HB 504 - SALE OF ALCOHOL IN CLUBS CHAIRMAN VEZEY opened HB 504, sponsored by House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs, for discussion. Number 075 TIM SULLIVAN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER, SPONSOR, addressed HB 504. He stated current Alaska statute requires that in order to purchase and be served alcohol in the American Legion or other patriotic organizations, active duty military personnel must be in uniform. This requirement exists even though the military does not require personnel to wear their uniform during off duty hours. He noted HB 504 would amend statute by removing the words "in uniform," thereby allowing military personnel to visit a patriotic organization without having to wear a uniform. He stated Alaska's VFW and American Legion posts support HB 504 to better accommodate the military personnel they represent. Number 091 CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked when the last citation for a violation of this statute was issued. MR. SULLIVAN stated he did not know. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT commented the idea of the statute was about 40 years outdated. He explained a citation is not usually issued; however, club managers tend to notify the installation commander of the violation and it is then handled internally. Presently, none of the clubs on base, NCO or Officers' Clubs, require the personnel to be in uniform. He felt HB 504 was updating the statute to fit the times. Number 107 CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if the clubs on military reservations were subject to regulation by Alaska statute. MR. SULLIVAN answered no. Number 110 CHAIRMAN VEZEY clarified HB 504 was only for external organizations. Number 119 REPRESENTATIVE GARY DAVIS moved to pass HB 504 from committee with individual recommendations. Number 121 CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked the committee secretary to call the roll. IN FAVOR: REPRESENTATIVES VEZEY, KOTT, B. DAVIS, G. DAVIS, SANDERS, OLBERG. ABSENT: REPRESENTATIVE ULMER. MOTION PASSED