2000-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 2069
HB 332                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 332 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act relating to payment, benefits, and work status of members             
in the active service of the Alaska State Militia; and providing for           
an effective date."                                                            
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee            
on Military & Veterans' Affairs and the State Affairs and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies:                                             
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Military & Veterans Affairs, 2/2/00                 
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 1, 2000, appears              
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
This bill I transmit today clarifies and simplifies the method for paying      
members of the Alaska State Militia when called to active service.             
Payment would be based on the state employee rate for the actual type          
of work performed.                                                             
                                                                               
Members of the Alaska State Militia, more commonly known as the                
Alaska State Defense Force, receive compensation for non-training              
activities, such as assisting in search and rescue operations and              
responding to disasters.  In the past, members were paid at levels equal       
to those of the United States armed forces, based on rank plus                 
allowances.  After recognizing the lack of statutory authority to pay the      
Defense Force in this manner, the state began to pay the members as            
state emergency, nonpermanent employees at a level equal to what an            
employee would receive for an equivalent assignment.                           
                                                                               
In addressing the question of compensation, the current system created         
some confusion in the chain of command for the Defense Force, which            
operates as a military organization under military command.  Calling           
the members to active duty and then hiring them as state employees             
puts two disciplinary structures in place  one for state employees and         

2000-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 2070
HB 332                                                                       
one for Defense Force members.  This bill clarifies that when called           
to active service, Defense Force members will be paid at a level equal         
to a state employee, but remain under the command of the Department            
of Military and Veterans Affairs.                                              
                                                                               
The bill also specifically provides that Defense Force members are not         
compensated when called to active service for training or other                
volunteer activities.                                                          
                                                                               
Finally, the bill makes corresponding amendments to the level of               
earnings for payment of workers' compensation or a death benefit in            
the event an ASM member is injured or killed while in active service.          
                                                                               
The Alaska State Defense Force provides a valuable service to our              
state.  In the interest of ensuring its members are clearly under military     
command and receiving equitable pay, I urge your prompt and                    
favorable action on this measure.                                              
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"