Legislature(2005 - 2006)BUTROVICH 205
03/30/2006 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HB245 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | HB 245 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CSHB 245(FIN) AM -VETERANS' VEHICLE PLATES/FEES/TAXES 3:40:38 PM SENATOR GENE THERRIAULT announced HB 245 to be up for consideration. SENATOR BOB LYNN presented HB 245 on behalf of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs. He explained that the bill would allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue, at no cost, a Congressional Medal of Honor license plate for one non-commercial vehicle. Alaska does not have any Medal of Honor recipients currently, but the state needs to be ready to accord this special recognition when the occasion arises. The bill also proposes to delete the $30 license fee for the existing Purple Heart license plate. The director of the national Purple Heart Association has asked that the words "Purple Heart" be substituted with "combat veteran" on the license plate but the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has indicated that the change could be accomplished by DMV directive. 3:42:52 PM SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS aired the view that it's "a whacky idea" to change the wording. He then noted the fiscal note and asked how many people in Alaska have Purple Hearts. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN clarified that the suggested change in wording wouldn't be in statute; it would only be a change on the license plate. SENATOR THERRIAULT noted that HB 245 doesn't change the language. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN said that's true, but Representative Gruenberg wanted the request on record. 3:45:39 PM ED KNOEBEL, Glennallen, reported that he sent a letter to the committee to provide background information on the Purple Heart. [A copy may be found in the bill file.] He then said he participated in the license plate design and he would like it to stay as currently designed. He explained that the plate has the Purple Heart located on the left and the military organization indicated on the right with "combat wound" underneath. In the middle is a spot for special identifications. His license plate indicates the carrier he was on when he was wounded. SENATOR HUGGINS complimented Mr. Knoebel on his work and asked if he had been working with Mr. Gaguzis. MR. KNOEBEL said yes and reiterated he didn't want any changes made. DUANE BANNOCK, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Administration (DOA) expressed support for the bill. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if there was anything on the fiscal note that required highlighting. MR. BANNOCK said no and noted the projected small decrease in revenue. SENATOR HUGGINS asked how many Purple Hearts recipients live in Alaska. MR. BANNOCK responded he didn't know but there are 509 registered vehicles with Purple Heart license plates in the state. MR. KNOEBEL estimated that there might be twice that number. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked for the will of the committee. SENATOR HUGGINS motioned to report CSHB 245(FIN)am and attached fiscal note(s) from committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
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