HJR 16 - DISABLED VETERANS PROCUREMENT PREFERENCE 1:27:03 PM CHAIR GATTO announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16, Relating to federal procurement preferences for small businesses in the state that are owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. 1:27:52 PM SANDRA WILSON, staff to Representative Carl Gatto, Alaska State Legislature, introduced HJR 16 on behalf of Representative Gatto, prime sponsor. Ms. Wilson informed the committee that currently there is a federal law that stipulates 3 percent of federal contracts must be granted to disabled veteran-owned small businesses. However, but full compliance has not been achieved. CHAIR GATTO added that the [resolution] encourages the state to honor the federal government's requirement. MS. WILSON concurred that the resolution asks why federal entities within the State of Alaska have not been following the 3 percent procurement preference. CHAIR GATTO further explained that veterans, who were unable to establish businesses because they were deployed in service to their country, deserve "a 3 percent edge" upon their return. 1:29:57 PM AMBER SAWYER said that her boyfriend is currently in Iraq and she expressed her support of HJR 16. She currently serves with Susitna Valley Post 35 of the American Legion Auxiliary and characterized it as "amazing" to see the veterans on Veteran's Day. There are plenty of disabled veterans who already have enough difficulties to deal with, such as medical problems and educational problems. Ms. Sawyer shared that her father, who is a disabled veteran, asked her to testify and thank the sponsor for this resolution. 1:33:38 PM CHAIR GATTO, after ascertaining that no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HJR 16. 1:33:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS moved to report HJR 16 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HJR 16 was reported from the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.