02/28/2013 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR2 | |
| HB59 | |
| Overview: Veterans' Transportation Project | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 59 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
February 28, 2013
1:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Co-Chair
Representative Pete Higgins
Representative Shelley Hughes
Representative Lora Reinbold
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Max Gruenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2
Proclaiming the state as a Purple Heart State to honor the
service and sacrifice of our nation's men and women in uniform
wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the
freedom enjoyed by all Americans.
- MOVED HCR 2 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 59
"An Act relating to missing vulnerable adult prompt response and
notification plans."
- HEARD & HELD
OVERVIEW: VETERANS' TRANSPORTATION PROJECT
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HCR 2
SHORT TITLE: PURPLE HEART STATE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HUGHES
02/04/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/04/13 (H) MLV
02/28/13 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
BILL: HB 59
SHORT TITLE: MISSING VULNERABLE ADULT RESPONSE PLAN
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GRUENBERG
01/16/13 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/11/13
01/16/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/13 (H) MLV, STA
02/28/13 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
WITNESS REGISTER
VIRGINIA SMILEY, Staff
Representative Shelley Hughes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Related a story of her father's experience
during World War II.
MCHUGH PIERRE, Deputy Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner/Adjutant General
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HCR 2, testified in
support; testified during the hearing on HB 59.
JOHNNY WHITE
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 2.
HENRY HUNTER, SR.
Bethel, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 2.
FRANCIS BOISSEAU
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on his own behalf in support of
HCR 2.
KENNETH ROSS, Member
Military Order of the Purple Heart; Marine Corps League; Vietnam
Veterans of America
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 2.
PAUL BEALS
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 2.
VERDIE BOWEN, Director
Office of Veteran Affairs
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HCR 2, answered a
question.
TIM ARMSTRONG, Chief of Staff
Southeast District
Department of Alaska Military Order of the Purple Heart
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: on behalf of the Department of Alaska
Military Order of the Purple Heart, testified in support of HCR
2.
LIEUTENANT RODNEY DIAL, Deputy Commander
A Detachment
Division of Alaska State Troopers
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 59
representing the Department of Public Safety.
DAVID LEVY, Executive Director
Alaska Mobility Coalition (AMC)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation
entitled, "Alaska Mobility Coalition's Veterans Transportation
Project Update," dated 2/28/13.
ANDI NATIONS, Project Consultant
Veterans Transportation Project
Alaska Mobility Coalition
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the presentation by the
Alaska Mobility Coalition.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:03:46 PM
CO-CHAIR GABRIELLE LEDOUX called the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:03 p.m.
Representatives Reinbold, Gruenberg, Higgins, Hughes, and LeDoux
were present at the call to order. Representative Saddler
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HCR 2-PURPLE HEART STATE
1:04:04 PM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2, Proclaiming the state as a
Purple Heart State to honor the service and sacrifice of our
nation's men and women in uniform wounded or killed by the enemy
while serving to protect the freedom enjoyed by all Americans.
1:04:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHELLEY HUGHES, Alaska State Legislature,
speaking as the sponsor of HCR 2, informed the committee the
resolution would proclaim Alaska as a Purple Heart State,
honoring the services and sacrifices of our nation's men and
women in uniform wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to
protect the freedom enjoyed by all Americans. She opined that
it is appropriate for Alaska to become a Purple Heart State.
The honor of the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration
and was established during the Revolutionary War by General
George Washington. Although its use was discontinued after the
Revolutionary War, in the 1920s General Douglas MacArthur
encouraged reinstatement of the award and in 1932 - on the 200th
anniversary of George Washington's birth - a newly designed
award was reinstated for use by the U.S. Army. In 1942,
President Franklin Roosevelt expanded its use to all branches of
the armed forces, and in 1962 President John F. Kennedy
authorized its use as a posthumous award. Finally, in 1984
President Ronald Reagan authorized its use for those eligible as
a result of terrorist attacks and in 1998 civilians were removed
from the list of personnel eligible for the medal. The Military
Order of the Purple Heart (Order) was chartered in 1958 for
those who have received the award. It is estimated that 1.7
million Americans have received the award and about 300 members
of the Order live in Alaska; in fact, the Division of Motor
Vehicles, Department of Administration, has issued 716 Purple
Heart license plates in Alaska. Only four other states have
taken this step, however, forty-eight cities, including Wasilla
and Palmer, have been declared Purple Heart Cities.
Representative Hughes provided committee members a Purple Heart
Stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 2003. She urged the
committee to support the resolution.
1:10:27 PM
VIRGINIA SMILEY, staff to Representative Shelley Hughes, Alaska
State Legislature, said on June 6, 1944, her father landed at
Utah Beach in France with the 4th Infantry Division and spent
the first night on the beach with a young Ohio soldier who lost
his weapon during the landing. Ms. Smiley said her father was
later terribly wounded, but never considered himself disabled.
She said the intent of the resolution is to honor and recognize
all soldiers like her father who were wounded, [and others who
were killed].
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether passage of the resolution
would provide an opportunity to help encourage wounded combat
veterans to sign up for the benefits offered to them by the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA).
1:13:45 PM
MCHUGH PIERRE, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the
Commissioner/Adjutant General, Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), assured the committee that DMVA will
use the status as a Purple Heart State to build awareness for
veterans to sign up for health care benefits from USDVA. When
more veterans in Alaska sign up, the USDVA will dramatically
increase health care and the range of services provided in the
state.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed his support for the resolution.
1:14:55 PM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX opened public testimony.
1:15:17 PM
JOHNNY WHITE said that he earned a Purple Heart in 2005 while
serving with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne in Iraq. During his
deployment, the mission was to stop the flow of insurgents into
Iraq, and 34 Marines were lost in one fight. His wounds were
inflicted on November 19, and his first memory afterward is of a
World War II veteran who was also a Purple Heart recipient.
With the assistance of the Purple Heart Foundation he finally
received the Purple Heart in 2012 and began to receive the help
and benefits he had earned. If Alaska becomes a Purple Heart
State, every veteran will benefit.
1:17:14 PM
HENRY HUNTER, SR. said he received a Purple Heart in 1971 while
serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He said
his neighbor received the Purple Heart posthumously after being
killed in action in Vietnam, and expressed his hope that the
state will recognize all the veterans who received the Purple
Heart. His experience as a veteran in the USDVA system is that
he does not fully receive his benefits, but if Alaska becomes a
Purple Heart State benefits may become more available. In fact,
outside of Bethel there are 56 villages with many veterans
living there. Mr. Hunter said he was inspired to enlist and
help our country with no questions asked.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD said it was an honor to hear Mr.
Hunter's story.
1:20:59 PM
FRANCIS BOISSEAU said he has been a resident of Fairbanks for 40
years after retiring from the U.S. Army in 1973. He served
three tours in Vietnam and was wounded in 1967 while flying in
support of an extraction helicopter in western Vietnam. During
his 23 years in the Army, he served 16 years as a pilot and then
flew for 25 years as a civilian helicopter pilot. In the
Interior there was one service officer serving a large area, and
Mr. Boisseau is now a service officer of the Order in Fairbanks.
He said he belongs to eight service organizations and Chapter
675 in Fairbanks has approximately 75 members. The Alaska
Chapters of the Order have established a Purple Heart memorial
and the Purple Heart Trail. Mr. Boisseau provided the following
statistics: In Vietnam over 58,000 service members died and
300,000 were wounded; In Iraq and Afghanistan, 6,280 service
members died and 41,936 were wounded; during the years between
1955 and 1999, others gave their lives in conflicts; and from
1775 to present about 2.7 million military personnel have been
wounded or killed. If Alaska becomes a Purple Heart State,
everyone who has served in the military will be honored, in
addition to their relatives. He urged the committee to not let
the opportunity slip by.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD expressed her hope that Mr. Boisseau
will celebrate the passage of Vietnam Veteran's Day. On behalf
of the committee, she thanked him for his service and testimony.
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX echoed Representative Reinbold's comments.
1:25:48 PM
KENNETH ROSS, a member of the Order, the Marine Corps League,
and Vietnam Veterans of America, informed the committee he is
working to make Talkeetna a Purple Heart City along with
Wasilla, Huston, Palmer, and the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su)
Borough. Mr. Ross was wounded in 1968 during the end of the Tet
Offensive era. He expressed his appreciation to the mayor of
Wasilla because becoming the fifth Purple Heart State will help
the USDVA reach more Alaska residents living in the Bush with
their medical benefits in order to improve lives. He urged for
the passage of HCR 2.
1:28:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for Mr. Ross's affiliation.
MR. ROSS said he was speaking as a representative of all three
organizations and as an individual.
1:29:28 PM
PAUL BEALS reviewed his military history, including as a
corpsman in Vietnam during 1967, 1968, and 1969. He expressed
his belief that he is a member of a generation of warriors who
had an obligation and rite of passage to serve. However, many
Vietnam veterans returned home to a country "at war with
itself." He was wounded in 1967 and during two years of service
saw many young men die. Not too long ago he obtained a Purple
Heart license plate to remember those who died. At graduate
school at the University of Alaska Fairbanks his thesis was an
analysis of conversations with Alaska Native Vietnam combat
veterans, and he learned that in the small villages a high
percentage were drafted and died in service, or who died later
from service-related difficulties. Mr. Beals is now a licensed
counselor working in suicide prevention, intervention, and
postvention, and his experience is that those living in
isolation, as many veterans do, are most vulnerable. He advised
recognition is valuable to bring one out of isolation. He
recalled a national representative of USDVA who showed
indifference to those who returned home to their villages in
Alaska after being drafted into military service. Although
there has been improvement, there is still room for more. He
said the resolution raises the consciousness of society, and
stated his support.
1:34:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD thanked Mr. Beals for his testimony and
for helping others at risk for suicide.
1:35:37 PM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked for whom Mr. Beals was testifying.
MR. BEAL
S said he was speaking for himself, for those who died in his
arms, and for those living in villages.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS said he has been a member of the military
for 11 years. His heartache is that the government is "not
producing what they promised us." He asked whether the
resolution would help in this regard.
1:37:14 PM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director, Office of Veteran Affairs, DMVA, said
yes, the resolution will help because retired service members
generally are invisible in the community. Producing recognition
such as this, and other memorial events, will often bring
veterans out into the community so other can see that they have
served. Some veterans are silent about their service.
1:38:47 PM
TIM ARMSTRONG, Chief of Staff, Southeast District, Department of
Alaska Military Order of the Purple Heart, informed the
committee he was speaking on behalf of the Order. The Military
Order of the Purple Heart is a congressionally charted veterans'
organization comprised 100 percent of combat veterans wounded or
killed in the theatre of war, and many are awarded the medal
posthumously. The Order is a support mechanism, aiding veterans
in obtaining the benefits and medical attention they earned by
providing assistance, guidance, and legal representation.
Alaska has the highest ratio of veterans to population in the
U.S., and veterans contribute to the health and economy of the
state. Alaska recognizes the value of veterans and their
contributions; in fact, Alaska was one of the first states to
award high school diplomas to veterans who interrupted their
education for service during World War II. Alaska has also
established memorials and August 7 as Purple Heart Day holiday.
Mr. Armstrong urged the committee to support Alaska as a Purple
Heart State beside its other designations. For the benefit of
the committee, he displayed his Purple Heart medal, which was
awarded for wounds received during his service in Vietnam in
1968, and which was used as a model to craft the highway signs
along the Purple Heart Trail from Tok to Fairbanks.
1:43:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD thanked Mr. Armstrong for his service
and his testimony.
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX thanked Mr. Armstrong for his service and his
testimony. After determining no one else wished to testify, she
closed public testimony.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES thanked all who testified and all who came
to her expressing interest and hope in this effort. The
resolution attempts to express the gratitude of the state.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG appreciated all of the testimony as co-
sponsor of the resolution. He relayed an experience that
occurred during his service in Vietnam.
1:45:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RIENBOLD moved to report HCR 2 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HCR 2 was reported from the
House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
HB 59-MISSING VULNERABLE ADULT RESPONSE PLAN
1:46:32 PM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 59, "An Act relating to missing vulnerable
adult prompt response and notification plans."
1:47:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MAX GRUENBERG introduced HB 59 as the sponsor.
The bill will create a new system to help find missing
vulnerable adults in a manner similar to the Amber Alert system,
which is used to locate missing or abducted children. He
recalled similar legislation last year received support in both
bodies of the legislature, and 29 other states have adopted an
alert system directed towards seniors or vulnerable adults. He
referred to supporting documentation provided in the committee
packet. Representative Gruenberg said the plan is important
for Alaskan families because the weather and geography pose
obstacles to a search for vulnerable adults.
1:50:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD moved to adopt HB 59, Version 28-
LS0260\N, Strasbaugh, 2/18/13, as the working document. There
being no objection, Version N was before the committee.
1:50:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG called attention to the definition of
vulnerable adult in Version N, which references AS
47.24.900(21), the statute that defines a vulnerable adult as a
person 18 years of age or older who, because of incapacity,
mental illness, mental deficiency, physical illness or
disability, advanced age, chronic use of drugs, chronic
intoxication, fraud, confinement, or disappearance is unable to
meet the person's own needs or to seek help without assistance.
He said the bill is clear that the vulnerable adult is missing,
and that the purpose of the Silver Alert is to find the person
missing. The bill provides a new Section 2 which requires the
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to cooperate
with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to use statewide and
local radio and television and other media to develop and
implement prompt response and notification plans for use by law
enforcement, groups, and persons to locate a missing vulnerable
adult. Representative Gruenberg continued to explain that the
notification plans include standards to determine the
circumstances under which a vulnerable adult will be considered
missing and the format, content, and distribution of related
reports. Also, the plan must determine where to implement the
plan and the voluntary participation by radio and television
broadcasters, newspaper publishers, and other communication
media. Subparagraph (b) contains tort immunity for radio and
television broadcasters and publishers of communication media.
Contained in the committee packet are letters of support from
AARP Alaska Chapter, the Alaska Commission on Aging, the Alaska
Association of Chiefs of Police, the Alaska Peace Officers
Association, the Department of Health and Social Services
(DHSS), and a fiscal note from DPS.
1:55:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD asked for an explanation on the
inclusion of the word "fraud" in the definition of vulnerable
adult.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG explained that the word "fraud" was
added to a number of statutes due to legislation passed last
year that increased the protection of vulnerable adults who were
victims of elder fraud. Although possible, it is unlikely fraud
will be the "triggering event" in the case of a missing
vulnerable adult.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS asked for clarification on the amendment.
[In the committee packet was a proposed amendment that was not
offered].
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said the only item in the amendment is
on page 2, line 17, as follows: after "(3)" insert the word
"the."
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked whether DMVA or DPS have expressed support
for or opposition to the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated his preference for the
departments to indicate their positions.
2:00:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES asked whether the Silver Alert system
could be incorporated into the existing Amber Alert system in
order to reduce work for the departments.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG advised the Amber Alert system does not
have statutory basis and the bill would put the Silver Alert
system into statute, ensuring a statewide procedure.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES asked if agencies were currently searching
for vulnerable adults on a voluntary basis.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG was unsure how regularly searches are
made outside of Anchorage.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES surmised the Amber Alert is working just
for children who live in cities. She asked whether the Amber
Alert also needs to be in statute and implemented statewide.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG deferred to the department, although he
was told that the Amber Alert is successful as is, but the
Silver Alert will benefit from publicity and from written plans.
2:03:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD inquired as to how many people go
missing, and questioned the accuracy of a zero fiscal note when
the bill will result in extra work. She asked whether a report
of related costs will be made to the legislature if the bill
passes and regulations are written.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said that would not be a problem;
however, the departments will report directly to the legislature
if there is a fiscal impact sufficient to warrant an
appropriation. In further response to Representative Reinbold,
he relayed the departments do not anticipate the need for an
appropriation. He called attention to the 2/25/13 letter from
the Commission on Aging stating that at least 60 percent of
those with Alzheimer's disease wander at some point during the
course of their disease and if not found within a 24-hour period
up to one-half of those wanderings may result in personal injury
or death. He offered to provide additional statistics.
2:05:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES relayed her personal experience with her
mother-in-law who was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. She
asked why HB 59 was referred to this committee.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG explained the communication system
affected by the bill is under the emergency management function
of DMVA.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG, in further response to Representative
Hughes, indicated he has not gathered statistics on veterans.
2:08:46 PM
MCHUGH PIERRE, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner
/Adjutant General, DMVA, acknowledged that the bill instructs
DMVA to partner with DPS to accomplish the intent of the bill.
Currently, DMVA partners with DPS on the Amber Alert, which
works well as it is presently implemented. He opined this
legislation is proposed because communities want to protect
vulnerable adults of all descriptions. An existing system
within DMVA exists to send messages in emergency situations -
such as Amber Alerts and tsunamis, or other needed widespread
communication to the public - and this system can be used for
the proposed Silver Alert. Mr. Pierre advised that DPS will do
most of work and there is no increased cost to DMVA.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD restated her concern about the zero
fiscal note and asked for assurance that DMVA will inform the
legislature if costs are incurred.
MR. PIERRE confirmed that if the bill incurred costs known at
this time it would be reflected in the fiscal note. He pointed
out that DMVA does not respond until the message is spread
statewide.
2:11:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS surmised that DMVA is a part of the
communication process and asked how the message is communicated
to the public.
MR. PIERRE said the DMVA process is two-fold: at the time of
any emergency, DPS or DMVA can put a message in the system for
dissemination. In further response to Representative Higgins,
he explained that emergency alert system (EAS) alerts are
broadcast on television and radio.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS advised that Florida has big signs over
the highways that display the message.
MR. PIERRE expressed his belief that there are three signs on
the road system in Alaska that "are plugged into the system."
He clarified that the fiscal note addresses the action that is
prescribed by the legislation and does not address "future
wishes or desires by the department." In fact, if further
action is deemed necessary, there must be budget discussions.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG expressed his appreciation to Mr.
Pierre for his work on the bill.
2:15:27 PM
RODNEY DIAL, Lieutenant, Deputy Commander, A Detachment,
Division of Alaska State Troopers, DPS, informed the committee
DPS is neutral on HB 59 and supports the intent of the
legislation. However, the department is concerned about the
definition change regarding "vulnerable adult" that was brought
about by Senate Bill 86 during the last session of the
legislature. The aforementioned change in the definition of
vulnerable adults included those believed to be incapacitated by
drugs or alcohol, and significantly increased the number of
potential alerts generated by the bill. An increased number of
alerts may discourage voluntary participation in the program and
have a desensitizing effect on the public, thereby reducing the
effectiveness of the program. In addition, the expansion of the
definition may result in the abuse of the system in domestic
situations. As a matter of fact, each year DPS receives reports
of missing domestic partners who have intentionally severed
contact. Lieutenant Dial advised that callers sometimes falsify
information in an attempt to find someone. Use of the past
definition of vulnerable adult - "a person 18 years of age or
older who because of a physical or mental impairment is unable
to meet the person's own needs or to seek help without
assistance" - could address these concerns.
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked whether the expanded definition would
increase the fiscal note.
LIEUTENANT DIAL replied no, because the legislation requires DPS
to maintain an email, fax, and phone list that would be
disseminated to regional dispatch centers, and after the format
is in place, a minimal amount of time would be needed to
transmit the notifications. In fact, existing 24-hour regional
dispatch centers currently process calls for missing persons and
the only change is the requirement to use a notification
process.
2:19:10 PM
LIEUTENANT DIAL concluded, saying that DPS takes all missing
persons very seriously, supports the intent of HB 59, and stands
ready to assist with the legislation and its intent.
2:19:44 PM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX expressed her intention to hold HB 59 so the
sponsor can address the questions posed by DPS.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES asked DPS for suggestions on how to change
the definition in order to improve the legislation.
LIEUTENANT DIAL said the definition in the original legislation
proposed last year would suffice. The department needs
flexibility in order to use its experience and prevent abuse of
the system in a domestic situation. The original definition
provides sufficient latitude to encompass those identified by a
Silver Alert as well as to offer protection in a domestic
situation, or thoughtful action in the case of chronic
inebriants. He restated the department's support for the intent
of HB 59.
2:23:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES agreed that desensitizing the public would
not be what the sponsor seeks to achieve.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked whether DPS suggests the use of
the definition in Senate Bill 179 proposed during the last
session of the legislature.
LIEUTENANT DIAL indicated yes, in the confines of this
legislation and what would require notification, but DPS does
not want to change the definition of a vulnerable adult in
statute.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG advised the original definition used in
Senate Bill 179 and the subsequent committee substitute by the
House was the identical definition as in HB 59.
LIEUTENANT DIAL was under the impression that there was a
forthcoming version of the Senate bill.
2:26:02 PM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX held HB 59 in committee.
^Overview: Veterans' Transportation Project
Overview: Veterans' Transportation Project
2:26:21 PM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX announced that the final order of business would
be a presentation by the Alaska Mobility Coalition.
2:28:13 PM
DAVID LEVY, Executive Director, Alaska Mobility Coalition (AMC),
informed the committee AMC is a private, non-profit membership
organization with 128 members across the state that represents
and advocates for public and community transportation. It
provides technical assistance and support to rural, private,
public, and non-profit transit systems. Members provide over
seven million rides annually, transporting Alaskans to work,
school, and medical appointments [slide entitled, "Alaska
Mobility Coalition"]. The Veterans Transportation Project
sponsored by AMC began when the Governor's Coordinated
Transportation Task Force heard public testimony about a lack of
transportation for veterans to access medical care and job
opportunities. State agencies that work with veterans cited the
duplication of service and lack of coordination. In addition,
transportation organizations were having difficulties assisting
veterans. From that, AMC became interested in reaching out to
veterans and enlisted personnel. Challenges were: eligibility
requirements, military cultural issues, demographics, and
funding that restricted the coordination of transportation
[slides entitled, "VTP/Voices from the Community"]. Members of
AMC's statewide task force are: transit providers in Anchorage
and Juneau; government agencies such as the Department of
Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), the Alaska VA Healthcare
System (VA), the Department of Transportation & Public
Facilities (DOTPF) and the Department of Labor & Workforce
Development (DLWD); and private veterans' organizations such as
Armed Forces YMCA, Vets Helping Vets, and the Alaska Veterans'
Foundation [slide entitled, "Veterans Transportation Advisory
Group"]. After eight months of work, the advisory group has met
with the director of the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs
Veterans' Transportation Service (VTS) Program; provided
information at the Alaska Community Transit Conference; and
explored a new program formed to hire veterans for work in the
transit industry [slide entitled, "Activities and Progress to
Date"]. The second part of the project is putting veterans to
work with public transportation projects by using funds from a
state grant to obtain federal funds [slide entitled, "Alaska
Mobility Coalition's Veterans Transportation Project Grants:
Getting Alaskan Veterans to Work"]. The first grant was awarded
to DLWD to provide bus passes and vouchers for transportation to
work and job training facilities for veterans in Anchorage,
Fairbanks, Wasilla, and Juneau [slide with bullets beginning
with "RFP"]. Mr. Levy thanked the legislature for its past
support.
2:34:50 PM
ANDI NATIONS, Project Consultant, Veterans Transportation
Project, said she served on the Governor's Coordinated
Transportation Task Force and heard of the needs of the
transportation providers who wanted to help veterans, but were
looking for funding sources. Furthermore, the veterans'
services were limited and both groups benefitted from improved
communication through the project. Sharing information at the
veterans' summit in Anchorage and other communications are
making transportation more available for veterans. For example,
transportation on military bases has been extended to connect
with public transportation in Anchorage and Fairbanks. In
addition, VA signed a memorandum of understanding with the
Alaska Native Healthcare System to enable all veterans living in
remote areas to obtain services in their local community
healthcare clinic and avoid the expense and fatigue of travel.
Ms. Nations concluded, saying collaboration will help veterans
with jobs and to keep in touch with national resources.
2:40:41 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 2:40 p.m.