SB 209-UNDERAGE MILITARY ON LICENSED PREMISES  9:55:57 AM CHAIR RALPH SEEKINS announced a committee substitute (CS) for SB 209 to be up for consideration. SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS, sponsor, introduced the bill. He said it would allow veterans organizations to enhance camaraderie in the military by allowing persons under the age of 21 to attend meetings or functions in a military club that sells alcohol. JOSH SAMPLE, staff to Senator Huggins said SB 209 amends AS 04.11.110(g) by authorizing access of persons below 21 years of age to a club's licensed premises without specific authorization by the Alcoholic Beverage Control board (ABC) under certain circumstances. 9:58:55 AM SENATOR GUESS asked Mr. Sample whether there was a definition of "patriotic organization" in statute. MR. SAMPLE said it was understood that "patriotic organization" and "veterans organization" was one and the same. He said there was no definition in statutes but that there was no confusion, according to the legislative legal department. SENATOR HUGGINS added there were six or seven groups in the state that have establishments where the bill would apply. SENATOR GUESS expressed concern that since "patriotic organization" was not defined in the statutes, an unintended establishment could become creative and qualify. She advised the sponsor to define patriotic organization. SENATOR HUGGINS agreed. SENATOR GUESS moved to adopt the CS for SB 209, version \Y as the working document before the committee. Hearing no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR FRENCH opined the director of the ABC board should be able to comment on the definition. 10:02:50 AM JAMES VAN HORN, staff to Representative Jim Elkins, said there is a mirror bill in the House and the same question came up. The definition of "patriotic organization" is the same as "veterans organization" as defined in ABC regulation. SENATOR HUGGINS added the intent of the bill was to connect young people to an environment with older veterans who could act as mentors and provide support and advice. SENATOR GUESS asked Mr. Sample whether there should be a reference to the definition of "patriotic organizations" in the bill. MR. SAMPLE assured the committee that the drafter in the legislative legal department said that was not necessary. SENATOR GUESS clarified that a clear definition makes the law unchallengeable. 10:08:30 AM CLAYTON LOVE, Commander, Disabled American Veterans Department of Alaska testified in support of SB 209. He said club owners understand the intent of the bill and would not risk losing their license by serving underage individuals. 10:11:06 AM JOHN WILKINS, Director of Services, Disabled American Veterans Department of Alaska testified in support of SB 209. He suggested that young men and women need mentoring and camaraderie and that would be supplied by allowing them to congregate in the patriotic clubs. 10:15:50 AM HOWARD CULBERT, Commander, Disabled American Veterans Department of Alaska testified in support of SB 209. 10:21:02 AM CHAIR SEEKINS closed public testimony. SENATOR GUESS moved CSSB 209(JUD) from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. Hearing no objection, the motion carried.