2002-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1977
HB 327                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 327 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to state employees who are called to active duty                              
     as reserve or auxiliary members of the armed forces of the United                              
     States; and providing for an effective date."                                                  
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Military and Veterans' Affairs and the State Affairs Committee.                                     
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Administration/All Depts.                                                        
                                                                                                    

2002-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1978
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14, 2002, appears                                   
below:                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
This bill I transmit today contains recommendations of the                                          
Administration's Terrorism Disaster Policy Cabinet convened in                                      
response to the attacks of September 11th.  It is one of six bills I am                             
forwarding for the Legislature's consideration to ensure Alaska is fully                            
prepared in terrorism prevention and emergency response.                                            
                                                                                                    
This measure allows the Governor to ensure that state employees who                                 
are members of reserve and auxiliary military units, including the                                  
Alaska National Guard and Alaska Naval Militia, will not be                                         
financially penalized while on certain active duty.  These courageous                               
Alaskans could continue to receive their state salaries, or the                                     
equivalent, and some or all of their state benefits.                                                
                                                                                                    
This is the right thing to do for our reserve and auxiliary service                                 
members who are called to active duty.  The governors of many other                                 
states already possess this authority.  Alaska should join their ranks.                             
                                                                                                    
This authority would be discretionary and triggered by an order of the                              
governor.  I do not anticipate a governor would invoke this provision                               
for a short-term mobilization of the National Guard for, say, disaster                              
assistance.  I would expect that it generally would be invoked only for                             
large-scale activations such as those we have seen recently across the                              
country.  The intent of the bill is that state employees called to active                           
duty should not be financially harmed.                                                              
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Tony Knowles                                                       
                                  Governor"