SB 40-VETERANS' BENEFITS SERVICES; DISCLOSURE  1:05:09 PM CHAIR TUCK announced that the first order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 40, "An Act relating to veterans' benefits services and veterans' benefits appeal services." 1:05:30 PM SENATOR JOSH REVAK, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, thanked the committee for hearing SB 40 and noted that this bill is for consumer protections for veterans. 1:05:53 PM CHAIR TUCK opened public testimony on SB 40. 1:06:16 PM CHRISTOPHER BLOCK testified in support of SB 40. He said that he is a disabled Air Force veteran who has worked through the Veterans Administration process since 2006. He described his expenses for accessing benefits and expressed his belief that SB 40 would help many veterans. He said that even well-educated veterans need the protection that SB 40 would provide. 1:09:37 PM CHAIR TUCK asked Mr. Block how he knew about this proposed legislation. MR. BLOCK replied that he sits on the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and is very involved in anything concerning veterans. 1:10:44 PM REPRESENTATIVE TARR asked Mr. Block whether he believes the fine of $1,000 per violation would be appropriate, given how much money he had spent on veterans' benefits providers. MR. BLOCK explained that the provider he used retained a percentage of the benefit as payment. He said that companies may not be deterred by a fine of $1,000, but that getting the information out is an important step in the process. REPRESENTATIVE TARR said that she has often visited organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion and noted that membership in those organizations is "on the older side." She asked Mr. Block whether he had any thoughts on getting younger veterans involved in the organizations. MR. BLOCK replied that since leaving active duty and being involved with disabled veterans, he's noticed the age gap and difficulty in reaching younger veterans. He said that even with involvement in Disabled Veterans of America and Wounded Warrior Project it's difficult to connect, and he's noticed that veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom haven't been able to connect with the VFW or American Legion the way those of the Vietnam War have. He said that it would be helpful to be able to access information outside of the Veteran Services Organizations. 1:17:26 PM CHAIR TUCK, after ascertaining that no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on SB 40. 1:17:52 PM REPRESENTATIVE TARR moved to report SB 40 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, SB 40 was reported out of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.