Legislature(1999 - 2000)
02/09/2000 01:35 PM Senate CRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 213-TRANSPORTATION OF MEMBERS OF AK NATL GUAR
Number 020
MR. BEN GRENN, committee aide to Senator Tim Kelly, sponsor of SB
213, stated SB 213 will permit active members of the Alaska
National Guard, the Alaska Naval Militia and the Alaska State
Defense Force, when space is available, free transportation on the
Alaska Marine Highway and the Alaska Railroad. This free status
will be limited to traveling to and from drill, training, or other
official militia activities.
The purpose of SB 213 is to provide a vehicle to get members of our
volunteer defense forces to and from military training. In the
present climate of downsizing and defense budget cuts, funding for
transportation of members is constricted.
As the owner and operator of the passenger railroad and marine
highway system, the State of Alaska is in the position to offer
transportation for these military personnel who are participating
in training to defend our state and freedoms.
SB 213 would mandate the railroad and ferry system to provide free
transportation, on a space available basis, for the members of the
above referenced state defense organizations who are en route to or
from drill, training, or other official militia activities.
The bill makes a name change from "Alaska State Militia" to "Alaska
State Defense Force" in several places in the statute.
SB 213 is a simple, straightforward document to assist our
volunteer and citizen soldiers to get to their training.
GENERAL TOM WESTALL, Commander 49th Civil Support Brigade, stated
that he provided the committee with a briefing sheet. In 1983 the
Department of Defense (DOD) asked the Adjutant Generals of several
states to look at the defense forces to see if they could be
brought into the total force structure. The military has been
downsizing and the probability of federalizing the National Guard
has been very likely. The State Defense Force would be a "stay
behind" force and provide military formation for the Governor in
the event of the federalization of the National Guard.
The defense force provides a force multiplier for the various State
agencies during times of disasters and other emergencies. In the
services, only declared disasters are recorded, but the force
participates more than that. 60 soldiers were furnished for Y2K
search and rescue activities and for public service with the
military police.
Currently the force is structured as a cadre unit. They have
brigade headquarters at Ft. Richardson at the armory, a fourth
battalion in Anchorage, a second battalion in the Mat-Su valley, a
first battalion in Juneau, and a third battalion in Fairbanks. The
force also has an aviation detachment and medical detachment with
certified State doctors and registered nurses to take care of all
medical needs.
United States Code Title 32, says that each state can have a
National Guard and State Defense Force. The force is also covered
by National Guard regulations. AS 26 is the statute the force
operates under in the State. That statute shows the force as a
militia; that is part of the language that needs to be changed to
"State Defense Force."
Number 121
CHAIRMAN KELLY asked if the language had already been changed and
the legislation is just conforming the language in the statute, or
whether SB 213 makes the official change.
GENERAL WESTALL stated that SB 213 makes the official change.
SENATOR MACKIE asked if the name change was unanimously agreed upon
amongst all military units in the State or whether there was any
opposition to changing the language.
GENERAL WESTALL said the "State Defense Force" is a federal term
that Alaska has adopted. Some states prefer "State Guard." Alaska
avoided that term to make a clear distinction between the Alaska
National Guard and the State Defense Force so it is clear on which
unit people are addressing. The characterizations of Defense Force
are more appealing than a militia group. They also have their own
regulations on commissioning, enlisting, personnel action,
training, and logistics; so it is a well regulated force.
Number 150
SENATOR MACKIE asked if the Alaska State Defense Force falls under
the command of the State's top military officials.
GENERAL WESTALL stated the Governor is the Commander in Chief of
all military forces within the State of Alaska. General Oates is
the senior military officer for the State.
CHAIRMAN KELLY asked if there are any full-time employees for the
State Defense Force.
GENERAL WESTALL said not at this time. The Attorney General
decided the provisions to pay the Alaska Defense Force were not
clear. SB 213 would be helpful for the Alaska Defense Force,
because the units in Juneau have no economic way to come to
Anchorage to train. It would be good for morale and cross-training
to let them train with a full brigade.
Number 185
ADJUTANT GENERAL PHILLIP OATES, Commissioner, Department of
Military & Veterans Affairs, stated the Alaska State Defense Force
is a magnificent organization of volunteers. These people are not
paid to train, they train on their own because they are Alaskan
patriots. The only time these individuals are paid is when they
are called for active state duty. SB 213 helps these groups come
together for training and it lets the group know the State
appreciates their service.
SB 213 will help the National Guard, because members are in 76
different locations around the State. SB 213 provides
transportation on a space available basis, so the impact will be
minimal. It will help the force become ready in case an emergency
arises. SB 213 has his full support.
Number 209
CHAIRMAN KELLY asked if they can be transported by National Guard
aircraft.
GENERAL OATES said yes, most of the travel is done with the Force's
own resources. The only time they pay for travel on State
resources is for annual training. This will provide targets of
opportunity when it is not essential to train. Once a year, the
National Guard has funding to transport for annual training.
CHAIRMAN KELLY asked if the State Defense Force members need two
weeks of active duty a year.
GENERAL OATES replied no, they do not. They have a training cycle,
but it is not a mandated cycle like the National Guard. They go to
the field for exercise; it is a different structure because they
are volunteers. General Oates introduced Major Mancino and Major
Young.
Number 238
MS. WENDY LINDSKOOG, Director of External Affairs for the Alaska
Railroad Corporation, stated that the Alaska Railroad supports SB
213, which provides free transportation for the military on a space
available basis. This bill provides another way for the Alaska
Railroad to support the State's armed forces.
MS. LINDSKOOG cited AS 42.40 and gave some history on the Alaska
Railroad Corporation. She said that there would be no financial
impact to the railroad, if the space available basis policy is not
violated. Military members would not take the place of revenue
paying customers. Military travelers have the potential of being
bumped on different segments of travel with the railroad. Ms.
Lindskoog also gave the committee some background information on
the Alaska Railroads rates and different routes.
CAPTAIN NORM EDWARDS, Operations Manager of the Alaska Marine
Highway System (AMHS), stated the AMHS supports SB 213. Since
revenues are always a concern for the AMHS, one concern is that
current travel being paid for by federal funds will now be lost to
the State of Alaska. Another concern is that free travel not occur
on the highest revenue generating runs. Lastly, AMHS is concerned
that the new task does not become a burden for the operations of
AMHS. AMHS hopes SB 213 will allow operations that are
complimentary to what AMHS already performs. The plans to
implement the bill will include: defining space available; union
contracts go to first come, first serve basis; and providing
travel between Alaska ports only.
AMHS would like to add language to section 2 of SB 213 that reads
"between Alaska ports only" immediately after "AMHS." AMHS wanted
to make everyone aware of those issues, but they do support SB 213
along with the Alaska State Defense Force.
CHAIRMAN KELLY said he feels confident the AMHS and the Alaska
Railroad will work out the concerns mentioned. Chairman Kelly
asked General Westall if he could think of a reason someone would
need to go to Seattle.
GENERAL WESTALL said no. Most of the use will be intermittent and
not on a regular basis. Occasionally the AMHS would be used to
travel to Haines.
SENATOR MACKIE asked if there would be any training outside the
State of Alaska.
GENERAL WESTALL said no, there would be no training outside the
State.
CHAIRMAN KELLY said the intent is to operate between Alaska ports
only, instead of making a committee substitute for SB 213.
CAPTAIN EDWARDS stated he understands the intent, and that is how
it will be interpreted.
SENATOR MACKIE moved SB 213 out of committee with individual
recommendations. There being no objection, the motion carried.
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