SB 40-VETERANS' BENEFITS SERVICES; DISCLOSURE   3:50:40 PM CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 44 "An Act requiring the Board of Fisheries to prioritize personal use fisheries when implementing fishing restrictions to achieve a management goal." He noted who was available to answer questions. 3:51:54 PM SETH DUGAN, Staff, Senator Josh Revak, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented SB 12 on behalf of the sponsor reading the following into the record: SB 40 is an act relating to veteran benefits and veteran benefit services. SB 40 seeks to protect Veterans and their families from a person who provides veteran benefits services or veteran benefits appeal services for compensation. This will require these providers to notify veterans and their families about the free services provided by veteran service organizations before they take them on as a client. The veteran must sign and date a disclosure form affirming that they know free services are available. This will create increased awareness among Veterans, their dependents, and their survivors of the available services. There is a statewide network of advocates available to assist them in obtaining the benefits they have earned. Providers who fail to comply are subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 dollars for each violation. 3:53:23 PM CHAIR SHOWER asked if there was a sectional analysis. MR. CRAFT answered that the bill is just one section and an analysis was not prepared. SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if there were businesses that do this work. MR. CRAFT said yes. 3:54:20 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI asked how a veteran would know these services were available free of charge. 3:54:42 PM CHAIR SHOWER reminded the members about a meeting last year of 40-50 people who discussed how to get information to veterans who have fallen through the cracks. He confirmed that there are organizations that help veterans but they charge for the service. He related that most veterans receive "out briefing" when they leave the military but for a number of reasons many do not take advantage of the free services. When they realize they need help, they may find someone who takes advantage of them. 3:56:58 PM SENATOR HOLLAND added that many agencies like the American Legion, the VFW, and Disabled American Veterans help veterans without cost but many also do it at cost and that may be what a veteran finds first. MR. CRAFT suggested that Mr. Bowen could add to the discussion. 3:58:23 PM VERDIE BOWEN, Director, Office of Veteran Affairs, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Anchorage, Alaska, described the different ways that for-profit organizations and attorneys seek and reach out to veterans. He said veterans who sign with these individuals or organizations lose a percentage of their disability payment. The highest loss his office has seen was $20,000 and the veteran did not remember talking to the attorney. He described it as positive that his office has only heard about attorneys from out-of-state who have taken advantage of veterans who are living in Alaska. He explained that the Appeals Modernization Act allowed attorneys to register within the VA system and receive payment for their services before the veteran. SB 40 ensures that veterans receive information up front about free services. He acknowledged that some people will still sign with for profit attorneys and organizations but he believes the numbers would be more limited once veterans know they can receive the same benefits without charge. CHAIR SHOWER commented on the difficulty getting a claim through the VA. 4:01:16 PM MR. CRAFT added that this is a growing movement nationwide. Iowa, Minnesota, California, and Washington have adopted similar legislation and other states are considering it. CHAIR SHOWER noted that legislation passed several years ago to protect unwary members of the military from loan sharks. 4:02:46 PM CHAIR SHOWER held SB 40 in committee for future consideration.