HB 178-NAMING PORTIONS OF VETERANS HIGHWAYS  1:15:44 PM CHAIR TUCK announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 178, "An Act relating to recognition of individual veterans along certain veterans' memorial roads and on certain veterans' memorial bridges." 1:16:03 PM REPRESENTATIVE DAVID EASTMAN, Alaska State Legislature, informed the committee he was approached by local veterans seeking a way to further recognize veterans in each of the six veterans' memorials throughout the state. He directed attention to a document provided in the committee packet which was a picture of the Veterans' Highway memorial in the Matanuska-Susitna region. He described the existing memorial as generic and said the bill would recognize particular veterans for their service. Additional comments on the bill have been heard from local veterans, the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), and the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOTPF); a [committee] substitute for HB 178 is forthcoming. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER observed there are over 72,000 veterans living in Alaska and asked why it is more appropriate to name memorials for certain veterans - and thereby exclude others - rather than to honor all veterans by memorial roads or bridges. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN acknowledged there is room for a balance between a generic and an individual recognition of veterans; under this proposal, the names of memorial highways would remain unchanged, but at various points along, or adjacent to, the highway there would be an opportunity for individual recognition for a period of three to five years. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how the temporary designation would be accomplished. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN explained local and official veterans' organizations would submit names for consideration by the Alaska State Legislature; after legislative commendation, veterans would be eligible for individual recognition. Representative Eastman further explained legislative commendation would occur by a citation passed by the House and Senate, and subsequently DOTPF would implement the placement of markers along veterans' memorials. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER restated his question regarding the temporary designation. 1:22:41 PM REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ pointed out the sponsor statement indicates the cost of signage would be funded by gifts, donations, and grants received by DOTPF and/or DMVA; however, these departments do not have the capacity to raise funds. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN advised veterans' organizations would collect and solicit donations for the project. [HB 178] would give DOTPF the authority to accept funds and would allow DMVA to direct donors to a certain account managed by DOTPF. REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ questioned whether [DMVA's] state government web site would direct donors to contribute to a private organization. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said no. The bill gives DOTPF the authority to collect and receive funds for this specific purpose. REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ asked whether veterans' organizations have committed their support for the legislation. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN indicated yes, and their testimony is forthcoming. REPRESENTATIVE PARISH posited a situation in which a veterans' organization raised money for the recognition of a certain veteran; in this case would DMVA direct said funds to the individual, or would the funds go into a "common pot" to be distributed between all the honored veterans. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN stated the intent of the proposed legislation is to allow donors to contribute to "that account," or one of the six current memorials should they choose to do so. 1:26:17 PM CHAIR TUCK opened public testimony on HB 178. 1:26:55 PM YUKON DON TANNER informed the committee he is a Navy veteran. Mr. Tanner said HB 178 is another step forward in honoring veterans by placing the names of selected veterans on a signpost in designated [transportation] corridors. Although there are concerns with the bill, he opined all concerns can be addressed in an efficient way and urged for passage of the bill. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether Mr. Tanner is aware of any veterans that veterans' organizations seek to nominate for special distinction. MR. TANNER said he did not at this time. In further response to Representative Saddler regarding his affiliations, Mr. Tanner said he is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), in Talkeetna and a member of [American Legion] Post 35 in Wasilla. 1:29:04 PM DAVE GLENN informed the committee he is a Vietnam veteran. Mr. Glenn expressed his belief the proposed legislation is an extension of the recognition of veterans that began with the dedication of the Mat-Su Veterans' Highway. He said he is a life member of VFW, a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America, and a member of the [MAT-SU Veterans' Foundation] in Wasilla. Mr. Glenn directed attention to a document from [Deputy Commissioner Robert Doehl, DMVA] [document not provided] and opined the intent of the legislation is to comply with all established rules, policies, and regulations currently in place. In addition, there is precedent for the legislation along the Seward Highway Dowling Road overpass. He affirmed the funding would be on a volunteer basis and provided an example of the availability of funding in this regard. Mr. Glenn listed the names of several veterans whom he suggested should be recognized. 1:32:09 PM SUSAN JONES informed the committee she and her husband are Army veterans and their son served in the U.S. Air Force. She agreed with the recognition of veterans in Alaska, noting she has observed veterans who are proud of their military service and are deserving of honor. 1:33:27 PM CHAIR TUCK, after ascertaining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony, noting public testimony may be reopened at a subsequent hearing. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER referred to questions raised by Deputy Commissioner Doehl, in a document dated [4/3/17], which was provided in the committee packet, and asked Representative Eastman to respond. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said [if HB 178 is enacted] the role of DMVA would be minimal; the bill requests DMVA to accept names from official Alaska veterans' organizations and to forward the names and the sponsoring organizations to the legislature annually. Further, in response to a question from DMVA related to the eligibility of whose honored, he explained a forthcoming version of the bill would clarify an eligible veteran is one who has been a member of the armed forces, the National Guard, the Alaska State Defense Force, or the Alaska Territorial Guard, and who was honorably discharged. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked which veterans' organizations are designated as [IRC 501(c) 19] charitable organizations. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said at least four organizations in Alaska meet that designation. The aforementioned Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax exemption is specific to posts or organizations of past or present members of the U.S. Armed Forces. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER surmised the veterans' organizations include VFW and American Legion and asked for the other organizations. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN will provide the requested information. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned whether Representative Eastman would accept an amendment to the legislation which would specify a veterans' organization would need to meet the [IRC 501(c) 19] tax-exempt standard. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said yes. 1:37:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER suggested DMVA seeks further parameters in the bill as to who would be eligible, for example, veterans who were Alaska residents during their service or veterans who are now Alaska residents. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN pointed out the legislation does not direct DMVA to verify eligibility; veterans' organizations would nominate a veteran and the legislature would make the final determination as long as the veteran was honorably discharged. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed his understanding that in passing citations, the legislature does not complete a process of vetting or fact-checking qualifications. He surmised the legislation requires the legislature to assume additional responsibilities. 1:39:45 PM ROBERT DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs, disclosed he is a member of VFW, American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, all of which are IRC 501(c) 19 organizations. He said DMVA supports an amendment to limit the applications to IRC 501(c) 19 organizations and expressed concerns related to the vetting process and [the lack of] an adequate definition of veterans who are eligible for recognition. In addition, he questioned whether confirming an honorable discharge is a statutory requirement. [DMVA] strongly supports an efficient donation process similar to that currently utilized by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and a provision to direct undedicated donations to certain veterans. Finally, DMVA requests that veterans would be given a provision to opt-out if the honoree chose not to be recognized as an individual. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Mr. Doehl to comment on the value of honoring an individual veteran as opposed to honoring all veterans. MR. DOEHL opined there is value in both forms of recognition. REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ inquired as to whether the sponsor has determined whether contributions to the state are tax deductible. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said yes. Currently, the state and each of its subdivisions would be eligible; however, establishing eligibility for a municipality requires payment of a $150 filing fee with IRS. Therefore, every government entity in Alaska would be eligible, but its status would need to be confirmed. REPRESENTATIVE PARISH asked about the cost of installing and maintaining signage. 1:44:55 PM MIKE LESMANN, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, estimated signs cost between $800-$1,000 minimum for materials and labor. 1:45:03 PM MARK NEIDHOLD, Chief, Design and Construction Standards, Division of Statewide Design and Engineering Services, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, explained a sign of the type discussed in the legislation can cost up to $2,500 each, depending upon location, size, and other factors. CHAIR TUCK asked whether the signs must stand alone or could be added to an existing road sign. MR. NEIDHOLD cautioned adding to an existing road sign risks distracting from the message of the existing sign; however, signs are routinely added to light poles. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked which federal highway visibility standards may impact the placement of the signs honoring veterans. MR. NEIDHOLD said 23 Code of Federal Regulations, in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, allows the state to modify the federal standards following the Alaska Traffic Manual Supplement. In further response to Representative Saddler's questions of how big signs can be and if sign locations are limited, he added size depends on the traffic speed along the route and the location of other signs that may be considered more critical; in fact, the manual directs DOTPF to only install signs that are necessary for the operation of the highway, with minor exceptions. He described the hierarchy of signs from the highest order, such as regulatory signs, to the lowest order, such as memorial signs. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER further asked whether a sign that is damaged or vandalized may cost less to replace or the same, and if the state or private individuals would be liable for the replacement cost. MR. NEIDHOLD advised the cost of repair would depend upon the level of damage. 1:51:35 PM CHAIR TUCK announced that HB 178 was held over.