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Senate committee hears bill to waive Alaska state park fees for disabled veterans
Summary
Senate Bill 30 would let disabled, honorably discharged veterans apply for a waived Alaska state parks pass, expand day-use parking exemptions and auto‑renew passes. Committee testimony noted alignment with a 2002 federal parks policy and a fiscal note estimating a $300,000 revenue shift.
Senate Finance on March 27, 2025, heard testimony on Senate Bill 30, sponsored by Senator Jesse Bjorkman, which would allow disabled veterans who honorably served to apply for a pass to Alaska state parks with fees waived and expand day‑use parking exemptions.
The bill would make the pass renew automatically every five years and reissue when a veteran updates their address, Bjorkman said. “This bill will allow disabled veterans who have honorably served our country to have access to our state parks free of charge,” Senator Jesse Bjorkman said during his introduction to the committee.
Nut Graf: Supporters say the change would expand an existing benefit (currently limited in statute to camping) to day visits and simplify administration. Invited testimony cited federal precedent: the National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 established free lifetime national park access for veterans, and witnesses urged Alaska to move toward a similar benchmark for state parks.
Details and testimony: Senator Bjorkman described the bill as simplifying access for disabled veterans and asked the committee for support. Lehi Hokanson, identified in testimony as chair of the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council, told the committee the change would “honor their service and support their well‑being” by offering more opportunity to use Alaska’s parks. The transcript notes that State Parks Director Ricky Yese and Bjorkman’s staff member Matt Churchill were available to answer questions but no committee member asked follow‑up during the hearing.
Fiscal impact: Senator Kiel read the fiscal note for the resources version (OMB component 3001, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Parks Management). The fiscal note submitted February 19 shows a projection of a $300,000 decrease in program receipts offset by a corresponding $300,000 increase in unrestricted general fund going forward. The committee indicated an updated fiscal note was expected and set SB 30 aside for further review.
Procedure and next steps: After invited testimony and no public commenters, the committee set the bill aside for additional consideration and an updated fiscal note. The chair later announced the amendment deadline for bills heard that day would be Tuesday, April 8, at 5 p.m.
Ending: SB 30 was not advanced or voted on at the March 27 meeting; the committee recorded it as set aside pending an updated fiscal note and further consideration.
