02/29/2024 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB249 | |
| HB312 | |
| HB228 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 312 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 249 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 228 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
February 29, 2024
1:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Stanley Wright, Chair
Representative Laddie Shaw
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative George Rauscher
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Cliff Groh
Representative Andrew Gray
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 249
"An Act creating the military and veteran family help desk in
the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs; and providing
for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 249(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 312
"An Act relating to the appointment of an assistant adjutant
general; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 228
"An Act establishing the Alaska mental health and psychedelic
medicine task force; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 249
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILY HELP DESK
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GROH
01/16/24 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/24
01/16/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/24 (H) MLV, FIN
02/01/24 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/01/24 (H) Heard & Held
02/01/24 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/29/24 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 312
SHORT TITLE: ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL APPOINTMENT
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
02/09/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/09/24 (H) MLV
02/22/24 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/22/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
02/29/24 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 228
SHORT TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH/PSYCHEDELIC MED. TASK FORCE
SPONSOR(s): ARMSTRONG
01/16/24 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/24
01/16/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/24 (H) HSS, STA, FIN
02/02/24 (H) MLV REPLACES HSS REFERRAL
02/02/24 (H) BILL REPRINTED
02/13/24 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/13/24 (H) Heard & Held
02/13/24 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/29/24 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
BRIGADIER GENERAL CRAIG CHRISTENSEN, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 312 on behalf of the sponsor,
House Rules by request of the governor.
ANGELA LAFLAMME, Legislative Liaison
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the sectional analysis for HB 312 on
behalf of the sponsor, House Rules by request of the governor.
REPRESENTATIVE JENNY ARMSTRONG
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions during
the hearing on HB 228.
MICAELA FOWLER, Deputy Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
228 on behalf of the sponsor, House Rules by request of the
governor.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:02:27 PM
CHAIR STANLEY WRIGHT called the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.
Representatives Shaw, Groh, Saddler, Rauscher, Wright were
present at the call to order. Representatives Gray and
Carpenter arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 249-MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILY HELP DESK
1:02:57 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 249, "An Act creating the military and veteran
family help desk in the Department of Military and Veterans'
Affairs; and providing for an effective date." [Before the
committee, adopted as a working document on 2/1/24, was the
proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 249, Version 33-
LS1204\U, C. Radford, 1/30/24 ("Version U").]
1:03:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW commended Representative Groh's work in
supporting veterans.
1:03:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW moved to report CSHB 249, Version 33-
LS1204\U, C. Radford, 1/30/24, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objection, CSHB 249(MLV) was reported out of committee.
1:04:05 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:04 p.m. to 1:06 p.m.
HB 312-ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL APPOINTMENT
1:06:12 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 312, "An Act relating to the appointment of an
assistant adjutant general; and providing for an effective
date."
1:06:45 PM
CRIAG CHRISTENSON, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs, presented HB 312 on behalf of the sponsor,
House Rules by request of the governor. He explained that the
bill seeks to change the assistant adjutant general (ATAG)
position from a five-year service requirement to a preference.
He said there are two ATAG positions within the Department of
Military & Veterans' Affairs that serve a federal and state
role: the commander of the Air National Guard and the commander
of the Army National Guard. He stated that both positions are
considered as state employees at a director level position. He
said HB 312 would expand the pool of possible applicants to
include active-duty servicemembers leaving active service, who
have the required qualifications and want to stay in Alaska. He
pointed out that the five-year preference would remain in
statute.
1:08:38 PM
ANGELA LAFLAMME, Legislative Liaison, Office of the
Commissioner, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs, on
behalf of the sponsor, House Rules by request of the governor,
read the sectional analysis for HB 312 [included in committee
packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
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.
1:09:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked about the definition of
"preference."
MR. CHRISTENSON explained that preference would be subjective as
there would be no scoring mechanism.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER requested more information as to how big
the qualified candidate pool is and how the bill would expand
the pool.
MR. CHRISTENSON answered that as an example, the Army position
is not filled since there is no qualified candidate to fill the
spot. He said there are 12 O6 positions within the Army
National Guard, some of which are not suited to be ATAG. He
shared that typically, a pool to pull from are those in active
guard and reserve (AGR), as they are members of the guard who
work fulltime. He said there are reasons someone might not take
the job, one being that it is a significant pay cut in becoming
a state employee, which has been a disincentive for members to
"move up." He said the goal is someone who has five years of
service, but the department would like to open the pool to
include guards from out of state.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how the bill would give allowance
to count service in another state.
1:15:00 PM
MS. LAFLAMME answered that the preference would be given to
someone in the Alaska National Guard or someone who has five-
years of experience in the guard; taking away the experience
requirement would allow the department to consider candidates
outside of the Alaska National Guard.
1:15:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW inquired whether, if there's a promotable O5
to an O6, the pool could be expanded to O5 applicants.
MS. LAFLAMME offered her understanding that to be promoted from
an O5 to O6, there is a controlled position that they need to
move into. She added that there are other federal stipulations,
including being able to be promoted to brigadier general.
1:17:04 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON added that the department would not go to the O5
level because this person needs to have a certain level of
experience. He added that even if this were something that
could be done, it is not something that would be done.
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW relayed that in the 1980s, the Nebraska
adjutant general was promoted from O5 to O7 adjutant general.
He said he is sharing this because the scenario has happened
before in the country.
1:18:21 PM
MS. LAFLAMME stated that the adjutant general in Alaska is
appointed by the governor, and the appointment does not need to
fulfill the five-year service requirement. For the ATAG,
they're appointed by the adjutant general with concurrence by
the governor.
1:18:58 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT opened public testimony on HB 312. After
ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, he
closed public testimony.
1:19:29 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT shared a personal anecdote about his work at the
Department of Military & Veteran's Affairs. He shared his
appreciation of the bill.
1:19:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that he appreciates the
flexibility proposed under HB 312.
1:20:38 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that HB 312 was held over.
HB 228-MENTAL HEALTH/PSYCHEDELIC MED. TASK FORCE
1:20:53 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 228, "An Act establishing the Alaska mental
health and psychedelic medicine task force; and providing for an
effective date." [Before the committee, adopted on 2/13/24, was
the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 228, Version 33-
LS0976\Y, Bergerud, 2/9/24 ("Version Y").]
1:21:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 228,
Version Y, labeled 33-LS0976\Y.1, Bergerud, 2/14/24, which read
as follows:
Page 2, following line 24:
Insert a new paragraph to read:
"(9) one member representing psychiatric nurse
practitioners, selected by the board of directors of
the Alaska Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Alliance;"
Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH explained that Amendment 1 would provide for
a change in the membership.
1:22:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how many advance practice nurses
there are.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH deferred the question to Representative
Armstrong.
1:22:49 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:22 p.m. to 1:23 p.m.
1:23:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JENNY ARMSTRONG, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor of HB 228, told Representative Saddler that she
does not know the number of such nurses in the state but can
follow up. She noted that nurse practitioners support the
proposed bill.
1:24:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked whether all psychiatric nurse
practitioners are covered under or are members of the Alaska
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Alliance.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG responded that she does not know the
answer; the alliance is the primary membership organization that
oversees such nurses, and its goal is to represent all nurse
practitioners, regardless of whether the nurse is a member. In
response to a follow-up question, she stated that HB 228
proposes 12 people on the task force, with three more selected
by the task force after it is assembled.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER referred to language in [subsection
(b), paragraph (5)], on page 2, line 16 of HB 228, Version Y,
and noted the total number was 16.
1:27:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER offered that many of the state's boards
and commissions have membership requirements. He said that it
appears that much of the membership would be selected by trade
organizations, the university, and the Alaska Native Health
Board. He asked what the reason was to have membership selected
by these groups rather than having the governor select them.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG answered that Amendment 2 would cover
that since, if it is the will of the committee, the task force
would not be an executive task force but rather a legislative
one. She said the boards mentioned were chosen because she
wanted to defer to their expertise, as they would be best
positioned to choose members of the task force.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER advised that there are many boards that
establish requirements and allow just the executive branch to
make selections.
1:29:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER removed his objection. There being no
further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
1:29:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 228,
Version Y, labeled 33-LS0976\Y.2, Bergerud, 2/15/24, which read
as follows:
Page 1, line 8:
Delete "Department of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development"
Insert "legislature"
CHAIR WRIGHT objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH explained that with the bill proposing to
have the task force under the legislature rather than the
executive branch, the amendment would remove the fiscal note and
fix the separation of powers issue.
1:29:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG relayed that she found that the
separation of powers issue could be solved by making the task
force a legislative one instead of executive.
1:30:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER inquired whether, if the task force
were under the legislature and the bill had no fiscal note,
there would be no per diem or travel costs associated.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG answered that travel was removed from
the bill, and that the ability to accept grants was added if the
board wanted to meet in person; otherwise, it would meet
virtually.
1:31:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked whether there is an overriding
fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG stated that there is a fiscal note from
the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs for $60,000, but
there were issues with the fiscal note. One was a drafting
error that said the task force would exist for a few years, when
actually it would exist for less than a year. Further, since
the task force was situated under the department, staffing funds
were needed.
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER requested the committee hear from the
department.
1:32:22 PM
MICAELA FOWLER, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development,
explained that the costs within the first fiscal note were the
result of the legislation putting the task force within the
department's structure. With the amendments moving the task
force to the legislature, she said, the department would change
the fiscal note to a zero fiscal note.
1:33:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER sought confirmation about the fiscal note
from the commissioner's office totaling $325,000.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG confirmed there is just the one fiscal
note and that Representative Saddler may have referenced the
annual cost.
1:33:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked whether the members of the board are
already selected.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG answered no, there is just a passionate
community in the state that would be willing to support the task
force.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY inquired as to how many medical doctors
(MDs) are proposed to be on board.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG cited line 16 "with two members
representing the healthcare needs of Alaska Native communities"
and said it would be to the discretion of the Alaska Native
Health Board as to whether it wants the members to be MDs. She
further cited line 6, "member representing the health care needs
of survivors of domestic violence". She stated that there could
be several different appointments to the task force that could
be MDs, but the aim is to leave the appointments to the groups
that would best represent that population.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked whether it is possible for the task
force to have zero MDs.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG responded that it is possible.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY relayed that he met with physician groups,
and their concern was that there would be no MD required to be
on the task force and they believe there should be one.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG answered that because it would not be a
public health task force and focuses on licenses and regulation,
and because MDs are less likely to facilitate psychedelic-
assisted therapy sessions, she just wanted to keep the task
force open. She said she is amendable to adding language
requiring an MD.
1:36:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked whether, if Amendment 2 were
passed and the task force were put under the legislature, there
would be a conflict with the commissioners of the Department of
Health, the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs, and the
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development being
on the board. He sought clarification as to whether the bill
directs the commissioners to be members of a legislative board.
MS. FOWLER answered that there are other task forces within the
legislature on which commissioners, or their designees, serve.
1:37:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted that if this is going to be a
legislative task force, it would be more appropriate that the
legislators be co-chairs.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG said she would support a conceptual
amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 2, to delete language on page 3, line 2, and insert
"the co-chairs of the task force shall be the members
representing the House of Representatives and the Senate".
1:38:31 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:38 p.m. to 1:39 p.m.
1:40:08 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that, there being no objection,
Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 2 was adopted.
1:40:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER removed his objection to Amendment 2,
[as amended]. There being no further objection, Amendment 2, as
amended, was adopted.
1:40:39 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that HB 228, Version Y, as amended was
held over.
1:40:48 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at [1:41] p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 to HB228 Y.1.pdf |
HMLV 2/29/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 228 |
| Amendment 2 to HB228 Y.2.pdf |
HMLV 2/29/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 228 |
| HB249 Letter of Support - Department of Defense.pdf |
HMLV 2/29/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 249 |
| HB249 Letter of Support - Alaska Behavorial Health.pdf |
HMLV 2/29/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 249 |
| HB249 Letter of Support - Alaska Warrior Partnership.pdf |
HMLV 2/29/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 249 |