HB 345-CAMPSITE FEES: DISABLED VETERANS/SENIORS Number 2274 CO-CHAIR DAHLSTROM announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 345, "An Act relating to fees for state park developed campsites; and providing for an effective date." CO-CHAIR DAHLSTROM told the members the HB 345, version 23 LS- 1299\A, is before the committee. REPRESENTATIVE STEPOVICH asked if there were previous amendments to the bill. CO-CHAIR DAHLSTROM replied that to her knowledge there were no other previous amendments. Number 2209 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO commented that the reason Representative Stepovich asked if there were previous amendments is that as he [Representative Gatto] was going through the materials and found two other amendments that were labeled Amendment 1 and Amendment 2. He just wanted to verify that the amendment the members are looking at is Amendment 1 and not Amendment 3. Representative Gatto said he understands that Representative Fate offered the amendments. REPRESENTATIVE FATE replied that is correct. The committee took an at-ease from 2:15 p.m. to 2:17 p.m. CO-CHAIR DAHLSTROM clarified that there were some amendments that were handed out during the last hearing, but they were not adopted. She announced that the committee will move forward with Representative Stepovich's amendment. Number 2140 REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved Amendment 1, labeled 23-LS1299\A.2, Luckhaupt, 2/4/04, which reads as follows: Page 2, lines 5 - 8: Delete all material. Insert "(d) The department shall issue (1) free of charge to a disabled veteran [VETERANS] of this country who is a resident of this state, or (2) for an  annual fee of $10 to a resident of this state who is  60 years of age or older, an annual state park developed campsite permit." REPRESENTATIVE STEPOVICH commented that as a veteran a person has paid his/her dues. He said he believes since the person is a disabled veteran means all the more that it should not be necessary to get more from him/her. Representative Stepovich said he strongly supports veterans. When he thinks of a disabled veteran he thinks that person is disabled and served so that he can be where he is today. CO-CHAIR DAHLSTROM asked if there are any objections to the motion. There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. Number 2043 JIM POUND, Staff to Representative Hugh Fate, Alaska State Legislature, testified on behalf of Representative Fate, sponsor of HB 345. He proposed the that the committee address two proposed amendments to HB 345 having to do with campsite location. He explained that in the urban areas of Alaska private campsites are often available. It is somewhat unfair for the State to compete directly with these private for profit companies, he said. Mr. Pound suggested the following amendment be considered by the committee: Page 1, line 9, after "to use a" Insert "non-urban" Page 2, line 5, after "Sec. 2" Insert "(f) In this section "non-urban" is defined as a state park developed campsite located outside of a ten-mile radius of a city center." REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked what number of this amendment is. CO-CHAIR DAHLSTROM replied Amendment 2. REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA moved Amendment 2. [Amendment language previously stated] There being no objection, Amendment 2 was adopted. CO-CHAIR DAHLSTROM announced that the bill will be held in committee for additional testimony.