CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 45(FIN) "An Act relating to state employment preferences for veterans, former prisoners of war, and members of the Alaska National Guard; authorizing the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to establish and maintain Alaska veterans' cemeteries; establishing the Alaska veterans' cemetery fund in the general fund; and authorizing the legislature to appropriate income from fees collected for commemorative veterans' plates to the Alaska veterans' cemetery fund." 1:42:22 PM SENATOR GENE THERRIAULT, SPONSOR, discussed the Section Summary, Legal Services Memorandum, February 3, 2009, Sections 1-9 (copy on file). Section 1 is intent language which indicates that it is the intent of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to begin planning and designing a veterans' cemetery in Fairbanks and to submit a report to the presiding officers of the legislature before December 15, 2009. Senator Therriault reported that Sections 2-4 create a cemetery fund from revenues from veterans' license plate sales. Sections 5-9 address changes in language regarding veterans hiring preference. Section 10 is enabling language making reference to U.S. codes. Senator Therriault related that there are 100,000 veterans in Alaska - the highest per capita the in nation. Currently, Ft. Richardson and Sitka have veterans' cemeteries. The plan is to build a cemetery in Fairbanks, which has the second densest military population and is near several bases. Many military retire in Alaska's interior. SHARON LONG, STAFF, SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS, added that the overriding value of the bill is that it provides for a sacred resting place for veterans. She said that Senator Huggins was proud to be a sponsor of the bill. 1:46:45 PM Senator Therriault referred to a letter of community support by the Fairbanks North Star Borough (copy on file). He listed people available to answer questions regarding the bill. Vice-Chair Thomas asked if, because he was a veteran, his wife could be buried in a state veterans' cemetery. Senator Therriault deferred to Mr. Pierre to answer. MCHUGH PIERRE, LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, reported that wives would have burial rights in state veterans' cemeteries, similar to national veterans' cemetery benefits. 1:49:21 PM PAT LUBY, ADVOCACY DIRECTOR, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS (AARP), ANCHORAGE, testified via teleconference. He reported that AARP has a large number of veterans. He spoke strongly in favor of SB 45. JOE FIELDS, CHAIR OF ALASKA VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, testified via teleconference. He maintained that veterans were dying at a fast pace and the potential for a resting place of honor in Alaska was important. He suggested passing the bill as quickly as possible. 1:51:46 PM Co-Chair Stoltze closed public testimony. He requested an explanation of the Department of Military Affairs fiscal note. Mr. Pierre commented that the fiscal note reflects the operating budget portion of $250,000. He considered that amount seed money in order to qualify for $5 million in federal dollars from the Veterans' Administration to design and construct the facility, as well as purchase equipment. After that the state will be responsible for maintaining the cemetery. License plate sales should offset some of the cost. Co-Chair Stoltze welcomed group donations to this good cause and requested assistance in keeping the dignity of the project. Mr. Pierre added that the land would be donated and no state money would be needed. Senator Therriault referred to Section 3 of the bill, which addresses gifts and donations that can be put into the fund. 1:55:05 PM Vice-Chair Thomas MOVED to report SB 45 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSB 45 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with fiscal note #1 by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. 1:55:58 PM AT EASE 1:59:17 PM RECONVENED