00                            HOUSE BILL NO. 435                                                                          
01 "An Act directing the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to determine the                                     
02 number of first responders needed for various purposes; and providing for an effective                                  
03 date."                                                                                                                  
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
05    * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section                          
06 to read:                                                                                                                
07       FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) The legislature finds that there should be a sufficient                                 
08 number of first responders across the state and that first responders should have the tools to                          
09 perform their duties. The legislature recognizes that defining staffing and deployment                                  
10 requirements for first responders is a complex effort and requires consideration of numerous                            
11 factors.                                                                                                                
12       (b)  The purpose of this Act is to determine the staffing levels and deployment                                   
13 requirements for first responders that are necessary to protect all communities of the state.                           
14    * Sec. 2. AS 26.23 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                     

01            Sec. 26.23.047. Assessment of first responder levels. (a) Through a process                                
02       established by the department, the department shall annually determine the number of                              
03       first responders required in each community in the state that would enable the                                    
04       department to                                                                                                     
05                 (1)  respond to emergency and nonemergency demands of all citizens in                                   
06       a timely manner;                                                                                                  
07                 (2)  conduct prevention and other proactive tasks effectively, including                                
08       community-oriented disaster preparedness and problem solving; and                                                 
09                 (3)  ensure the safety of the public and first responders.                                              
10            (b)  On or before November 1 of each year, the department shall submit a                                     
11       report to the governor that includes its findings under (a) of this section. The                                  
12       department shall notify the legislature when the report is available.                                             
13            (c)  In this section, "first responder" means an individual who, in the early                                
14       stages of a disaster, is responsible for the protection and preservation of life and                              
15       property, including a law enforcement officer, fire fighter, health worker, local search                          
16       and rescue team member, or member of another skilled support service.                                             
17    * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).