SB 203-PURPLE HEART TRAIL  1:39:03 PM CHAIR HOPKINS announced that the final order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 203, "An Act designating the Alaska marine highway system and portions of the Parks, Glenn, Seward, and Sterling Highways as a part of the State's Purple Heart Trail and relating to signage and informational displays for the trail." 1:39:32 PM EMMA TORKELSON, Staff, Senator Josh Revak, Alaska State Legislature, gave information and answered questions regarding SB 203 on behalf of Senator Revak, prime sponsor. She stated that work has been ongoing for 15 years to rename different areas of the state to honor those who have served in the military. 1:40:14 PM THUNDER ATCHLEY, Staff, Senator Josh Revak, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Senator Revak, prime sponsor of SB 203, stated that the Purple Heart Trail designations of highways have extended across the U.S. since 1992 honoring those who have been wounded or killed in service to our nation. He said that SB 203 would extend the designation from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Homer, Alaska, and along the entirety of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). Alaska has a strong presence of military service members and veterans, and appropriate signage would be placed along the route in order to provoke the thoughtfulness of those driving past. 1:42:14 PM MS. TORKELSON gave the sectional analysis of SB 203. She stated that Section 1 would extend the Purple Heart Trail designation along over 4,000 miles of highway from Fairbanks to Homer and the Alaska Marine Highway System [routes]. Section 2 would require the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) to erect appropriate signage along the designated path. She said that Section 3 would require DOT&PF to place informational signs at pullouts along the highway, and Section 4 would allow the department to accept gifts and donations for the purpose of placing the appropriate signage. Section 5 would give DOT&PF discretion over funding in the event of a large number of donations. 1:44:32 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked what size the signs would be and how they would look on AMHS vessels. MS. TORKELSON answered that the signs shown in the committee packet would be adapted for use on the vessels. In response to a follow-up question, she said that the process for becoming a Purple Heart City is different from that of having the Purple Heart Trail go through a city. She said that the extension of the trail gives an additional reason for a city to become a Purple Heart city, but Skagway, Alaska, is able to be one without being connected to the Purple Heart Trail. 1:48:28 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked how adding AMHS would affect its federal funding. MS. TORKELSON answered that it would not affect the federal funding of any highways that are part of the Purple Heart Trail. She added that it would also not change the names of any of the highways. In response to a follow-up question, she said that there is a $255,000 fiscal note. 1:49:54 PM CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether that figure included the cost of adding signage to vessels. MS. TORKELSON answered yes. 1:50:29 PM ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, added that it would be possible to secure more federal funding for highways designated as part of the Purple Heart Trail. 1:51:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether new appropriations would be necessary to add new signs on new vessels being added to AMHS. MR. MILLS answered that new vessels being added would have the signage included as part of their capital costs. 1:53:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND commented that Alaska scenic byway-style signs seem more appropriate for this type of honor than the typical design of most highway signs. She called the design "ugly" and requested that DOT&PF come up with a new design. MR. MILLS responded that engineers, not graphic designers, came up with the original designs, and they placed functionality first in the design. He said that the intention is to come up with more appropriate signage for use on the vessels. 1:57:01 PM JOHN KNOTT, State Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, stated that he is honored to support the extension of the Purple Heart Trail on behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He said that it acknowledges the sacrifices and valor of those who have been wounded or killed and awarded the Purple Heart. He said that he is a recipient of the Purple Heart and supports the efforts being made to honor Purple Heart recipients. He returned to a previous question and said that he has worked with cities in the past to become Purple Heart cities, including Skagway. 2:00:32 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked why Mr. Knott reached out to specific communities for potential Purple heart designation. MR. KNOTT answered that a veteran's group from Skagway reached out to him. In response to a follow-up question, he clarified that there is no connection between the number of Purple Heart recipients in a city and its status as a Purple Heart city. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN commented that an entire age group from Hoonah, Alaska, served in the Vietnam War and is very active in veterans' groups. 2:04:38 PM CHAIR HOPKINS thanked Mr. Knott and all recipients of the Purple Heart for their service. 2:05:07 PM CHAIR HOPKINS opened public testimony on SB 203. After ascertaining that no one wished to testify, he closed public testimony. [SB 203 was held over.]