02/08/2024 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB207 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 207 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 8, 2024
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Forrest Dunbar, Chair
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Senator Jesse Bjorkman
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Donald Olson, Vice Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 207
"An Act creating the military and veteran family help desk in
the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs; and providing
for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 207
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILY HELP DESK
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KAWASAKI
01/26/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/26/24 (S) CRA, FIN
02/08/24 (S) CRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, District P
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 207.
RILEY VON BORSTEL, Staff
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented background information and the
sectional analysis on SB 207.
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Regional Liaison
State and Liaison Office
United States Department of Defense
Washington, D.C.
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 207.
LISA SLABA, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 207.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:34:35 PM
CHAIR FORREST DUNBAR called the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. Present
at the call to order were Senators Gray-Jackson, Bjorkman, and
Chair Dunbar.
SB 207-MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILY HELP DESK
1:35:05 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 207
"An Act creating the military and veteran family help desk in
the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs; and providing
for an effective date."
This is the introductory hearing of SB 207.
1:35:47 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, District P, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 207, stated that he represents
Fort Wainwright, the City of Fairbanks, and surrounding areas.
He said, like many Alaskan legislators, his constituents include
veterans and family members of military personnel. SB 207 would
create a military help desk for military service members and
their families to learn about the services Alaska has to offer.
This would be a one-stop shop.
SENATOR KAWASAKI said that transitioning to Alaska has
challenges all on its own, as does serving in the military. SB
207 would save our military families time and reduce stress by
streamlining service delivery. If passed, Alaska would follow
Washington and Virginia to offer this service. This legislation
seeks to ease the transition for military personnel and their
families to Alaska and increase retention rates, as the military
industry is a vital part of our state's economy. He concluded
his comments, stating, "We want to help serve those who serve
us."
1:37:25 PM
RILEY VON BORSTEL, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the following background
information on SB 207:
A key group that would benefit from this bill is the
spouses of military members. Over fifty percent of
military spouses participate in the labor market, and
about a third of them work in occupations that require
licenses. Occupational licensing varies state by
state. This legislation would create a one-stop shop
to provide military spouses with information in
advance on how licensing works in Alaska.
Additionally, the desk would give information
regarding enrollment at the University of Alaska,
childcare, education, shopping, and day-to-day life as
an Alaskan.
In addition to the aid that this legislation provides
to military spouses and dependents, the bill also aims
to make it easier for our veterans and former military
members to return to Alaska should they choose to do
so.
This bill has a fiscal note of $94,500. Virginia and
Washington, both of which have higher populations,
have already shown this valuable service can be
delivered with a single employee.
MS. VON BORSTEL presented the following sectional analysis on SB
207:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Section 1
• Amends AS 44.35 to add Section .025; subsection (a)
creates the help desk, subsection (b) outlines the
duties of the help desk, and subsection (c) provides
a definition of "family member" regarding who may
access this service.
Section 2
• Provides an immediate effective date for changes
proposed in this legislation.
1:39:26 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked about the differences between SB 207
and the legislation passed in Washington and Virginia.
MS. VON BORSTEL replied the primary difference is that SB 207 is
more inclusive of family members beyond the spouse. The
legislation in Washington and Virginia primarily focused on
military spouses, whereas this legislation is more expansive and
includes veterans and their family members.
1:40:15 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN asked whether one of the functions of the
military help desk would include facilitating improved customer
service for veterans seeking help from the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) in his district. He explained that
multiple constituents have expressed frustration with
ineffective call centers and a lack of direct agent access. He
wondered if one function of the military help desk would be to
help veterans navigate this problem. He also inquired if other
legislators have heard similar frustrations.
SENATOR KAWASAKI confirmed that he receives numerous calls from
veterans who are seeking help. He shared his experience with the
VAs complex 800-number call routing system, which is difficult
to navigate. He said that he wished there was someone from the
VA to provide more information. The military help desk is
intended as a one-stop shop, with SB 207 aiming to ensure that a
single call connects veterans to the right person for
assistance.
1:42:41 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR said there is an incredible need for these types of
connective services.
1:43:01 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced invited testimony on SB 207.
1:43:30 PM
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Regional Liaison, State Liaison Office, United
States Department of Defense, Washington, D.C., stated her
office operates under the direction of the Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The State
Liaison Office focuses on issues impacting military families.
MS. PERREAULT said Alaska is one of the top three states per
capita for military populations, having over 7,800 active-duty
spouses and nearly 14,000 active-duty children. A military help
desk would greatly benefit military members. She said those
stats do not include veterans who live in Alaska. States provide
resources beyond those of the federal government, and this help
desk would connect military families to resources, such as
licensing, education, expanded employment services, and access
to higher education to name a few.
1:45:03 PM
MS. PERRAULT stated that Washington and Virginia have
successfully piloted the military help desk model. She asserted
this small investment would significantly benefit Alaska and its
military families, making Alaska feel like home rather than just
a duty station. This helps service members who stay briefly or
settle in Alaska after service.
Ms. Perreault urged the committee to support SB 207, which would
assist military members, families, and veterans. She thanked the
bill sponsor and his staff for their diligent work on the
legislation.
1:46:34 PM
LISA SLABA, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 207, stating she works as a military project
manager for the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation.
However, she clarified her testimony reflects her personal views
as a military spouse living and working in Alaska. She expressed
strong support for SB 207, highlighting that it would showcase
Alaska's resources and services for both short- and long-term
residents.
MS. SLABA recounted that she had a permanent change of station
(PCS) to Alaska. She stated that military spouses often research
their new duty location to assess how it might affect their
quality of life, family, children, work opportunities,
educational opportunities, and available services. The military
help desk would have access to this information and help in
their PCS transition. She reiterated that as an active-duty
family member who is living and working in Alaska, she fully
supports SB 207.
1:48:42 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SB 207; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
1:49:28 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked the bill sponsor for bringing this
legislation forward and expressed surprise that such a service
does not already exist.
1:49:45 PM
At ease.
1:50:07 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and held SB 207 in
committee.
1:50:22 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Dunbar adjourned the Senate Community and Regional Affairs
Standing Committee meeting at 1:50 p.m.
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