2002-05-17                     Senate Journal                      Page 3661
SB 2009                                                                                           
SENATE BILL NO. 2009 BY THE SENATE 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 Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs                                     
                                                                                                    

2002-05-17                     Senate Journal                      Page 3662
Governor's transmittal letter dated May 17:                                                         
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting this bill to the special session establishing the Alaska                          
Veterans Advisory Council. The council initially was established by                                 
Administrative Order No. 164, dated July 3, 1996. This bill would                                   
establish the council in statute as an entity within the Department of                              
Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA).                                                              
                                                                                                    
As provided in Administrative Order No. 164 and under this bill, the                                
purpose of the council is to advise the DMVA on ways to better                                      
address the needs and concerns of Alaska's veterans, their dependents,                              
and their survivors. The council's duties 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.                                                                          
                                                                                                    
This bill maintains the present 20-member structure and                                             
responsibilities of the council. The council's membership would                                     
continue 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.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
While this bill was introduced during the regular session, the House                                
failed to act on this important legislation. I urge your prompt and                                 
favorable action now on this measure.                                                               
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Tony Knowles                                                                                        
Governor