2001-01-24                     House Journal                      Page 0154
HB 87                                                                                             
HOUSE BILL NO. 87 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                        
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act establishing the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council; and                                 
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Military & Veterans' Affairs and the State Affairs and Finance                                      
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Military & Veterans' Affairs                                                   

2001-01-24                     House Journal                      Page 0155
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22, 2001, appears                                   
below:                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
In 1996 I issued Administrative Order No. 164 to establish the Alaska                               
Veterans Advisory Council.  The council advises the state on ways to                                
better address the needs and concerns of Alaska's veterans, their                                   
dependents and their survivors.  Its work is vital and deserves a                                   
permanent status.  I am therefore transmitting this bill to establish the                           
Alaska Veterans Advisory Council in statute within the Department of                                
Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA).                                                              
                                                                                                    
The work of the council will remain the same.  Its duties will continue                             
to include making recommendations concerning veterans' priority                                     
service needs, developing public and private partnerships to meet                                   
those needs, and providing coordination of information regarding                                    
veterans' benefits and services around the state.  The chair of the                                 
council would also serve on the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home                                 
Advisory Board as proposed under separate legislation.                                              
                                                                                                    
This bill would maintain the present 20-member structure of the                                     
council to include one or more persons affiliated with a veterans                                   
organization, one or more persons from a state agency that manages                                  
programs affecting veterans, and one or more members of the general                                 
public familiar with veterans' issues.  Council members would                                       
continue to serve without compensation other than per diem and travel                               
expenses.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Tony Knowles                                                        
                                 Governor"