03/24/2016 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB175 | |
| SB154 | |
| SB171 | |
| SCR16 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 154 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SCR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 175 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 171 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 24, 2016
9:02 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bill Stoltze, Chair
Senator John Coghill, Vice Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins
Senator Bill Wielechowski
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lesil McGuire
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 175
"An Act establishing November 1 as Military Family Day."
- MOVED HB 175 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 154
"An Act relating to special registration plates commemorating
the Blood Bank of Alaska."
- MOVED CSSB 154(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 171
"An Act relating to the duties of the Department of
Administration; relating to payment of judgment against the
state; relating to pre-audit of claims; relating to travel costs
and travel outside the state; repealing authorization and
administration of the Department of Administration to make
advances to the University of Alaska; and repealing the United
States savings bond purchase plan."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16
Urging the Governor to designate a location for a special
session of the Twenty-Ninth Alaska State Legislature, if called
after adjournment of the First Regular Session of the Twenty-
Ninth Alaska State Legislature, that is in a community on the
state's road system.
- MOVED CSSCR 16(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 175
SHORT TITLE: ESTABLISH MILITARY FAMILY DAY
SPONSOR(s): LYNN
04/01/15 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/01/15 (H) STA
01/21/16 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
01/21/16 (H) Moved HB 175 Out of Committee
01/21/16 (H) MINUTE(STA)
01/22/16 (H) STA RPT 7DP
01/22/16 (H) DP: TALERICO, STUTES, VAZQUEZ,
GRUENBERG, KREISS-TOMKINS, LYNN, KELLER
01/25/16 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
01/25/16 (H) VERSION: HB 175
01/27/16 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/27/16 (S) STA
03/24/16 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 154
SHORT TITLE: BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA LICENSE PLATES
SPONSOR(s): STATE AFFAIRS BY REQUEST
01/21/16 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/16 (S) STA, FIN
03/24/16 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 171
SHORT TITLE: DOA PAYMENTS; REPEAL OTHER DOA DUTIES
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
02/05/16 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/05/16 (S) STA, FIN
02/18/16 (S) STA AT 8:30 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/18/16 (S) Heard & Held
02/18/16 (S) MINUTE(STA)
BILL: SCR 16
SHORT TITLE: SPECIAL SESSION TO BE HELD ON ROAD SYSTEM
SPONSOR(s): STOLTZE
04/18/15 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/18/15 (S) STA
03/15/16 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM FAHRENKAMP 203
03/15/16 (S) Heard & Held
03/15/16 (S) MINUTE(STA)
03/24/16 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
ESTER MIELKE, Staff
Representative Bob Lynn
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of HB 175.
LAURIE HUMMEL, Commissioner
Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 175.
VERDIE BOWEN, Director
Office of Veterans' Affairs
Alaska Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions regarding HB 175.
BRANDON BREFCZYNSKI, Staff
Senator Bill Stoltze
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the committee substitute for SB
154.
TIM BENINTENDI, Secretary
Board of Directors
Blood Bank of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 154.
ROBERT SCANLON, Chief Executive Officer
Blood Bank of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 154.
CHRIS MELLO, Member
Board of Directors
Blood Bank of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 154.
AMY ERICKSON, Director
Division of Motor Vehicles
Alaska Department of Administration
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered administrative questions regarding
SB 154.
VERDIE BOWEN, Director
Office of Veterans' Affairs
Alaska Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 154.
DANIEL GEORGE, Staff
Senator Bill Stoltze
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the committee
substitutes for SB 171 and SCR 16.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:02:48 AM
CHAIR BILL STOLTZE called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Wielechowski, Coghill, Huggins, and Chair
Stoltze.
HB 175-ESTABLISH MILITARY FAMILY DAY
9:03:55 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of HB 175.
9:04:01 AM
ESTER MIELKE, Staff, Representative Bob Lynn, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, read the sponsor statement for HB
175 as follows:
Military families are the folks back home who help
keep our warriors at peak effectiveness, be it
stateside duty or combat duty. Worrying about your
kid's homework, getting the bills paid on time, or
worrying about anything at all back home is not
something that is safe to do when the enemy is
attempting to kill you.
The military family is major source of morale and the
foundation of what's good about our military. The day
someone joins the military is the day that the family
virtually joins the military too. When we support the
military family, we support the military member.
Many service members transfer from one place to
another about every two years, this means the family
also moves to somewhere else. The kids change schools,
maybe in their senior year; churches are changed; the
spouse may have to give up their job; and of course
the curtains don't fit the new place. The spouse, some
say, has the toughest job in our military.
The military deserves having a day set aside to honor
their military families and to recognize a major
source of their morale and strength. HB 175
establishes "Military Family Day" to honor and support
families of our service men and women in Alaska every
year on November 1st. Nationally, November is
designated as National Military Family Month. The
President of the United States typically makes an
annual announcement to inform the public about this
month. We thought it was fitting to have our Alaskan
Military Family Day to coincide with the beginning of
the nationally designated month.
9:06:33 AM
SENATOR COGHILL noted that November 1 was "All Saints' Day" and
asked if there was any correlation.
MS. MIELKE answered no.
SENATOR COGHILL remarked that military families quite often
could be nominated for sainthood.
CHAIR STOLTZE commented that the committee members represent
communities that support veterans and their families. He noted
that two committee members were veterans and guessed that the
bill would have a lot of receptivity.
SENATOR HUGGINS commented that his wife asked to thank
Representative Lynn for his thought and consideration put into
the bill. He noted that his wife was the mother of three
children that were in the military.
9:09:26 AM
COMMISSIONER LAURIE HUMMEL, Department of Military & Veterans'
Affairs (DMVA), Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of HB
175. She stated that while she was always prepared to publically
acknowledge the patriotism, dedication, and skill of Alaska's
military men and women, she was especially pleased to focus on
the enormous contributions made by the military families that
the public rarely sees. She revealed that she understood the
importance of service members' families because her father was
in the military for 24 years and noted that she, as well as her
spouse, have been deployed soldiers as well. She remarked that
the spouse left behind has the harder job with twice the work,
all the worry, more time to think about it, and none of the
credit.
He said there were a lot of families whose service members'
deployments resulted in life-altering injuries and the family
members' lives were just as effected as those of the service
members. She added that when a member of the military loses his
or her life in service, the "Gold Star" families left behind
find a way to move forward; but really, they never fully heal.
She disclosed that 74,000 veterans call Alaska home and the
state has the highest veterans per capita in the country. She
said Alaska was lucky to keep the experience of its veterans and
fortunate that their families follow suit. She set forth that
Alaska's veterans and their families deserve the state's
unwavering support. She asserted that Alaska's veteran success
was not sustained by what they had already done, but what more
they would provide. She set forth that HB 175 shows the state's
appreciation, especially to the military families, the backbone
of the military. She said she agreed with Senator Coghill that
recognizing military families on All Saints' Day was
appropriate.
CHAIR STOLTZE asked Mr. Bowen if he had attended all of the
Alaska Veterans Advisory Council (AVAC) meetings.
9:14:15 AM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director, Office of Veterans' Affairs, Alaska
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Anchorage, Alaska,
answered yes.
CHAIR STOLTZE asked if AVAC had any discussions regarding HB
175.
MR. BOWEN answered no.
9:16:16 AM
At ease.
9:17:05 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE called the committee back to order. He asked
Senator Huggins, the senior veteran committee member, to make a
motion on HB 175.
9:17:34 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report HB 175, [29-LS0814\A], from
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note.
9:17:45 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that hearing no objection, HB 175 moves
from committee.
9:17:50 AM
At ease.
SB 154-BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA LICENSE PLATES
9:18:33 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE called the committee back to order. He announced
the consideration of SB 154 and asked for a motion to adopt the
committee substitute (CS).
9:19:08 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to adopt the proposed CS for SB 154,
version H, as the working document.
CHAIR STOLTZE objected for discussion purposes.
9:19:27 AM
BRANDON BREFCZYNSKI, Staff, Senator Stoltze, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that the CS for SB 154
was a result of an oversight. He specified that on page 2, line
1, the added language would allow the Department of
Administration to separately account and appropriate funds for
the Blood Bank of Alaska license plate.
CHAIR STOLTZE removed his objection and announced that the CS
was before the committee. He set forth that the committee would
hear public testimony. He asked the Mr. Benintendi be the first
to address the committee. He noted that Mr. Benintendi was the
Alaskan citizen who brought the legislation forward and the
State Affairs Committee noted the bill as being sponsored "by
request" in order to reflect that sponsorship was on behalf of
the Blood Bank of Alaska and those who supported their
activities.
9:20:48 AM
TIM BENINTENDI, Secretary, Board of Directors, Blood Bank of
Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 154. He
thanked the committee and the Legislature for supporting the
grant funding to help construct the new Blood Bank of Alaska
facility. He said SB 154 authorizes the issuance of the Blood
Bank of Alaska license plate and its extra revenue; but more
importantly, the license plates would provide extra promotional
opportunity and visibility for the Blood Bank of Alaska as well.
9:22:53 AM
ROBERT SCANLON, Chief Executive Officer, Blood Bank of Alaska,
Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 154. He thanked
the Legislature for its generosity in supporting Alaska's sole
blood supplier. He said without the Legislature's assistance,
the project would not have been possible.
9:23:41 AM
CHRIS MELLO, Member, Board of Directors, Blood Bank of Alaska,
Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 154. He thanked
the Legislature for its generous support of the Blood Bank of
Alaska. He detailed that the Blood Bank of Alaska was a
501(c)(3) public charity with an all-Alaskan board and all-
Alaskan outfit. He added that the Blood Bank of Alaska has over
30,000 donors statewide. He set forth that the license plate
would help the Blood Bank of Alaska as follows:
· Generates revenue.
· Allows anonymous donors and recipients to let everyone know
their support.
· Acts as a reminder for people to donate.
CHAIR STOLTZE asked if the administration had concerns with the
bill.
9:25:10 AM
AMY ERICKSON, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Alaska
Department of Administration, Anchorage, Alaska, replied that
the administration had no concerns. She added that she was glad
that the committee was able to fix the oversight where the
license plate was not tied to a fund.
9:25:48 AM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director of Veteran Affairs, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 154. He revealed that he was a Blood
Bank of Alaska recipient due to an accident. He said the new
license plate would provide advertising and awareness for the
Blood Bank of Alaska.
CHAIR STOLTZE closed public testimony. He asked Ms. Erickson to
provide a brief narrative on the bill's $250 fiscal note. He
inquired if Ms. Erickson had any projected expectations judging
from past history on "cause" license plates.
9:28:33 AM
MS. ERICKSON specified that DMV would work with the Blood Bank
of Alaska to design the license plate that the commissioner of
the Department of Administration would ultimately have to
approve. She detailed that the plate would have a $200 design
fee. She noted that a previous "cause" plate example would be
for "breast cancer awareness."
CHAIR STOLTZE added that "cause" plates would include "promotion
of life" and the Second Amendment.
MS. ERICKSON answered yes. She said she could not forecast how
many plates would be sold, but remarked that the Blood Bank of
Alaska has a big following in the Anchorage area.
CHAIR STOLTZE opined that some "cause" plates have a limited
pool and others were a lot broader. He noted that the Pearl
Harbor survivors' plate was limited, where the plate for the
Second Amendment has a lot of fans.
9:30:09 AM
MS. ERICKSON replied that only one license plate was issued to a
Pearl Harbor survivor. She noted that the "cause" plates did not
have a minimum order.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked if DMV would be able to accept $250 from a
collection to cover the $250 fiscal note.
MS. ERICKSON replied that DMV did not have a way of accepting
the money. She noted that committees had zeroed-out fiscal notes
in the past.
CHAIR STOLTZE concurred that the committee could zero-out the
fiscal note. He noted that a bill like SB 154 tends to have
"extra cargo" thrown on it. He stated that the Finance Committee
can decide whether to zero-out or amortize the fiscal note. He
said any committee member could offer amendments or other
suggestions and Ms. Erickson would nimbly deal with whatever she
was dealt.
9:33:58 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved Conceptual Amendment 1.
CONCEPTUAL AMENDMENT 1
Expands the eligibility for veteran's designation on
an ID card or driver's license in the State of Alaska
in an effort to recognize Laotian veterans and the
Hmong Special Guerrilla Unit that fought in support of
American interests during the Vietnam era.
CHAIR STOLTZE objected for discussion purposes.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI set forth that he was offering the
amendment on behalf of a number of constituent groups in his
district and all around Anchorage as well. He specified that the
amendment would expand the eligibility for veterans' designation
on an ID card or driver's license in the State of Alaska in an
effort to recognize Laotian veterans and the Hmong Special
Guerrilla Unit that fought in support of American interests
during the Vietnam era.
He revealed that tens of thousands of Hmong people were trained
covertly by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to fight on
behalf of the United States. He quoted Edgar Buell, CIA Senior
Aide that worked with the Hmong Special Guerrilla Unit as
follows:
Every Hmong that died, that was an American back home
that didn't die, or one that was injured that wasn't
injured. Somebody in nearly every Hmong family was
either fighting or died from fighting, they became
refuges because we, the United States government,
encouraged them to fight for us. I promised them
myself, have no fear, we will take care of you.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI remarked that the United States government
made promises to the Hmong. The Hmong that emigrated to the U.S.
have been fighting to get recognition as veterans on driver's
licenses. He detailed that the amendment would have the
Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs work with the
Department of Administration and DMV to find an alternative
proof of veteran's status because the Hmong did not have Defense
Department (DD) Form 214 (DD214). He said the amended bill would
be a way of recognizing the Hmong's service on behalf of our
country. He noted that the Department of Military and Veteran's
Affairs have expressed their support for the amendment.
9:37:05 AM
MR. BOWEN testified in support of Conceptual Amendment 1. He
revealed that he had spent a lot of time with the Hmong on
different issues of recognition, specifically with U.S. Senator
Murkowski in allowing the Hmong to be interred in national
cemeteries. He detailed that under the command of General Vang
Pao, the Hmong army was a 30,000 man fighting force that
assisted downed U.S. pilots in Laos. He presumed that Senator
Huggins fought with Hmong soldiers and he might be able to
provide additional insight. He explained that the difference
between the Hmong and most soldiers was the amount of people
that were in their army was probably equal to the amount of
people lost during the conflict. He asserted that anything that
the Legislature could do to recognize the Hmong would be
outstanding. He suggested that a program could be put together
that was similar to the Alaska Territorial Guard where an
Alaskan DD214 would recognize Hmong soldiers.
CHAIR STOLTZE asked if the Veteran's Advisory Council had taken
a position on the issue.
MR. BOWEN answered yes. He specified that the council had voted
in the past against adding the identification on the driver's
license, but the council had voted positive on a license plate.
9:39:09 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE stated that he opposed the amendment, but offered
that the specific bill regarding Hmong recognition be heard in
committee the following week.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI thanked Chair Stoltze and withdraw
Conceptual Amendment 1.
CHAIR STOLTZE confirmed that Senator Wielechowski's bill would
be heard the following week. He said the bill would be properly
vetted and notice provided to veterans groups and the Hmong
community.
He asked if there were any other amendments.
SENATOR HUGGINS stated that he had no amendments and no further
comment.
CHAIR STOLTZE suggested that the committee could meet the intent
and zero-out the fiscal note; however, the fiscal note would be
left as presented due to the limitations of accepting funds into
the state's treasury.
9:41:32 AM
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report CS for SB 154, [29-LS1127\H],
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note.
9:41:43 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that hearing no objection, CSSB 154(STA)
moves from committee.
SB 171-DOA PAYMENTS; REPEAL OTHER DOA DUTIES
9:42:02 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of SB 171. He asked
for a motion to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS).
9:42:34 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to adopt the CS for SB 171, [version 29-
GS2811\H], as the working document.
CHAIR STOLTZE objected for discussion purposes.
9:43:00 AM
DANIEL GEORGE, Staff, Senator Bill Stoltze, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that the CS would place
the University of Alaska System and the Alaska Court System
under the state consolidated travel program. He added that the
CS would put the state's "online checkbook" continuously online
and statutorily require public access for the purpose of
transparency in government spending. He added that the "online
checkbook" would be required to list where the spending takes
place and where the spending would take place from.
CHAIR STOLTZE commented that state agencies have exhibited a
defensiveness regarding the "online checkbook" and said "not
us." He stated that he welcomed consideration that the Alaska
Railroad, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Alaska
Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), and the
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) be included as
well. He noted that he appreciated that Senator Wielechowski
came forward with the "online checkbook," a relevant concept
that addressed reforms and cost savings. He added that
Representative Reinbold offered suggestions as well.
CHAIR STOLTZE removed his objection. He stated that without
objection, the CS was adopted.
9:46:02 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that SB 171 would be held in committee.
SCR 16-SPECIAL SESSION TO BE HELD ON ROAD SYSTEM
9:46:05 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of SCR 16.
9:46:17 AM
At ease.
9:47:52 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE called the meeting back to order.
9:48:09 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to adopt the CS for SCR 16, version [29-
LS0906\W], as the working document.
CHAIR STOLTZE objected for discussion purposes.
9:48:19 AM
DANIEL GEORGE, Staff, Senator Stoltze, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, explained that the CS would update the
resolution to reflect any special session that might be called
after adjournment of the second session of the 29th Legislature.
He summarized that SCR 16 would simply advise where a special
session would be held.
9:49:04 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE removed his objection and announced that hearing
no objection, the CS was adopted.
CHAIR STOLTZE set forth that SCR 15 was very specific to date,
time, and circumstances. He affirmed that SCR 15 was not a
legislative move. He affirmed that he has been an advocate in
moving the capitol, but reiterated that the resolution was
specific to the circumstances regarding the building's
remodeling for safety and seismic improvements. He stated the he
did not want the Legislature to interfere with the capitol's
construction company in completing the project on time. He noted
that the capitol's remodel had a performance bond to finish the
project in excess of $5 million. He summarized that spring and
summer housing becomes an issue in Juneau due to tourism, the
special session would be in a location that was closer to where
most Alaskans live, and meeting in Anchorage would be less
expensive for a very special circumstance.
9:55:09 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS remarked that he seconded Chair Stoltze's words.
He explained that the governor intends to call a special session
to address his proposal to take the people's money through
taxation. He stated that he would rather hear directly from his
neighbors and noted that his constituents have overwhelmingly
told him that they opposed an income tax. He asserted that he
adamantly opposed an income tax based upon feedback and his
natural instincts. He summarized that the business of how much a
special session costs in Juneau versus Anchorage was almost
irrelevant if the numbers were close because the subject matter
pertained to taking people's money.
SENATOR COGHILL stated that he supported the resolution. He said
special sessions were unique because topics are narrowed down to
a few issues. He remarked that one of the general population's
hidden taxes was the lack of accessibility to Juneau due to
expense. He said the general population really depends upon
sending their representatives, lobbyists, and groups to Juneau.
He asserted that allowing people to use the Southcentral road
system to let their voices be heard during the special session
was important. He added that retrofitting the capitol was also a
pressure point for holding the special session in Juneau.
9:59:25 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE noted that in 2015, the senator from Juneau was
complaining about commissioners not being in Anchorage and noted
that he said, "Teleconferences are fine, but there is no
substitute for face-to-face." He said he was sure the senator
regrets his statement, but he remarked that you cannot have
arguments both ways.
CHAIR STOLTZE stated that SCR 16 was not a complicated measure,
but noted that the perception of a capitol move would
unnecessarily divide people philosophically and geographically.
He explained that the resolution was carefully crafted with a
lot of consideration to specifically address special
circumstances.
He admitted that 99.9 percent of his constituents would not
attend legislative proceedings because they are busy. He said
constituents expect legislators to exercise their good judgement
and reach out to them when there were important things.
He stated that his motives would be reassigned and assessed
because of his record. He asserted that SCR 16 was a vehicle
specific to circumstances for the two legislative bodies to come
together and deliberate what was in the best interest of the
treasury and the people of Alaska.
10:03:19 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report the CS for SCR 16(STA), [29-
LS0906\W], from committee [with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note].
10:03:31 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that seeing no objection, CSSJR 16(STA)
moves from committee.
10:04:55 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Stoltze adjourned the Senate State Affairs Committee at
10:04 a.m.