Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 120
03/27/2012 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB366 | |
| SJR14 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 366 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
March 27, 2012
1:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Dan Saddler, Co-Chair
Representative Steve Thompson, Co-Chair
Representative Alan Austerman
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Bob Miller
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Carl Gatto, Vice Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 366
"An Act establishing an Alaska intrastate mutual aid system and
relating to the duties of the Alaska division of homeland
security and emergency management and the duties of the Alaska
State Emergency Response Commission."
- MOVED HB 366 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14(STA)
Urging the United States Department of Defense to protect
military bases and military personnel in the state for the
defense and protection of the state and the nation.
- MOVED CSSJR 14(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 366
SHORT TITLE: DISASTER PLANNING AND SERVICES
SPONSOR(s): COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
03/15/12 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/15/12 (H) MLV, CRA
03/27/12 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
BILL: SJR 14
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY PERSONNEL CUTS & BASE CLOSURES
SPONSOR(s): WIELECHOWSKI
02/01/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/12 (S) STA
02/07/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/07/12 (S) Moved CSSJR 14(STA) Out of Committee
02/07/12 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/08/12 (S) STA RPT CS 5DP NEW TITLE
02/08/12 (S) DP: WIELECHOWSKI, KOOKESH, PASKVAN,
MEYER, GIESSEL
02/08/12 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/08/12 (S) VERSION: CSSJR 14(STA)
02/10/12 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/10/12 (H) MLV
03/27/12 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE ERIC FEIGE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of the House Community and
Regional Affairs Standing Committee, introduced HB 366.
MICHAEL PASCHALL, Staff
Representative Eric Feige
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Eric Feige,
presented the sectional analysis for HB 366.
BRYAN FISHER, Chief of Operations
Division of Homeland Security/Emergency Management (DHS&EM)
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Fort Richardson, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 366, and
answered questions.
RICHARD ETHERIDGE, Fire Chief
Capital City Fire/Rescue; 2nd Vice President
Alaska Fire Chiefs Association
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 366.
KATHIE WASSERMAN, Executive Director
Alaska Municipal League
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 366.
MIKE O'HARE, Deputy Director
Division of Homeland Security/Emergency Management (DHS&EM)
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Fort Richardson, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 366.
DENNIS BRODIGAN, Director
Emergency Services
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 366.
JIM BUTLER, Attorney
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 366.
DAVID GIBBS, Director
Emergency Operations
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 366.
JEFF TUCKER, Fire Chief
North Star Volunteer Fire Department
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 366.
DOUG SCHRAGE, Representative
Intrastate Mutual Aid System (IMAS) Committee
International Association of Fire Chiefs
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 366.
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking as the sponsor, introduced
CSSJR14(STA).
MCHUGH PIERRE, Deputy Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner/Adjutant General
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Fort Richardson, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 14.
LUKE HOPKINS, Mayor
Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 14.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:05:53 PM
CO-CHAIR STEVE THOMPSON called the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.
Representatives Thompson, Austerman, Miller, and Lynn were
present at the call to order. Representatives Cissna and
Saddler arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 366-DISASTER PLANNING AND SERVICES
1:06:51 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 366, "An Act establishing an Alaska
intrastate mutual aid system and relating to the duties of the
Alaska division of homeland security and emergency management
and the duties of the Alaska State Emergency Response
Commission."
1:07:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ERIC FEIGE, Alaska State Legislature, informed
the committee HB 366 is a committee bill from the Community and
Regional Affairs Standing Committee. He said members of his
staff are experts regarding emergency services and incident
command. Representative Feige advised that the bill was
requested by the state emergency services community and, because
of the expertise of his staff in this regard, he will be
carrying the bill.
1:08:26 PM
MICHAEL PASCHALL, Staff, Representative Eric Feige, Alaska State
Legislature, disclosed he is: an assistant chief and a board
member of a fire department that may fall under the agreement
established by the bill; the chair of the Delta Greely Local
Emergency Planning Committee, which may be asked to participate
in planning activities under the aforementioned agreement; and a
member of the Alaska Statewide Communications Interoperability
Plan committee, which falls under the State Emergency Response
Commission (SERC), Division of Homeland Security & Emergency
Management, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA).
He then disclosed that Representative Feige is the chief of
Chickaloon Fire Service, Inc. Mr. Paschall read the following
statement [original punctuation provided]:
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
"Mutual aid agreements and assistance agreements are
agreements between agencies, organizations, and
jurisdictions that provide a mechanism to quickly
obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel,
equipment, materials, and other associated services.
The primary objective is to facilitate rapid, short-
term deployment of emergency support prior to, during,
and after an incident."
Through the EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance
Compact), all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands all
have agreed and established guidelines to provide aid
across state [borders].
Across Alaska, local organizations adjacent to each
other sometimes have agreements to provide assistance
in the event of an emergency, often within the same
political subdivision. When an incident commander
needs additional resources, such as an additional
ambulance, established procedures work to make the aid
available.
Unlike the EMAC that allows response across state
[borders], and local agreements that provide
assistance for isolated incidents - Alaska has no
unified agreement in place allowing one political
subdivision to assist another.
Although assistance can be obtained, all of the
details concerning cost, responsibility, liability,
and other items have to be negotiated on a situation
by situation basis.
When an event occurs, people work to continue the
operation or the reestablishment of services. Time is
not available to negotiate items such as: Who will
pay the transportation costs to the area. Who is
responsible for maintenance of the equipment that is
involved? Who can terminate an employee, and other
such items.
House Bill 366 and its companion in the other body, SB
208, will put in place a tool that will make assisting
those in need easier for us here in Alaska. This
process is not just about typical emergency services
such as fire, police, and emergency medical services.
It also includes everything from water and sewer
treatment facilities, electric and other utilities, ,
fuel delivery, all services individuals expect to be
available to them before, during and after an
emergency.
The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA),
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and
interested response organizations developed model
legislation for an intrastate mutual aid system. A
copy of the model legislation was provided to you.
The bill you have before you is an adoption of the
model legislation. It was developed by the Division
of Homeland Security and Emergency Management here is
Alaska in conjunction with several organizations
including the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association, Alaska
Municipal League, and the Fairbanks North Star
Borough.
Section 1 of this bill requires the Division of
Homeland Security and Emergency Management to play an
integral role in developing and implementing the
Intrastate Mutual Aid System established by this bill.
Section 2 requires the division to coordinate the
operation of the agreement or IMAS.
Section 3 addresses the State Emergency Response
Commission and requires the commission to make
recommendations about IMAS and adopt regulations
necessary to carry out the agreement.
Section 4 requires the commission to review and make
recommendations about the mutual aid system.
Section 5 establishes the mutual aid system between
participating political subdivisions. Provides that
every political subdivision is a participating member
unless the subdivision withdraws. Provides what
assistance a political subdivision may request.
Addresses qualifications and employment of, and
workers' compensation for, emergency responders.
Establishes reimbursement procedure, tort liability
for participating political subdivisions. Provides
definitions for the provisions establishing the mutual
aid system.
1:13:42 PM
MR. PASCHALL, in response to Representative Austerman, said the
State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) is an established
commission that consists of several department commissioners,
representatives of local governments, urban and rural emergency
planning agencies, and federal non-voting members.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN surmised the Alaska intrastate mutual
aid system would be established through the commission.
MR. PASCHALL explained the system would be established through
the division and the commission. Both the commission and the
division have certain duties outlined in statute for existing
activities, and for activities that would fall under the
intrastate agreement.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN asked whether the mutual aid system has
staff that "coordinates any kind of a disaster that comes
along."
MR. PASCHALL said that depends on the activity. The state would
coordinate activities at the state level through its emergency
response center during a state disaster. For a locally-declared
disaster, "it would be between the two political subdivisions."
It would also depend on the scale of the emergency. Equipment
and skilled workers are maintained at all levels - within local
and state government - so the division has much information
available; however, the agreement would establish that if one
needed a particular asset, does one contact a neighboring
community or does one contact the state.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN observed the fiscal note is zero, so
there is no cost associated with implementing this mutual aid
system.
MR. PASCHALL confirmed that much of the information for the
system is in place; in fact, the cost that occurs is in the
event of a disaster, and language in the bill provides for what
costs are paid by the responding agency, and what costs are paid
by the requesting agency. Furthermore, personnel from the
division already provide many of the services and information
addressed by the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN questioned if there is no agreement
prior to a natural disaster, who bears the liability for the
costs of the response.
MR. PASCHALL said that is the purpose of the bill, so that there
is an agreement in place. Without the costs
"spelled out" the different organizations negotiate throughout
the state. For example, Juneau may send assistance to another
community in Southeast, and if an agreement is not in place, the
costs must be determined each time.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN noted the bill allows subdivisions to
"opt out" of [withdraw from] the agreement; however, if that
subdivision then suffers a disaster, would there be no response
because it is not part of the mutual aid system.
MR. PASCHALL agreed that an entity that opts out of the
agreement may get no response to its request. He expressed his
belief that this scenario is possible and has happened.
1:20:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA said that she was in Tanana after the
flood and saw how vulnerable many Alaskan communities are. She
recalled from previous testimony that "people get help when they
need help," and asked what particular event inspired the bill.
MR. PASCHALL answered that the need for this agreement has been
discussed for several years, and testimony from emergency
responders will explain the difficulties that they have had
providing aid across political subdivisions.
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON recalled that during the Big Lake fire, many
fire departments responded from all around the state.
MR. PASCHALL added that wild land fires require a response from
federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to provide services
all over the country. The bill sets the legislation and terms
that should be in place for an agreement within the state.
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON related an argument over liability between the
Fairbanks North Star Borough and the Bureau of Land Management.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLER returned attention to the zero fiscal
note. He asked if there is a provision in the bill that will
direct various state agencies, or departments, to locate
equipment at specific locations, and if so, whether there would
need to be state funding to accomplish that.
1:24:43 PM
MR. PASCHALL said no. That process is already in place; for
example, communications equipment is already located throughout
the state in large and remote "hubs." There is also an
inventory of equipment owned by individual agencies that is
available for state use if needed. He stressed that HB 366
establishes the responsibility for the equipment that is made
available. The planning processes are continuous, and funded
through the division.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN asked for the definition of political
subdivisions.
MR. PASCHALL explained they are a municipality or a community
that is unorganized and has more than 25 people, and is unique
in nature. Larger areas are those of recognized municipalities,
and in an unorganized borough, they are individual communities
that may or may not be organized.
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON opened public testimony.
1:27:23 PM
BRYAN FISHER, Chief of Operations, Division of Homeland
Security/Emergency Management (DHS&EM), DMVA, expressed his
support of the bill and disclosed that DHS&EM participated in
writing the proposed legislation. In response to Representative
Austerman's question as to whether there are costs associated
with implementing the mutual aid system, Mr. Fisher pointed out
that implementing the system would be a part of DHS&EM's day-to-
day mission, which is to coordinate resource support for local
jurisdictions and political subdivisions in the event of a
disaster. In addition, DHS&EM serves as the primary staff
support to SERC, and as part of its regular job to support the
commission, would participate in all of the work needed to be
done to develop policies and procedures if the legislation is
passed.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN restated his question regarding the
status of subdivisions that opt out of the agreement.
MR. FISHER explained opt out provisions are included to give
some flexibility. The primary mission of DHS&EM in an emergency
is to respond to all resource requests with assistance from the
nearest location; however, weather issues can intercede. The
system put in place by the bill will allow a community to get
the assistance that is closest to them, thereby saving time.
Mr. Fisher assured the committee that if a community opts out,
that does not prevent it from requesting support, and DHS&EM
will respond to the request. In further response to
Representative Austerman, he advised in a statewide emergency, a
political subdivision that opted out of the mutual aid system
would not be called upon to be the first resource provider to
respond, because the issues addressed in the bill, such as tort
liability and workmen's compensation, would not have been agreed
to. He said, "We wouldn't want to put anybody, expose anybody
to risk, or put anybody in harm's way without some prior
planning and processes in place." Another reason for not
calling upon a political subdivision that opted out is the other
major issue addressed in the legislation: the reimbursement of
jurisdictions for their response efforts, or the repair of
communities after a disaster is declared. However, Mr. Fisher
stressed that in life/safety situations, DHS&EM would respond to
any community as fast as it can.
1:32:02 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON asked how important the Alaska Land Mobile
Radio (ALMR) system is to communication between departments and
agencies when responding.
MR. FISHER said communication provided by the ALMR system is an
integral part of an effective and coordinated response.
1:32:49 PM
RICHARD ETHERIDGE, Fire Chief, Capital City Fire/Rescue; 2nd
Vice President, Alaska Fire Chiefs Association, stated HB 366 is
very important to fire and rescue organizations. He described
the bill as a collaborative partnership between state, local,
and federal authorities, which creates the framework for
agencies to provide and receive assistance. At this time,
DHS&EM is tasked with coordinating this effort statewide. He
cautioned that no department in Alaska has the ability to handle
a major disaster on its own; however, the bill is a "force
multiplier" that allows communities to ask for help from
neighbors. Mr. Etheridge acknowledged that state law already
provides for mutual aid agreements between departments, but it
is unknown which communities will need assistance. For example,
Thorne Bay recently needed assistance with a hazardous materials
incident, and because there was not a mutual aid agreement in
place, a lot of questions needed to be answered first - the
proposed bill would have put the framework together and saved
time. He advised that calls have increased in Southeast, and
the bill eliminates much of the administration process. Mr.
Etheridge described recent incidents in Southeast, and said the
Alaska Fire Chiefs Association and Capital City Fire/Rescue urge
the passage of the bill.
1:36:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked whether there are international
emergency relationships with Canada and its territories.
MR. ETHERIDGE advised there are some agreements in place; in
fact, agencies in Juneau respond to the mining communities up
the Taku River and have permission to cross the border in an
emergency. In Haines and Skagway, the fire departments have
agreements with Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.
1:38:49 PM
KATHIE WASSERMAN, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League,
on behalf of the Alaska Municipal League (AML), stated its
support for HB 366. She disclosed that the Alaska Fire Chiefs
Association has a seat on AML's board. Ms. Wasserman said from
her experience as the former mayor of a small town, she believes
this bill will save up to one hour of "hesitancy" - because of
possible liability and cost - before a community responds to a
request for assistance. Although communities do respond to one
another, time is critical.
1:41:20 PM
MIKE O'HARE, Deputy Director, DMVA, emphasized the bill in its
simplest form establishes agreements for liability, tort issues,
and the reimbursement of costs for small to medium emergencies.
Previous testimony proves that small requests for equipment and
personnel are becoming more frequent. He reiterated that DHS&EM
supports the legislation which will enable the division to work
with SERC to develop a system at no additional cost to the
state. Regarding the question of whether additional funding
would be required at a later date, he said there would be none,
and additional needs of communities will be addressed by grants,
or through capital improvement program (CIP) requests. In
response to Representative Cissna, Mr. O'Hare explained that the
state has an existing mutual aid agreement with neighboring
Canadian territories called the Pacific Northwest Emergency
Management Arrangement. In closing, he estimated that more than
25 other states have enacted similar legislation.
1:44:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN understood that although the bill has a
zero fiscal note, DHS&EM will look for federal grants or CIP
funds to continue to fund the program.
1:45:07 PM
MR. O'HARE said no. He clarified that there will be no
additional funding to put the intrastate mutual aid system
together.
1:45:58 PM
DENNIS BRODIGAN, Director, Emergency Services, Matanuska-Susitna
Borough, expressed his support of the bill for all of the
reasons offered by the previous testifiers.
1:46:28 PM
JIM BUTLER, Attorney, informed the committee he practices law
for a small firm in Kenai. He disclosed he is a former public
member of SERC, but is not speaking on its behalf today. Mr.
Butler said his law practice primarily is involved with the
world of emergency and incident management from local to
national levels, and he regularly participates on multi-agency
hazardous teams and on corporate incident management teams. He
pointed out that in the past the legislative and agency
processes have focused on planning for emergencies. At this
point, however, the bill represents an opportunity to create the
administrative mechanisms that allow first responders to
efficiently and effectively respond. Mr. Butler advised that in
the aftermath of an emergency, city officials, local officials,
risk managers, lawyers, accountants, and insurance
representatives enter into the picture - all with distinct
responsibilities - and unless there is an established system in
place, difficulties arise. He opined that HB 366 creates the
authority in the legal mechanism for municipalities. Although
fire protection authority rests with the Division of Forestry,
Department of Natural Resources, and hazardous material
authority rests with the Department of Environmental
Conservation, this legislation addresses nontraditional
emergencies such as floods, ice jams, or an event that requires
providing technical assistance. He encouraged the committee to
advance the bill.
MR. BUTLER opined evaluation of the system at an administration
level will inform political subdivisions about how they want to
fit into the system.
1:50:51 PM
DAVID GIBBS, Director, Emergency Operations, Fairbanks North
Star Borough (FNSB), spoke in support of HB 366, adding that the
FNSB assembly identified intrastate mutual aid legislation as
one of its legislative priorities in 2010. He related that
FNSB became intimately involved in the response to the 2009 ice
jam flooding on the Yukon River when it was asked to provide
equipment and assistance. Some of the requested assistance was
not provided due to the lack of an agreement regarding
authorities, compensation, and liability. In fact, the Yukon
River flooding response was a clear demonstration of the value
of having procedures and agreements in place prior to the
occurrence of a disaster.
1:52:43 PM
JEFF TUCKER, Fire Chief, North Star Volunteer Fire Department,
stated he was also the immediate past president of the Alaska
Fire Chiefs Association. He supported the previous testimony,
and stressed that HB 366 provides the framework upon which
agencies can build their intrastate mutual aid emergency
response plan that is critical to help communities throughout
Alaska. He restated the support of the Alaska Fire Chiefs
Association.
1:53:41 PM
DOUG SCHRAGE, Representative, Intrastate Mutual Aid System
(IMAS) Committee, International Association of Fire Chiefs,
disclosed he holds seats on the boards of the Alaska Fire Chiefs
Association and the Western Fire Chiefs Association. Mr.
Schrage expressed his support of HB 366 and the previous
testimony, adding that one of the primary problems that the bill
addresses arose following Hurricane Katrina when emergency
managers were shopping for less costly, but more distant,
resources. In addition, he noted that the successful agreements
that already exist between firefighting agencies are a model for
this legislation.
1:55:31 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON, after determining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony.
1:56:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN moved to report HB 366 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HB 366 was reported out of the
House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
1:56:29 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:56 p.m. to 1:59 p.m.
1:59:14 PM
SJR 14-MILITARY PERSONNEL CUTS & BASE CLOSURES
1:59:29 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the final order of business
would be CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14(STA) Urging the
United States Department of Defense to protect military bases
and military personnel in the state for the defense and
protection of the state and the nation.
1:59:44 PM
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor,
introduced CSSJR 14, saying the resolution urges the U.S.
Department of Defense (DOD) to protect military bases and
military personnel in Alaska for the defense and protection of
the state and the nation. He stressed the purpose of the
resolution is not necessarily to protect Alaska's economy, but
is for the security of the nation. Senator Wielechowski further
explained the resolution is in response to two possible base
realignment and closure rounds expected in the next few years.
Base closures are authorized by Congress through a process
called Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), defined by DOD as
the congressionally authorized process to reorganize its base
structure around the world to more efficiently and more
effectively support our forces and increase operational
readiness and facilitate new ways of doing business. He
pointed out that the first step during the BRAC process in 2005
was a threat assessment of the future national security
environment, followed by the development of a force structure
plan to meet those threats, and then implementation of mandated
selection criterion. In 2005, it was suggested to consolidate
Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson Army Base, and to
close Eielson Air Force Base (Eielson AFB). The consolidation
created Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, but the closure of
Eielson AFB was prevented by intervention from the community.
However, Eielson AFB may still be the base most threatened with
closure. Senator Wielechowski noted there is a separate
resolution opposing the transfer of the F-16 Aggressor Squadron
from Eielson AFB to Elmendorf Air Force Base. Returning to
CSSJR 14, he advised the message that needs to be heard is:
Alaska is sitting at the top of the world and is within nine
hours of 95 percent of the industrial world; has the best joint
training spaces available within the U.S. armed forces; has the
largest overland instrumented training range in the world; and
has the shortest deployment route to eastern and central Asia.
Furthermore, Eielson AFB supports the North American Aerospace
Command (NORAD) and ground-based missile defense systems;
protects sovereign air space; secures the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
System (TAPS); serves as an air bridge to the Pacific theatre;
is critical in defense of the Pacific; has few environmental
constraints; has a self-contained fuel supply; has seismic
detectors; has huge storage capacity; has long runways; and has
self-contained water and power supplies on base. Senator
Wielechowski concluded that the resolution makes clear that
Alaska is very important to the security of the U.S.
2:05:00 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON observed the resolution does not specify
either base, but addresses all of the bases and personnel.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN expressed his support of the
resolution. He noted there is no reference to the U. S. Coast
Guard although it is the first line of defense.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI acknowledged the critical importance of the
Coast Guard to national security, and pointed out that it is not
considered in BRAC rounds.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA opined the security of Alaska is special
and unusual because of its large land area and the enormous
quantity of its resources. Also, Alaska has neighbors who may
covet its resources. She related that DHS&EM has been surveying
rural and coastal communities looking for "weak points," so they
can give warning. The bases also serve in this way. She urged
that any analysis of the security of the nation should begin
with Alaska.
2:09:27 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI advised that the federal government is
reevaluating where threats lie, and they lie in the Pacific
theatre near Alaska; in fact, Alaska is within nine air hours of
95 percent of the industrial world. There are two air routes
from North America to eastern and central Asia - through Hawaii
and Guam or through Alaska - and the route through Alaska is
1,800 miles shorter. He concluded that the nation needs to be
prepared to defend the country and the state.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA recalled that Alaska has the largest
percentage per capita of veterans. She said it is important to
remember that human resources are critical to the defense of the
state and to prepare for possibilities.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed his support of the resolution
and said it defends the value of Alaska's military to the
nation. He reviewed some of the statements in the resolution
and opined it would be a big mistake to reduce the military
presence in Alaska. Representative Saddler said he was looking
forward to discussing these points with the Pentagon delegation.
As a cross sponsor, he noted the importance of the principle to
defend all bases and all missions in the state, due to Alaska's
strategic position.
2:13:35 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON, hearing no further questions from the
committee, opened public testimony.
2:13:57 PM
MCHUGH PIERRE, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the
Commissioner/Adjutant General, DMVA, stated that the resolution
is consistent with the message of DMVA, which is that Alaska
holds strategic value to the focus of the military that is now
on the Asia/Pacific area, as announced by the President.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked how the resolution could affect and
help veterans living in the state.
MR. PIERRE said the resolution clearly supports the logistics
needed to defend Alaska. He referred to the Joint Pacific
Alaska Range Complex (JPARC), and noted that smaller bases
around the state are needed to support larger training bases.
2:16:16 PM
LUKE HOPKINS, Mayor, FNSB, gave a short history of Eielson AFB.
Mr. Hopkins expressed his hope that the resolution would be
passed out of committee, as he has been informed that other
states are sending messages to Congress and DOD supporting their
positions; however, Alaska is in a great position for rapid
deployment and JPARC training, and also has superior strategic
importance. He cautioned that the relocation of the F-16
Aggressor Squadron from Eielson AFB is based on savings from
questionable information. Mr. Hopkins concluded that the
resolution imparts an urgent message to the flight assessment
team.
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON supported funds being placed in the governor's
supplemental budget to hire a consultant firm to help the state
research the actual savings.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked if FNSB engaged the services of
lobbyists or advisors in this issue.
MR. HOPKINS said yes. The borough assembly has authorized
$120,000 to hire a consulting firm in Washington D.C. - which
has experience with the 2005 analysis used by the Air Force -
and a local economist to advise on housing and local
information. These analyses will be provided to Alaska's
congressional delegation. In further response to Representative
Saddler, he said the consultants are Information Insights,
Northern Economics, and Public Private Solutions Group.
2:22:21 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON, after determining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony.
2:22:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to report CSSJR 14(STA) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSSJR 14(STA) was
reported from the House Special Committee on Military and
Veterans' Affairs.
2:22:58 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 2:22 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB366 Version A.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB366 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB366 Letter of Support- Food Bank.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB366 Support Letters.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| CS SJR 14 (STA)B.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
SJR 14 |
| SJR 14 STA Fiscal Note.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
SJR 14 |
| SJR14.Articles.Military Base Cut Proposal.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
SJR 14 |
| SJR14 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
SJR 14 |
| HB 366 6 AAC 94 Disaster Assistance Programs.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB 366 AS 26 23 Disasters.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB 366 EMAC Document.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB 366 EMAC Presentation FEMA 060802emac.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB 366 Letter Alaska Municipal League SB 208.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 SB 208 |
| HB 366 FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy DAP9523.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB 366 Letter AARP SB 208.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 SB 208 |
| HB 366 Letter Alaska State Fair.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB 366 Model Intrastate Mutual Aid Legislation.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB 366 NIMS Core pp 9-12 Preparedness.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB 366 Support Letter AARP.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB366-FISCAL NOTE- DMVA-MVA-HSEM-3-25-12.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB366- Support Letter- Fairbanks North Star School District.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |
| HB366 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HMLV 3/27/2012 1:00:00 PM |
HB 366 |