member
appointed by the President of the Senate to bring to light to
their respective body any substantive policy changes, which he
felt would eventually trickle down to the chair of the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
MS. CARROLL stated that the DMVA has no objection to a member, a
veteran, being appointed to the advisory council by the
President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.
CHAIR CHENAULT asked if that member from both the House and the
Senate would be a veteran.
There was discussion regarding leaving the choice of a veteran
or nonveteran member to the discretion of the body.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT recalled that 85 percent of the members are
from the three veterans organizations.
MR. CAROTHERS clarified that 85 percent are veterans and not
necessarily part of the organizations.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT inquired as to whether there would be a
problem filling the positions with members of the veterans
organizations. He asked if there could be consensus regarding a
minimum number of positions that would be filled by veterans
from the veterans organizations.
MR. CAROTHERS pointed out that the three [commanders of the
three major service organizations: DVA, VFW, and American
Legion] have been members since the beginning. In order to
maintain continuity, each of the three organizations has one
[permanent] representative. However, the department head of the
American Legion was in Ketchikan and thus he couldn't make the
meetings. Therefore, the head of the American Legion
designated, per a letter, a person to represent him at the
meetings. He also pointed out that the council is made up of
veterans, many of which are members of one or more of the [three
veterans] organizations.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT read the language on page 2, regarding the
composition of the council and said there should be a minimum of
three [veterans] if each of the commanders or designees are
members of the council. He suggested that the word "one" should
read "three." However, he wasn't sure how to address the other
members.
MR. CAROTHERS said that the language should read that there
should be a minimum of 15 members that are veterans.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked if there was an amendment before the
committee.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT recalled that Representative Masek made a
motion for a conceptual amendment, which deals with this
particular issue.
Number 2146
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN suggested a conceptual amendment that would
read similar to the following:
Page 2, Sec. 44.35.130,
"(a) The council consists of 20 members, one of whom
is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Senate
and one of whom is appointed by and serves at the
pleasure of the Speaker of the House and 18 who are
appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the
governor. The council shall include [15] or more
persons who are veterans, one or more persons from a
state agency that manages programs affecting veterans,
and one or more persons from the general public who
are familiar with veterans' issues."
MR. CAROTHERS indicated his preference for 15 members from
[veterans organizations] because it lends credibility to the
three major veterans organizations [on the council].
REPRESENTATIVE HAYES turned to the language regarding the
appointments from the House and the Senate. He asked, "Are you
anticipating those appointments coming from the body or just
anybody."
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN clarified that he was suggesting that one
member would be appointed by the Speaker of the House and one
member by the President of the Senate. He further clarified,
"Not necessarily from this committee, but, certainly, from the
body."
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT related his understanding that it would be a
legislative member from the House and a legislative member from
the Senate, to which Representatives Masek and Green indicated
agreement. Representative Kott further related his
understanding that there would be two [legislative] members and
15 additional members, of which three would come from the
veterans organizations.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN agreed that could be said. However, he
specified that he had merely intended to say that the 15 would
have to be veterans.
MR. CAROTHERS echoed his earlier preference for the 15 as a
means of maintaining credibility within the major service
organizations.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT surmised then that Mr. Carothers wouldn't
have a problem with the legislation not identifying a certain
number of members coming from a veterans organization.
MR. CAROTHERS replied no and specified that he merely wants
three from the organizations.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT pointed out that if "15" is inserted without
language specifying that three will come from the veterans
organizations, then it would be left to the discretion of the
governor.
MR. CAROTHERS remarked, "Well, if you're going to put it in the
law, maybe you should."
Number 2298
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT suggested then that the language should
relay that of the 15 members who are familiar with veterans'
issues, there must be one member from each of the three major
service organizations. After further discussion, Representative
Kott clarified, "I think ... we want 15 members on this council
who are familiar with veterans organizations, three of which we
want to come from the service organizations - one each ... from
the VFW, the American Legion, and DAV." Therefore, there would
be 15 members of which 12, who are familiar with veterans
issues, can be from anywhere and the remaining three, one each,
from the three major service organizations. There would also be
two members of the legislature. Thus there would be three
additional members that the governor could appoint from the
state agencies.
MR. CAROTHERS expressed the need to change Representative Kott's
language to say "15 veterans" rather than "15 people" because
"people" doesn't mean that they have to be veterans.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT said, "Okay."
Number 2395
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA inquired as to the possibility of
inserting language referring to "veterans or veterans' spouses".
MR. CAROTHERS noted that the council already includes a member
that is a veteran's wife.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA indicated that the spouse of a veteran
would be very familiar with veterans' issues.
CHAIR CHENAULT remarked, "We're not trying to specifically take
it down to where we know exactly who it is that we're ...
putting in this position."
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA expressed the need to be specific and
include "veterans' spouses" because there are veterans' issues
that are family-related issues. Furthermore, the family often
views itself as part of the service.
REPRESENTATIVE HAYES remarked that there are many thing that a
veteran's spouse will not and cannot know.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA pointed out that it is also true that
there are many things that the veteran won't know regarding the
family situation.
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK remarked that she believes the committee is
going astray and requested that the amendment be restated.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT commented that the issue mentioned by
Representative Cissna deserves some attention because he
understood that the intent of HB 87 is to codify the current
members of the council, which includes a veteran's spouse.
Therefore, that person would need to be included.
TAPE 01-4, SIDE B
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT pointed out that the public membership
portion of AS 44.35.130 (a) is being deleted. He indicated that
[the public membership] could be a way to address allowing a
veteran's spouse to sit on the council. On the other hand, the
composition language could [require] 15 veterans or their
spouses.
MR. CAROTHERS said that he didn't want to see the spouses of
veterans included in the number of veterans. He indicated that
it would be "one thing" to allow veterans' spouses to be
included in the public membership. Mr. Carothers informed the
committee that he is very sensitive to what the three major
service organizations will think of this. He didn't want to
lose his credibility with those organizations.
Number 2455
MR. CAROTHERS confirmed that the Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation (AHFC) member was desired because that person was an
expert in that field as it relates to veterans.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA said that having a seat available for a
veteran's spouse seems to be valid. In response to Mr.
Carothers, Representative Cissna expressed her desire to have
the [composition] such that there could be both the AHFC member
and a veteran's spouse member. She indicated that this is up to
the maker of the conceptual amendment, Representative Masek.
Number 2395
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK said that the language "and one or more
persons from the general public who are familiar with veterans'
issues" should be left. She asked if that language would cover
the veteran's spouse and other people.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN pointed out that Representative Masek's
suggestion would work if all three of the major service
organizations are included in the 15.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT remarked that he wasn't sure that would
suffice. He explained that there are 15 members, of which there
is one from each of the three major service organizations.
There are two members from the legislature, which sums 17.
There are three members left. Therefore, he inquired as to how
many are desired from state agencies.
MR. CAROTHERS specified that he wanted one member from AHFC and
one from the Pioneers' Home.
MS. CARROLL noted that the DMVA isn't on the council.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN pointed out that the language says that
there will be "at least 15." He also pointed out that so far
the membership would total 19.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked if any nonmilitary veterans' spouses
currently serve on the council.
MR. CAROTHERS answered one. In further response to
Representative Kott, Mr. Carothers said that currently the
council consists of three state agency representatives.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT surmised then that the composition of the
council is 15 veterans, 2 legislators, 3 state agency
representatives, and 1 spouse.
MS. CARROLL pointed out that the two legislative members may be
veterans.
CHAIR CHENAULT indicated the possibility of the state agency
representatives being veterans as well.
MS. CARROLL indicated that was possible and pointed out that the
council could consist of 21 members.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT related his belief that having a 21-member
council would satisfy everyone.
MR. CAROTHERS pointed out that the AHFC member is also a
veteran's spouse.
Number 2192
REPRESENTATIVE HAYES asked if a conceptual amendment specifying
20 or 21 members is necessary.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT answered that he believes that the
membership will have to either be increased to 21 or the number
of veterans will have to be decreased to 14.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked whether the 15 would include 15
veterans or veterans' spouses or is the desire to have no less
than 15 veterans. Representative Green [upon an inaudible
indication that the desire is to have 15 veterans] said that the
membership will have to be increased to 21.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT agreed with an increase in the total members
of the council to 21.
Number 2103
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN related his understanding of the conceptual
amendment as follows:
The council consists of 21 members, one of whom is
appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the
President of the Senate, one of whom is appointed by
and serves at the pleasure of the Speaker of the
House, 19 are appointed and serve at the pleasure of
the governor. The governor shall include 15 or more
persons who are veterans, ... one each from the
veterans service organizations: DAV, VFW, and ... the
American Legion.
Representative Green acknowledged that he didn't include
veterans' spouses.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT pointed out the lack of language referring
to "one or more persons from the general public who are familiar
with veterans' issues".
MS. CARROLL commented that she didn't see the need to name the
veterans organizations. Therefore, the language could read,
"one each from three recognized veterans service organization".
MR. CAROTHERS, in response to Representative Green, said that he
didn't care which three recognized veterans service
organizations were members of the council.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN surmised then that Mr. Carothers wanted the
three members to represent three different recognized veterans
service organizations.
Number 1995
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA posed a situation in which there is a
decision to not have the AHFC member and have someone from
another agency. In such a situation, "can you have a spouse as
well," she asked.
MR. CAROTHERS noted that the governor can pull the plug on
anyone, except the two legislative members. Therefore, one
state agency could be deleted and another put in its place.
REPRESENTATIVE HAYES pointed out that someone on this council
will probably have to be taken off because the council currently
consists of 20 members and now two members will be legislative
members.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN interjected that now there are only 19
members required.
MR. CAROTHERS confirmed that there are currently 19 members.
Number 1889
CHAIR CHENAULT asked if the committee is in agreement on the
[conceptual] amendment. No objection was stated and thus the
[conceptual] amendment was adopted.
Number 1890
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT announced that the only other conceptual
amendment was to include "the legislature" on page 1, line 9,
after "Veterans' Affairs". Representative Kott moved the
aforementioned as Representative Masek's conceptual amendment.
There being no objection, that conceptual amendment was adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE HAYES pointed out that the fiscal note states
that one annual meeting will be held in Juneau and one in
Anchorage. Representative Hayes expressed his desire to make
[the meeting places] less specific in order to allow other areas
to host meetings.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN noted that the fiscal note was based on
those assumptions, and therefore the location probably wouldn't
matter.
Number 1793
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT moved to report HB 87 as amended out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 87(MLV) was
reported from the House Special Committee on Military and
Veterans' Affairs.
Number 1799
CHAIR CHENAULT called an at-ease at 4:43 p.m. [The remainder of
Tape 01-4, Side B is blank because a new tape was inserted.]
TAPE 01-5, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR CHENAULT brought the meeting back to order at 4:52 p.m.
HB 137 - RECORDS OF VETERANS
Number 0064
CHAIR CHENAULT announced the final order of business, HOUSE BILL
NO. 137, "An Act relating to records of veterans of the armed
forces; and providing for an effective date."
Number 0102
SHARON YOUNG, State Recorder, State Recorder's Office, Division
of Support Services, Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
testified via teleconference regarding the need for HB 137. She
characterized the bill as an efficient, time-saving measure; it
would streamline one small segment of her office's work that now
requires a cumbersome manual process. Ms. Young noted that her
office is continuing to look at streamlining processes and
eliminating manual time-intensive systems, where possible.
MS. YOUNG informed members that AS 26.10.070 now assigns to two
separate agencies the task of maintaining the same records
regarding veterans. This seems merely duplicative. Ms. Young
pointed out that there is a zero fiscal note for HB 137;
however, time saved - perhaps 200 hours a year in the manual
preparation of reports and copies currently provided to Vital
Statistics [Department of Health and Social Services] - could be
used for her office's other priorities that are established by
statute. Ms. Young concluded by stating support for HB 137.
Number 0253
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK made a motion to move HB 137 out of
committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero
fiscal note; she asked for unanimous consent.
Number 0293
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked Ms. Young how her office acquires the
DD214 forms.
MS. YOUNG answered that recording of DD214s is not mandatory.
When veterans separate from military service, however, it is
usually recommended by the military that veterans record those -
either with a clerk and recorder, if they are in another state,
or with the State Recorder's Office, if they are in Alaska. If
they do so, veterans always will be able to get a certified copy
of an official government record of that document for pursuing
veterans' benefits or other matters. Ms. Young added that this
"highly preventive recording" is done by the hundreds every
year.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT recalled that [recording of the DD214 form]
is on the retirement checklist as something a veteran should
think about doing.
Number 0465
AL ZANGRI, Chief, Vital Statistics, Division of Public Health,
Department of Health and Social Services, came forward. He
stated simply that the department supports the bill
wholeheartedly, and offered to answer questions.
Number 0486
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK renewed her motion to move HB 137 from
committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero
fiscal note; she asked for unanimous consent. There being no
objection, HB 137 was moved from the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 4:49 p.m.
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