Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 120
02/10/2015 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR13 | |
| HB61 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 61-MILITARY MERITORIOUS AWARD LICENSE PLATES
1:37:24 PM
CHAIR HERRON announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 61, "An Act relating to special motor vehicle
registration plates for recipients of the Bronze Star, Silver
Star, or other meritorious service awards; and providing for an
effective date."
1:37:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA, Alaska State Legislature, speaking as
the sponsor, informed the committee HB 61 adds the honor of
license plates for those who have demonstrated bravery while
serving the U.S. Armed Forces in combat. There are a number of
military license plates - for example, recipients of the Medal
of Honor are recognized - but two that are missing are for those
who receive honors for fighting in the armed forces in
operations that involve hostile or enemy forces, and receive the
Silver Star Medal or the Bronze Star Medal. Representative Gara
said he was contacted by a veteran in this regard, and observed
that there are few ways for the public to appreciate veterans
who have served in the military. For those who want to have a
license plate, it is a dignified and state-sanctioned
recognition of a veteran's sacrifice. The bill adds two
categories of license plates issued by the Division of Motor
Vehicles (DMV), Department of Administration (DOA). The first
category is the Silver and Bronze Star, which would be designed
by DMV and sold for $35; the bill has a fiscal note [Identifier:
HB061-DOA-DMV-02-06-15] of $8,000 to pay for the initial design
and press of the license plate. Also, the bill eliminates the
need for repeated appeals for license plate recognition; the
committee substitute gives DMV the authority to add other
recognition license plates for medals that demonstrate both
bravery and merit. For example, a Bronze Star V Medal can be
received for valor in combat, and the Bronze Star M Medal can be
received for merit in military operations. He described a
situation in which a Bronze Star M Medal may be awarded.
1:42:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA pointed out that currently license plates
are unavailable for those who have received the second highest
ranking awards, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross,
and the Air Force Cross, and he urged that these designations
should also be added by DMV. He characterized the present
relevant legislation as a "patchwork," and opined DMV should
have the authority to add appropriate license plates without
further legislative involvement. Referring to the committee
substitute, he said a change was made to correct a mistake in
the original bill by replacing "shall" with "may" regarding the
issuing of lower ranking awards.
1:44:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 61, labeled 29-LS0287\H, Martin, 2/6/15,
as the working document.
[There being no objection, Version H was before the committee.]
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN declared a conflict of interest as he is a
Bronze Star Medal recipient.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked whether U.S. Marines are eligible for
the Navy Cross or a separate medal.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG inquired as to the current regulations
regarding a license plate for a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
1:46:46 PM
AMY ERICKSON, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV),
Department of Administration (DOA), verified that a Medal of
Honor license plate is authorized by statute; however, one has
never been requested, and thus has never been designed. In
further response to Representative Gruenberg, she provided the
following citation: AS 28.10.181(l).
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN urged that the Medal of Honor license plate
be provided at no cost to the recipient.
CHAIR HERRON suggested that the committee ask the director to
design the license plate, possibly under a subsequent fiscal
note. He surmised fiscal note [Identifier: HB061-DOA-DMV-02-06-
15] does not apply to Version H.
1:49:04 PM
MS. ERICKSON said correct. In further response to Chair Herron,
she clarified that the bill would now limit DMV to issuing
license plates for the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and meritorious
crosses.
CHAIR HERRON assured Ms. Erickson that the sponsor and committee
staff will work with her to ensure "that the numbers to push out
a fiscal note are accurate." He noted the large deficit the
state is facing, and suggested finding a private sector sponsor
to pay the expense identified in the fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA pointed out this was a one-time $8,000 cost,
followed by fees that make the program self-sustaining.
Although the state is in fiscal dire straits, "at $8,000 this
didn't seem to be the kind of amount of money that's ... really
concerning us in this building," he said.
CHAIR HERRON offered to ask his Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
post for a contribution.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA expressed concern that contributors may seek
changes to the bill.
1:51:43 PM
MS. ERICKSON, in response to Chair Herron, expressed her belief
that DMV cannot accept private sector funds for the design of
license plates.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN observed there are many varieties of awards
for meritorious service; he asked for clarification on DMV's
authorization of license plates issued in recognition of awards
or decorations.
CHAIR HERRON expressed his intent to hold the bill over and
attempt to obtain a zero fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA, in response to Representative Tuck's
earlier question, said members of the Marine Corps qualify for
the Navy Cross.
1:53:34 PM
CHAIR HERRON opened public testimony on HB 61.
1:53:46 PM
LARRY GORDAOFF, Founder, Alaska Native Veterans Association,
informed the committee he is not a recipient of a Bronze Star,
but is representing a member of the Alaska Native Veterans
Association who is a Bronze Star recipient from service in
Afghanistan. In answer to the earlier question about soliciting
private donations for the license plate program, he cautioned
that according to the American Legion, Department of Alaska,
national approval is required to request funds and takes "a long
drawn-out process." Mr. Gordaoff said the mission statement of
the Alaska Native Veterans Association is: To give a helping
hand up - not a handout - to Alaska Native veterans; to answer
concerns of the veterans and their needs; to help the community
give respect to all veterans and stay non-political. He relayed
the story of a veteran named Christopher Thomas who requested a
Bronze Star license plate from DMV and was told the license
plates are not available in Alaska. After research showed that
many other states have the plates available, Mr. Gordaoff
contacted Representative Gara for assistance in getting the
special plates for Alaska Bronze Star recipients. He explained
the heroic circumstances that led to the Bronze Star award, and
pointed out the great honor of having a Bronze Star license
plate to show the respect that recipients deserve. Mr. Gordaoff
concluded that the Bronze Star license plate should be afforded
to all Bronze Star recipients who live in Alaska, and Mr. Thomas
should receive the first one issued. He expressed his support
for the bill.
1:57:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG discussed various levels of medals
awarded for valor in combat; he asked whether the sponsor would
support including other awards in the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA said the intention of the bill was to grant
DMV the authority to allow someone to apply for additional
license plates. He opined others who have served in combat
would quality for valor and merit, and - if they desired - could
apply to DMV.
MR. GORDAOFF expressed his belief that currently available is a
license plate from DMV that indicates a branch of service.
MS. ERICKSON confirmed that DMV offers license plates with unit
designators, but not specifically for bravery or honor.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG supported giving "an added measure for
these people who've been in hostile combat and have actually
been under fire."
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked what happens to the license plate when
one sells the car.
MS. ERICKSON responded that registration plates stay with a
vehicle except for special plates that go with the applicant.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked for the sponsor's intent regarding the
Distinguished Cross awards.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA expressed his belief that the Distinguished
Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Air Force Cross should be part of
the bill.
2:02:50 PM
CHAIR HERRON supported directing DMV to design the Medal of
Honor license plate in anticipation of an application from a
recipient.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG surmised an amendment was required to
make the Medal of Honor license plate available at no cost.
MS. ERICKSON stated AS 28.10.421 (11) directs that the Medal of
Honor license plate was to be issued at no cost.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK questioned whether the license plates
created by the bill would not be designed unless requested by an
applicant.
MS. ERICKSON said that is correct.
CHAIR HERRON said:
It is a key question, so if one is not requested, then
it should, in theory, then we could have literally,
zero fiscal note, because none have been requested
yet.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK expressed his understanding that the
committee was discussing adding to the bill's fiscal note the
cost of designing the Medal of Honor license plate.
CHAIR HERRON said additional research is needed before voting on
the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK surmised that unless one requests one of the
license plates in the bill, "a design is not necessary."
CHAIR HERRON stated his desire to see the Medal of Honor license
plate designed and "ready to go, when the first Medal of Honor
winner shows up to apply for one."
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX questioned whether, if no one applies, the
fiscal note would be indeterminate, rather than a zero fiscal
note.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA advised that at the time of the Medal of
Honor legislation, there must have been a fiscal note because
the state was picking up the cost of the license plates. He
noted that unit awards already qualify for a special designated
license plate, and asked for clarification on which unit awards
are currently covered by statute.
MS. ERICKSON offered to provide a list.
HB 61 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB61 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 2/10/2015 1:00:00 PM |
HB 61 |
| HB 61 Supporting Document What the state currently offers.pdf |
HMLV 2/10/2015 1:00:00 PM |
HB 61 |
| HB 61 Supporting Documents Medals and their meaning.pdf |
HMLV 2/10/2015 1:00:00 PM |
HB 61 |
| HB 61 Supporting Documents Medals in order of rank.pdf |
HMLV 2/10/2015 1:00:00 PM |
HB 61 |
| HJR 13 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 2/10/2015 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 13 |
| HJR013A.PDF |
HMLV 2/10/2015 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 13 |
| HB 61 Fiscal Note - HB061-DOA-DMV-02-06-15.pdf |
HMLV 2/10/2015 1:00:00 PM |
HB 61 |
| HJR13 Fiscal Note - HJR13-LEG-SESS-02-09-2015.pdf |
HMLV 2/10/2015 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HB 61 Draft Committee Substitute Ver H.pdf |
HMLV 2/10/2015 1:00:00 PM |
HB 61 |