Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/27/2024 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB185 | |
| SB223 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 223 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 185 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 223-ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL APPOINTMENT
3:54:50 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
223 "An Act relating to the appointment of an assistant adjutant
general; and providing for an effective date."
3:55:22 PM
CRAIG CHRISTENSON, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Anchorage, Alaska, said SB 223
would change the requirement of five-year service in the Alaska
National Guard for the assistant adjutant general positions to a
preference. There are currently two positions that serve dual
roles: one as the commander of the Army National Guard and a
state-level director, and the other as the commander of the Air
National Guard and a director. DMVA found it necessary to expand
the selection pool for these appointments. By making the
requirement a preference, it helps to widen the pool of
potential candidates.
3:56:46 PM
ANGELA LAFLAMME, Legislative Liaison, Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Anchorage, Alaska, presented the
sectional analysis for SB 223:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Sectional Analysis
Senate Bill 223 Assistant Adjutant General
Qualifications (33-GS2609\A)
Section 1 amends AS 26.05.180(a) relating to
headquarters staff of the Alaska National Guard
regarding appointment and qualification of an
assistant adjutant general by removing the requirement
for at least five years of service in the Alaska Army
National Guard or Alaska Air National Guard and
replacing it with language providing the Adjutant
General flexibility when appointing an assistant
adjutant general to provide a preference to a
candidate with at least five years of service.
Section 2 establishes the effective date of this
legislation.
3:57:49 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked how many years the five-year
requirement has been in place.
3:58:07 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON offered to return to the committee with further
information. He stated his belief that it could have been a
decade or two.
3:58:26 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI commented that it seems likes people with
service in the Alaska National Guard and Air National Guard
should receive preference over candidates from other states and
others without experience.
3:58:51 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI concurred, emphasizing the importance of
prioritizing candidates with Alaska training or experience with
the Alaska National Guard.
3:59:32 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN stated the last time AS 06.26.05.180 was last
amended in 1973, so the 5-year requirement has existed for at
least 50 years.
4:00:14 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that in the Army National Guard, a
person is selected based on eligibility for O-7. Currently,
there are twelve positions for O-6, including some in medical
and non-combat roles which limits the applicant pool to four
guardsmen. He noted that some individuals are newly promoted,
while others may be considering retirement. Transitioning from
the position of Active Guard Reserve to the Assistant Adjutant
General means becoming a state employee and a part-time
guardsman, resulting in a significant pay reduction of $80 to
$90 thousand dollars. While preference is given to those with
Alaska National Guard experience, widening the candidate pool is
necessary due to individuals with diverse career plans and
potential candidates from other states who have worked at
National Guard bureaus. However, the selection must prioritize
the right fit for the role.
4:03:02 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the National Guard has experienced
issues filling the positions in the past 50 years.
4:03:22 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON said DMVA is unable to fill the currently
vacant position.
4:03:30 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN asked whether the position of Assistant Adjutant
General could legally be filled by a U.S. Air Force colonel, or
higher, stationed in Alaska.
4:04:08 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that a candidate could not be brought on
as an Assistant Adjutant General unless they had five years of
experience with the Alaska National Guard.
4:04:20 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN asked whether individuals with 20 years of
experience in the federal Air Force or Army would still be
required to serve five years in the Alaska National Guard to be
considered.
4:04:29 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that is correct.
4:04:38 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked if Alaskan residency is required for
eligibility.
4:04:58 PM
MS. LAFLAMME replied that statute does not dictate that, and the
qualifications for the position of state director would be
consistent with those of any other state director. She stated
her belief that employment with the state of Alaska would
require residency.
4:05:23 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI suggested that more research may be needed.
4:05:29 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked how many people are currently
eligible for the open position.
4:05:46 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON stated his belief that currently no one, but he
would contact personnel and report back to the committee.
4:06:02 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN asked whether someone with no National Guard
experience but has 20 years of experience with the U.S. Air
Force and their last five years served in Alaska, could the
National Guard hire them as the assistant under the proposed
changes.
4:06:34 PM
MS. LAFLAMME replied yes and said a candidate with qualified
military and background experience could meet federal
requirements without having five years of service with the
Alaska National Guard.
4:06:56 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 223; hearing none,
he closed public testimony.
4:07:12 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI said he recently met General Wilkins, a one-star
general from the 11th Airborne as well as a guardsman for the
Montana National Guard. He requested written clarification on
residency requirements.
4:07:44 PM
MS. LAFLAMME said in active military, a candidate could still be
a resident in their home state and be stationed in Alaska. She
said she is uncertain how the Montana National Guard compares,
specifically if a candidate follows Title 10 orders with the
National Guard to serve as a commander in Alaska. That
individual could be on active duty while still being a member of
the National Guard.
4:08:16 PM
SENATOR MERRICK wondered why anyone would want to take a huge
pay cut to get this promotion.
4:08:35 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON said many people in the military strive to
advance to higher levels of leadership. He stated that reaching
the top leadership positions in the National Guard, such as
commander of the Army or Air Force, represents a promotion to
the rank of general officer. From there, they could become the
Adjutant General or pursue other positions within the National
Guard bureau in Washington D.C. It could be driven by a career
shift, patriotism, or a professional goal.
4:09:23 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked how it is possible there are no
federally recognized field-grade commissioned officers with five
years' experience.
4:09:41 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that according to statute, the position
requires a field-grade officer, which would mean major,
lieutenant colonel, or colonel. Under federal regulations, the
individual would need to be eligible for a promotion to the O-7
rank, which means an O-6 general officer. While there are many
field grade officers, O-6 positions are voluntary. There are
currently no individuals who have met the requirements for
promotion to that board. Those who have met the requirements may
be among those considering retirement.
4:10:58 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI expressed that he is uncomfortable with
allowing an out-of-state individual who has never stepped foot
in Alaska to fill this position. He opined that SB 223 opens it
up to that possibility and asked if that could occur under this
bill.
4:11:32 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON replied it is technically possible. However, the
hiring for this position is taken seriously and requires highly
qualified candidates. He expressed confidence that it is
unlikely for someone who has never been to Alaska to fill the
role.
4:12:01 PM
MS. LAFLAMME added that "the statute for hiring an appointment
of adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard has this
preference. So, theoretically that could be the same situation
that we find ourselves in right now under the current statute
and it makes it very difficult for hiring the next level to
potential replace the assistant or the adjutant general with an
assistant adjutant general to have those strict qualification
there and it be open at the higher level."
4:12:31 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if she would consider an amendment to
require five years of Alaska residency.
4:12:45 PM
MS. LAFLAMME replied that her only concern is if someone were in
active military in Alaska for only three years, it would
disqualify them for the position unless they changed their
residency prior to leaving active service.
4:13:18 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked whether an adjutant general must have
residency in Alaska.
4:13:31 PM
MS. LAFLAMME replied that the position appointed by the governor
adheres to the same requirements as any other commissioner. A
candidate must have military service and be federally recognized
as a general grade officer to hold that position. Other than the
federal requirements, they would have to meet the same
requirements to be appointed as the executive principal of the
department.
4:13:59 PM
At ease
4:14:20 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting.
4:14:24 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN quoted AS 26.05.160 (a), "To be eligible for
appointment as adjutant general, a person must be a citizen of
the state and must be a federally recognized general-grade
officer in the Alaska National Guard or an officer who has the
qualifications to gain federal recognition." He said the
provision about citizens of the state is not in AS 26.05.180.
4:15:03 PM
SENATOR MERRICK asked if there is a definition for citizen of
Alaska.
4:15:17 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN replied [undiscernible]
4:15:26 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked whether the assistant adjutant general
ascends to the position of adjutant general if the position
becomes vacant.
4:15:47 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON replied not necessarily. He said while the
governor may consider the assistant adjutant general when the
position of adjutant general becomes vacant, it is not
guaranteed.
4:16:02 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI commented that as head of the agency for DMVA,
the adjutant general position is subject to legislative
confirmation.
4:16:40 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 223 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 02.08.24 DMVA Staff Qualifications Senate Transmittal Letter.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |
| SB0223-1-2-021224-MVA-Fiscal Note.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |
| SB0223A.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |
| SB223 Sectional Analysis version A.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |
| SB 185 Full Text.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| SB 185 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| SB 185 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| SB 185 Supporting Documentation.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| SB 185.Fiscal Note.Gov.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| 030624 SSTA DMVA Answers from SB 223 Bill Hearing 022724.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |