Legislature(2017 - 2018)GRUENBERG 120
04/04/2017 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB152 | |
| HB178 | |
| HB125 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 178 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 152 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 178-NAMING PORTIONS OF VETERANS HIGHWAYS
1:15:44 PM
CHAIR TUCK announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 178, "An Act relating to recognition of
individual veterans along certain veterans' memorial roads and
on certain veterans' memorial bridges."
1:16:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID EASTMAN, Alaska State Legislature, informed
the committee he was approached by local veterans seeking a way
to further recognize veterans in each of the six veterans'
memorials throughout the state. He directed attention to a
document provided in the committee packet which was a picture of
the Veterans' Highway memorial in the Matanuska-Susitna region.
He described the existing memorial as generic and said the bill
would recognize particular veterans for their service.
Additional comments on the bill have been heard from local
veterans, the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA),
and the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
(DOTPF); a [committee] substitute for HB 178 is forthcoming.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER observed there are over 72,000 veterans
living in Alaska and asked why it is more appropriate to name
memorials for certain veterans - and thereby exclude others -
rather than to honor all veterans by memorial roads or bridges.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN acknowledged there is room for a balance
between a generic and an individual recognition of veterans;
under this proposal, the names of memorial highways would remain
unchanged, but at various points along, or adjacent to, the
highway there would be an opportunity for individual recognition
for a period of three to five years.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how the temporary designation would
be accomplished.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN explained local and official veterans'
organizations would submit names for consideration by the Alaska
State Legislature; after legislative commendation, veterans
would be eligible for individual recognition. Representative
Eastman further explained legislative commendation would occur
by a citation passed by the House and Senate, and subsequently
DOTPF would implement the placement of markers along veterans'
memorials.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER restated his question regarding the
temporary designation.
1:22:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ pointed out the sponsor statement
indicates the cost of signage would be funded by gifts,
donations, and grants received by DOTPF and/or DMVA; however,
these departments do not have the capacity to raise funds.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN advised veterans' organizations would
collect and solicit donations for the project. [HB 178] would
give DOTPF the authority to accept funds and would allow DMVA to
direct donors to a certain account managed by DOTPF.
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ questioned whether [DMVA's] state
government web site would direct donors to contribute to a
private organization.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said no. The bill gives DOTPF the
authority to collect and receive funds for this specific
purpose.
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ asked whether veterans' organizations
have committed their support for the legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN indicated yes, and their testimony is
forthcoming.
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH posited a situation in which a veterans'
organization raised money for the recognition of a certain
veteran; in this case would DMVA direct said funds to the
individual, or would the funds go into a "common pot" to be
distributed between all the honored veterans.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN stated the intent of the proposed
legislation is to allow donors to contribute to "that account,"
or one of the six current memorials should they choose to do so.
1:26:17 PM
CHAIR TUCK opened public testimony on HB 178.
1:26:55 PM
YUKON DON TANNER informed the committee he is a Navy veteran.
Mr. Tanner said HB 178 is another step forward in honoring
veterans by placing the names of selected veterans on a signpost
in designated [transportation] corridors. Although there are
concerns with the bill, he opined all concerns can be addressed
in an efficient way and urged for passage of the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether Mr. Tanner is aware of any
veterans that veterans' organizations seek to nominate for
special distinction.
MR. TANNER said he did not at this time. In further response to
Representative Saddler regarding his affiliations, Mr. Tanner
said he is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW),
in Talkeetna and a member of [American Legion] Post 35 in
Wasilla.
1:29:04 PM
DAVE GLENN informed the committee he is a Vietnam veteran. Mr.
Glenn expressed his belief the proposed legislation is an
extension of the recognition of veterans that began with the
dedication of the Mat-Su Veterans' Highway. He said he is a
life member of VFW, a life member of Vietnam Veterans of
America, and a member of the [MAT-SU Veterans' Foundation] in
Wasilla. Mr. Glenn directed attention to a document from
[Deputy Commissioner Robert Doehl, DMVA] [document not provided]
and opined the intent of the legislation is to comply with all
established rules, policies, and regulations currently in place.
In addition, there is precedent for the legislation along the
Seward Highway Dowling Road overpass. He affirmed the funding
would be on a volunteer basis and provided an example of the
availability of funding in this regard. Mr. Glenn listed the
names of several veterans whom he suggested should be
recognized.
1:32:09 PM
SUSAN JONES informed the committee she and her husband are Army
veterans and their son served in the U.S. Air Force. She agreed
with the recognition of veterans in Alaska, noting she has
observed veterans who are proud of their military service and
are deserving of honor.
1:33:27 PM
CHAIR TUCK, after ascertaining no one else wished to testify,
closed public testimony, noting public testimony may be reopened
at a subsequent hearing.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER referred to questions raised by Deputy
Commissioner Doehl, in a document dated [4/3/17], which was
provided in the committee packet, and asked Representative
Eastman to respond.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said [if HB 178 is enacted] the role of
DMVA would be minimal; the bill requests DMVA to accept names
from official Alaska veterans' organizations and to forward the
names and the sponsoring organizations to the legislature
annually. Further, in response to a question from DMVA related
to the eligibility of whose honored, he explained a forthcoming
version of the bill would clarify an eligible veteran is one who
has been a member of the armed forces, the National Guard, the
Alaska State Defense Force, or the Alaska Territorial Guard, and
who was honorably discharged.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked which veterans' organizations are
designated as [IRC 501(c) 19] charitable organizations.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said at least four organizations in
Alaska meet that designation. The aforementioned Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) tax exemption is specific to posts or
organizations of past or present members of the U.S. Armed
Forces.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER surmised the veterans' organizations
include VFW and American Legion and asked for the other
organizations.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN will provide the requested information.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned whether Representative Eastman
would accept an amendment to the legislation which would specify
a veterans' organization would need to meet the [IRC 501(c) 19]
tax-exempt standard.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said yes.
1:37:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER suggested DMVA seeks further parameters
in the bill as to who would be eligible, for example, veterans
who were Alaska residents during their service or veterans who
are now Alaska residents.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN pointed out the legislation does not
direct DMVA to verify eligibility; veterans' organizations would
nominate a veteran and the legislature would make the final
determination as long as the veteran was honorably discharged.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed his understanding that in
passing citations, the legislature does not complete a process
of vetting or fact-checking qualifications. He surmised the
legislation requires the legislature to assume additional
responsibilities.
1:39:45 PM
ROBERT DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs, disclosed he is a
member of VFW, American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America, and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, all of
which are IRC 501(c) 19 organizations. He said DMVA supports an
amendment to limit the applications to IRC 501(c) 19
organizations and expressed concerns related to the vetting
process and [the lack of] an adequate definition of veterans who
are eligible for recognition. In addition, he questioned
whether confirming an honorable discharge is a statutory
requirement. [DMVA] strongly supports an efficient donation
process similar to that currently utilized by the Alaska
Department of Fish & Game and a provision to direct undedicated
donations to certain veterans. Finally, DMVA requests that
veterans would be given a provision to opt-out if the honoree
chose not to be recognized as an individual.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Mr. Doehl to comment on the value
of honoring an individual veteran as opposed to honoring all
veterans.
MR. DOEHL opined there is value in both forms of recognition.
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ inquired as to whether the sponsor has
determined whether contributions to the state are tax
deductible.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN said yes. Currently, the state and each
of its subdivisions would be eligible; however, establishing
eligibility for a municipality requires payment of a $150 filing
fee with IRS. Therefore, every government entity in Alaska
would be eligible, but its status would need to be confirmed.
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH asked about the cost of installing and
maintaining signage.
1:44:55 PM
MIKE LESMANN, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, estimated
signs cost between $800-$1,000 minimum for materials and labor.
1:45:03 PM
MARK NEIDHOLD, Chief, Design and Construction Standards,
Division of Statewide Design and Engineering Services,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, explained a
sign of the type discussed in the legislation can cost up to
$2,500 each, depending upon location, size, and other factors.
CHAIR TUCK asked whether the signs must stand alone or could be
added to an existing road sign.
MR. NEIDHOLD cautioned adding to an existing road sign risks
distracting from the message of the existing sign; however,
signs are routinely added to light poles.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked which federal highway visibility
standards may impact the placement of the signs honoring
veterans.
MR. NEIDHOLD said 23 Code of Federal Regulations, in the Manual
on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, allows the state to modify
the federal standards following the Alaska Traffic Manual
Supplement. In further response to Representative Saddler's
questions of how big signs can be and if sign locations are
limited, he added size depends on the traffic speed along the
route and the location of other signs that may be considered
more critical; in fact, the manual directs DOTPF to only install
signs that are necessary for the operation of the highway, with
minor exceptions. He described the hierarchy of signs from the
highest order, such as regulatory signs, to the lowest order,
such as memorial signs.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER further asked whether a sign that is
damaged or vandalized may cost less to replace or the same, and
if the state or private individuals would be liable for the
replacement cost.
MR. NEIDHOLD advised the cost of repair would depend upon the
level of damage.
1:51:35 PM
CHAIR TUCK announced that HB 178 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB125 ver D 3.27.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 125 |
| HB125 Sponsor Statement 3.27.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 125 |
| HB125 Fiscal Note-DOA-DMV 4.2.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 125 |
| HB125 Fiscal Note-MVA 4.2.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 125 |
| HB125 Supporting Document- Letter Berkowitz 3.27.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 125 |
| HB125 Supporting Document-Letter Mai Xiong 3.27.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 125 |
| HB0178 ver A.PDF |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB178 Sponsor Statement 3.22.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB178 Fiscal Note-DOT 4.2.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB125 Supporting Documents-Letters of Support 4.3.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 125 |
| HB178 Fiscal Note-MVA 4.4.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB178 Additional Documents-Letter DMVA 4.4.17.pdf |
HMLV 4/4/2017 1:00:00 PM |
HB 178 |