02/09/2012 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS

                    SJR 16-MILITARY PENSIONS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:21:32 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI stated  that SJR 16 was  before the committee.                                                               
The resolution  urges Congress  to pass  legislation guaranteeing                                                               
members of the military promised retirement benefits.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
KENDRA KLOSTER, staff, Senator  Bill Wielechowski, introduced SJR
 on behalf of the sponsor.  She said the Defense Business Board                                                               
recently  released  a  suggested  plan to  convert  the  military                                                               
retirement system  from the current  20-year vesting system  to a                                                               
401k due  to pending  budget cuts. The  Department of  Defense is                                                               
looking at $487  billion in budget cuts over the  next ten years.                                                               
The  resolution would  "grandfather  in" members  in the  current                                                               
pension system.  The resolution also  urges the U.S.  Congress to                                                               
support HR 3520: Keeping Our Promises Act of 2011.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WIELECHOWSKI said  this issue  is a  huge concern  for the                                                               
military.  It  is about  keeping  a  promise about  pensions  for                                                               
military personnel.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
9:23:34 AM                                                                                                                    
CHRIS NELSON, testifying  on his own behalf,  Moose Pass, Alaska,                                                               
spoke in favor of SJR 16.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PASKVAN asked if military  veterans have access to health                                                               
benefits when they retire.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. NELSON  said they did.  Military service members  are covered                                                               
by TriCare and those benefits continue upon retirement.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI spoke highly of Mr. Nelson.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  PASKVAN moved  to report  SJR 16  out of  committee with                                                               
individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WIELECHOWSKI  announced  that without  objection,  SJR  16                                                               
moved from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.