House committee advances bill to let some permanently disabled veterans access retirement pay earlier

The Alaska House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs on Feb. 25 reported House Bill 17 out of committee, a measure from Representative George Rauscher that would let certain state employees who are 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans access their normal Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) retirement benefit earlier than the current standard retirement age.

Representative Ayesha Eisheide, chair of the committee, closed public testimony and announced the committee action: “Seeing none, house bill 17 is reported out of committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.”

The bill drew one in-room public witness, Austin Flavin of Palmer, who described service in the U.S. Navy and said exposure to toxic burn pits and work as a welder contributed to a service-connected disability and a Department of Veterans Affairs rating. “It’s not asking for a handout or anything like that,” Flavin said, asking lawmakers to allow earlier access to a benefit he said he had already paid into after buying back service time from the state.

Sponsor Representative George Rauscher told the committee the measure recognizes members of the military who returned with serious injuries or illnesses that can shorten working life. “These are 100% disabled young men and women,” Rauscher said, urging the committee to pass the bill.

Craig Valdez, staff for Representative Rauscher, clarified how the bill would work in practice: beneficiaries would receive the normal retirement benefit they would be entitled to at standard retirement, but earlier under the bill’s conditions. Valdez said the department does not count exact totals of affected people but noted a small number of prior retirees in tier 2 and tier 3 who fit the bill’s definition.

Committee discussion was brief. Members noted the legislature has held two hearings on the bill and that the division does not maintain a comprehensive count of permanently and totally disabled state employees. No roll-call vote was taken; the committee moved HB 17 by unanimous consent and reported it from committee with individual recommendations and an accompanying fiscal note.

The committee also noted upcoming business: a Feb. 27 briefing from the commander of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and a presentation from the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies. The meeting was convened and adjourned by Chair Eisheide at 11:29 a.m.