Legislature(2023 - 2024)ADAMS 519
04/26/2024 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB174 | |
| HB169 | |
| HB232 | |
| HB260 | |
| HB368 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 260 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 368 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 174 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 169 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 232 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 232
"An Act relating to retirement benefits and military
service."
4:32:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER, SPONSOR, read the sponsor
statement (copy on file):
House Bill 232 allows Veterans who are totally and
permanently disabled to access their accrued PERS
retirement benefits without penalty. HB 232 also
allows military service, which has been purchased in
accordance with the PERS standards to count towards
the credited service requirements for normal
retirement.
Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled
struggle to work and keep gainful employment due to
their service-connected disabilities. As such, this
class of veterans often struggles with income
stability. If HB 232 becomes law, it will provide
disabled veterans with access to their PERS retirement
benefits at a time when they need it most.
HB 232 does not provide any additional benefits beyond
those rightfully earned by veterans through their
dedicated public service.
By passing HB 232, the Legislature will help provide
stability to our disabled veterans when they need it
most.
Representative Rauscher asked his staff to review the
sectional analysis.
4:34:31 PM
RYAN MCKEE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER, went
through the sectional analysis (copy on file):
Section 1: AS 39.35.370(a)
This section amends AS 39.35.370(a) to add additional
language related to eligibility requirements when a
terminated employee is eligible for a normal
retirement benefit. Specifically adding new
subsections, A and B to section 1, lines 7 through 10.
Section 2:
Repeals three statutes.
Mr. McKee believed there was an individual online to
provide invited testimony.
MARK WHISENHUNT, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the legislation and provided prepared
remarks:
I am advocating for disabled veterans. I hope you all
support HB 232 for the following reasons. Disabled
veterans often face challenges like limited employment
opportunities, difficulties in accessing quality
healthcare, and higher rates of mental health issues
such as PTSD. The transition to civilian life can be
particularly challenging. Some service members find
themselves contributing to their communities through
state and local government roles.
As they make the transition from active duty to
civilian life, veterans often downplay the physical or
emotional impact of their service; however, its
important to recognize that for some, these impacts
simply cannot be ignored. There's a class of veterans
who are totally and permanently disabled and they face
even greater struggles for work and gainful employment
due to their service connected disabilities. As such,
this class of veteran often struggles with income
stability.
I am one of those veterans who is now permanently
disabled. I served my country for five years and I
would do it again without hesitation. I did not fully
realize the impact of service connected conditions
when I first finished my active duty time. Through the
years, not only have I personally experienced these
challenges, but I have watched many of those I served
with face similar obstacles. I recently realized that
something could be done to help and that you all have
the power and ability to make a difference.
HB 232 could serve a crucial role in addressing the
unique needs of disabled veterans in state and local
government service. Your support and advocating for
and ensuring the implementation of this legislation
emphasizes our unwavering support to those who have
devoted their lives to serving our country and our
community with pride and distinction. HB 232 provides
a means for totally and permanently disabled veterans
to access the retirement benefits they earned through
their state and local service at a time when they need
it most. It offers vital support and truly serves as a
lifeline for disabled veterans as they navigate the
financial, physical, and emotional challenges
associated with their service-connected disability.
Inaction on this matter would not only run counter to
our shared values, but it would be a disservice to
those who have given so much for our nation, our
state, and our local communities. I'd like to share
some statistics in response to the fiscal note. Less
than 4 percent of all veterans have been deemed
totally and permanently disabled by the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA authored a study in 2019
on the mortality rate of 100 percent service-connected
disabled veterans. The study revealed the small group
of U.S. veterans have a significantly diminished life
expectancy when compared to the civilian population of
the United States. Women veterans have a 22 percent
reduced life expectancy and men have an 11 percent
reduced life expectancy. It means that our disabled
veterans are dying on average, 15 years sooner than
their civilian counterparts.
So how many disabled veterans currently have a PERS
account? The Retirement Division does not collect that
data, but in the makeup of our state, we can get an
estimation. The estimation is derived by looking at
the number of applicable members and program, which is
currently 13,338. You multiply that by the percent of
residents who are veterans, which is approximately 10
percent. Finally, you multiply the percent of veterans
who are permanently and totally disabled, which is
about 3.6 percent. After doing so, one can estimate
the total number of totally and permanently disabled
veterans with a PERS account to be approximately 48
people.
It's my belief that allowing approximately 48 disabled
veterans who have a significantly reduced life
expectancy to access their hard earned retirement
funds, will in no way cause an undue hardship on the
PERS system. In conclusion, I humbly ask each of you
to stand united and vote in favor of HB 232. Remember,
it's less than 4 percent of all veterans that have
that designation of totally and permanently disabled.
Yet this modest change will be very impactful in
supporting their wellbeing.
Mr. Whisenhunt was available for questions and thanked the
committee for its service.
4:40:35 PM
Representative Hannan thanked Mr. Whisenhunt for doing the
math. Her primary concern was about the number of people
the bill impacted because the definitions were very narrow.
She looked at the fiscal note and stated her understanding
that the bill allowed a veteran to use the military service
time if they were fully disabled due to combat time to draw
their Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) benefit.
She observed that the fiscal note seemed to say that a
health benefit was not included. She asked if individuals
with a service related full disability would already be
eligible for full medical coverage through the VA.
Mr. Whisenhunt responded affirmatively.
Co-Chair Foster asked for closing remarks from the bill
sponsor.
Representative Rauscher thanked the committee for hearing
the legislation. He stated that it was tough for service
men and women who defend Americans' lives to get through
some of the things people took for granted such as jobs,
income, and providing for their families. He appreciated
the committee's consideration of the bill.
Co-Chair Foster set an amendment deadline for Tuesday,
April 30 at 5:00 p.m.
HB 232 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB260 Additional Documents-January 2024 Dept of Health 01.31.2024.pdf |
HFIN 4/26/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 260 |
| HB260 Sectional Analysis 02.01.2024.pdf |
HFIN 4/26/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 260 |
| HB260 FY25 Gov Operating Budget for DOH 02.01.2024.pdf |
HFIN 4/26/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 260 |
| HB260 Sponsor Statement 02.01.2024.pdf |
HFIN 4/26/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 260 |
| HB 368 Legal Memo 042424.pdf |
HFIN 4/26/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 368 |