Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/02/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB 45 | |
| HB 61 | |
| HB 285 | |
| HB 330 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 45 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 326 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 285 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 330 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 2, 2008
9:24 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 9:24:18 AM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair
Senator Kim Elton
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
Senator Fred Dyson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Representative David Guttenberg; McHugh Pierre, Legislative
Liaison, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; Rex
Shattuck, Staff, Representative Mark Neuman; Representative
Mark Neuman; Karen Lister, Representative John Coghill;
Deborah Higgins, Staff, Representative Craig Johnson;
Representative Craig Johnson
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Ben Cleveland, Department Commander, Military Order of
Purple Heart Alaska and President, Alaska Native Veterans
Association; Raymond Clark, Department Commander, Military
Order of the Purple Heart Alaska; Jennifer Yukas, Special
Assistant to the Fairbanks North Star Mayor Jim Whitaker;
Steve VanSant, State Assessor, Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development; Bryce Wrigley, Alaska
Farm Bureau, Delta Junction
SUMMARY
CSHB 45(MLV)
"An Act authorizing the Department of Military and
Veterans' Affairs to establish and maintain Alaska
veterans' cemeteries; and establishing the Alaska
veterans' cemetery fund in the general fund."
CSHB 45 (MLV) was HEARD and HELD in Committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 61(FIN)
"An Act relating to tax credits for cash
contributions by taxpayers that are accepted for
certain educational purposes, including vocational
education programs and courses at the secondary
school level and to tax credits for cash
contributions by tax payers that are accepted by a
state-operated vocational technical education and
training school; and providing for an effective
date."
SCS CSHB 61 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and an
accompanying new fiscal note by the Department of
Revenue.
CSHB 285(CRA)
"An Act relating to an optional exemption from
municipal property taxes for residences of widows
and widowers of certain members of the armed
forces of the United States."
CS HB 285(CRA) was HEARD and HELD in Committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 330(RES)
"An Act relating to noxious weed, invasive plant
and agricultural pest management and education;
and providing for an effective date."
SCS CSHB 330 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and accompanying
previously published fiscal notes from the
Department of Environmental Conservation, the
Department of Fish and Game, the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, and the
Department of Natural Resources.
9:24:26 AM
Co-Chair Stedman provided and overview of the bills.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 45(MLV)
"An Act authorizing the Department of Military and
Veterans' Affairs to establish and maintain Alaska
veterans' cemeteries; and establishing the Alaska
veterans' cemetery fund in the general fund."
Senator Thomas MOVED to ADOPT Committee Substitute 25-
LS0230\E as the working document before this Committee.
Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion.
Co-Chair Stedman referred to the section changes in the new
Committee Substitute removing Sections 1 and 3 which would
have created the Alaska Veterans Cemetery Fund.
Co-Chair Stedman WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, Committee Substitute 25-LS0230\E was adopted as
the working document before this Committee.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG presented an overview of the
bill and referred to the Sponsor Statement:
All Alaska veterans deserve access to a military
cemetery that honors their service and recognizes their
sacrifices while serving our country, usually under
challenging conditions, and frequently in harm's way.
On a per capita basis, Alaska has more residents in
active military service or who are veterans than all
but one other state. According to the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA), a total of 9,469 veterans
reside in the Fairbanks North Star Borough.
The VA's long-term goal is to provide an operational
veterans' cemetery within 75 miles of 90 percent of the
veterans in the country. The nearest veterans' cemetery
to Fairbanks is Fort Richardson National Cemetery,
located 350 miles away in Anchorage. By the VA's own
estimation, a facility in Fairbanks would greatly
increase the number of veterans served by a veterans'
cemetery.
Interior Alaska's veterans deserve a cemetery located
in the Interior of the state. A state veterans'
cemetery in the Interior would better serve the needs
of veterans and their families, and provide a final
resting place that is centrally located, honorable, and
well maintained. An Interior veterans' cemetery will
help families avoid the pain of burying a loved one far
from home.
HB 45 seeks to establish a state cemetery similar to
the Fort Richardson and Sitka National Cemeteries. It
will provide a place in the Interior for soldiers to be
laid to rest with full military funeral honors,
including uniformed pallbearers, rifle team, and
ceremonial folding and presentation of the United
States flag.
HB 45 authorizes the Alaska Department of Military and
Veterans' Affairs to establish and maintain a state
veterans' cemetery with funds from the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs, State Cemetery Grants Program.
Through this program, the Alaska Department of Military
and Veterans' Affairs may be awarded up to 100% of
allowable costs for design, construction, and operating
equipment for an approved project. To date, the VA has
awarded 152 grants totaling more than $264 million to
establish, expand, or improve 65 veterans' cemeteries
in 35 states, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. There
are now 65 operational cemeteries and four more under
construction.
Representative Guttenberg spoke to the history of the bill
and the absence of a military cemetery in the Interior. He
remarked that Alaska is not qualified for another National
Cemetery for many reasons.
9:27:22 AM
Representative Guttenberg mentioned a Veterans Cemetery
program which provides funds for the construction of the
cemetery using state ground. He reported that this bill
would allow Alaska to apply for the veteran's grant and
follow the process. He clarified that, at first, he believed
Fairbanks had the only available land but now recognizes
other communities may also be eligible. He reiterated that
this bill would allow veterans to be buried in hallowed
ground close to home.
9:28:11 AM
Senator Thomas questioned if it was also possible for
boroughs and cities to contribute property or provide
assistance to locate the military cemetery into an existing
cemetery. Representative Guttenberg agreed.
9:28:45 AM
BEN CLEVELAND, DEPARTMENT COMMANDER, MILITARY ORDER OF
PURPLE HEART ALASKA AND PRESIDENT, ALASKA NATIVE VETERANS
ASSOCIATION testified via teleconference and supported the
bill. He pointed out that there are approximately 11,000
veterans in the Interior of Alaska. Mr. Cleveland expressed
the importance of recognizing the service of Alaska
veterans. He remarked that the full military service
accorded veterans is often not available for veterans in
Alaska.
9:32:12 AM
RAYMOND CLARK, DEPARTMENT COMMANDER, MILITARY ORDER OF THE
PURPLE HEART ALASKA testified via teleconference in support
of the bill. He wished for veterans to have a final resting
place in a cemetery close to home. He requested a cemetery
be established in the Interior that would be central to the
transportation hub of Alaska.
9:34:20 AM
MCHUGH PIERRE, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY
AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, supported the bill. He referred to
Page 2, line 2-12 as the driving factors in the fiscal note.
It begins with:
(c) The department shall, in consultation with the
Alaska Veterans' Advisory Council,
(1) adopt regulations for determining individuals
eligible for burial in an Alaska veterans' cemetery;
(2) receive the plot or interment allowance on behalf
of the state under 38 U.S.C. 2303;
(3) comply with all requirements for a state veterans'
cemetery grant established by the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 U.S.C.
2408; and
(4) apply to the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs for state veterans' cemetery grants under 38
U.S.C. 2408.
Mr. Pierre indicated that the department has exhausted its
resources and the above factors create the need for a
temporary, one-year, Range 16 Project Assistant position.
Co-Chair Stedman spoke to the fiscal note for the $62,000
new position. He questioned why the department felt it
necessary to hire a new position and asked if this could be
accomplished without adding a new position.
9:36:42 AM
Mr. Pierre remarked that the position was necessary. He
noted that when the bill was introduced last session, had it
passed, the position would not have been needed. He revealed
that the passage of other bills has impacted the department
and there is a need to seek a temporary position. At present
there is only one full time and one part time position in
the department.
9:37:39 AM
Senator Elton continued with reference to the fiscal note.
He questioned if the other bills mentioned by Mr. Pierre had
fiscal notes attached to them asking for additional
personnel. Mr. Pierre responded that the other bills have
zero fiscal notes.
Senator Elton asked if this additional person would be doing
work that may be attached to future legislation or bills.
Mr. Pierre responded that the new position will strictly
deal with the veteran's cemetery.
Senator Elton questioned if the fiscal notes would be
changing for the other outstanding Veterans Affairs bills.
Mr. Pierre signified that the other bills would all have
zero fiscal notes. Senator Elton commented that the other
veteran's bills have zero fiscal notes and wondered why the
accumulated impact of all the bills only requires a new
position being attached to this bill.
9:39:17 AM
Mr. Pierre responded that the department had exhausted all
its resources and the impact of this bill required the
addition of a new temporary position.
9:39:27 AM
Senator Huggins signified that the two fundamental questions
in the bill are where and when the cemetery would be built.
He recognized that the National Cemetery in Sitka is
reaching its limits but noted that the Ft. Richardson
cemetery has a long life and can be expanded. He shared that
co-Chair Hoffman in the Bethel community took care of
veterans on their own and congratulated their achievement.
9:40:40 AM
Co-Chair Stedman requested that the bill sponsor contact
Sitka National Cemetery to get information on the expected
expansion of that cemetery.
9:41:44 AM
Representative Guttenberg thanked the Committee for hearing
the bill. He concluded with the comment that veterans in
Alaska are looking for the opportunity to be buried in
hallowed ground.
CSHB 45 (MLV) was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
9:43:07 AM
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 61(FIN)
"An Act relating to tax credits for cash contributions
by taxpayers that are accepted for certain educational
purposes, including vocational education programs and
courses at the secondary school level and to tax
credits for cash contributions by tax payers that are
accepted by a state-operated vocational technical
education and training school; and providing for an
effective date."
9:43:44 AM
Co-Chair Stedman informed the Committee that the intent was
to hear from the sponsor and take public testimony.
REX SHATTUCK, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEUMAN, presented
an overview of the bill. He referred to the committee
substitute version M that incorporated changes brought
forward in the last meeting. He remarked that language was
inserted and removed. In Section 43.20.14 language in the
income tax education credit was removed. Mr. Shattuck
mentioned two drafting errors in the M version: Page 5, line
10 read AS 34.20.014(e) should read AS 43.20.014(e) and Page
6, line 29 read AS 42.20.014(e) should read AS 43.20.014(e).
9:46:59 AM
Co-Chair Stedman noted the drafting errors and asked if
there was any objection to revising the committee substitute
to clean-up these changes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
Senator Thomas questioned that as the bill has changed over
time was there any impact on the existing two and four year
schools.
9:47:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEUMAN replied that there were no
changes to current statutes.
9:47:53 AM
Senator Huggins believed this bill to be an innovative way
to deal with vocational changes that can make a difference.
9:48:22 AM
Senator Elton referred to his local high school home
building program that over the last several years has won
the national championship three times. A provision such as
this bill may allow the local business community to
contribute even more to the program.
9:48:55 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT SCS CSHB 61 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and an
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
SCS CSHB 61 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and an accompanying new accompanying
fiscal note by the Department of Revenue.
9:49:40 AM
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 285(CRA)
"An Act relating to an optional exemption from
municipal property taxes for residences of widows and
widowers of certain members of the armed forces of the
United States."
KAREN LISTER, REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL, presented an
overview of the bill. The bill requests an exception for a
municipality or city to be able to partially or wholly
exempt from taxation real property that is owned or occupied
by a widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces of the
United States that was injured while serving on active duty
who is eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger pay.
This request came to Representative Coghill by the Mayor of
the Fairbanks North Star Borough and will provide the
municipalities the option of whether they choose to make an
ordinance to allow this exception and set out the parameters
for qualification and eligibility.
9:51:36 AM
JENNIFER YUKAS, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE FAIRBANKS NORTH
STAR MAYOR JIM WHITAKER testified via teleconference, and
supported the bill. She related the borough's thanks to
Representative Coghill for sponsoring this legislation. She
emphasized that this bill would further recognize the
contributions of Alaska's military men and women.
9:52:31 AM
Senator Olson questioned how many people would be affected
by the bill. Ms. Lister did not have the answer but
signified that Mr. VanSant online could possibly answer that
question.
9:52:55 AM
STEVE VANSANT, STATE ASSESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT testified via
teleconference, and responded that there is no solid
estimate on that figure however he believed the estimate to
not be very large.
9:53:23 AM
Senator Huggins stated that the important part is that it
allows the municipalities the option.
CS HB 285(CRA) was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
9:54:37 AM
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 330(RES)
"An Act relating to noxious weed, invasive plant and
agricultural pest management and education; and
providing for an effective date."
Senator Elton MOVED to ADOPT a Committee Substitute for SCS
HB 330, work draft 25-LS1062\N as the working document
before this committee. There being NO OBJECTION, work draft
25-LS1062\N was adopted.
Co-Chair Stedman noted that version N added the Department
of Fish and Game to help with marine issues.
9:55:21 AM
DEBORAH HIGGINS, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON,
acknowledged she was prepared to answer questions.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, the bill's sponsor, indicated
he was available for questions.
Co-Chair Stedman mentioned the zero fiscal notes from the
Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of
Fish and Game, the Department of Transportation and the
fiscal note from the Department of Natural Resources for
$80,000 to hire a new research analyst.
9:56:30 AM
BRYCE WRIGLEY, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, DELTA JUNCTION testified
via teleconference, and supported the bill. He expressed the
concern of noxious weeds to the farm industry. He related
the problems in the Lower 48 have cost the western states
millions of dollars. Mr. Wrigley remarked that Alaska's
isolation has provided time to research the spread of the
weeds but now is time for aggressive action before it
becomes a problem.
9:59:03 AM
Representative Johnson appreciated the hearing of the bill.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT SCS CSHB 330 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying
fiscal notes.
SCS CSHB 330 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation, and accompanying previously published
fiscal notes from the Department of Environmental
Conservation, the Department of Fish and Game, the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and the
Department of Natural Resources.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 AM
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