Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 106
03/31/2011 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB180 | |
| HB178 | |
| HB190 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 180 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 190 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 178 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 180-VETERAN DESIGNATION ON DRIVER'S LICENSE
CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE
BILL NO. 180, "An Act authorizing the Department of
Administration to note a person's status as a veteran on the
person's driver's license and to provide certain information to
the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs."
[Before the committee was CSHB 180(MLV).]
8:10:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, Alaska State Legislature, as
sponsor, presented HB 180. He paraphrased the sponsor
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
House Bill 180 seeks to help Alaska veterans receive
more of the benefits they have earned through their
sacrifice and service in uniform, and to which they
are entitled by law and custom. It would allow the
Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to add information to
state drivers' licenses or identification cards
signifying the holder's status as a veteran, and would
allow DMV to share that information with the state's
veterans benefit office.
Alaska is among the most veteran-friendly states in
the Union. Many businesses and organizations
demonstrate their appreciation by offering various
discounts, preferences and other benefits to bona fide
veterans. However, veterans must usually prove they
qualify by presenting certified copies of their
discharge documents - the DD-214, DD-215, or NGB-22
forms, exposing these critical documents to wear,
damage or loss.
By giving veterans a way to carry reliable and
convenient proof of their status on state-issued
cards, this bill would help them more easily enjoy the
full range of personal, business and social benefits
offered to them by a grateful state.
HB 180 could also help relieve the situation in which
tens of thousands of Alaska veterans may be missing
out on significant government benefits, because they
have no contact with the state's Office of Veterans
Affairs. The bill would allow the DMV to provide the
names and addresses of those who are issued veteran-
designated driver's licenses or ID cards to the state
veterans' office. That office could then reach out to
make more veterans aware of programs available to
them, and to help them receive any benefits owed to
them.
I respectfully request your support for House Bill
180.
Thank you.
8:12:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, in response to Representative Johansen,
said he does not know why one of the members of the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs voted HB 180
out with a "do not pass," and he said there was no specific
issue raised during the meeting.
8:14:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said she is torn on this issue, because
on one hand this could be a way to "help more people find more
free things," while on the other hand, the bill could aid those
in need to receive help expeditiously. She related that her
brother, a veteran, died of cancer at the age of 52, and he may
have lived longer if he had been aware of the help available to
him.
8:16:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the programs offered by
businesses to veterans are also offered to those active in the
military.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER offered his understanding that most of
those programs are offered solely to veterans. He said most
active military personnel hold identification ("ID") cards
issued to them by the U.S. Department of Defense. He indicated
that approximately 60 percent of regional and national chains
offer some kind of discount to those in the military, as do many
independent businesses in Alaska. In response to a follow-up
question, he confirmed that the active military personnel would
not need to have any specification made on a driver's license,
because they can access the special discounts with their
military IDs.
8:17:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, in response to Representative Petersen,
said there would be no additional fee for the veteran's
designation on the driver's license; however, "the same standard
$15 ... the DMV charges for a replacement card will be charged."
8:18:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, in response to Representative Gruenberg,
said that the original bill focused on just driver's licenses,
while the version before the committee, which was passed out of
the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs,
added state ID cards.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG directed attention to a sentence on
page 1, lines 9-10, repeated on page 2, lines 5-6, which read:
"The department may not charge a fee solely for the
designation." He questioned why the word "solely" had been
added.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER responded that the word "solely" was
added to avoid confusion. He explained that he did not want
people to think that the driver's license for veterans would be
free of charge.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG, regarding privacy, ventured that some
veterans may not wish to have their information put into a
database. He suggested that "unless the veteran objects" could
be added to [page 1], line 13.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he would not be adverse to that
amendment.
8:21:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG questioned whether the information
forwarded to the department would become public.
8:22:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON pointed out that the designation would
not appear on the driver's license or state ID unless requested
by the veteran, and she ventured that a veteran who wants to
"keep that quiet" would not [take the steps to have the
designation made].
CHAIR LYNN concurred.
8:23:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, in response to Representative Johansen,
said he had not considered making this free to veterans, because
they are citizens and there is a fee for the renewal of a
driver's license.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN asked the bill sponsor to consider
making the process free for veterans, or at least set a rate
that is "at cost." He explained that he does not want the DMV
to be making money off of this process.
8:26:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said any money the DMV makes goes into
the state's General Fund, and the legislature controls the
budget of the division.
8:27:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN questioned the estimate in the fiscal
note that 50 percent of veterans would opt for the designator in
the first 12 months that it would be available.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER deferred to the director of the DMV.
8:28:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG noted that the second reason listed as
to why the 3/25/11 fiscal note differs from the previous version
is that it reduced the estimated percentage of qualifying
veterans who may opt for the designation from 75 percent to 50
percent. He asked the bill sponsor if any effort would be made
to educate veterans so that they know about the license
designation.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said that was not in the plans, but
ventured that the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
would do some outreach.
8:29:45 AM
WHITNEY BREWSTER, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Administration, in response to Representative
Petersen's previous query regarding the estimated 50 percent,
said that number was based on feedback from veterans received by
the division. She said the number could be adjusted. She
confirmed Representative Wilson was right in saying that fees
collected by the DMV go directly to the General Fund. She said
it would not have a significant impact on the DMV if it did not
collect fees from veterans.
8:31:38 AM
MS. BREWSTER, in response to Representative Gruenberg, said the
effective date of March 1 was chosen by the bill sponsor at the
request of the DMV. She explained that the division's
information technology (IT) staff has federal requirement
deadlines in January of 2012, and the extra time was needed to
allow IT to first meet those deadlines. In response to another
question, she ventured that the DMV would issue media
announcements, as well as offer information on its web site
regarding the designation for veterans. She indicated that if
further information is necessary, she would depend upon the
experts in the field to address the veteran community. She
expressed her willingness to entertain any ideas from the
legislature on this matter. In response to Chair Lynn, she said
the DMV could ask each customer who comes in if he/she is a
veteran, and to do so would not require a change to statute.
8:35:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG suggested one way for the DMV to get
the word out to veterans would be to notify people via mail and
internet.
MS. BREWSTER agreed that the DMV could do that at minimal to no
cost.
8:37:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed appreciation for Representative
Gruenberg's suggestions.
8:38:37 AM
MS. BREWSTER, in response to Representative Seaton, said she
anticipates the way in which veterans would be able to show
their status on a form is by checking a box on the form, and a
clerk would enter that information into the DMV's system.
8:40:33 AM
RON SIEBELS, Commander, Region III, Military Order of the Purple
Heart, testified in support of HB 180. He assured the committee
that the word would spread about this opportunity. In response
to a question from Representative Gruenberg regarding privacy,
he ventured there are probably some who would "shy away," but
the majority would support having a veteran designation on an ID
card.
8:42:20 AM
JIM SASSLER (ph), Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW),
relayed that he is a Vietnam War veteran who carries a military
ID. He said he would be willing to pay the cost of replacing
his license. He said those who have military ID or medical
cards do not really need the proposed indicator, but it would be
a method by which to honor those veterans who have served. He
observed that under HB 180, a veteran would be required to show
his/her DD-214, DD-215, or NGB-22 form, in order to get the
designation from the DMV. He suggested an amendment to allow
[veterans] to present their DD-2 [the retired U.S. uniformed
services identification card] or Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) medical card, because they already had to show the forms
required in the bill to be issued a DD-2 and/or VA medical card.
8:44:33 AM
MS. BREWSTER, in response to Representative Saddler, said she
does not think it would be a problem to authorize veteran
designation using either the DD-2 or VA medical card, as
recommended by Mr. Sassler.
8:45:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the DD-2 and medical card are
issued only to those discharged under honorable conditions.
MR. SASSLER offered his understanding that that is the case.
8:46:54 AM
BOB MYLES, Commander, Veteran Foreign Wars (VFW), relayed that
he is a veteran of the Vietnam War. As a veteran, he said, he
carries a medical card and receives a discount. He said many
veterans don't have their card to carry, but he ventured all
veterans would support the proposed legislation.
8:48:02 AM
JOE FIELDS, Chair, Alaska Veterans Advisory Council (AVAC),
relayed that informal polling of veterans has shown a great
amount of support for this issue. He mentioned businesses that
routinely supply military discounts. He opined that veterans
deserve a break if they can get one.
8:49:22 AM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director of Veterans Affairs, Office of Veteran
Affairs, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, indicated
that the level of confidentiality would remain the same under HB
180 as it currently is when dealing with information for forms
DD-214 and NGB-22. He said the word about HB 180 would be
spread through an annual newsletter.
MR. BOWEN, in response to questions from Representative
Gruenberg, said the term "under honorable conditions" [on page
1, line 9] covers general and honorable discharge. He said the
Office of Veteran Affairs would make public service
announcements to spread the word about the ability for veterans
to have their retired status noted on their driver's licenses or
ID cards. Currently, he said, the department and all the
veteran service officers are heading an outreach effort to reach
veterans in 100 areas off of roadways annually.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG ventured there are some veterans who
are not "plugged in" and may have restricted means, and he
suggested that the department could take the opportunity to toot
its own horn at, for example, senior centers and hospitals - to
expand beyond the usual veterans' network.
8:53:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he thinks the methods that will be
used will get the word out.
8:54:14 AM
RIC DAVIDGE, Alaska Veterans Foundation; Vietnam Veterans of
America, emphasized that it is important for emergency response
workers and medical staff to know whether the person they are
treating is a veteran, because many veterans have been exposed
to toxins such as agent orange, and as a result may require
different treatment. He said every medical professional should
ask each person they treat whether he/she is a veteran. He
indicated that this is one of a lot of other reasons that
veteran designation should be on a driver's license.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said HB 180 would provide the
opportunity to "get these people in and get them notified."
8:57:36 AM
MR. BOWEN said there are many veterans who are suffering
presumptive illnesses brought on by Agent Orange, and they are
the most difficult group in terms of outreach efforts. He
explained that many of those veterans have a distrust of the
federal government, which makes it difficult to reach out to
them. He further noted that because these veterans felt
alienated, they were responsible for starting many of the
veteran programs that exist today. He talked about using the
National Guard Yellow Ribbon Team - through churches, schools,
and hospitals - to reach veterans. He said over the last 18
months, approximately 1,000 veterans in need of health care have
been reached in 261 villages. He expressed his hope that
outreach efforts will be noted by spouses of veterans, who may
help in the effort to entice veterans in for services.
8:59:45 AM
MR. DAVIDGE relayed that veterans generate over $2 million in
economic activity in Alaska. Letting veterans know about the
benefits available to them not only improves their lives, but
also improves the lives of their family members. He thanked the
committee and bill sponsor for their work on the bill.
9:00:59 AM
MS. BREWSTER, in response to Representative Petersen, said all
veterans would have to come in the DMV to prove veteran status
before being issued the designated driver's license or ID.
After the first time, veterans could renew by mail. In response
to Representative Seaton, regarding the use of the term
"identification card" in the bill, she stated her understanding
that under HB 180, the designation could be on both driver's
licenses and IDs. In response to a follow-up question,
regarding the required forms listed in Section 1 of the bill,
she said the DMV would not be opposed to other forms being added
to those accepted for proving veteran status. She said the DMV
could ask for legal guidance as to whether it would have the
ability to accept other forms of identification, but she said it
would be clearer to include any other acceptable forms in
statute.
9:03:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1, as
follows:
Page 1, line 12:
Following "NGB-22"
Insert "DD-2 or veteran medical card"
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN, as a point of order, noted that the
committee was still taking public testimony, and he said he had
questions for Ms. Brewster.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON withdrew Conceptual Amendment 1.
9:04:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN suggested to Representative Seaton that
another option would be to delete the language between "a" and
"as" [on page 1, lines 11-12], so that the language would read:
"To receive a veteran designation, the person shall provide
proof of veteran status that shows the person is retired or
discharged under honorable conditions." He asked Ms. Brewster
if she thought that would be a viable solution.
MS. BREWSTER replied that it would be an option for the division
to listen to the conversation surrounding this legislation and
then establish the requirements through regulation. In response
to a follow-up question, she said fees associated with driver's
licenses, ID cards, and duplicates are listed in statute. She
indicated that those statutes would take precedence over any
changes made to the fiscal note.
REPRESENTIVE SADDLER indicated that he would not be adverse to
any forms, as long as they could prove veteran status.
9:06:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON noted that Representative Johansen's
suggested change would have to be made in Section 2, as well.
9:07:06 AM
CHAIR LYNN closed public testimony.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON indicated a preference for
Representative Johansen's previously stated idea for an
amendment.
9:07:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 2,
as follows:
Page 1, line 11:
Following "provide"
Delete "a United States Department of Defense
form DD-214 or DD-215 or a National Guard Bureau form
NGB-22"
Page 2, line 6:
Following "provide"
Delete "a United States Department of Defense
form DD-214 or DD-215 or a National Guard Bureau form
NGB-22 to the department as"
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG objected to seek clarification that the
intent of Conceptual Amendment 2 is to delete the same language
in each Section through the word "as". He offered his
understanding that "the sponsor" nodded in the affirmative.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG withdrew his objection. There being no
further objection, Conceptual Amendment 2 was adopted.
9:09:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to report CSHB 180(MLV), as
amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN objected to express his hope that the
House Finance Committee would consider language for HB 180 that
would require the DMV to provide this service at cost. He told
the sponsor that if the House Finance Committee did not offer
such an amendment, then he would offer one on the House floor.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON opined that since the cost is 85 cents,
it would less onerous to round the number to, for instance, $1.
9:11:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON pointed out that 85 cents is the cost of
only the printer ribbon; other costs are listed further in the
fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER told Representatives Johansen and Seaton
that he would take up those finance issues with the House
Finance Committee.
9:11:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN removed his objection to the motion to
report CSHB 180(MLV), as amended, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no further objection, CSHB 180(STA) was reported out
of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 01 CS HB180 MLV.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| 02 HB0180A[1].pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| 03 Explanation of Changes _ HB 180.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| 04 Sponsor Stmt - HB 180.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| 07 CSHB180-DOA-DMV-03-11-11 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| 01 CS HB190D.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 02 HB0190A.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 03 Changes to HB 190 CS Version D.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 04 SPONSOR STATEMENT HB 190.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM SSTA 4/11/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 05 HB 190 Support Letter Denali Borough Mayor.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM SSTA 4/11/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 06 HB 190-DOR-PFD-3-30-11 PFD Military Exemption.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM SSTA 4/11/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 01 CSHB 178 (CRA).pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |
| 02 CSHB 178 sponsor statment (CRA).pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |
| 03 HB 178 Election Timelines - current.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |
| 04 HB 178 Election Timelines proposed changes.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |
| 05 HB 178 Response to waiver denial.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |
| 06 HB 178 MOVE Hardship exemption req..PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |
| 07 HB 178 Election Law Rev. Elections.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |
| 08 HB 178 News article military vote.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |
| 09 HB 178 fiscal note.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |
| 10 HB 178 Sectional Analysis CSHB 178 (CRA) Revised.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 178 |