HOUSE BILL NO. 208 "An Act authorizing the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to establish and maintain an Alaskan veterans' cemetery; and establishing the Alaska veterans' cemetery fund in the general fund." REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG, SPONSOR, noted that there is a companion bill to HB 208. He related a story to explain the reason behind the need for this bill. There are currently two veterans' cemeteries, one in Anchorage and one in Sitka. The state does not qualify for another one, but it does qualify for a state cemetery, of which the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs would fund up to 100 percent of the development costs. Representative Guttenberg pointed out that two amendments from Military and Veterans Affairs Committee made the bill stronger. The first one on page 2, line 2, added that the cemetery fund would benefit, and line 22 allows for a cemetery to be developed elsewhere in the state in the future. 6:59:27 PM Representative Hawker asked if it was inconsistent on page 2, line 21, to say the department "shall" do this. He thought it should be "may". Representative Guttenberg mentioned that in setting up a cemetery, there are a lot of restrictions. "Shall" implies that it might take a long time. Representative Hawker was "troubled" by that word. He supported giving the department the authority to pursue a new cemetery, however, he opined that "shall" could be a "road-block". He said he did not want to see the department sued. 7:01:42 PM Representative Croft suggested that it should say "shall" maintain. He thought that it was a laudable program. 7:02:22 PM Vice-Chair Stoltze thought that the Veterans Advisory Committee should decide where the next cemetery would be built. 7:03:27 PM Representative Guttenberg explained that there is only one place it is eligible to be established, because of population criteria. 7:04:58 PM Co-Chair Meyer asked if the Senate version would be coming to the Committee soon. Representative Weyhrauch thought that it was mandatory. He asked why it would be up to a determination of an Advisory Panel. Representative Guttenberg responded that the VA provides a grant of up to 100% based upon their qualifications. The legislation does not attempt to change that. The only place that qualifies for the program is the Interior. 7:07:20 PM Representative Croft said he wanted to see something like this pass. 7:07:49 PM Co-Chair Meyer stated that the bill should be held until the status of the Senate bill is known. HB 208 was HELD in Committee for further consideration. 7:08:37 PM HOUSE BILL NO. 208 "An Act authorizing the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to establish and maintain an Alaskan veterans' cemetery; and establishing the Alaska veterans' cemetery fund in the general fund." Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to ADOPT Conceptual Amendment 1: On page 2, line 21, change "shall" to "may" Page 2, line 28, after "shall" add "in consultation with the Alaska Veterans' Advisory Council" There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 7:21:08 PM Representative Foster MOVED to report HB 208 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 208 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with an indeterminate fiscal impact note by Military and Veterans Affairs.