02/03/2005 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB83 || HB84 | |
| Discussion of Potential Legislation | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 84 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
February 3, 2005
12:59 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Lynn, Chair
Representative Nancy Dahlstrom
Representative Jim Elkins
Representative Lesil McGuire
Representative Bill Thomas
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Max Gruenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 83
"An Act relating to the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission."
- MOVED CSHB 83(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 84
"An Act extending the termination date for the Alaska Seismic
Hazards Safety Commission; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL LEGISLATION
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 83
SHORT TITLE: SEISMIC HAZARDS SAFETY COMMISSION
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) LEDOUX
01/19/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/05 (H) MLV, STA, FIN
02/03/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
BILL: HB 84
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND SEISMIC HAZARDS SAFETY COMMISSION
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) LEDOUX
01/19/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/05 (H) MLV, STA, FIN
02/03/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELE LEDOUX
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as the sponsor of HB 83.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During discussion of HB 83 and HB 84,
related the need for the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission.
PAT DAVIDSON, Legislative Auditor
Division of Legislative Audit
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During discussion of HB 83 and HB 84,
explained the division's recommendation with regard to its
sunset review of the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission.
ROD COMBELLICK, Acting Director
Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of [CSHB 83, Version G].
STEVE MCNUTT, Research Professor
in Volcano Seismology
Geophysical Institute
University of Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 83.
ROGER SMITH, Director
Geophysical Institute
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During discussion of HB 83 and HB 84,
related the work of the Geophysical Institute.
DR. GARY CARVER, Seismic Geologist
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Urged the committee to favorably consider
HB 83 and HB 84, and CSHB 83, Version G.
JOANNE GOYNE, Alaska Emergency Language Resource Bank
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of [CSHB 83, Version
G].
DAVID COLE, Geotechnical Engineer
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During discussion of HB 83 and HB 84,
testified in support of the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR BOB LYNN called the House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:05:01 PM.
Representatives Lynn, Elkins, McGuire, Thomas, and Gruenberg
were present at the call to order. Representatives Dahlstrom
and Cissna arrived as the meeting was in progress.
CHAIR LYNN highlighted that everyone on this committee
volunteered to be a member of this committee. He further
highlighted that there are four veterans on this committee.
Chair Lynn related that the gavel was given to him many years
ago by his grandmother, who received the gavel for improved
academics when receiving her high school diploma at age 70.
HB 83-SEISMIC HAZARDS SAFETY COMMISSION
HB 84-EXTEND SEISMIC HAZARDS SAFETY COMMISSION
CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 83, "An Act relating to the Alaska Seismic
Hazards Safety Commission." and HOUSE BILL NO. 84, "An Act
extending the termination date for the Alaska Seismic Hazards
Safety Commission; and providing for an effective date."
CHAIR LYNN informed the committee that the committee packet
should include a proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 83,
which combines both HB 83 and HB 84.
REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS moved to adopt CSHB 83, Version 24-
LS0372\G, Bullock, 2/3/05, as the working document. There being
no objection, Version G was before the committee.
REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELE LEDOUX, Alaska State Legislature,
sponsor, provided the following testimony:
This bill adds "tsunamis" to the scope of the work of
the [Alaska] Seismic Hazards Safety Commission.
Alaska has the longest coast in the United States, and
there are experts who will be testifying who have
provided support material about seismic activity and
the potential for tsunamis in Alaska. So, I will not
dwell on that aspect. The bill also extends the
commission until June 30, 2010. Presently it is
scheduled to sunset June 30, 2005. ... The Alaska
Seismic Hazards Safety Commission was established in
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The
Department of Natural Resources is to provide staff
support for the commission and members of the
commission are to be appointed by the governor. The
fiscal notes on these bills indicate that the
commission and additional verbiage of tsunami will
create no fiscal impact to DNR. The nine-member
commission has represented us when the University of
Alaska, local government, the Department of Natural
Resources, the Department of Military & Veterans'
Affairs, an appropriate federal agency, the insurance
industry, and three members of the public who are
experts in the fields of geology, seismology,
hydrology, geotechnical engineering, structural
engineering, emergency services or planning.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX turned attention to the Legislative Audit
Division's audit, and stated:
The division found it difficult to make the argument
that there is a demonstrated public need for the
commission's termination date to be extended since the
commission has not been active since it was created in
2002. However, after the December 26th disaster in
the Indian Ocean, I believe that when extended, the
governor will appoint people to the commission. The
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates
that with the present infrastructure and policies,
Alaska will have the second highest annualized
earthquake loss ratio, ratio of average annual losses
to infrastructure, in the country. Reducing those
losses requires public commitment to earthquake and
tsunami conscious siting, design, and construction.
Seismic hazards pose serious problems for our state;
and the commission will focus on these loss-reduction
goals. The Division of Legislative Audit recommended
altering the commission or the board to provide more
representation of local government. Of the nine-
member board, there's now one seat assigned to local
government. However, one of the three public seats is
assigned to emergency services; and this would also be
a local government avenue. However, if this committee
would like a committee substitute to add another seat
for local government or consider a conceptual
amendment with respect to this, I would be amenable to
that. ... There will probably be federal money
available to better anticipate earthquakes and
tsunamis and prepare for disasters. The commission
will be ready to make suggestions how to best use
these funds.
CHAIR LYNN informed the committee that if CSHB 83 is reported
from committee the fiscal notes for both HB 83 and HB 84 will
accompany CSHB 83.
1:12:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG inquired as to the [committee's and the
sponsor's] thoughts on changing the name of the Alaska Seismic
Hazards Safety Commission to the Alaska Seismic and Tsunami
Hazards Safety Commission.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said that she had no problem with such a
change.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked if Representative LeDoux had any
suggested language with regard to an additional seat for local
government.
CHAIR LYNN asked if Representative Gruenberg was referring to a
particular local government or any local government.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX recalled that the audit recommended having
a position specifically for a local government member. This
member would be chosen to represent local governments in
general.
CHAIR LYNN inquired as to what this local government member
would bring to the committee that it didn't have before.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG opined that the legislation already
seems to include a local government member.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX reiterated that the Legislative Audit
Division recommended a local government member. She said that
she has no problem leaving the [membership] as it is now, in
which there seems to already be a local government position,
or in following the Legislative Audit Division's recommendation.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG turned attention to page 10 of the
Legislative Audit Division's sunset review dated October 22,
2004. From the aforementioned sunset review he read the
following: "The commission membership is currently defined as a
nine-member commission with one representative of local
government. If the legislature is considering continuation of
the commission, we believe that a statutory revision or
expansion to the commission membership should include at least
three local government representatives from seismically
different geographic areas of the state."
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX reiterated that she is amenable to either
the current membership [in Version G] or adding a local
government position.
1:17:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG, Alaska State Legislature,
informed the committee that when he was a staff member of the
legislature he was involved in the passage of the original
legislation [creating the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission]. He highlighted that the function of this
commission is something that no other entity in the state
performs, specifically no one in the state is identifying risks
and implementing measures to reduce them. He highlighted that
the committee packet should include a letter of support from the
insurance industry. The commission is designed to make
recommendations with regard to things that can mitigate damage
and loss of life, although it cannot give orders.
Representative Guttenberg opined that the fiscal note, in
comparison to the potential savings for life and property, is
insignificant.
PAT DAVIDSON, Legislative Auditor, Division of Legislative
Audit, Alaska State Legislature, addressed the earlier comments
regarding the division's recommendation related to local
government officials. She said that one of the most tangible
effects of this commission will be in building code changes.
Most communities in the state [utilize] the International
Building Code and while the commission's membership includes a
great deal of talent, the local level is actually where the
changes will have to be made. Ms. Davidson specified that the
recommendation is based on bringing more local government
involvement because often adapting the building code is a
financial trade off in regard to how stringent a local area
wants to develop its building codes. "That's the genesis of
that recommendation, is looking who's really going to have to
implement recommendations coming out of the commission. And we
believe, for the most part, it's going to be local communities,"
she explained.
ROD COMBELLICK, Acting Director, Division of Geological &
Geophysical Surveys, Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
testified in favor of [CSHB 83, Version G]. Mr. Combellick
related that during his 27 years working as a geologist in
Alaska, he has seen the evidence that large earthquakes have
occurred on a nearly regular basis over the last several
thousand years. In fact, in or near Alaska there is a magnitude
8 earthquake every 13-14 years; a magnitude 7 earthquake about
every year; and a magnitude 6 earthquake occurs about 5 times a
year. Therefore, [Alaska] has the highest earthquake exposure
in the country. Historical records and geological evidence
point to the fact that large earthquakes will continue to occur,
and will eventually strike an urban area. The [state] needs to
be better prepared for the aforementioned. Therefore, Mr.
Combellick said he supports Version G as he believes it will
help reduce the state's vulnerability from these hazards. With
regard to the local government membership on the commission, Mr.
Combellick said that he concurred. This commission can help
keep these hazards in the "public eye" because there are only
occasional reminders of the large, damaging earthquakes.
Furthermore, it's more than just saying that the area has
earthquakes or tsunamis, it's important to show how the risks
vary across the state. In fact, it's just as important to know
where the risks are low as where they are high because many
areas, where it isn't necessary, can avoid costly construction
measures meant for earthquake prone areas. Therefore, efforts
could be concentrated in the high risk areas. Mr. Combellick
pointed out that the aforementioned is important with regard to
implications with earthquake insurance and how the premiums are
distributed throughout the state.
MR. COMBELLICK informed the committee that all other western
states and other states have similar seismic safety commissions
and these entities have shown great success in reducing losses.
Mr. Combellick then directed attention [to page 9 of the
Legislative Audit Division's sunset review] and quoted the
following: "Staff working with similar seismic mitigation
agencies, in other western states we surveyed, often cited
improvements to local planning requirements and building code
restrictions as a major, if not primary, tangible benefit of
their organization's accomplishments."
1:26:29 PM
MR. COMBELLICK highlighted the importance of the commission
involving the participation of the private sector and local
governments. The aforementioned would ensure that the loss
reduction measures that are implemented would be consistent with
industry practice, would be technically sound, and would carry
public support. Mr. Combellick encouraged the committee to
extend the commission and to include tsunamis in its purview.
He opined that tsunamis often cause the greatest damage. In
fact, tsunamis were responsible for 90 percent of the casualties
during the 1964 earthquake. Regarding the fiscal note, he
explained that because the commission has existed in statute
over the last couple of years, it's already included in DNR's
budget at about the $10,000 level. Therefore, the passage of
this legislation would result in no incremental cost increase.
REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS asked if Mr. Combellick is in favor of
increasing the commission from nine members to eleven members.
MR. COMBELLICK replied yes, adding that it's important to have a
variety of local government representation because the hazard
varied across the state. Additional local government members on
the commission will help, he opined, address their interest and
ensure whatever measures are implemented are done on a
reasonable basis.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG turned attention to the membership of
the commission, which includes a representative from the
insurance industry. However, the powers and duties under AS
44.37.067 don't appear to include the insurance industry,
specifically with regard to what can and should be done to make
earthquake and tsunami insurance coverage available and
affordable. He inquired as to Mr. Combellick's thoughts with
regard to adding the aforementioned to the commission's powers
and duties.
MR. COMBELLICK said that he would support adding such language.
He informed the committee that one way the insurance industry
can help reduce losses would be to provide reduced premiums to
property owners who take measures that reduce their
vulnerability.
1:30:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG directed attention to page 2, lines 20-
21, which says that the commission may accept grants, although
it doesn't say that it has the power or obligation to specify
what to do with those grants, contributions, and appropriations.
Therefore, he inquired as to Mr. Combellick's view of expanding
the commission's powers and duties to make that explicit.
MR. COMBELLICK opined that the aforementioned would be a good
idea. He said that he wasn't sure of the intent of the
legislature when the language was originally inserted. He
mentioned that there might be an opportunity to pass through
funding from FEMA into local governments, although there are
already channels to do that now. He noted that there is a
possibility that the commission could apply for grants to do a
particular project researching a particular earthquake hazard or
risk issue. Mr. Combellick said that he would be in support of
language to authorize the commission to do the aforementioned.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG clarified that the original intent of
the language on [page 2, lines 20-21] was that there may be
money available for the commission to function and perhaps
perform research on a specific problem.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG inquired as to how Representative
Guttenberg would view allowing the commission a role in
recommending, not just for internal use of the [grants,
contributions, and appropriations] but rather a broader role.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG recalled that the original [intent]
was not to give this commission too much authority outside of
making recommendations. He further recalled that the [intent]
was to have a panel of experts making recommendations and the
money would flow directly to the appropriate entities from the
grantees.
STEVE MCNUTT, Research Professor in Volcano Seismology,
Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, informed
the committee that prior to his 13 years in Alaska he worked for
the State of California's geological survey. Therefore, he said
he wanted to relate some examples of the topics the California
Seismic Safety Commission covered and instances in which it had
direct and indirect influence. Mr. McNutt informed the
committee that some years ago California established a program
for earthquake insurance, which led to determining how to decide
whether a fault is active and where the seismic sources are
located. The aforementioned would help judge the level of risk
the insurance companies had been asked to take on. Based on the
recommendations of California's seismic safety commission,
California decided to use published, peer-reviewed results. The
only problem with the aforementioned was that some of the
studies were 20-30 years old, which led to the need to create a
mechanism for new studies and promote studies where none
existed. Mr. McNutt suggested that a parallel situation would
exist in Alaska.
MR. MCNUTT then focused on earthquake prediction. He informed
the committee that some years ago there was a formal earthquake
prediction experiment in Parkfield, California. The California
Seismic Safety Commission reviewed the aforementioned prediction
experiment and decided to endorse it, which led to the State of
California authorizing funds to help "beef up" the scientific
instrumentation while watching for state interests. A
commission such as [the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission] would seek to ensure that state and local concerns
were addressed and there was a match between the research being
done and the broad needs of the community. Mr. McNutt related
that seismology and seismic data not only cause earthquakes
themselves but are also precursors to volcanic eruptions, and
furthermore earthquakes can cause tsunamis. The role of
[California's] commission was to help plan and coordinate a
government response because volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
can cause effects far beyond the location of the event. In
conclusion, Mr. McNutt stated that California's commission
provided a needed forum, a systematic review, and a suite of
recommendations to other bodies to help promote safety while
tying together the research elements with the needs of local and
state organizations.
CHAIR LYNN recalled that after the recent tsunami in Asia, there
was much in the media discussing that animals actually predicted
this. He asked if there has been any research on such
sensitivity in animals that could be replicated with scientific
instruments.
MR. MCNUTT informed the committee that there was a fair amount
of research on [the sensitivity of animals to natural disasters]
in the late 1970s. The aforementioned research was prompted by
an earthquake in China in 1975. Prior to that earthquake,
hibernating snakes crawled out of their holes and fish propelled
themselves out of the river. The scientific community attempted
to determine what the animals were sensing. He recalled reading
a study some years ago that proposed that there were very small
earthquakes causing the ground to shake, but were making a wave
audible to dogs. The difficulty [with the 1975 earthquake in
China] was that most of the information was anecdotal and was
difficult to duplicate. The thinking was that the scientific
instruments designed to sense earthquakes were providing a
better and more systematic answer than the occasional and highly
variable animal effects.
1:41:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked if Mr. McNutt, based on his
experience in California, would suggest any other changes in the
language other than inserting "tsunami."
MR. MCNUTT related that his original instinct was to keep it
simple and just call [the commission] seismic with the language
to relate that [the commission] would include hazards that fall
within the domain or influence of seismic events.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG clarified that he was asking whether
Mr. McNutt felt that there should be any additional powers or
duties other than those listed [under Section 1(a)].
MR. MCNUTT said that he didn't see anything that was glaringly
missing.
ROGER SMITH, Director, Geophysical Institute, University of
Alaska Fairbanks, informed the committee that part of the duties
of the Geophysical Institute is to perform research and provide
observations and data recording of earthquakes. He also
informed the committee that the state, through the university's
budget, provides about $75,000 that is spent on the
seismological laboratory. Mr. Smith related that it's one thing
to know technically a lot of facts about earthquakes and how
they occur and it's quite another to make that effective in
providing protection of life and property. He said that he
supported the aforementioned as does the university and [has
worked in coordination] with others in the state to produce a
booklet regarding the actions that can be taken to reduce
seismic hazards, for example. He noted that the university has
also produced a video relating advice with regard to actions to
take in the event a tsunami is likely to happen.
1:45:33 PM
MR. SMITH noted that [the Geophysical Institute] also runs the
Alaska Earthquake Information Center, which collects data from
about 400 seismometers and integrates the data to detail the
seismic events that occur. Mr. Smith said that he is willing to
work toward providing ways in which the public could benefit
from the knowledge and expertise [of those at the Geophysical
Institute].
1:46:26 PM
MR. SMITH turned to the Atwood Building, which has approximately
32 seismometers. Those seismometers are used to show how the
building shakes in the event of an earthquake. Therefore, the
main modes of oscillation for the Atwood Building are known and
can be lengthened to the strength of the seismic fault. He
surmised that a body [such as the commission] would want to make
comments and urge that any validated information be made into
public policy and advice to people using buildings. Therefore,
research can develop into a group activity from which actions
are taken. In response to Chair Lynn, Mr. Smith said that to
his knowledge the Atwood Building is the only building in Alaska
outfitted with such seismometers. He related that he has been
told that the seismometers in the Atwood Building are the finest
installation of its type because there is a vertical component
near the foundation. He noted that Japan has similar
installations.
DR. GARY CARVER, Seismic Geologist, informed the committee that
he has been engaged in seismic geology activities for about 30
years. Dr. Carver urged the committee to favorably consider HB
83 and HB 84, and the combined version. The legislation is very
important for the well being of the state. Alaska has high
seismic exposure. In fact, over half of all earthquakes that
occur in the United States, occur in Alaska. Furthermore, two
of the five largest earthquakes to have occurred in the world in
the last 100 years occurred in Alaska. Therefore, it would
behoove the state to pay particular attention to this matter.
DR. CARVER informed the committee that he worked in California
until 1998 and served as a member of the California Seismic
Safety Commission subcommittee for several years. The Alaska
Seismic Hazards Safety Commission, as presently constituted in
the legislation before the committee, is modeled, in large part,
after commissions such as that in California. Dr. Carver
highlighted that [Alaska's commission] is charged with acting in
the area of earthquake hazard mitigation, which provides
expertise to the state and local government in order to prevent
damage from earthquakes by taking actions prior to an
earthquake. The aforementioned isn't emphasized in any branch
of state government in any widespread coherent way. Dr. Carver
provided an example of how this [organization] might work by
virtue of a recent experience. On November 3, 2002, the Denali
fault, which runs through a largely unpopulated part of the
Interior, produced a 7.9 magnitude earthquake. The
aforementioned is the largest earthquake in a continental
interior region to occur in North America in the last 150
years. The Denali fault broke the surface and moved about 18
feet at a point where it transects the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
System (TAPS). Much to the credit of the developers of the
pipeline and the operator, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company,
pre-planning had been done for such an event. The pipeline
sustained very little damage and was operating in a very short
time. However, had the pre-planning and mitigation not been
performed, it's likely that the pipeline would've been severely
damaged and would've been shut down for an extended period of
time. The aforementioned could result in a large financial loss
for the state as well as a large oil spill.
1:55:10 PM
DR. CARVER posed another example in the Kodiak area. Because of
the advice and perception of some local engineers and
geologists, Kodiak perceived that there may be significant
hazards with regard to some schools. To that end, Kodiak voters
passed a bond issue to provide funds to perform a seismic hazard
survey of [the area's] schools. The aforementioned is
complicated and difficult to work through. Furthermore, there
hasn't been the benefit of a state entity, such as the Alaska
Seismic Hazards Safety Commission, to provide technical
expertise with this. Should this commission be empowered,
others may experience the benefits of having such a body
available to address local concerns. In conclusion, Dr. Carver
urged the committee to act favorably on this legislation. He
further concluded by noting his support, specifically for
extending the commission, adding the "tsunami" language, and the
additional local membership to the commission.
JOANNE GOYNE, Alaska Emergency Language Resource Bank (Language
Resource Bank), informed the committee that the Language
Resource Bank is a nonprofit statewide interpreter core
compromised of volunteer and professional interpreters who
represent over 100 or so languages that are spoken in Alaska.
Ms. Goyne related the Alaska Emergency Language Resource Bank's
support of [CSHB 83]. However, the organization was
disappointed when the commission wasn't established. The Alaska
Language Bank envisioned that the commission would help Alaska
enact a safety and prevention mitigation mechanism that has been
identified as a high priority. Ms. Goyne opined that the
commission would be a great resource for the private sector.
Prior to [the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001] and at
the request of the Red Cross, the Language Resource Bank met
with officials from the Red Cross, FEMA, and various state,
federal, and private safety and emergency managers for the
Municipality of Anchorage, the Alaska Railroad, the [Ted Stevens
International] Airport, Providence Hospital, the US Coast Guard,
insurance carriers, and office building property managers.
During the meeting there was discussion of the state's severe
shortage of trained Alaskans who can provide assistance in a
natural disaster and emergency first aid, and therefore could
assist first responders in times of disasters.
MS. GOYNE clarified that the primary reason the Red Cross
contacted the Language Resource Bank was that in reviewing the
after action reports from the 2001 Special Olympics held in
Anchorage, it was revealed that the bilingual Alaskans who had
helped the over 80 countries participating in the events, 97
percent of all volunteers were present at every event scheduled
during the two-week event. Therefore, the Red Cross felt that
this phenomena should be tapped into and used as a method to
solve the shortage of those trained in mitigating disasters.
The Language Resource Bank estimates that Alaska has an untapped
resource of about 900 experts and advanced bilingual Alaskans
with varying professions. The grass roots private sector
program enables bilingual Alaskans the opportunity to use their
skills. When [the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001]
brought this project to the forefront with regard to man-made as
well as natural disasters, an aggressive three-year mitigation
project was created that could recruit and train this bilingual
workforce to help [Alaska] be prepared for the unexpected.
2:02:12 PM
MS. GOYNE envisioned translated text advising individuals what
to do in the case of an earthquake. She estimated that in the
three-year timeframe there would be a 60,000 person resource of
self-reliant Alaskans who could help Alaska's first responders.
The earthquake and natural disaster component of this effort is
assembled and ready for funding. However, the commission
created in 2002 was never established. At the same time, the
state Office of Intergovernmental Coordination was resolved.
Ms. Goyne stressed that the massive project is ready to proceed,
it just needs support and assistance in securing federal
funding. Ms. Goyne concluded by relating that the Language
Resource Bank believes the commission would be a very good
resource.
CHAIR LYNN requested that Ms. Goyne submit any information on
this matter to the committee.
DAVID COLE, Geotechnical Engineer, informed the committee that
he has been practicing in Anchorage for 30 years. He related
that much of his work is related to earthquake engineering in
Anchorage and throughout the state as well as research regarding
local earthquake hazards. Mr. Cole informed the committee that
he has also been on the mayor's geotechnical advisory commission
in Anchorage, which has been in existence for about 28 years of
which he said he has been on the commission for about 25 of
those years. [Anchorage's] local geotechnical advisory
commission is very similar to the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission in that the functions of both seem very similar.
2:05:51 PM
MR. COLE related that Anchorage's local commission reviews the
technical aspects of projects for the local building/safety
agency and suggests studies that should be done in the Anchorage
area in order to identify local geological hazards, specifically
seismic hazards. He recalled a 1979 study which reported the
lands in Anchorage that are susceptible to land sliding during
earthquakes, and those lands were identified and mapped. Those
maps have become part of the local amendments to the building
code and can be used by the technical and nontechnical community
in evaluating siting of structures. Mr. Cole said that he is a
supporter of the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission. He
suggested the commission be weighted with technical membership
such that the commission would recommend studies that would
identify seismic and tsunami hazards throughout the state as
well as recommending mitigation measures.
2:09:10 PM
MR. COLE specified that geotechnical types that deal with
construction of seismically resistant buildings, engineers that
deal with the lifelines of water, sewer, transportation, and
electrical systems should be on the commission in order to
ensure that the information being gathered and disseminated is
the best technical information that can be obtained.
CHAIR LYNN closed public testimony. He then inquired as to the
wishes of the committee.
[2:11:09]
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved that the committee adopt
[Amendment 1], which would change AS 44.37.065(2), which
currently reads: "(2) a representative from local government;"
to read as follows: "(2) three representatives from local
government;".
There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG mentioned the possibility of an
amendment dealing with the insurance aspect of this matter.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA moved to report CSHB 83, Version 24-
LS0372\G, Bullock, 2/3/05] out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objection, CSHB 83(CRA) was reported from the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
^DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL LEGISLATION
CHAIR LYNN announced that the final order of business would be
the committee discussion of potential legislation. He related
his hope that the committee would be reactive to legislation
assigned to the committee as well as proactive such that the
committee would sponsor legislation [that it deems appropriate].
He then turned attention to an unnumbered bill, labeled 24-
LS0448\F, Bullock, 2/3/05.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG explained that the unnumbered
legislation provides several different amendments to current law
to help veterans and some of the residents of the pioneers'
homes. The first Section is modeled after an Arizona statute in
which the death certificate for a deceased veteran is free.
Section 2 of the legislation defines the eligible recipient.
Section 2 is modeled on a federal law by which a veteran's death
certificate is signed by the President of the US. This
legislation establishes a similar program whereby the adjutant
general obtains [death] certificates printed bearing the
governor's signature and thanking the veteran for his or her
service, all of which goes to the family. Section 3 specifies
that those individuals who receive multiple Purple Hearts can
obtain a special license plate for free. Section 4, he
explained, is a conforming amendment that makes it clear that
the tax is paid, although the initial $30 fee for the special
license plate isn't charged.
CHAIR LYNN inquired as to the sentiments of the committee
regarding whether the legislation should include all of the
aforementioned issues or whether there should be separate
legislation for each matter.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG continued his explanation by turning
attention to Section 5, which would allow those in the
pioneers'/veterans' homes to keep $150 a month of outside
income. Section 6 specified that [residents of a
pioneers'/veterans' home who are without money] "shall" be paid
$150 a month by the state. Section 7 increases the amount of
outside income one can have to $150.
2:21:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM opined that the first two issues
[sections] could go together very well, while the other issues
seem to need to be addressed separately. With regard to
veterans who have received Purple Hearts, Representative
Dahlstrom inquired as to how many people in the state have
received Purple Hearts. She questioned whether [the
legislature] would want to say that a person receiving one
Purple Heart has to pay for a special license plate while an
individual receiving multiple Purple Hearts wouldn't. Receiving
a Purple Heart is a big deal, and therefore she suggested that
all Purple Heart recipients should be eligible to receive a free
special license plate.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said that he didn't have the answers to
Representative Dahlstrom's questions.
CHAIR LYNN informed the committee that a situation came to light
in which he learned that members of the National Guard can count
their active duty pay toward retirement while [the duty doesn't
count toward retirement] for those who are on active duty and
retire, which is of concern.
REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM agreed that legislation addressing the
aforementioned is a good idea.
CHAIR LYNN related his understanding that the National Guard
provide a certain amount of money, of which there is a finite
amount, for tuition and recruitment occurs on that basis. If
too many enter the organization at once, there may not be enough
money to provide everyone. Therefore, he suggested providing
free tuition to National Guard members, at least to those who
serve in a combat zone.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG characterized the aforementioned as a
mini GI bill, and therefore he suggested the need for a sunset
clause.
REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS informed the committee that in Sitka there
is a veterans' cemetery. Although the cemetery is a federal
[cemetery], it's in dire need of about $15,000 to bring it to a
standard of which veterans and their families can be proud.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA related that over the past couple of years
she has been involved with the military stand down, which is an
incredible event. Through this process veterans find places to
work and receive training [and more]. It seems that this
committee should be an integral part of the aforementioned
event.
CHAIR LYNN said Representative Cissna has an excellent idea. He
then related his participation in a fundraising event for the
family assistance center in Anchorage. In his district alone,
over $2,300 was raised for the family assistance center, he
related. He expressed the desire to have all districts involved
in this because the welfare of the family or military personnel
is very important.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG suggested that a citation or resolution
could be presented at the stand down.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA noted that such has been done before. She
clarified that she was actually suggesting the legislature have
a presence at the stand down.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG surmised, in reference to the
unnumbered legislation, that there is no objection to Section 1
dealing with the death certification and Section 2 dealing with
the governor's certificate. Upon Representative Dahlstrom's
suggestion, Representative Gruenberg said he would amend the
unnumbered legislation to specify that recipients of a Purple
Heart could receive a [special license plate] for free.
CHAIR LYNN suggested including the recipients of the
Congressional Medal of Honor in the group that would receive a
[special license plate] for free.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG surmised then that Sections 5-7 could
be separate legislation.
CHAIR LYNN noted his preference for legislation that keeps
[issues] separate in order to avoid one matter creating
difficulty for the others.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 2:37:30 PM.
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