Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/04/2024 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Local Boundary Commission Overview | |
| SB174 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HCR 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 252 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 174 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 174-HONOR & REMEMBER/HONOR & SACRIFICE FLAGS
2:28:44 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 174 "An Act relating to the
Honor and Remember Flag and the Honor and Sacrifice Flag."
The intention is to hear a brief introduction, the sectional
analysis, invited testimony, and public testimony on SB 174.
2:29:15 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN speaking as the sponsor of SB 174, explained
that the bill seeks to recognize the "Honor and Remember" and
"Honor and Sacrifice" flags as state symbols. These flags honor
the service of members of the armed forces and first responders
who serve their communities. He paraphrased the following
sponsor statement:
[Original punctuation provided.]
The loss of a family member is difficult, made even
more difficult when that person was lost in the line
of duty. Senate Bill 174, "An Act relating to the
Honor and Remember Flag and the Honor and Sacrifice
Flag," would create state symbols that can be
displayed to recognize the sacrifice of those lost in
the line of duty while serving in the U.S. armed
forces, or as a police officer or firefighter, and
their families.
While monuments and memorials have been built to
recognize those who lost their lives in service to
their country or community, fewer than five percent of
Americans will ever see them. Creating the Honor and
Remember and Honor and Sacrifice Flags will provide an
official emblem that recognizes with dignity and
respect those that have offered the greatest
sacrifice, as well as the ongoing loss that their
families must endure. Twenty-seven states have adopted
the Honor and Remember Flag as their states' symbol of
recognition for military service members that have
died in the line of duty, protecting, and defending
our liberties.
SB 174 designates in state law the forms these flags
must take, as well as where and when they may be
flown. Implementation of the bill would not create
additional costs for the State of Alaska, as it
designates when and where the flags may be displayed
but does not require State offices to do so.
2:31:29 PM
LAURA ACHEE, staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis on
SB 174, paraphrased as follows:
{Original punctuation provided.]
SB 174 Honor & Remember/Honor & Sacrifice Flags
Ver. B Sectional Analysis
Section 1 Adds a new section AS 44.09.097 to
designate the Honor and Remember Flag as an official
symbol of the state to recognize and honor members of
the armed forces of the United States who have died in
the line of duty and their families, designate the
design of the flag, and designate when and where the
flag may be flown. This section includes direction
that an employee may not be required to report to work
solely for the purpose of displaying the flag and
gives the Commissioner of Administration authority to
adopt any necessary regulations.
Section 2 Adds a new section AS 44.09.099 to
designate the Honor and Sacrifice Flag as an official
symbol of the state to recognize and honor police
officers and firefighters that have died in the line
of duty and their families, designate the design of
the flag, and designate when and where the flag may be
flown. This section includes direction that an
employee may not be required to report to work solely
for the purpose of displaying the flag and gives the
Commissioner of Administration authority to adopt any
necessary regulations.
2:32:54 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced invited testimony on SB 174.
2:33:03 PM
DAVID CASWELL, Director, Honor and Remember Alaska Chapter,
Sterling, Alaska, gave invited testimony in support of SB 174.
provided a brief work history including 13 years as director and
ambassador of the Alaska chapter of Honor and Remember. He said
he supports adopting the Honor and Remember flags as a state
symbol. He noted that in the 247-year history of the United
States, 1.3 million military personnel have died in the line of
duty.
MR. CASWELL explained that Honor and Remember was established on
Memorial Day 2008 as a national organization dedicated to
honoring the memory of fallen military service members. The
Honor and Sacrifice flag was first presented on the 15th
anniversary of 9/11 to honor fallen first responders, including
firefighters, law enforcement, and EMTs. Nationally, more than
5,000 personalized Honor and Remember flags have been presented
to Gold Star families, and he has personally presented 21 of
these flags to Alaska families.
MR. CASWELL stated that through his efforts, five Veteran
Service Organizations, three fraternal organizations, two civic
organizations, two boroughs, and six cities in Alaska and Texas
have adopted the Honor and Remember flag. He noted that
nationally, 36 organizations, including NASCAR, Goodyear,
Spartan, Sargento, Norwegian Cruise Line, GEICO Insurance, and
USAA, support Honor and Remember through ongoing sponsorship.
2:35:49 PM
MR. CASWELL shared the story of Tony Lutz, who died in December
2005. His father, George Lutz, visited other military families
who had lost loved ones and identified two common concerns: that
the sacrifice of their loved ones would not be in vain and that
their sacrifice would not be forgotten. Seeing no national
symbol to honor this sacrifice, George Lutz conceived the Honor
and Remember flag. MR. C emphasized that while the United States
is a "nation of flags" with flags for states, military
branches, and various organizations no single symbol exists to
recognize the sacrifice of military service members.
MR. CASWELL urged the State of Alaska to adopt the Honor and
Remember flag as a state symbol, aligning with House Joint
Resolution 53 passed in 2010, which called for national adoption
of the flag. He stressed that adopting this flag as a symbol
would show the families of fallen service members that their
loved ones are not forgotten and that their sacrifice is honored
as part of the freedoms Americans enjoy daily.
2:38:43 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SB 174; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
2:39:53 PM
MR. CASWELL stated the flags are personalized by adding a
person's rank, name, date and place of death.
2:40:13 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR noted that SB 174 lists specific times, places, and
days for displaying the Honor and Remember and Honor and
Sacrifice flags. He asked whether this implies that the state is
limited to displaying the flags only on those specified days. He
acknowledged that private citizens can display the flags at any
time under First Amendment rights but questioned if the state
would be bound to follow the listed display schedule.
MR. CASWELL explained that the word "may" was included to
highlight significant dates for displaying the Honor and
Remember and Honor and Sacrifice flags. He clarified that the
flags can be flown every day, but the listed dates are preferred
for greater recognition and significance.
2:41:13 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR stated that it was good to have on the legislative
record that the list of dates is not a prohibition or an
exhaustive list of when the flags can be flown. He suggested
discussing offline whether to clarify this in the SB 174. He
also mentioned that he had a specific day in mind that he would
like to add to the list. He asked if the list of display dates
follows a national standard used by all states or if individual
states add dates that hold significance within their
communities.
MR. CASWELL replied that the dates listed in SB 174 are of
national importance. He noted that there is no limitation on
adding specific dates for the State of Alaska.
2:42:07 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR invited last remarks.
2:42:25 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN thanked the committee for hearing SB 174 and
considering the adoption of the Honor and Remember and Honor and
Sacrifice flags as official state symbols. He emphasized that
the flags honor the service men and women who have made the
ultimate sacrifice while serving the country and their
communities.
2:42:58 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR held SB 174 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DCCED-DCRA Local Boundary Comission Presentation to SCRA 4.4.24.pdf |
SCRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
Local Boundary Commisions |
| SB 174.pdf |
SCRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 174 |
| SB 174 Sponsor Statement Ver B.pdf |
SCRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 174 |
| SB 174 Support Document HJR 53 from 2010.pdf |
SCRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HJR 53 SB 174 |
| SB 174 Sectional Analysis Ver B.pdf |
SCRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 174 |
| SB 174 Support Document TAPS Magazine H&R Article.pdf |
SCRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 174 |
| SB 174 Support Document Resolutions of Support.pdf |
SCRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 174 |
| SB 174 Letters of Support Rcvd by 032824.pdf |
SCRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 174 |
| SB 174 Support Document Endorsements and Corporate Sponsors.pdf |
SCRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 174 |