Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
03/03/2022 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB145 | |
| SB136 | |
| SR3 | |
| HB157 | |
| SB115 | |
| SB161 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 136 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 152 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 167 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 92 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 145 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 157 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 115 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 161 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SR 3-NGO SUPPORT FOR STATE VETERANS
3:43:04 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3 Relating to nonprofit,
nongovernmental organization support for veterans in Alaska.
CHAIR SHOWER stated that this is the first hearing and invited
and public testimony is scheduled.
He identified himself as the sponsor of SR 3, noted that the
attached fiscal note is zero, and said he did not prepare a
sectional analysis because the bill is short and it is a
resolution.
3:43:29 PM
CHAIR SHOWER paraphrased the sponsor statement for SR 3.
SR 3 was introduced to encourage nonprofits that serve
military veterans to keep a greater portion of the
money raised for veterans, in Alaska. Alaska is home
to the highest per capita of veterans of any state in
the union. Local Alaskan's are very generous with
their support of our veteran population. This makes
Alaska a very lucrative place to raise money by
nonprofits that serve veterans. This resolution was
written to encourage nonprofits to honor the
commitment Alaskans make to their veterans by
supporting programs for veterans and encourage
nonprofits to keep the greatest amount of money
possible that is raised in Alaska for Alaskan
veterans.
CHAIR SHOWER found no questions from the committee and turned to
invited testimony.
3:44:19 PM
RICHARD HELLER, representing self, Butte, Alaska, testified by
invitation in support of SR 3. He spoke as a 100 percent
disabled veteran to offer his perspective of nonprofits in
Alaska that work for veterans. He related that since 2005 he has
received help from the Veterans Administration (VA) and some
nonprofits in the state.
MR. HELLER stated that some of the nonprofits in Alaska that
benefit veterans are fair weather and he believes they need to
be controlled. He noted that in Wasilla alone there are more
than 3,000 nonprofits. He said he uses the term fair weather
because there is no activity in the winter months.
MR. HELLER related that he and a friend have been tracking
money-laundering schemes for three years. They have found a
national veteran nonprofit that has received millions of dollars
from Alaskans with very little return or help. He emphasized
that all groups need to present their 990s [return of
organizations exempt from federal income tax] on a regular basis
so Alaskans understand where their donations are going and what
they are doing to help Alaskan veterans. He requested the state
form a committee or working group that holds all nonprofits
accountable for their spending in Alaska for Alaskan veterans
and whether they are using Alaska or national funds. An
alternative would be to at least hold legislators accountable
for veteran funding issues.
3:47:57 PM
RICK CASTILLO, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
by invitation in support of SR 3. He stated that he is a proud
U.S. Army veteran who first came to Alaska in 2007 and quickly
learned about integrity, honor, and fortitude. He found
integrity to be the most profound and today he believes it is
essential in all aspects of business and government. It is the
root of transparency.
MR. CASTILLO stated that the past few decades have seen a
proliferation of NGOs [non-governmental organizations], both in-
state and nationally, all of which purport to assist veterans.
Some operate in several states. While many of these
organizations are desperately needed, he said some are
opportunistic and have done little to fulfill the mission in the
state from which they have solicited donations.
MR. CASTILLO stressed that his support of SR 3 is not an attack
on the NGOs that work to fill the gap for veterans in their
communities. Rather, he supports the resolution as a process
that builds on the transparency of good government that allows
NGOs to benefit from grants, federal and state funding, and
charitable donations. SR 3 also serves as the foundation of a
strong and charitable base in Alaska. Alaskans recognize the
value and input of veterans statewide and the resolution is a
promise for the state to do its due diligence. It will ensure
that donors across Alaska know how much of their contributions
go toward the support of veterans within Alaska and how much
leaves the state for uses that are unrelated to Alaska.
3:51:10 PM
KYLE KAISER, VIPER Transitions, Peters Creek, Alaska, testified
by invitation in support of SR 3. He stated that VIPER
Transitions is an Alaska-based veteran nonprofit and his
testimony today was to highlight how incredibly hard it is for
local nonprofits to compete with national nonprofits. These
large organizations consume all the funding and benefits,
leaving very little for the local nonprofits that are doing all
they can every day to support veterans.
MR. KAISER related that he is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan
who has committed his life to helping veterans deal with their
issues that also affect communities. VIPER Transitions provides
training for veterans and connects them to employment
opportunities across multiple industries. VIPER also connects
veterans with mental health resources.
MR. KAISER stated that one of the largest frustrations this
start-up nonprofit faces is tied to funding. They see private
donations going to groups that do not use the money to benefit
Alaska veterans. The funds go out of state and this needs to
stop, he said. Donors should be able to see where and how their
money is spent. If the money is raised in Alaska, it should stay
in Alaska and if it is raised in Alaska to support Alaska
veterans, it should do that.
3:54:05 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND asked if VIPER Transitions was rehabilitating a
C-47 in the Federal Express hanger.
MR. KAISER answered yes.
SENATOR HOLLAND expressed appreciation for the work they had and
likely would continue to do in Alaska.
CHAIR SHOWER agreed and mentioned prospects for future projects.
3:55:11 PM
SEAN BENNETT, representing self, Ninilchik, Alaska, testified by
invitation in support of SR 3. He spoke as the former manager of
the Alaska Wounded Warrior Project. He related that for five
years he flew around the state to connect with veterans who
needed help. He cited the example of going fishing with
Representative Laddie Shaw and Senator Josh Revak. He said Rick
Castillo and Kyle Kaiser with VIPER Transitions are trying to do
so much for Alaska veterans and the state is not giving them
sufficient support. He asked the legislature to help veterans
and identified Senator Shower as veterans' voice.
CHAIR SHOWER said he was committed to this effort.
SENATOR REINBOLD commented that volunteers and good-hearted
people make the world go round. She thanked him for the work
he'd done to help Alaska veterans.
MR. BENNETT repeated the plea for help.
CHAIR SHOWER shared that half of his son's platoon committed
suicide in the last few years.
3:58:30 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SR 3; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
CHAIR SHOWER held SR 3 in committee for future consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| support 6 letters.pdf |
SSTA 3/3/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 156 |
| SB 167opposition letter.pdf |
SSTA 3/3/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 167 |