Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 124
03/17/2005 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB90 | |
| HB122 | |
| HB201 | |
| HB181 | |
| HB168 | |
| HB167 | |
| HB166 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 181 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 90 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 167 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 166 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 168 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 201 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 122 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
March 17, 2005
1:07 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Lynn, Chair
Representative Jim Elkins
Representative Lesil McGuire
Representative Bill Thomas
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Max Gruenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Nancy Dahlstrom
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 90
"An Act relating to Alaska Territorial Guard Day."
- MOVED HB 90 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 122
"An Act relating to payment of premiums for Service members'
Group Life Insurance on behalf of members of the Alaska National
Guard deployed to a combat zone; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED CSHB 122(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 201
"An Act relating to an application for a permanent fund dividend
for a member of the armed forces of the United States serving on
active duty outside of the state; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED HB 201 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 181
"An Act establishing a waiver for active duty military service
of continuing education requirements for renewal of occupational
licenses."
- MOVED CSHB 181(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 168
"An Act relating to receipt of income by an Alaska Pioneers'
Home or Alaska Veterans' Home resident."
- HEARD AND HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 167
"An Act relating to providing a death certificate for a deceased
veteran without cost."
- MOVED CSHB 167(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 166
"An Act relating to a program to honor a deceased veteran's
military service."
- MOVED CSHB 166(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 168
"An Act relating to receipt of income by an Alaska Pioneers'
Home or Alaska Veterans' Home resident."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD; ASSIGNED TO SUBCOMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 90
SHORT TITLE: ALASKA TERRITORIAL GUARD DAY
SPONSOR(S): SENATOR(S) HUGGINS
02/04/05 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/04/05 (S) STA
02/17/05 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 211
02/17/05 (S) Moved CSSB 90(STA) Out of Committee
02/17/05 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/18/05 (S) STA RPT CS 4DP
SAME TITLE
02/18/05 (S) LETTER OF INTENT WITH STA REPORT
02/18/05 (S) DP: THERRIAULT, ELTON, WAGONER, HUGGINS
02/23/05 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/23/05 (S) VERSION: CSSB 90(STA)
02/24/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/24/05 (H) MLV, STA
03/17/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
BILL: HB 122
SHORT TITLE: LIFE INSURANCE FOR NATIONAL GUARD
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) DAHLSTROM
02/02/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/02/05 (H) MLV, L&C, FIN
02/02/05 (H) L&C REFERRAL REMOVED
02/17/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
02/17/05 (H) Heard & Held
02/17/05 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/17/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
BILL: HB 201
SHORT TITLE: PERM. FUND DIVIDEND APPS OF MILITARY
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) CHENAULT
03/04/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/04/05 (H) MLV, STA
03/17/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
BILL: HB 181
SHORT TITLE: WAIVE CONTINUING EDUC. REQ FOR MILITARY
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) COGHILL
02/28/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/28/05 (H) MLV, L&C
03/17/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
BILL: HB 168
SHORT TITLE: VETS'/PIONEERS' HOMES RESIDENTS' INCOME
SPONSOR(S): MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
02/22/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/22/05 (H) MLV, STA
03/17/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
BILL: HB 167
SHORT TITLE: DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR DECEASED VETERAN
SPONSOR(S): MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
02/22/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/22/05 (H) MLV, STA
03/17/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
BILL: HB 166
SHORT TITLE: VETERANS' MEMORIAL CERTIFICATES
SPONSOR(S): MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
02/22/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/22/05 (H) MLV, STA
03/17/05 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 90 as sponsor.
RYAN MOORE, Staff
to Senator Charlie Huggins
Alaska State Legislature
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 90 on behalf of Senator
Huggins, sponsor.
KELLY HUBER, Staff
to Representative Nancy Dahlstrom
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 122 on behalf of Representative
Dahlstrom, sponsor.
ERICH DELAND, Staff
to Representative Mike Chenault
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 201 on behalf of Representative
Chenault, sponsor.
SHARON BARTON, Director
Permanent Fund Dividend Division
Department of Revenue
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions regarding HB 201.
KAREN LIDSTER, Staff
to Representative John Coghill
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 181 on behalf of Representative
Coghill, sponsor.
SARAH HOOK, Staff
to Representative Max Gruenberg
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 167 and HB 166 on behalf of
Representative Gruenberg, sponsor.
EDWARD C. FERMAN, Veteran
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of veterans.
PHILLIP MITCHELL, Section Chief
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Made suggestions to HB 167.
JERRY BEALE, Director
Office of Veteran Affairs
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 167.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR BOB LYNN called the House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:07:37 PM.
Representatives Lynn, Elkins, Thomas, and Gruenberg were present
at the call to order. Representatives McGuire and Cissna
arrived while the meeting was in progress.
SB 90-ALASKA TERRITORIAL GUARD DAY
CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 90 "An Act relating to Alaska Territorial Guard
Day."
SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS, Alaska State Legislature, said his
staff person Ryan Moore put this bill together.
RYAN MOORE, Staff to Senator Charlie Huggins, Alaska State
Legislature, said after the attacks on Pearl Harbor during World
War II the Japanese bombed Attu and Kiska Islands in Alaska, and
Alaska realized the need for a territorial guard. Senator
Gruening assembled about 6,500 predominantly Alaska Natives who
served on the Alaska Territorial Guard from 1942 until 1947.
Many went on to the Alaska National Guard, he said. In October
2004, members of the Alaska Territorial Guard were recognized by
the United States Army as veterans. HB 90 establishes October
18th as Alaska Territorial Guard Day.
SENATOR HUGGINS said he once worked for Alaska's Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs and was part of the task to
recognize guard members. Representative Carl Moses was a
territorial guard member, he said. Three past guards died
during this process. There were twenty-three left at that
point, and Senator Huggins said he sent those names to the
military, which refused to deal with it. It took over a year to
get them to open the envelope, he added. "Now we have an
opportunity to have a day that's dedicated to the recognition of
the contribution of those over 6,500 great Alaskans," he said.
1:15:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS moved SB 90, Version 24-LS0459\I from
committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no
objection, it was so ordered.
1:15:49 PM
HB 122-LIFE INSURANCE FOR NATIONAL GUARD
CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business would be
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."
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS moved to adopt CSHB 122, Version 24-
LS0446\X, Bullock, 3/17/05, as a work draft. There being no
objection, Version X was before the committee.
KELLY HUBER, Staff to Representative Dahlstrom, Alaska State
Legislature, said that this is the second day that HB 122 has
been before the House Special Committee on Military and
Veterans' Affairs. It was a couple of weeks ago that it was
introduced, she said, and it just dealt with the state paying
for life insurance premiums for National Guard members deployed
to a combat zone. The discussion in this committee created the
committee substitute (CS), and it goes further than just life
insurance, she said.
MS. HUBER said there will be 300 people affected by HB 122, and
the cost will be about $56,000. The bill will allow a guard
member to get out of a cellular phone or motor lease contract.
The bill also gives members time to pay utilities, it gives them
deferments on state loans, and if the member is enrolled in a
university, the university must accommodate them with no
penalties when they return. The bill also allows Alaska
Department of Fish & Game sport permits to be put on hold until
guard members return from combat duty.
CHAIR LYNN asked for more clarification on the loans.
MS. HUBER said the motor leases and cellular phone contracts can
be terminated without penalty. She said other states are doing
the same, and it benefits the guard member or spouse if the
payment will be a hardship.
1:23:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked if anyone else is going to
testify on this. Generally, someone could terminate a contract
anyway, without penalty, he said. He said he thinks the bill
attempts to say, "This does not relieve you of the duty of
paying any back payments that you've missed."
1:25:48 PM
MS. HUBER said it is fine with the sponsor to clarify that
language.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG offered Conceptual Amendment 1
[language would be inserted to relate the following]: "that you
can terminate without having to pay anything additional, but
this doesn't relieve you of the duty to pay the amounts past
due."
1:26:26 PM
MS. HUBER said the committee needs to decide this.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said this can be read as stating that
one cannot terminate the contract unless, prior to termination,
what is owed is paid. It becomes a condition of the
termination, he said.
CHAIR LYNN said debts would not accumulate after the
termination, but the person would still owe any previous balance
due.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said, "That is exactly my intent."
Hearing no objection to Conceptual Amendment 1, it was adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS asked Ms. Huber about his previous
suggestion of encouraging municipalities to make exemptions
dealing with property taxes.
MS. HUBER said the problem was trying to figure out who would
pay. If the municipalities were going to pay, they would need
to be invited in on the discussions, she added.
1:31:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS said maybe it is more of a resolution
encouraging municipalities to look at giving guard members a
property exemption. "I would hate to see a soldier go
bankrupt," he said.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said the federal Soldiers and Sailors
Relief Act requires that before any action is taken against
service members on active duty, an attorney be appointed to them
to advise them of their rights.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG offered Conceptual Amendment 2 to
delete the word "actual", on line 17, of page 2, because the
word is not necessary. Hearing no objection, Conceptual
Amendment 2 was adopted.
1:33:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said page 2, lines 25-26, say that the
institution of higher learning should grant the member a
military leave of absence. "I could see a non-caretaker member
getting deployed leaving the spouse with full childcare
responsibilities, and being unable to continue their education."
CHAIR LYNN suggested using the term "military dependent" instead
of "spouse".
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved that the committee adopt
Conceptual Amendment 3, as follows:
Page 2, line 25, after "member"
Insert "and military dependent"
Hearing no objection, Conceptual Amendment 3 was adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG suggested that the utility payment
deferments need a test of hardship. He said if he had an 18-
year-old in the National Guard on active duty, and he had plenty
of money, "I could get out of paying this for all the time my
son was on active duty."
CHAIR LYNN said he doesn't want a needs test.
MS. HUBER said the sponsor would be concerned about who would
determine the hardship.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said they should have to make an
application to the company.
1:38:00 PM
MS. HUBER said the sponsor wants the bill moved out of committee
today, but not have it read across the House floor until
settling the details with Representative Gruenberg.
CHAIR LYNN said he wants to move good bills.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG pointed out that this is the only
committee, except for the House Finance Committee that will hear
HB 122.
1:40:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he would like copies of the [CS
incorporating the changes from this meeting] to be given to the
members. He added that on page 3, line 4, the term "or other
heating fuel" needs to be inserted t=on line 5. He offered the
aforementioned as Amendment 4.
CHAIR LYNN, upon hearing no objection, announced that Amendment
4 was adopted.
The committee took an at-ease from 1:42 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS moved to report CSHB 122, Version 24-
LS0446\X, Bullock, 3/17/05, as amended out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG requested that the motion be withdrawn.
CHAIR LYNN announced that the aforementioned motion was
withdrawn.
1:45:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he forgot to remove "actual" from
line 21 "and I would ask that that technically be incorporated
into Amendment 2." He said there was also a question about
fishing licenses.
MS. HUBER said that could be worked into subsection (e); if not,
it is something that the sponsor can review.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS said he thinks [the commercial fishing
license idea] is important. "When a young man makes that
commitment to buy a boat and permit, that's quite a bit of
debt," he said.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA related her discomfort. She said
although it is a wonderful piece of legislation, she said she
wants to make sure that guard members are covered if things go
wrong. She expressed concern that there are other things, just
like limited entry, that have not yet been thought about.
1:49:14 PM
MS. HUBER said the sponsor has worked with Representatives
Thomas and Elkins, and she wants to move it out today.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA said she supposed the sponsor will accept
floor amendments if she thought of additional items for HB 122.
CHAIR LYNN said he would like to move it because there are
service people who could benefit now.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked if there is a reason that Ms.
Huber wanted an immediate effective date rather than the normal
period.
CHAIR LYNN said there are troops deployed "as we speak."
REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS moved to report CSHB 122, Version 24-
LS0446\X, Bullock, 3/17/05, as amended out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, CSHB 122(MLV) was reported out of the
House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
HB 201-PERM. FUND DIVIDEND APPS OF MILITARY
1:52:01 PM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 201 "An Act relating to an application for a
permanent fund dividend for a member of the armed forces of the
United States serving on active duty outside of the state; and
providing for an effective date."
ERICH DELAND, Staff to Representative Mike Chenault, Alaska
State Legislature, said that some Alaskans in Iraq cannot sign
their Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) application, and "their
families back home are hurting." This bill allows a person who
has the power of attorney for the one serving in Iraq to sign
the application.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked who gets the check if more than
one person has the power of attorney.
1:54:19 PM
SHARON BARTON, Director, Permanent Fund Dividend Division,
Department of Revenue, said the department would honor anyone
that has a power of attorney.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked how the department will
distinguish between duplicate applications.
MS. BARTON said the department would send one check to the
address for the recipient. She added that the powers of
attorney are only used now for disabled applicants. The address
of the applicant will be on file.
REPRESENTATIVE MCGUIRE said someone with power of attorney can
change the address to where the PFD check is sent. Divorced
families, with money coming to children, may run into a problem.
1:57:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said the department probably has the
regulatory authority to resolve such issues, and the legislature
should not get into the details. But when the regulation is
written, that issue should be specifically addressed, he said.
1:57:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said the problem may be exasperated
with previous spouses and competing heirs.
MS. BARTON said she could address it in the regulatory process.
She added that she has heard of the problems of military
personnel accessing computers and mail. She said the department
has gone to the military bases to give information.
1:59:37 PM
MS. BARTON said the filing period was extended for 90 days after
a person has been eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger
pay. The commissioner has executed a waiver from the 72-hour
rule for any military member, who, because of the national
emergency, cannot make it back for those 72 hours in the past
two years. As it stands now, she said, a power of attorney can
file an application for a military person, but cannot sign it.
2:01:49 PM
MS. BARTON said that partnerships have helped. Commanding
officers gave all 129 soldiers applications, and assisted in
getting them filed. She said she is training her staff to
provide good service to deployed military. She suggested that
HB 201 be limited to people in combat zones; other
servicemembers have ready access to mail and internet, she said.
2:04:27 PM
CHAIR LYNN said there are other places where people are
stationed that aren't convenient for filing.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS moved to report [HB 201] out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. Hearing no objection, HB 201 was moved out of the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
HB 181-WAIVE CONTINUING EDUC. REQ FOR MILITARY
2:05:50 PM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 181 "An Act establishing a waiver for active duty
military service of continuing education requirements for
renewal of occupational licenses."
KAREN LIDSTER, staff to Representative John Coghill, Alaska
State Legislature, said there is a committee substitute (CS) to
HB 181, and she read the sponsor's statement (original
punctuation provided):
This legislation is introduced to eliminate the
possibility of a professional licensee losing his or
her license because of failure to fulfill statutory
requirements for continuing education while serving on
active duty in a combat zone or area where continuing
education classes are not available.
Many professional license holders are also members of
reserve or auxiliary components of the armed forces.
When deployed to a combat zone or area where classes
are not available, they no longer have the ability to
fulfill the education requirements to maintain their
specific license, registration, permit or certificate.
HB 181 provides a waiver of the educational
requirements and allows the license holder to return
to Alaska and have an extended period of time to
fulfill the continuing education requirements without
losing their license for non-compliance.
MS. LIDSTER said the Division of Occupational Licensing
recommended leaving the waiver decision to the department
instead of individual boards. The CS reflects that change, she
said. The House Special Committee on Military and Veterans'
Affairs changed the term "active duty military" to be more
specific of who will be covered under the bill.
2:09:20 PM
MS. LIDSTER said that people in remote areas will be covered as
well as those in combat zones.
2:10:13 PM
CHAIR LYNN said people in staging areas and training facilities
may find it impossible to do their continuing education, and he
asked if there is a requirement for catching up.
MS. LIDSTER said people in staging or training areas will be
covered. She added that the department will determine how the
waiver will work for specific licenses.
CHAIR LYNN said some courses are an aggravation. There will be
new courses on top of the ones missed, and a person might not
ever catch up.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he appreciates the intent of the
bill but has serious concerns about how it will play out. He
said licensing boards are very different, and the legislature
should hear from each of them. He added that the state bar
cannot be regulated by the legislature, making the bill
unconstitutional. Many requirements can be done online, and
there is the question of catching up, he said. It is a far
reaching bill, particularly with healthcare where people's lives
could be at stake. "It is essential that we just not totally
waive everybody's continuing education requirement," he said.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS said a doctor who enlists will not "pack a
rifle." Someone in a professional field will continue to stay
in that field.
2:16:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA said the legislature does not have much
control over licensing institutions, but it does have some input
with the University of Alaska and some trade schools.
MS. LIDSTER said those are good points, and she will work with
committee members on a CS.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he could support the original bill
with Amendment 1 as follows:
Page 1, line 14, after "and"
Insert "may"
Hearing no objection, Amendment 1 to the original HB 181 was so
moved.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG offered Amendment 2 as follows:
Page 2, line 1, delete "active duty military service"
Insert ""reserve or auxiliary member" means a member
of a reserve or auxiliary component of the armed
forces of the United States, including the organized
militia of the stat, consisting of the Alaska National
Guard, the Alaska Naval Militia, and the Alaska State
Defense Force, and who is called to active duty by the
appropriate state of federal authority"
Page 2, line 16, delete "active duty military service"
Insert ""reserve or auxiliary member" means a member
of a reserve or auxiliary component of the armed
forces of the United States, including the organized
militia of the stat, consisting of the Alaska National
Guard, the Alaska Naval Militia, and the Alaska State
Defense Force, and who is called to active duty by the
appropriate state of federal authority"
Hearing no objection, Amendment 2 to the original HB 181 was so
moved.
2:20:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG offered Amendment 3 as follows:
Page 2, line 14, delete "shall"
Insert "may"
Hearing no objection, Amendment 3 to the original HB 181 was so
moved.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to report HB 181, version 24-
LS0685\A, as amended out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. Hearing no
objection, CSHB 181(MLV) was moved out of the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
HB 168-VETS'/PIONEERS' HOMES RESIDENTS' INCOME
2:22:15 PM
CHAIR LYNN said HB 168 is a "good basis for a bill," but it
needs a lot of work, and he would like to appoint a subcommittee
to look at it with Representative Elkins as Chair and
Representatives Dahlstrom and Gruenberg. He encourages anybody
else on the committee to participate. He asked Representative
Elkins to notify others of any meetings of the subcommittee.
[HB 168 was held over.]
HB 167-DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR DECEASED VETERAN
CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 167, "An Act relating to providing a death
certificate for a deceased veteran without cost."
SARAH HOOK, Staff to Representative Max Gruenberg, Alaska State
Legislature, said HB 167 provides death certificates for a
deceased veteran without costs to next of kin. The bill is
modeled after an Arizona statute.
2:26:06 PM
EDWARD C. FERMAN, Juneau, said he is a Veteran of Foreign Wars,
and veterans are not being taken care. He said the committee is
doing a good job, but there are a lot of things that are not
covered. He said a soldier came back from the Gulf with a
crushed leg and was told she could not get the treatment she
needed. "We want to take care of our veterans," he said.
PHILLIP MITCHELL, Section Chief, Bureau of Vital Statistics,
Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social
Services, suggested a clear definition of a veteran for HB 167.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said his staff will do that.
2:31:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said it will be the same language found
in the companion bill HB 166. He offered Amendment 1 as
defining a veteran as the meaning given in HB 166.
Hearing no objection, Amendment 1 was so moved.
JERRY BEALE, Director, Office of Veteran Affairs, Department of
Military & Veterans' Affairs, said HB 166 provides a very basic
service. It would add a benefit to the families.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA moved to report CSHB 167, version 24-
LS0605\G as amended out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. Hearing no
objection, CSHB 167(MLV) was moved out of the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
HB 166-VETERANS' MEMORIAL CERTIFICATES
2:35:07 PM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 166, "An Act relating to a program to honor a
deceased veteran's military service."
SARAH HOOK, Staff to Representative Max Gruenberg, Alaska State
Legislature, said HB 166 is modeled after the presidential
memorial certificate program, which issues death certificates of
honor. The CS clarifies the definition of an Alaska resident.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to adopt CSHB 166 version F as a
working draft.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS asked if it is only for those that die in
Alaska.
MS. HOOK said it is for any resident of Alaska no matter where
he or she dies.
2:37:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS noted displeasure with excluding any
Alaska veteran who has to give up residency against his or her
wishes in the last stages of life.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he would withdraw Version F and
move to adopt Version G to include past Alaska residents.
2:38:42 PM
Hearing no opposition, Version G is adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to report HB 166, labeled
24LS0602\G, Bullock, 3/16/05, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. Hearing no
objection, CSHB 166(MLV) was moved out of the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
2:40:40 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 2:41:04 PM.
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