HB 180-VETERAN DESIGNATION ON DRIVER'S LICENSE  10:10:02 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the next bill before the committee would be HB 180, which allows the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to put veteran's information and status on driver's licenses. REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, sponsor of HB 180, introduced the bill. He read from the following sponsor statement. For the record, Rep. Dan Saddler, District 18. Thank you Mr. Chairman and members of the committee for hearing House Bill 180. This bill does two things: First, it authorizes the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to designate a person's status as a veteran on a state-issued driver's license or ID card - but only if that person requests that designation. That designation would be the image of a U.S. flag. Having proof of veteran status on a durable, convenient card will help veterans to enjoy discounts offered by grateful businesses Second, HB 180 authorizes DMV to provide the name & address of a person receiving a veteran's designation to the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs - but again, only if that person agrees. If he does, he'll have another chance at receiving important health and other benefits earned through his service The bill has changed, and improved through the process. Both the designation and the address-sharing provisions are voluntary - while I believe the benefits are clear, we made it optional, out of respect for veterans' privacy and autonomy. The designation is specified as the U.S. Flag - this saves design costs. The cost for the cards was dropped from the usual $15, down to $5 - this is a service to vets, not a profit center for the state. If you'll look at the packet, it documents support from Military and Veterans Affairs, Division of Motor Vehicles, representatives of veterans groups, business groups, and individual veterans. To sum up: By giving Alaskans a way to carry reliable and convenient proof of their veteran status, HB 180 will help veterans enjoy the many benefits made available to them by a grateful state and nation. 10:12:24 AM SENATOR MEYER asked what benefits veterans get with this license or card, and if a military ID would still be required. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that the information would be put on the driver's license or ID card and there would not be an additional card issued. It would save the veteran from having to carry around a military ID or file. Benefits would include discounted or free death certificates, inclusion on a registry for purposes of veteran information notification, and retail discounts and offers. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted that a number of veteran's organizations support the bill. He maintained that the bill would make it easier for veterans to prove their veteran status. He opened public testimony. RIC DAVIDGE, President, Alaska Chapter, Vietnam Veterans of America, testified in support of HB 180. He related his experience with new information regarding exposure to Agent Orange and other elements. There are delayed symptoms as a result of exposure to these elements. Knowing the information about a veteran's service can vastly assist with communicating information about possible exposure during their service. HB 180 allows for improved communication between veterans and DMV. The bill has been approved in 23 other states. It would provide veterans with a uniform ID and enable the state to notify veterans as new medical information becomes available. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI thanked Mr. Davidge for his hard work. 10:17:01 AM MERCEDES ANGERMAN, Program Coordinator, Office of Veteran's Affairs, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, testified in support of HB 180. She said that another advantage of having the veteran designation on the driver's license was in order for emergency responders and law enforcement officials to recognize veterans during emergencies. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the administration supports the bill. MS. ANGERMAN said the Office of Veterans Affairs supports the bill. 10:19:04 AM WHITNEY BREWSTER, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Administration, provided information related to HB 180. She explained what the flag would look like on the license. She related that DMV would include the name and address of the card holder, as well as "veteran" on the license for further recognition. She said there could be a charge of $5 for a replacement fee and $15 at the time of expiration to renew the card. 10:21:19 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked what the cost of replacing a lost license would be. MS. BREWSTER said $15. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked how much it would cost to replace a new veteran's card. MS. BREWSTER said $5. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked where in the bill the authority to designate "veteran" was. He wondered if additional legislative authority was needed. MS. BREWSTER thought it could be handled in regulations. She anticipated working with MVA. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the legislature needed to give authority to do so. MS. BREWSTER replied that DMV has broad authority when it comes to promulgating regulations for driver licensing. 10:23:26 AM JOSEPH FIELDS, III, Chair, Alaska Veterans Advisory Council, testified in support of HB 180. He drew attention to the word "or" on line 3 of the bill and asked if it should be "and". He suggested "veteran" should be on both cards. He spoke of the advantages of having veteran identification. SENATOR KOOKESH thanked Mr. Fields for talking about having the designation on both the identification card and the license. He shared a personal story about an uncle who was a veteran and lived to be 102, and because he could no longer drive, he required another ID that showed his veteran status. TIM ARMSTRONG, Chief of Staff, Department of Military Order of the Purple Heart, testified in support of HB 180. He said he was encouraged by the fact that obtaining the identification was voluntary in nature. He spoke of the advantages of having the designation on a driver's license or identification card, such as recognition of veterans by law enforcement and the ability of family to receive documentation for a burial flag. 10:30:39 AM SENATOR KOOKESH asked if the state ID card would be included in the bill. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said that would be covered. SENATOR KOOKESH questioned the wording "or". CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI said the language could be checked to make sure it gives a person the option of having both forms of ID. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI stated he would hold HB 180 in committee.