Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
02/01/2024 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB229 | |
| HB249 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 249 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 229 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 249-MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILY HELP DESK
1:05:06 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 249, "An Act creating the military and veteran
family help desk in the Department of Military and Veterans'
Affairs; and providing for an effective date."
1:05:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH, as prime sponsor, paraphrased the sponsor
statement for HB 249 [included in the committee packet], which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
This legislation would create a service within the
Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
for a Military and Veterans' Family Help Desk. This
help desk would be a dedicated point of contact for
military families to learn more about services offered
by the State of Alaska. It is intended to directly
meet State Policy priorities outlined by the
Department of Defense to assist military families and
open an avenue to address other priorities in the
future. This legislation is similar to bills that have
recently passed in Virginia and Washington.
In Alaska there are approximately 23,065 total members
in the Department of Defense-although our total
military community in Alaska is much larger. If you
consider the families, the size of this community
grows to 51,297or about 7% of our total population.
The impact of military members in Alaska cannot be
overstated, and they come with unique needs. By
creating a clear link between the State of Alaska and
our military communities, we can connect service
members and their families to services the State of
Alaska currently provides and open a clear channel of
communication to find out what services are still
needed.
This service will help recent military in-migrants
integrate to Alaska. Each state offers different
services, has different laws, and may require
different professional certifications. Military
families are highly transient. For military members
who have just recently relocated to Alaska, this help
desk can be their first point of contact to learn
about what their state government can do for them.
A key feature of this legislation is prioritizing
military spouse employment. Dual incomes are critical
to military families. Yet, a disconnect between
experience and obtaining profession certifications in
a new state has contributed to high rates of
unemployment among military spouses, a concern that
has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This legislation also takes the concept further by
expanding to include military families and their
children. For example, this help desk could assist
children of military families in applying to the
University of Alaska, or help those children learn
about a trade or obtain a job in the state. The bill
is intended to be inclusive of other family
structures, such as military members who may have
dependent siblings or parents in their care.
Passing this legislation will help the State of Alaska
better serve those in our community who have served.
1:07:43 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease from 1:07 p.m. to 1:08 p.m.
1:08:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 249, Version 33-LS1204\U, C. Radford,
1/30/24, as a working document.
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER objected for the purpose of discussion.
1:08:37 PM
CAMERON EBERSOLD, Staff, Representative Cliff Groh, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Groh, prime sponsor,
read the summary of changes [included in committee packet],
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
1. In Section 1 (AS 44.35.025 (b)), page 1 lines 9-10
deletes "conduct outreach to and advocate on behalf of
military members, veterans, and their families" and
adds "provide a central point of contact for military
members, veterans, and their families seeking
information, resources and state services" This change
better expresses the goal of a 'one-stop-shop' for
service members.
2. Page 1, lines 11-12 deletes "provide direct
assistance and information about state services to
military members, veterans, and their families."
3. Page 1, lines 13-14 are moved to lines 11-12 and
adds "and court decisions" to the list of information
the service shall provide. The intent of the help desk
is to provide relevant information about Alaska state
law, of which court decisions are an essential
component.
4. Page 2, lines 1-2 are moved to Page 1, lines 13-14
and adds "cooperate with the University of Alaska to"
and removes "and create informational materials
relating to those issues." This change places the
burden of research onto the University so the help
desk can focus their efforts on quality service
delivery.
5. Page 2, lines 1-5 adds "in coordination with local
veteran service organizations, agencies, and nonprofit
organizations, identify and address the needs of
military members, veterans, and their families,
facilitate coordination and communication to enhance
the range and quality of services, streamline the
delivery of services and share data and information
for improving services for military members." This
change makes more explicit the need to coordinate with
the non-profit sector to efficiently deliver services.
6. Page 2, lines 3-7 are moved to lines 5-11 and
replaces "The United States Department of Defense"
with "federal departments that operate branches of the
military." The change includes service members and
veterans of branches of the military that exist
outside of the DoD, such as the U.S. Coast Guard.
7. Page 2, lines 8-9 are deleted.
8. Page 2, lines 10-13 are moved to lines 12-15 and
deletes "develop a standard form" and adds "Department
of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, and
other professional licensing entities, reduce barriers
to employment for spouses of military members." This
is based on feedback from the Military Spouse Liaison
of the State of Virginia.
9. Page 2, lines 14-15 are moved to 16-18 and replaces
"encourage a municipality" with "upon request, assist
a municipality." This change makes the goal more
actionable for the department.
10. In Section 1, (AS 44.35.025 (c)), page 2, lines
17-19 is moved to 20-25 and adds paragraph (2) to
define "military" to mean "the armed forces of the
United States, the United States Coast Guard, or the
Alaska National Guard" for the sake of applying the
service.
1:12:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH added that Alaska would be the third state
to provide this service.
1:13:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER removed his objection. There being no
further objection, Version U was before the committee.
1:13:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said that the legal definition of the
word "military" does not include the U.S. Public Health Service
or the Commission Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Association.
MR. EBERSOLD responded that the intention of the bill is to be
as inclusive as possible; if there is language that does not
reflect inclusiveness, the sponsor would like it changed to be
as inclusive as possible.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER offered his understanding that veteran
organizations provide services, as well as the Veterans'
Administration (VA). He asked how the bill would replace,
complement, or add new services.
1:14:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH deferred the question to Ms. Laflamme.
1:15:25 PM
ANGELA LAFLAMME, Special Assistant/Legislative Liaison, Office
of the Commissioner/Adjutant General, Department of Military and
Veterans' Affairs, confirmed that the department's Office of
Veteran's Affairs does offer partnerships with veteran
organizations within the state to help get resources to the
veteran population. She said HB 249 expands this scope to other
partnerships to provide one resource where all the information
would be. In response to a follow-up question by Representative
Saddler, she said the proposed help desk is envisioned as a
facilitator.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked if there is any obligation by the
federal government to assist with the help desk.
1:17:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH responded that the VA wants to help. He
said HB 249 would provide a repository of Alaska-specific
information to veterans. He asked Ms. Perrault to confirm that
the bill aligns with the goals of U.S. Department of Defense
(DoD).
1:19:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Ms. Perreault about there being
other VA supports, and how the proposed help desk would interact
with that.
1:19:26 PM
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Northwest Regional Liaison, Defense State
Liaison Office, Department of Defense, answered that the word
"complement" best describes the proposed help desk and how it
would interact with other services. She said that, though there
are many services available through the VA system, the
opportunity to bring services provided by the state and its
partners into one spot where people can go for information would
be beneficial.
1:20:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY offered his understanding that different
statuses and branches may have different services. He asked if
it is possible to get staff that are knowledgeable in the
different branches and services.
MS. LAFLAMME answered that, initially, it would be best that the
staff know who the experts are, rather than being the experts
themselves.
1:22:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER pointed out that the bill requires
coordination with local veteran organizations, military
installations, federal departments, and municipalities to
provide recommendations regarding improving assistance to
military members. He asked whether that work is already being
done and how an administrative assistant would fill those roles.
MS. LAFLAMME responded that much of the office's work is indeed
what he has listed. She explained that, with the expanded
scope, it wouldn't just be handled by an administrative
assistant III; it would be handled by a shared office. She said
if there are issues, they could be addressed by the director,
adjutant general, or commissioner.
1:25:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER inquired about duties already being
performed by the Alaska Office of Veteran's Affairs. He asked
Ms. Laflamme to delineate how much staff time is being put
towards current duties, and what is not being performed.
MS. LAFLAMME answered that the office staff already handle
veteran resources; the office has five staff who distribute out
the resources, answer questions, and help veterans. She shared
that it had created a veterans' resource book that centralized
all of the service information available in the state.
1:27:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER read page 2, lines 16-18 of the
proposed CS, which read as follows:
(7) upon request, assist a municipality with close
economic or community ties to a military installation
in creating military and veteran family liaison
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked whether creating liaisons at
municipalities by municipalities is a state initiative.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH responded that HB 249 arose from
conversations with the military community in Fairbanks, as well
as with Ms. Perrault.
1:28:18 PM
MR. EBERSOLD added that municipalities would need to push to
have such a liaison for their own community as they know best
what their needs are.
1:29:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER sought confirmation that the bill is not
a directive for municipalities to create a new position.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH answered, "That's correct."
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked who would need to request a
liaison.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH explained that in August of last year, he
and Mr. Ebersold went to Fairbanks and attended a defense forum;
through the forum, they had met a person that told them about
the close relationship between the military and the community.
He said the intent of the bill is to help military members,
namely those who are newly assigned to the state.
1:32:16 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT opened public testimony on HB 249.
1:32:39 PM
LISA SLABA, representing self, shared that she is a military
spouse stationed at Eielson Air Force Base and is also the
military project manager at the Fairbanks Economic Development
Corporation. She said military spouses are always transitioning
and that, upon receiving orders, they are researching all the
information needed about the community they are about to be
stationed at. She commented that the proposed helpdesk could
provide help to military families and the resources they may
need. She expounded that, if there is a liaison at both the
municipal and state level, that would give families multiple
levels of help. She added that the helpdesk could act as a
conduit that provides military spouses a voice.
1:36:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked what direct interaction Ms. Slaba
has had with the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans'
Affairs.
MS. SLABA answered that she has had a professional relationship
with the department. She said the helpdesk could add a level of
inclusivity and would allow the spouse to call to ask questions
about resources available.
1:38:16 PM
ROBERT DOEHL, representing self, shared that he is a retiree
from the military and the state. He said that service members
ask three questions: "Where will our family live?," "Where will
our kids go to school?," and "Where's the spouse going to work?"
He stated that the bill could leverage the expedited licensing
requirements the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic
Development (DCCED) provides for military dependents. He
explained that a service member not wanting to come to Alaska
because their spouse doesn't want to do so places Alaska bases
at risk; it also deprives the state of skilled workforces. He
stated that DMVA is the right place for the helpdesk, as it has
the mandate to work with uniformed services. He stressed that
the helpdesk should not be DoD-centric and should include the
Coast Guard, Uniformed Public Health Services, and other such
services.
1:41:31 PM
MARYBETH GOODMAN, representing self, stated she is in support of
HB 249. She said there is a need to guide military families
toward credible and valid resources. She shared that she has
seen such families in Alaska directed to organizations that have
not been vetted; the helpdesk would be able to direct the
families to a reputable resource. She stressed the importance
of the provision that the helpdesk works with Defense Service
Offices (DSOs), resources, healthcare agencies, and other non-
profits alongside DoD, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
and local-based leadership. She said the commitment to share
the information resources with local communities is a
commendable move toward improvement. She urged members to pass
HB 249.
1:44:37 PM
KAYLA LAFOND, Military Spouse Liaison, State of Virginia, said
Virgina is the second state in the nation to have a designated
program that is focused on advocating for military spouses,
something similar to what is being proposed in HB 249. She said
Virgina's legislation contained a similar line item regarding
the creation of a common form to highlight military spouse
skills, education, and training. She explained that, over the
last two years since Virgina adopted the bill, it has been found
that such a form is a good idea but has been hard to execute
without the help of workforce agencies. She suggested that
removing the standard form verbiage from the bill would allow
the Alaska DMVA the flexibility to determine the needs in the
different Alaska regions. She commented that when a military
spouse is employed, the employer is supporting the veteran and
their family.
1:47:48 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT, after ascertaining that no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HB 249.
1:48:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked which duties in the bill are not
already being done.
MS. LAFLAMME offered that she will work with DMVA to provide a
list of what is currently being addressed and what isn't.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER inquired what the proposed repository
of information would look like.
MS. LAFLAMME answered that it could be a central portal that
provides information to families upon orders to Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked how many active-duty families
contact DMVA on a weekly or monthly basis.
MS. LAFLAMME responded that she does not know the number but can
provide that information later. She said DoD has good
partnerships with active military families through DMVA.
1:50:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER pointed to language on page 2, line 4,
regarding data sharing, and asked who the helpdesk would be
sharing data with.
MS. LAFLAMME said that is something DMVA would look at as the
resources are developed. In response to a follow-up question
regarding whether the information would be public data with a
user-friendly interface, she confirmed that the information
would be presented in that way.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, on page 2, line 19, read that an annual
report be provided to the adjutant general. He asked what that
report would contain.
1:52:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH responded that it would include the
information collected throughout the year.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that he is concerned about the
broad scope of duties that are expected of an administrative
assistant. He asked whether they would be overtasked.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH answered that the tasks are important, and
having the information centralized and distributable would help
people. He said he'll rely on the good stewardship of DMVA to
ensure that happens.
1:54:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY relayed that his experience is from his time
in the Alaska Army National Guard; there is a family services
office in the Fort Richardson Armory with full-time staff. He
offered that the helpdesk would provide the number for a service
like this, and he asked whether the helpdesk would be a central
location to find that number.
MS. LAFLAMME offered her understanding that that is how the
legislation would be put into practice; the helpdesk would not
replace already existing benefits, rather, it would be just a
repository to connect people to resources.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked whether the helpdesk would be a
physical helpdesk and where would it be located.
MS. LAFLAMME answered that the helpdesk will have a physical
person at a desk and would be located within the Office of
Veterans' Affairs under DMVA.
1:56:21 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT interjected that the Office of Veterans' Affairs is
located off base.
1:56:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked about the repository and whether
it could be described as just papers with phone numbers,
addresses, e-mails, and people to seek out.
MS. LAFLAMME responded that it could consist of that. She
pointed out that Alaska has many resources, meaning the
information sheet would be long. She explained that there will
be other formats as well that'll be used to get information out.
In response to a follow up as to whether there is a person at
DMVA to take calls and answer questions, she said the department
does get calls regularly. She explained that the intent of HB
249 is to have a phone number that is designated as a repository
of information that is easily accessible.
1:58:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH reminded members of the invited testifiers.
1:59:27 PM
MS. PERREAULT explained how the program worked in Washington
state, which has had a military spouse liaison for several
years; this person has become a single point of contact for
military spouses as they move in and out of the state. She said
that while the family may get some information on resources from
the federal side, there is nothing like a person who works in
state government that directs people to state resources.
2:01:12 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that HB 249 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB249 Fiscal Note-MVA-VET-01-26-2024.pdf |
HMLV 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 249 |
| HB249 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 249 |
| HB249 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HMLV 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 249 |
| HB249 Version U 1.31.2024.pdf |
HMLV 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 249 |
| HB249 Version B.pdf |
HMLV 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 249 |
| HB 249 HMLV CS Explanation of Changes Version B to U 1.31.2024.pdf |
HMLV 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 249 |