Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 106
03/26/2015 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB117 | |
| HB61 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 117 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 61- MILITARY MERITORIOUS AWARD LICENSE PLATES
9:40:28 AM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the final order of business was 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."
9:40:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA, Alaska State Legislature, advised that
the Alaska Native Veteran's Organization in Alaska brought this
to the attention of Representative Gara, and noted there are a
number of military license plates in Alaska, but they skip over
honor for valor in combat. He said that the one Alaska Medal of
Honor recipient is covered, but there are a few other medals
members of the various branches receive.
CHAIR LYNN asked whether there is a specific license plate for
the Medal of Honor recipient in statute.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA replied that it is authorized by statute,
although, no one has applied for one. For background purposes,
he advised that Representative Herron wants to raise the $250,
which is the cost of printing that license plate.
9:42:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA continued that the intent of the legislation
is to honor those veterans who risked their lives, engaged in
combat, and demonstrated valor by saving other lives. He
pointed out policy calls within the legislation, and stated
there are legislative license plates, but compared to people
engaged in combat against the enemy and demonstrated valor,
those people are more worthy to have designation, if they so
desire. Currently, the missing medals include: the
distinguished service crosses, which apply to all branches of
the military for risking their life in combat and demonstrating
valor; the silver star, for extraordinary valor in combat; and
the bronze star "V," for valor in combat. He noted valor is not
a word taken lightly. He explained the second purpose of the
bill is that the sponsor does not want to create a license plate
bill every year, as new medals will be created in the future.
He said, "The department, without a new bill, has the power to
add other license plates that are defined by ... acts of valor,"
and described that acts of valor, through the military, mean
acts of valor in combat.
9:45:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG pointed out that he had prepared an
amendment and asked whether Representative Gara supports the
amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA advised he does support the amendment, as it
makes the bill stronger.
9:45:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked for clarification of what the
Department of Motor Vehicles can authorize, as far as
personalized plates.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA answered that they can only, in this
category and under this bill, add license plates reflecting
honors of valor, which is valor in combat. For example, he
said, a marine medal was discontinued in 1940, and occasionally
a new medal is added, and the intent is to not have a bill each
time that happens. He explained that under HB 61, the
Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs could add those
license plates at the request of a recipient.
9:46:16 AM
LAURENCE GORDAOFF, Alaska Native Veterans Association, advised
that the mission of the Alaska Native Veterans Association is to
answer the concerns and needs of the state's veterans, help the
community offer respect to all veterans, stay non-political, and
strive for all Alaska Native veterans to have a voice. He
offered that he was told an Afghanistan veteran who asked the
Department of Motor Vehicles in Anchorage for a bronze star
license plate for his vehicle was told there is no such plate in
Alaska. He offered additional incidents regarding Alaska
veterans and license plates. He said the bronze star license
plate offers a sense of pride and closure to the bronze star
recipients and offers recognition to the service they gave to
ensure the nation's freedom.
CHAIR LYNN closed public testimony on HB 61, after ascertaining
that no one further wished to testify.
9:49:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment
[1], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Page 2, lines 4 and 5, following "reflecting"
Remove "meritorious service and"
Page 2, line 8, following "reflecting:
Remove "meritorious service and"
CHAIR LYNN objected for discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG explained that veterans can receive
meritorious medals that do not involve heroism, but that is not
the intent of the sponsors. He advised the intent is to involve
heroism in combat individuals, and the language is narrow so
members know exactly what they are voting for.
CHAIR LYNN interjected that the addition of a "V" in relation to
a bronze star indicates not only meritorious service, but also
valor.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG expressed that [language within sub-
subparagraph (jj)] is included because other medals meet the
criteria but are more complicated, such as the Presidential Unit
Accommodation for the entire unit, which is rarely given. He
advised that arising issues are left to the two departments to
make a determination.
9:51:54 AM
CHAIR LYNN removed his objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
9:52:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report CSHB 61(MLV), as amended,
out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB
61(STA) moved from the House State Affairs Standing Committee.