CSHJR 27(MLV)-ALLOTMENTS FOR NATIVE VIETNAM VETERANS  5:05:08 PM CHAIR GENE THERRIAULT announced HJR 27 to be the first order of business. REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL, sponsor, characterized HJR 27 as an expression of support for two bills sponsored by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young to reopen discussion on Native allotments and to extend the definition for Vietnam era veterans to include the years 1964 through 1975. A second part of the resolution asks for examination of the Tongass area where up to 300 people were denied the ability to apply for an allotment as the result of a court. 5:10:12 PM SENATOR THOMAS WAGONER stated that several of his constituents would like this resolution to pass. CHARLES HUBBARD, Vietnam Veteran from Sterling, testified in support of HJR 27 saying it would right wrongs that have been done to Alaska Natives and Alaska Native veterans. He related that his mother's attempts to get an allotment took more than 30 years and she didn't live long enough to celebrate her victory. 5:15:51 PM DEE HUBBARD, Sterling, testified that HJR 27 addresses a fairness issue, which is that the federal code doesn't allow family members of deceased veterans to apply for an allotment. SENATOR WAGONER asked how many veterans or surviving family members might be affected. MS. HUBBARD replied she didn't have that information. 5:20:43 PM CAROL YATEMAN, Supervising Attorney of the Native Allotment Program with Alaska Legal Services, testified that HJR 27 is a crucial statement of support for the legislation before Congress to get the Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Act amended. Congressional members want to act in accordance with the wishes of the State of Alaska. Addressing why the law should be amended, she said she couldn't understand why the current law is so restrictive because the intention was to give veterans a chance to get what they should have gotten in the first place had they not been away serving in the armed services. As it turns out, the allotment land that was available to Vietnam veterans was minimal compared to what would have been available had they applied prior to 1971. The primary problem is that under current law there isn't any land available around many Alaska villages. A secondary problem is the requirement that a veteran use the land in a certain way for a minimum of five years. The amendments before Congress would remove those requirements and establish legislative approval for veterans, which is logical because that's the way it is for other allotment applicants. Also, receiving legislative approval would drastically reduce the time it takes to process an application. MS YATEMAN informed members that under current law the heirs of a veteran who died for reasons unrelated to a war injury were not allowed to apply for a veteran's allotment. The bills in Congress would correct that injustice. REPRESENTATIVE BILL THOMAS reported that he is a Vietnam veteran and he strongly supported HJR 27. 5:31:47 PM SENATOR KIM ELTON asked if including an heir was discussed in the House hearings and whether there is a reason that the issue isn't addressed in the resolution. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL replied the issue is addressed in the two bills before the U.S. Congress. The resolution is to broaden the scope and reopen the discussion. SENATOR ELTON said he was prepared to offer an amendment to include heirs if the sponsor agreed. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL expressed appreciation but he didn't believe it was necessary. SENATOR WAGONER motioned to report CSHJR 27(MLV)and attached fiscal notes from committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, it was so ordered.