HOUSE BILL NO. 167 "An Act relating to providing a death certificate for a deceased veteran without cost." REPRESENTATIVE BOB HOLM, sponsor, explained that HB 167 provides a death certificate, without cost, to a surviving spouse or relative of a deceased veteran. It also provides for a program honoring deceased veterans. 2:26:15 PM REPRESENTATIVE MAX GRUENBERG explained that the bill was introduced by the House Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee and melds two bills together. He related that Section 1 is modeled on an Arizona statute and makes things easier for the deceased's family. The second part is modeled on federal law. It permits the Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs to honor the memory of a deceased veteran who was a state resident by sending a certificate bearing the governor's signature to the next of kin. 2:29:19 PM Co-Chair Meyer asked about the requirement for 5 copies. Representative Gruenberg related a personal story about receiving a free death certificate. 2:29:57 PM Representative Joule spoke about members of Native Corporations and their need for more than one original copy of a death certificate. Representative Gruenberg suggested that the number could be limited. 2:31:28 PM Representative Lynn noted that it is not intended to enhance a genealogical quest. 2:31:50 PM PHILLIP MITCHELL, BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS, DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, reported on the fiscal note and the average number of certificates requested. He noted that it might take time for people to become acquainted with this program. He related that there has been a 5 percent increase in the number of deaths. 2:34:01 PM Representative Holm asked if there have been any requests for this to be a free service. Mr. Mitchell said no. 2:34:38 PM Representative Hawker referred to a statement about no general funding being budgeted. He clarified that the FY06 has $84,000 budgeted. He pointed out that there would be a decrease of $50,000 in receipt services. He suggested that a zero or indeterminate note would be better. Mr. Mitchell agreed that there could be a change to reflect that. Representative Hawker explained the budget process. He said it is a grey area. He suggested a zero note. 2:37:54 PM Representative Kelly opined that the note could be a zero note. He debated the issue. 2:39:04 PM Representative Hawker put it in the context of the bureau's budget and the effect on the governor's $2 million budget. Representative Weyhrauch stated his appreciation as to how the bureau is being managed. He asked for an interpretation of "one death certificate". Mr. Mitchell explained that his understanding that one is provided per every request. 2:40:46 PM Co-Chair Chenault asked if they would be certified copies. Mr. Mitchell said yes. Co-Chair Chenault related a personal story. Representative Weyhrauch asked if the first one is free and the rest are not. Mr. Mitchell said that would be correct if one individual is making the request. 2:41:53 PM JERRY BEALE, DIVISION SERVICE MANAGER, MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, testified (via teleconference) in favor of HB 167. He spoke of the Veterans Administration's requirements. 2:43:13 PM Representative Hawker asked the committee to approve two zero fiscal notes to HB 167. He MOVED to ADOPT a House Finance Committee zero note to the Department of Health and Social Services. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 2:43:35 PM Representative Foster MOVED to report CSHB 167 (STA) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 167 (STA) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a zero fiscal impact note #1 by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and with a new zero fiscal impact note by the House Finance Committee for the Department of Health and Social Services. 2:45:55 PM