HB 61-MILITARY MERITORIOUS AWARD LICENSE PLATES  1:37:24 PM CHAIR HERRON announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 61, "An Act relating to special motor vehicle registration plates for recipients of the Bronze Star, Silver Star, or other meritorious service awards; and providing for an effective date." 1:37:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA, Alaska State Legislature, speaking as the sponsor, informed the committee HB 61 adds the honor of license plates for those who have demonstrated bravery while serving the U.S. Armed Forces in combat. There are a number of military license plates - for example, recipients of the Medal of Honor are recognized - but two that are missing are for those who receive honors for fighting in the armed forces in operations that involve hostile or enemy forces, and receive the Silver Star Medal or the Bronze Star Medal. Representative Gara said he was contacted by a veteran in this regard, and observed that there are few ways for the public to appreciate veterans who have served in the military. For those who want to have a license plate, it is a dignified and state-sanctioned recognition of a veteran's sacrifice. The bill adds two categories of license plates issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Administration (DOA). The first category is the Silver and Bronze Star, which would be designed by DMV and sold for $35; the bill has a fiscal note [Identifier: HB061-DOA-DMV-02-06-15] of $8,000 to pay for the initial design and press of the license plate. Also, the bill eliminates the need for repeated appeals for license plate recognition; the committee substitute gives DMV the authority to add other recognition license plates for medals that demonstrate both bravery and merit. For example, a Bronze Star V Medal can be received for valor in combat, and the Bronze Star M Medal can be received for merit in military operations. He described a situation in which a Bronze Star M Medal may be awarded. 1:42:28 PM REPRESENTATIVE GARA pointed out that currently license plates are unavailable for those who have received the second highest ranking awards, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Air Force Cross, and he urged that these designations should also be added by DMV. He characterized the present relevant legislation as a "patchwork," and opined DMV should have the authority to add appropriate license plates without further legislative involvement. Referring to the committee substitute, he said a change was made to correct a mistake in the original bill by replacing "shall" with "may" regarding the issuing of lower ranking awards. 1:44:49 PM REPRESENTATIVE COLVER moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 61, labeled 29-LS0287\H, Martin, 2/6/15, as the working document. [There being no objection, Version H was before the committee.] REPRESENTATIVE LYNN declared a conflict of interest as he is a Bronze Star Medal recipient. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked whether U.S. Marines are eligible for the Navy Cross or a separate medal. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG inquired as to the current regulations regarding a license plate for a recipient of the Medal of Honor. 1:46:46 PM AMY ERICKSON, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Administration (DOA), verified that a Medal of Honor license plate is authorized by statute; however, one has never been requested, and thus has never been designed. In further response to Representative Gruenberg, she provided the following citation: AS 28.10.181(l). REPRESENTATIVE LYNN urged that the Medal of Honor license plate be provided at no cost to the recipient. CHAIR HERRON suggested that the committee ask the director to design the license plate, possibly under a subsequent fiscal note. He surmised fiscal note [Identifier: HB061-DOA-DMV-02-06- 15] does not apply to Version H. 1:49:04 PM MS. ERICKSON said correct. In further response to Chair Herron, she clarified that the bill would now limit DMV to issuing license plates for the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and meritorious crosses. CHAIR HERRON assured Ms. Erickson that the sponsor and committee staff will work with her to ensure "that the numbers to push out a fiscal note are accurate." He noted the large deficit the state is facing, and suggested finding a private sector sponsor to pay the expense identified in the fiscal note. REPRESENTATIVE GARA pointed out this was a one-time $8,000 cost, followed by fees that make the program self-sustaining. Although the state is in fiscal dire straits, "at $8,000 this didn't seem to be the kind of amount of money that's ... really concerning us in this building," he said. CHAIR HERRON offered to ask his Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post for a contribution. REPRESENTATIVE GARA expressed concern that contributors may seek changes to the bill. 1:51:43 PM MS. ERICKSON, in response to Chair Herron, expressed her belief that DMV cannot accept private sector funds for the design of license plates. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN observed there are many varieties of awards for meritorious service; he asked for clarification on DMV's authorization of license plates issued in recognition of awards or decorations. CHAIR HERRON expressed his intent to hold the bill over and attempt to obtain a zero fiscal note. REPRESENTATIVE GARA, in response to Representative Tuck's earlier question, said members of the Marine Corps qualify for the Navy Cross. 1:53:34 PM CHAIR HERRON opened public testimony on HB 61. 1:53:46 PM LARRY GORDAOFF, Founder, Alaska Native Veterans Association, informed the committee he is not a recipient of a Bronze Star, but is representing a member of the Alaska Native Veterans Association who is a Bronze Star recipient from service in Afghanistan. In answer to the earlier question about soliciting private donations for the license plate program, he cautioned that according to the American Legion, Department of Alaska, national approval is required to request funds and takes "a long drawn-out process." Mr. Gordaoff said the mission statement of the Alaska Native Veterans Association is: To give a helping hand up - not a handout - to Alaska Native veterans; to answer concerns of the veterans and their needs; to help the community give respect to all veterans and stay non-political. He relayed the story of a veteran named Christopher Thomas who requested a Bronze Star license plate from DMV and was told the license plates are not available in Alaska. After research showed that many other states have the plates available, Mr. Gordaoff contacted Representative Gara for assistance in getting the special plates for Alaska Bronze Star recipients. He explained the heroic circumstances that led to the Bronze Star award, and pointed out the great honor of having a Bronze Star license plate to show the respect that recipients deserve. Mr. Gordaoff concluded that the Bronze Star license plate should be afforded to all Bronze Star recipients who live in Alaska, and Mr. Thomas should receive the first one issued. He expressed his support for the bill. 1:57:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG discussed various levels of medals awarded for valor in combat; he asked whether the sponsor would support including other awards in the bill. REPRESENTATIVE GARA said the intention of the bill was to grant DMV the authority to allow someone to apply for additional license plates. He opined others who have served in combat would quality for valor and merit, and - if they desired - could apply to DMV. MR. GORDAOFF expressed his belief that currently available is a license plate from DMV that indicates a branch of service. MS. ERICKSON confirmed that DMV offers license plates with unit designators, but not specifically for bravery or honor. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG supported giving "an added measure for these people who've been in hostile combat and have actually been under fire." REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked what happens to the license plate when one sells the car. MS. ERICKSON responded that registration plates stay with a vehicle except for special plates that go with the applicant. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked for the sponsor's intent regarding the Distinguished Cross awards. REPRESENTATIVE GARA expressed his belief that the Distinguished Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Air Force Cross should be part of the bill. 2:02:50 PM CHAIR HERRON supported directing DMV to design the Medal of Honor license plate in anticipation of an application from a recipient. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG surmised an amendment was required to make the Medal of Honor license plate available at no cost. MS. ERICKSON stated AS 28.10.421 (11) directs that the Medal of Honor license plate was to be issued at no cost. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK questioned whether the license plates created by the bill would not be designed unless requested by an applicant. MS. ERICKSON said that is correct. CHAIR HERRON said: It is a key question, so if one is not requested, then it should, in theory, then we could have literally, zero fiscal note, because none have been requested yet. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK expressed his understanding that the committee was discussing adding to the bill's fiscal note the cost of designing the Medal of Honor license plate. CHAIR HERRON said additional research is needed before voting on the bill. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK surmised that unless one requests one of the license plates in the bill, "a design is not necessary." CHAIR HERRON stated his desire to see the Medal of Honor license plate designed and "ready to go, when the first Medal of Honor winner shows up to apply for one." REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX questioned whether, if no one applies, the fiscal note would be indeterminate, rather than a zero fiscal note. REPRESENTATIVE GARA advised that at the time of the Medal of Honor legislation, there must have been a fiscal note because the state was picking up the cost of the license plates. He noted that unit awards already qualify for a special designated license plate, and asked for clarification on which unit awards are currently covered by statute. MS. ERICKSON offered to provide a list. HB 61 was held over.