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 opined that people with service in the
Alaska National Guard should be given preference over candidates
from other states who lack relevant experience.
3:58:51 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI concurred, emphasizing the importance of
prioritizing candidates with Alaska training or experience with
the Alaska National Guard. He inquired about the effective date
of the requirement.
3:59:32 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN stated AS 06.26.05.180 was the last amended in
1973 and wondered whether the requirement was adopted through
that amendment.
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. 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 there has been an issue filling
this position in the past 50 years.
4:03:22 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON said the position is currently unfilled
since DMVA has not been able to fill it.
4:03:30 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN asked if someone ranked as a colonel or higher in
the Air Force would be prohibited from hire under current law.
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 a state director would be
consistent with those of any other state director.
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 replied that he believes there are currently
none who are eligible, but would report back to the committee.
4:06:02 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN asked whether someone with no National Guard
experience but 20 years of experience with the Air Force could
be hired 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; hearing none, he closed
public testimony.
4:07:12 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI said he recently met General Wilkins, a one-star
guardsman from the 11th Airborne in Montana. 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 in 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 individuals who meet these qualifications.
4:09:41 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that according to statute, the position
requires a field-grade officer. Under federal regulations, the
individual would need to be eligible for a promotion to the O-7
rank. 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 168 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
for the position includes residency as a preference. She said
the hiring process to replace the Adjutant General is difficult
given the strict qualifications.
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 if this role requires someone to be a
resident of 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
at the level of general grade officer to be in that position.
4:13:59 PM
At ease
4:14:20 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting.
4:14:24 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN referred to subsection AS 26.05.160, which states
to be eligible for the appointment, a person must be a citizen
of the state and federally recognized as a general grade officer
for the Alaska National Guard, or comprise the qualifications
necessary to obtain federal recognition.
4:15:03 PM
SENATOR MERRICK asked if there is a definition for citizen of
Alaska.
4:15:17 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN replied ___.
4:15:26 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked whether the role pertains to the individual
who assumes the position of Adjutant General when it 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 the head of agency for DMVA 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 |