Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 120
03/17/2011 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB180 | |
| HJR18 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 180 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 180-VETERAN DESIGNATION ON DRIVER'S LICENSE
1:02:58 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 180, "An Act authorizing the Department
of Administration to note a person's status as a veteran on the
person's driver's license and to provide certain information to
the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs."
1:03:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 180, Version 27-LS0589\B, Luckhaupt,
3/15/11, as the working document. There being no objection,
Version B was before the committee.
1:03:50 PM
CO-CHAIR SADDLER, speaking as the prime sponsor of HB 180,
explained that the bill authorizes the, Division of Motor
Vehicles (DMV), Department of Administration, to note a person's
status as a veteran on their state driver's license or
identification card. The division would also be authorized to
give the name and address of a person receiving a veteran-
designated card to the Department of Military & Veterans'
Affairs (DMVA). This legislation seeks to help Alaska veterans
receive more of the benefits they have earned and to which they
are entitled. In Alaska, about 60 percent of businesses offer
special discounts and benefits to veterans. Veteran-designated
driver's licenses and identification cards would provide
veterans convenient proof of their veteran status in order for
them to more easily enjoy the full range of benefits offered,
without having to carry discharge documents. Furthermore, HB
180 authorizes DMV to provide names and addresses of veterans to
DMVA in order to better remain in contact with them.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked whether other groups such as firemen
and students will want designated licenses.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER indicated no.
1:07:13 PM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director, Office of Veteran Affairs, Department of
Military & Veterans' Affairs, explained that there are veterans
around the state who are unable to receive a U.S. Department of
Veteran Affairs (VA) medical card, and thus they are required to
present their discharge documents in order to receive discounts.
Because discharge documents are difficult to decipher, deserving
veterans are sometimes denied benefits.
1:08:26 PM
CO-CHAIR SADDLER asked for background information on this issue.
MR. BOWEN relayed that last summer he witnessed an elderly
gentleman using his Report of Separation (DD Form 214) to obtain
a military discount and, when asked, the gentleman indicated
that a veteran designation on his driver's license would be
helpful.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER asked for other states' experience with
veteran-designation licenses.
MR. BOWEN offered his understanding that Oregon and Arkansas
have programs in place, and that many people are pleased. He
surmised that the licenses are more easily recognized than is a
DD Form 214.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLER asked whether the bill specifies a
veteran's service in a particular branch of the military, or
just their status as a veteran.
1:10:30 PM
MR. BOWEN indicated no, because those offering discounts are
recognizing the veteran.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO pointed out that the fiscal note indicated
a one-time expense of about $100,000, and surmised there are no
on-going expenses.
MR. BOWEN said correct, and added that the impact of the bill is
similar to that of organ donors who are seeking changes to their
driver's licenses.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked for the source of the additional
revenue of $693,000 for fiscal year 2012 (FY 12) that was
indicated on the fiscal note.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER explained that DOA estimated expenses of
$96,000 in the first year, and additional revenues of about
$700,000 from issuing duplicate cards to eligible veterans for a
fee of $15 each.
1:12:50 PM
WHITNEY BREWSTER, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Administration, advised that the estimated $96,500
expense to DMV is for the expansion of its database to include a
field for veterans' information and the transfer of information
to DMVA. The estimated revenue amount assumes 75 percent of
current veterans will seek a duplicate card, less 20 percent who
are due for renewal anyway.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked whether this was a one-time charge to
the veteran.
MS. BREWSTER explained that the veteran would be charged $15 for
a duplicate license with the veteran designation if it is issued
prior to the expiration date of their license. If they wait for
renewal, there would be no charge for the veteran designation.
1:16:12 PM
JOSEPH FIELDS, Chair, Alaska Veterans Advisory Council,
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs, informed the
committee Alaska has 77,000 veterans, with about one-third
registered. He predicted that this legislation would provide an
incentive to register and thereby bring additional benefits to
the state and its veterans. Mr. Fields opined the bill would be
an effective way to reach and honor veterans.
1:18:03 PM
RON SIEBLES, Regional Commander, Military Order of the Purple
Heart, expressed his full support for the bill because it gives
veterans a helping hand. In fact, this is a bridge to services
that are available. He pointed out that a driver's license or
card is easier to carry and more durable than a document.
1:19:12 PM
GARY KURPIUS, Past National Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars
(VFW), expressed his full support of HB 180, and added that
compiling a record at DMVA of all veterans will mean that all
registered veterans are notified of legislative changes within
the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This method
would be more efficient than efforts by service officers, and
would bring in revenue to the state.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN asked for the purpose of the provision
requiring DMV to provide the names and addresses of veterans to
DMVA.
MR. KURPIUS advised his experience as a service officer for 21
years was that is it hard to relay information to veterans who
live in the Bush. An atlas on record would allow every veteran
to be notified that they may be eligible to file a claim.
1:21:49 PM
CO-CHAIR SADDLER further explained that the benefit to veterans
of having their name and address on record with the Office of
Veterans Affairs, DMVA, is to ensure that they are aware of the
benefits due them. He restated that there are 50,000 veterans
in Alaska not in contact with the office, and this presents
another opportunity for communication.
1:22:53 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON closed public testimony.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN expressed his surprise at the estimated
time allowed to make this small change to driver's licenses.
Furthermore, he said he has a hard time believing that 80
percent of veterans will come forward to request duplicate
licenses, thus the amount of estimated revenue may be inflated.
1:24:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN expressed his support of the bill, but
questioned the language on page 1, line 8, which refers to "a
retired veteran," saying retired veterans have a military
identification (ID) card.
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON relayed that he, as an honorably discharged
veteran, does not know where his discharge documents are, and
would request a veteran-designated driver's license.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN surmised the language, although redundant,
does not cause any harm.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER acknowledged that military retirees do have
access to the card, but added that many veterans served
honorably, but did not retire from service.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN concluded that they are a veteran, whether
retired or not.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLER asked whether the design has been
developed yet.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER said no.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLER suggested putting the designation on the
line with the driver's name, in order to avoid the cost of re-
programming the system.
1:27:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN, observing that the fiscal note refers
to the redesign of driver's licenses, assumed that the bill
includes other ID cards issued by DMV or the Division of State
Troopers, Department of Public Safety (DPS).
CO-CHAIR SADDLER concurred, pointed out that provision was
included in the CS.
1:28:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO agreed with Representative Austerman that
the fiscal note designates a lot of money for software work.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN advised the fiscal note can be changed
by the committee.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER said he would encourage DMV to do what it can
to reduce the cost. In further response, he suggested that the
next committee of referral could address this issue.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN indicated this could be done by the House
State Affairs Standing Committee.
1:30:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN moved to report the proposed CS for HB
180, Version 27-LS0589\B, Luckhaupt, 3/15/1l, out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, CSHB 180(MLV) was reported
from the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans'
Affairs.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB0180A[1].pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 180 |
| Sponsor Stmt - HB 180.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 180 |
| HB180-DOA-DMV-03-11-11 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 180 |
| CS for HB 180.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 180 |
| Explanation of Changes _ HB 180.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 180 |
| HJR018A[1].pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HJR18 Sponsor Statement 03-12-11.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HJR18 Supporting Documents-Article Fox AP 11-07-09.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HJR18 Supporting Documents-Article NY Daily News 11-06-09.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HJR18 Supporting Documents-Article San Antonio 11-07-09.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HJR18 Supporting Documents-Article Washington Post 11-06-10.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HJR 18 2012 ZERO Fiscal Note.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HJR 18 ACLU Legal Issues 2011 03 17.pdf |
HMLV 3/17/2011 1:00:00 PM |