Legislature(2005 - 2006)
05/06/2005 06:21 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB142 | |
| SB130 | |
| SB150 | |
| HB208 | |
| SB142 | |
| SB144 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 208
"An Act authorizing the Department of Military and
Veterans' Affairs to establish and maintain an Alaskan
veterans' cemetery; and establishing the Alaska
veterans' cemetery fund in the general fund."
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG, SPONSOR, noted that there
is a companion bill to HB 208. He related a story to
explain the reason behind the need for this bill. There are
currently two veterans' cemeteries, one in Anchorage and one
in Sitka. The state does not qualify for another one, but
it does qualify for a state cemetery, of which the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs would fund up to 100 percent
of the development costs.
Representative Guttenberg pointed out that two amendments
from Military and Veterans Affairs Committee made the bill
stronger. The first one on page 2, line 2, added that the
cemetery fund would benefit, and line 22 allows for a
cemetery to be developed elsewhere in the state in the
future.
6:59:27 PM
Representative Hawker asked if it was inconsistent on page
2, line 21, to say the department "shall" do this. He
thought it should be "may". Representative Guttenberg
mentioned that in setting up a cemetery, there are a lot of
restrictions. "Shall" implies that it might take a long
time.
Representative Hawker was "troubled" by that word. He
supported giving the department the authority to pursue a
new cemetery, however, he opined that "shall" could be a
"road-block". He said he did not want to see the department
sued.
7:01:42 PM
Representative Croft suggested that it should say "shall"
maintain. He thought that it was a laudable program.
7:02:22 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze thought that the Veterans Advisory
Committee should decide where the next cemetery would be
built.
7:03:27 PM
Representative Guttenberg explained that there is only one
place it is eligible to be established, because of
population criteria.
7:04:58 PM
Co-Chair Meyer asked if the Senate version would be coming
to the Committee soon.
Representative Weyhrauch thought that it was mandatory. He
asked why it would be up to a determination of an Advisory
Panel. Representative Guttenberg responded that the VA
provides a grant of up to 100% based upon their
qualifications. The legislation does not attempt to change
that. The only place that qualifies for the program is the
Interior.
7:07:20 PM
Representative Croft said he wanted to see something like
this pass.
7:07:49 PM
Co-Chair Meyer stated that the bill should be held until the
status of the Senate bill is known.
HB 208 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
7:08:37 PM
HOUSE BILL NO. 208
"An Act authorizing the Department of Military and
Veterans' Affairs to establish and maintain an Alaskan
veterans' cemetery; and establishing the Alaska
veterans' cemetery fund in the general fund."
Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to ADOPT Conceptual Amendment 1:
On page 2, line 21, change "shall" to "may"
Page 2, line 28, after "shall" add "in consultation
with the Alaska Veterans' Advisory Council"
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
7:21:08 PM
Representative Foster MOVED to report HB 208 out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSHB 208 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with an indeterminate fiscal impact
note by Military and Veterans Affairs.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|