HB 180-VETERAN DESIGNATION ON DRIVER'S LICENSE  CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 180, "An Act authorizing the Department of Administration to note a person's status as a veteran on the person's driver's license and to provide certain information to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs." [Before the committee was CSHB 180(MLV).] 8:10:58 AM REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor, presented HB 180. He paraphrased the sponsor statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: House Bill 180 seeks to help Alaska veterans receive more of the benefits they have earned through their sacrifice and service in uniform, and to which they are entitled by law and custom. It would allow the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to add information to state drivers' licenses or identification cards signifying the holder's status as a veteran, and would allow DMV to share that information with the state's veterans benefit office. Alaska is among the most veteran-friendly states in the Union. Many businesses and organizations demonstrate their appreciation by offering various discounts, preferences and other benefits to bona fide veterans. However, veterans must usually prove they qualify by presenting certified copies of their discharge documents - the DD-214, DD-215, or NGB-22 forms, exposing these critical documents to wear, damage or loss. By giving veterans a way to carry reliable and convenient proof of their status on state-issued cards, this bill would help them more easily enjoy the full range of personal, business and social benefits offered to them by a grateful state. HB 180 could also help relieve the situation in which tens of thousands of Alaska veterans may be missing out on significant government benefits, because they have no contact with the state's Office of Veterans Affairs. The bill would allow the DMV to provide the names and addresses of those who are issued veteran- designated driver's licenses or ID cards to the state veterans' office. That office could then reach out to make more veterans aware of programs available to them, and to help them receive any benefits owed to them. I respectfully request your support for House Bill 180. Thank you. 8:12:48 AM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, in response to Representative Johansen, said he does not know why one of the members of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs voted HB 180 out with a "do not pass," and he said there was no specific issue raised during the meeting. 8:14:18 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said she is torn on this issue, because on one hand this could be a way to "help more people find more free things," while on the other hand, the bill could aid those in need to receive help expeditiously. She related that her brother, a veteran, died of cancer at the age of 52, and he may have lived longer if he had been aware of the help available to him. 8:16:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the programs offered by businesses to veterans are also offered to those active in the military. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER offered his understanding that most of those programs are offered solely to veterans. He said most active military personnel hold identification ("ID") cards issued to them by the U.S. Department of Defense. He indicated that approximately 60 percent of regional and national chains offer some kind of discount to those in the military, as do many independent businesses in Alaska. In response to a follow-up question, he confirmed that the active military personnel would not need to have any specification made on a driver's license, because they can access the special discounts with their military IDs. 8:17:35 AM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, in response to Representative Petersen, said there would be no additional fee for the veteran's designation on the driver's license; however, "the same standard $15 ... the DMV charges for a replacement card will be charged." 8:18:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, in response to Representative Gruenberg, said that the original bill focused on just driver's licenses, while the version before the committee, which was passed out of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs, added state ID cards. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG directed attention to a sentence on page 1, lines 9-10, repeated on page 2, lines 5-6, which read: "The department may not charge a fee solely for the designation." He questioned why the word "solely" had been added. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER responded that the word "solely" was added to avoid confusion. He explained that he did not want people to think that the driver's license for veterans would be free of charge. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG, regarding privacy, ventured that some veterans may not wish to have their information put into a database. He suggested that "unless the veteran objects" could be added to [page 1], line 13. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he would not be adverse to that amendment. 8:21:53 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG questioned whether the information forwarded to the department would become public. 8:22:29 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON pointed out that the designation would not appear on the driver's license or state ID unless requested by the veteran, and she ventured that a veteran who wants to "keep that quiet" would not [take the steps to have the designation made]. CHAIR LYNN concurred. 8:23:09 AM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, in response to Representative Johansen, said he had not considered making this free to veterans, because they are citizens and there is a fee for the renewal of a driver's license. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN asked the bill sponsor to consider making the process free for veterans, or at least set a rate that is "at cost." He explained that he does not want the DMV to be making money off of this process. 8:26:15 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said any money the DMV makes goes into the state's General Fund, and the legislature controls the budget of the division. 8:27:23 AM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN questioned the estimate in the fiscal note that 50 percent of veterans would opt for the designator in the first 12 months that it would be available. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER deferred to the director of the DMV. 8:28:14 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG noted that the second reason listed as to why the 3/25/11 fiscal note differs from the previous version is that it reduced the estimated percentage of qualifying veterans who may opt for the designation from 75 percent to 50 percent. He asked the bill sponsor if any effort would be made to educate veterans so that they know about the license designation. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said that was not in the plans, but ventured that the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs would do some outreach. 8:29:45 AM WHITNEY BREWSTER, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Administration, in response to Representative Petersen's previous query regarding the estimated 50 percent, said that number was based on feedback from veterans received by the division. She said the number could be adjusted. She confirmed Representative Wilson was right in saying that fees collected by the DMV go directly to the General Fund. She said it would not have a significant impact on the DMV if it did not collect fees from veterans. 8:31:38 AM MS. BREWSTER, in response to Representative Gruenberg, said the effective date of March 1 was chosen by the bill sponsor at the request of the DMV. She explained that the division's information technology (IT) staff has federal requirement deadlines in January of 2012, and the extra time was needed to allow IT to first meet those deadlines. In response to another question, she ventured that the DMV would issue media announcements, as well as offer information on its web site regarding the designation for veterans. She indicated that if further information is necessary, she would depend upon the experts in the field to address the veteran community. She expressed her willingness to entertain any ideas from the legislature on this matter. In response to Chair Lynn, she said the DMV could ask each customer who comes in if he/she is a veteran, and to do so would not require a change to statute. 8:35:35 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG suggested one way for the DMV to get the word out to veterans would be to notify people via mail and internet. MS. BREWSTER agreed that the DMV could do that at minimal to no cost. 8:37:55 AM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed appreciation for Representative Gruenberg's suggestions. 8:38:37 AM MS. BREWSTER, in response to Representative Seaton, said she anticipates the way in which veterans would be able to show their status on a form is by checking a box on the form, and a clerk would enter that information into the DMV's system. 8:40:33 AM RON SIEBELS, Commander, Region III, Military Order of the Purple Heart, testified in support of HB 180. He assured the committee that the word would spread about this opportunity. In response to a question from Representative Gruenberg regarding privacy, he ventured there are probably some who would "shy away," but the majority would support having a veteran designation on an ID card. 8:42:20 AM JIM SASSLER (ph), Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), relayed that he is a Vietnam War veteran who carries a military ID. He said he would be willing to pay the cost of replacing his license. He said those who have military ID or medical cards do not really need the proposed indicator, but it would be a method by which to honor those veterans who have served. He observed that under HB 180, a veteran would be required to show his/her DD-214, DD-215, or NGB-22 form, in order to get the designation from the DMV. He suggested an amendment to allow [veterans] to present their DD-2 [the retired U.S. uniformed services identification card] or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical card, because they already had to show the forms required in the bill to be issued a DD-2 and/or VA medical card. 8:44:33 AM MS. BREWSTER, in response to Representative Saddler, said she does not think it would be a problem to authorize veteran designation using either the DD-2 or VA medical card, as recommended by Mr. Sassler. 8:45:23 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the DD-2 and medical card are issued only to those discharged under honorable conditions. MR. SASSLER offered his understanding that that is the case. 8:46:54 AM BOB MYLES, Commander, Veteran Foreign Wars (VFW), relayed that he is a veteran of the Vietnam War. As a veteran, he said, he carries a medical card and receives a discount. He said many veterans don't have their card to carry, but he ventured all veterans would support the proposed legislation. 8:48:02 AM JOE FIELDS, Chair, Alaska Veterans Advisory Council (AVAC), relayed that informal polling of veterans has shown a great amount of support for this issue. He mentioned businesses that routinely supply military discounts. He opined that veterans deserve a break if they can get one. 8:49:22 AM VERDIE BOWEN, Director of Veterans Affairs, Office of Veteran Affairs, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, indicated that the level of confidentiality would remain the same under HB 180 as it currently is when dealing with information for forms DD-214 and NGB-22. He said the word about HB 180 would be spread through an annual newsletter. MR. BOWEN, in response to questions from Representative Gruenberg, said the term "under honorable conditions" [on page 1, line 9] covers general and honorable discharge. He said the Office of Veteran Affairs would make public service announcements to spread the word about the ability for veterans to have their retired status noted on their driver's licenses or ID cards. Currently, he said, the department and all the veteran service officers are heading an outreach effort to reach veterans in 100 areas off of roadways annually. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG ventured there are some veterans who are not "plugged in" and may have restricted means, and he suggested that the department could take the opportunity to toot its own horn at, for example, senior centers and hospitals - to expand beyond the usual veterans' network. 8:53:52 AM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he thinks the methods that will be used will get the word out. 8:54:14 AM RIC DAVIDGE, Alaska Veterans Foundation; Vietnam Veterans of America, emphasized that it is important for emergency response workers and medical staff to know whether the person they are treating is a veteran, because many veterans have been exposed to toxins such as agent orange, and as a result may require different treatment. He said every medical professional should ask each person they treat whether he/she is a veteran. He indicated that this is one of a lot of other reasons that veteran designation should be on a driver's license. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said HB 180 would provide the opportunity to "get these people in and get them notified." 8:57:36 AM MR. BOWEN said there are many veterans who are suffering presumptive illnesses brought on by Agent Orange, and they are the most difficult group in terms of outreach efforts. He explained that many of those veterans have a distrust of the federal government, which makes it difficult to reach out to them. He further noted that because these veterans felt alienated, they were responsible for starting many of the veteran programs that exist today. He talked about using the National Guard Yellow Ribbon Team - through churches, schools, and hospitals - to reach veterans. He said over the last 18 months, approximately 1,000 veterans in need of health care have been reached in 261 villages. He expressed his hope that outreach efforts will be noted by spouses of veterans, who may help in the effort to entice veterans in for services. 8:59:45 AM MR. DAVIDGE relayed that veterans generate over $2 million in economic activity in Alaska. Letting veterans know about the benefits available to them not only improves their lives, but also improves the lives of their family members. He thanked the committee and bill sponsor for their work on the bill. 9:00:59 AM MS. BREWSTER, in response to Representative Petersen, said all veterans would have to come in the DMV to prove veteran status before being issued the designated driver's license or ID. After the first time, veterans could renew by mail. In response to Representative Seaton, regarding the use of the term "identification card" in the bill, she stated her understanding that under HB 180, the designation could be on both driver's licenses and IDs. In response to a follow-up question, regarding the required forms listed in Section 1 of the bill, she said the DMV would not be opposed to other forms being added to those accepted for proving veteran status. She said the DMV could ask for legal guidance as to whether it would have the ability to accept other forms of identification, but she said it would be clearer to include any other acceptable forms in statute. 9:03:43 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1, as follows: Page 1, line 12: Following "NGB-22" Insert "DD-2 or veteran medical card" REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN, as a point of order, noted that the committee was still taking public testimony, and he said he had questions for Ms. Brewster. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON withdrew Conceptual Amendment 1. 9:04:21 AM REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN suggested to Representative Seaton that another option would be to delete the language between "a" and "as" [on page 1, lines 11-12], so that the language would read: "To receive a veteran designation, the person shall provide proof of veteran status that shows the person is retired or discharged under honorable conditions." He asked Ms. Brewster if she thought that would be a viable solution. MS. BREWSTER replied that it would be an option for the division to listen to the conversation surrounding this legislation and then establish the requirements through regulation. In response to a follow-up question, she said fees associated with driver's licenses, ID cards, and duplicates are listed in statute. She indicated that those statutes would take precedence over any changes made to the fiscal note. REPRESENTIVE SADDLER indicated that he would not be adverse to any forms, as long as they could prove veteran status. 9:06:52 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON noted that Representative Johansen's suggested change would have to be made in Section 2, as well. 9:07:06 AM CHAIR LYNN closed public testimony. REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON indicated a preference for Representative Johansen's previously stated idea for an amendment. 9:07:39 AM REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 2, as follows: Page 1, line 11: Following "provide" Delete "a United States Department of Defense form DD-214 or DD-215 or a National Guard Bureau form NGB-22" Page 2, line 6: Following "provide" Delete "a United States Department of Defense form DD-214 or DD-215 or a National Guard Bureau form NGB-22 to the department as" REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG objected to seek clarification that the intent of Conceptual Amendment 2 is to delete the same language in each Section through the word "as". He offered his understanding that "the sponsor" nodded in the affirmative. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Conceptual Amendment 2 was adopted. 9:09:48 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to report CSHB 180(MLV), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN objected to express his hope that the House Finance Committee would consider language for HB 180 that would require the DMV to provide this service at cost. He told the sponsor that if the House Finance Committee did not offer such an amendment, then he would offer one on the House floor. REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON opined that since the cost is 85 cents, it would less onerous to round the number to, for instance, $1. 9:11:28 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON pointed out that 85 cents is the cost of only the printer ribbon; other costs are listed further in the fiscal note. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER told Representatives Johansen and Seaton that he would take up those finance issues with the House Finance Committee. 9:11:57 AM REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN removed his objection to the motion to report CSHB 180(MLV), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no further objection, CSHB 180(STA) was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.