HB 21-DISPOSAL OF STATE FLAG CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 21, "An Act relating to the proper disposal of the state flag." 8:04:35 AM REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS), Version 25-LS0137\E, Bullock, 2/1/07, as a work draft. There being no objection, Version E was before the committee. 8:05:04 AM PETER FELLMAN, Staff to Representative John Harris, on behalf of Representative Harris, joint prime sponsor, explained that HB 21 is before the committee again in order to address the questions of Representative Doll regarding the size and proportions of an official state flag. He pointed out the committee packet should include the standard proportions of the U.S. flag and the state flag. Mr. Fellman clarified that the size of the flag doesn't matter but rather if the proportions are accurate, then it's an official state flag. Therefore, Version E was changed to specify that the flag "may be respectfully retired by fire." He noted that the committee packet should also include the U.S. flag code in which Section 176(k) specifies: "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." CHAIR LYNN noted the word "may" is permissive rather than mandatory. 8:07:17 AM REPRESENTATIVE DOLL [moved to adopt] Amendment 1, which simply updates the language to reflect that Alaska is already the forty-ninth star in the national emblem. Amendment 1 read: Page 1, line 1, following "Act": Insert "relating to the state flag; and" Page 1, following line 2: Insert a new bill section to read:  "* Section 1. AS 44.09.020 is amended to read: Sec. 44.09.020. State flag. The design of the official flag is eight gold stars in a field of blue, so selected for its simplicity, its originality, and its symbolism. The blue, one of the national colors, typifies the evening sky, the blue of the sea and of mountain lakes, and of wild flowers that grow in Alaskan soil, the gold being significant of the wealth that lies hidden in Alaska's hills and streams. The stars, seven of which form the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, the most conspicuous constellation in the northern sky, contains the stars which form the "Dipper," including the "Pointers" which point toward the eighth star in the flag, Polaris, the North Star, the ever constant star for the mariner, the explorer, hunter, trapper, prospector, woodsman, and the surveyor. For Alaska the northernmost star in the galaxy of stars represents  Alaska, [AND WHICH AT SOME FUTURE TIME WILL TAKE ITS PLACE AS] the forty-ninth star in the national emblem. The flag of the Territory of Alaska is the official flag of the state. The standard proportions and size graphically delineated herein shall be used in the manufacture of the official flag of Alaska. The stars shall be the color of natural yellow gold and the field of blue shall be of the same shade of blue used in the official manufacture of the national emblem of the United States. The design, standard proportions, and size are as follows: (THE DESIGN, STANDARD PROPORTIONS, AND SIZE OF THE STATE FLAG ARE SET OUT IN THE PRINTED STATUTES.)" Page 1, line 3: Delete "Section 1" Insert "Sec. 2" 8:07:58 AM CHAIR LYNN objected for discussion purposes. MR. FELLMAN, in response to Representative Johansen, related that Representative Harris agrees with Amendment 1. CHAIR LYNN removed his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 8:09:06 AM VERN JONES, Chief Procurement Officer, State of Alaska, Division of General Services, Department of Administration, informed the committee that the division is responsible for 13 buildings, most of which are located in Juneau. The maintenance staff raises and lowers the flags in most of the state office buildings. He related the division's support of HB 21. In fact, the division is already retiring the state flag as it does the U.S. flag and thus, HB 21 wouldn't impact the division. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL expressed gratitude for the actions already taken by the division. 8:10:32 AM REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL moved to report CSHB 21, Version 25- LS0137\E, Bullock, 2/1/07, as amended, with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 21(STA) was reported from the House State Affairs Standing Committee.