HOUSE BILL NO. 122 "An Act relating to payment of premiums for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance on behalf of members of the Alaska National Guard deployed to a combat zone; and providing for an effective date." KELLY HUBER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM, explained that HB 122 allows military men and women in foreign countries in combat zone to defer payments for various contracts and bills. Representative Holm asked why there is a zero note on the education loans portion. Ms. Huber replied that the loans are deferred and will still have to be paid in full. 3:20:15 PM Co-Chair Meyer Moved to ADOPT Amendment 1: Page 2, lines 18 - 19: Delete "; a termination under this paragraph does not remove the liability for any amount" Insert ", and the payment of any amounts" Page 3, line 27, following "Bank": Insert ", except for a loan made by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation" Vice-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED. Ms. Huber explained that the sponsor's intent is to exempt AHFC. In response to a question by Vice-Chair Stoltze, Ms. Huber replied that it helps so families are not displaced or evicted. Vice-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his objection to adopt Amendment 1. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 3:23:05 PM Representative Weyhrauch MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 2: Page 1, line 7 Delete Section 1 Co-Chair Meyer OBJECTED for discussion purposes. Representative Weyhrauch explained that Section 1 could be written in a letter of intent. Representative Croft noted that it is a temporary law and the section does no harm. Co-Chair Meyer agreed with Representative Croft. Representative Weyhrauch asked if making an exception for the National Guard is appropriate. REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM requested that the statement stay in the bill because it reflects how the legislature feels about the National Guard. Co-Chair Meyer asked Representative Foster if there is a set pattern for including such sections. Representative Foster replied that there is no set pattern. Representative Weyhrauch WITHDREW Amendment 2. 3:25:34 PM Representative Weyhrauch MOVED to adopt Amendment 3: Page 2, line 9 Delete Section 2 Vice-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED. Representative Weyhrauch explained that the original section allowed reimbursement similar to a life insurance program. Ms. Huber explained that National Guardsmen already have access to life insurance premiums. She clarified that Section 2 was added as areas for relief which DMVA wished to address, and was based on what other states do. Representative Weyhrauch replied that he likes the original bill and has problems with Section 2 because it puts a burden on some and is not defined. He pointed out that the National Guard is a volunteer service. He referred to costs imposed on motor vehicle leasing companies, wireless telephone services, higher education institutions, heating fuel companies, state loans, and the Department of Fish and Game. He opined this goes beyond the original intent of the bill. It is too broad and has unintended consequences. 3:29:47 PM Ms. Huber related that the bill developed into one which provides more relief for guardsmen than just life insurance. There have been no complaints about these new items. All the bill does is terminate a contract; it does not allow someone out of making payments. The University of Alaska already has this in policy. Public utilities provisions such as this one are found in legislation in other states to prevent family hardships. The guardsman will still have to pay their bills, but with no penalties charged. The Department of Fish and Game will only have to re-issue the actual license. Deferments of student loans are already in place. This bill is not trying to create a hardship on private companies. Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT an amendment to Amendment 3, to delete Section 2 through page 3, line 27. He voiced concerns about Section 2 and suggested that legislative legal take a look at it. Representative Dahlstrom related that she is comfortable with the bill as it is because it has been a matter of public record and no opposition has been voiced. 3:36:23 PM Representative Croft suggested that the goals of Section 2 are appropriate. Vice-Chair Stoltze commented on the scope of the bill. Co-Chair Meyer suggested holding Amendment 3. Representative Weyhrauch WITHDREW Amendment 3. Representative Foster thanked the sponsor of the bill. He suggested that the public would support this bill. He asked how many would be impacted by the bill. MAJOR GENERAL CRAIG CAMPBELL, COMMISSIONER, MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, related the numbers of guardsmen overseas, many who are earning significantly less than they were in the private sector. There are 125 soldiers from the Third Battalion in Iraq, 27 soldiers in Haiti, 70 in Afghanistan, 150 deployed from the 176 Wing, plus many from the rescue squad, for a total of 500 out of 4,000 National Guard overseas this year. 3:43:43 PM Representative Weyhrauch declined to move Amendment 4. Co-Chair Meyer noted that a new fiscal note would be written by the Department of Fish and Game. HB 122 was HELD in committee for further consideration.