2002-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1959
SB 239                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 239 BY THE SENATE 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 State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration                                              
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14, 2002:                                               
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
This bill I transmit today contains recommendations of the                                          
Administration's Terrorism Disaster Policy Cabinet convened in                                      
                                              th                                                    
response to the attacks of September 11. 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                              

2002-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1960
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