03/31/2016 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR30 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): | |
| Alaska Police Standards Council | |
| State Commission for Human Rights | |
| Alaska Public Offices Commission | |
| Parole Board | |
| Alaska Police Standards Council | |
| HB269 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HJR 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 269 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 31, 2016
8:14 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Lynn, Chair
Representative Wes Keller, Vice Chair
Representative David Talerico
Representative Liz Vazquez
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Louise Stutes
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 30
Urging the American Psychiatric Association to change the term
"post-traumatic stress disorder" or "PTSD" to "post-traumatic
stress injury" or "PTSI"; and urging the governor to support
usage of the term "post-traumatic stress injury."
- MOVED CSHJR 30(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Alaska Police Standards Council
Carrie Belden - Anchorage
John Papasodora - Nome
Bryce Johnson - Juneau
Kelly Swihart - Petersburg
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
State Commission for Human Rights
Brandon Nakasato - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Public Offices Commission
Thomas Temple - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Parole Board
Steve Meyer - Kenai
Jason Wilson - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
HOUSE BILL NO. 269
"An Act adding the commissioner of military and veterans affairs
to the membership of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault."
- MOVED CSHB 269(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 30
SHORT TITLE: POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HERRON
02/19/16 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/16 (H) MLV, STA
03/15/16 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/15/16 (H) Heard & Held
03/15/16 (H) MINUTE (MLV)
03/22/16 (H) MLV AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/22/16 (H) Moved CSHJR 30(MLV) Out of Committee
03/22/16 (H) MINUTE (MLV)
03/23/16 (H) MLV RPT CS (MLV) NT 6DP 1NR
03/23/16 (H) DP: SPOHNHOLZ, TUCK, LEDOUX, COLVER,
HUGHES, HERRON
03/23/16 (H) NR: LYNN
03/24/16 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
03/24/16 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
03/31/16 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 269
SHORT TITLE: MVA COMMISSIONER MEMBER OF CDVSA
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/20/16 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/20/16 (H) STA, FIN
03/31/16 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HJR 30, as prime sponsor.
ROBERT DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner/Adjutant General
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 30.
CARRIE BELDEN, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Police
Standards Council.
JOHN PAPASODORA, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC)
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Police
Standards Council.
BRYCE JOHNSON, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Police
Standards Council.
BRANDON NAKASATO, Appointee
State Commission for Human Rights
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the State
Commission for Human Rights.
THOMAS TEMPLE, Appointee
Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Public
Offices Commission.
STEVE MEYER, Appointee
Parole Board
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Parole Board.
JASON WILSON, Appointee
Parole Board
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Parole Board.
KELLY SWIHART, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC)
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Police
Standards Council.
RON CLARKE, Legislative Liaison
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 269 on behalf of the House
Rules Standing Committee, sponsor, by request of the governor.
LAURIE HUMMEL, Adjutant General/Commissioner
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 269.
BRENDA STANFILL
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 269.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:14:27 AM
VICE CHAIR WES KELLER called the House State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. Representatives
Spohnholz, Talerico, Keller, and Vazquez were present at the
call to order. Representatives Kreiss-Tomkins and Lynn arrived
as the meeting was in progress.
HJR 30-POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY
8:15:09 AM
VICE CHAIR KELLER announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 30, Urging the American
Psychiatric Association to change the term "post-traumatic
stress disorder" or "PTSD" to "post-traumatic stress injury" or
"PTSI"; and urging the governor to support usage of the term
"post-traumatic stress injury."
[Before the committee was CSHJR 30(MLV).]
8:15:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON, Alaska State Legislature, presented
HJR 30 as prime sponsor. He relayed that the proposed
resolution is an issue affecting many people, and it would serve
as a conversation starter. He advised that post-traumatic
stress is caused by an event, such as combat, rape, child abuse,
or other traumas. He said that the symptoms include flashbacks,
nightmares, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON offered that to some people the current
label of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a
stigma suggesting an untreatable condition even though it is a
treatable injury. The implied request within HJR 30 is for the
American Psychiatric Association (APA) to consider changing the
term "post-traumatic stress disorder" to "post-traumatic stress
injury" in the next revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). He conceded that opinions
exist on both sides of the issue of changing the terminology and
reiterated that the proposed legislation will encourage
conversation about an important issue. He added that HJR 30
urges the Alaska Congressional Delegation to champion the
terminology in ways it sees fit, and it would designate June 27,
2016 the PTSI Awareness Day.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON concluded by saying that he is in support
of an amendment to be offered by Representative Lynn, and
advised that this resolution is not about changing the current
award qualifications for a Purple Heart.
8:18:07 AM
ROBERT DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the
Commissioner/Adjutant General, Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), identified himself as a retired
colonel, and testified in support of HJR 30 in that it addresses
a condition affecting thousands of Alaskans. He relayed that of
the 74,000 veterans in Alaska, 57,000 have seen combat, and past
experience has revealed that as many as 30 percent, or 19,000
Alaskans, are likely to suffer from some degree of post-
traumatic combat stress. He went on to say that PTSD does not
only impact veterans as tens of thousands of family members are
also affected by injuries to their loved ones and the subsequent
disruption to daily life. He said that the [19,000] he
mentioned excludes the tens of thousands of active military
serving in Alaska and their families.
8:19:25 AM
COLONEL DOEHL related that within his career, he often deals
with those struggling with PTSI - beginning when he was an 18-
year-old infantry medic through to his retirement as a vice wing
commander a few decades later. As an attorney, he related,
while at the U.S. Department of Justice, he worked with hundreds
of PTSI survivors dealing with aviation accidents, and while in
the State of Alaska, Office of the Attorney General, he worked
with sexual assault survivors. Speaking from first-hand
experience, he said he has seen that PTSI takes a continuous
devastating toll if not treated, and asserted that many victims
can't hold down jobs, become estranged from their families, or
lose their lives.
COLONEL DOEHL opined that the term "disorder" implies a
deviation from normal and exacerbates a stigma that discourages
diagnosis and treatment. He stated that PTSI does not arise
from a genetic condition or from personal values and decisions,
and that PTSI is not a disorder in an individual but the result
of an externally imposed event or events. He added that PTSI is
a natural response to an unnatural situation and declared that
the time was well past to rename the condition to accurately
reflect that it is caused by an external force.
COLONEL DOEHL referred to the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs hearing on HJR 30 [March 22,
2016], in which Representative Lynn voiced concern that some
veterans may claim PTSD as an excuse for their actions. He
remarked that when there is a battle field injury, it is
inexcusable not to provide assistance to a downed battle buddy.
He said, to the extent calling post-traumatic stress a disorder
discourages calling for aid, changing it from "disorder" to
"injury" makes it clear the appropriate action is treatment -
not just living with it or making it an excuse. He went on to
say that Canada, shortly after [the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001], changed its military regulations to refer
to post-traumatic stress as an injury, not a disorder to
encourage seeking treatment.
COLONEL DOEHL, on behalf of the DMVA, welcomed the efforts of
the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs on
this matter of vital importance to the state's veterans, service
members, their families, and all of society.
8:21:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER after ascertaining no one further wished
to testify, closed public testimony on HJR 30.
8:22:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ related that she serves on the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs and had the
privilege of listening to the testimony of Colonel Doehl and
leaders from [the nonprofit] Honor for All. She related that
she was impressed with their commitment in helping people
recognize that PTSI is something from which one suffers and does
not indicate something is intrinsically wrong with the victim.
She offered that if changing the title from "disorder" to
"injury" can help any of our military veterans seek the services
to help them recover from it, then she thinks that would be
fantastic.
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ relayed her personal experience in
adopting a child who underwent a great deal of trauma as a young
person who has experienced many of the symptoms mentioned,
including flashbacks, hypervigilance, nightmares, emotional
numbness, and anxiety. Through treatment, her daughter has been
able to recover from many of the symptoms. She added that while
her daughter will probably never be the person she would have
been had she not experienced the trauma, that personal
experience for Representative Spohnholz has been a great example
that treatment can help people overcome the effects of PTSI and
become healthy and happy people. She expressed her desire for
the military veterans, who have experienced traumatic stress as
a result of their service to the country, to be able to find
that kind of healing and happiness. She added that it is a
dignity they deserve and she is excited to support the proposed
resolution.
8:23:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO made a motion to adopt Amendment 1
[labeled 29-LS1483\N.1, Shutts, 3/28/16], which read:
Page 3, following line 13:
Insert new material to read:
"WHEREAS this resolution does not advocate
changing the current qualifications for the Purple
Heart; and"
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER objected for purposes of discussion.
8:24:26 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO mentioned that Amendment 1 adds a
section on page 3 that read: "Whereas this resolution does not
advocate changing the current qualifications for the Purple
Heart. He offered his understanding that the sponsor agrees with
the proposed amendment. He relayed that between his two older
brothers, both Vietnam War veterans, are four Purple Hearts, a
Silver Star awarded by the U.S. Marine Corp, and a U.S. Navy
Commendation Medal. He stated that he appreciates their
service.
8:25:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER removed his objection. There being no
further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
8:26:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO moved to report CSHJR 30(MLV), as
amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
zero fiscal note.
8:26:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER objected. He stated he is sympathetic to
the issue but disagrees with using the word "injury" because it
muddies the meaning of the term and opens the door to legal
interpretation. He removed his objection. There being no
further objection, CSHJR 30(STA) was reported out of the House
State Affairs Standing Committee.
8:28:59 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:29 a.m. to 8:31 a.m.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
8:31:28 AM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business would be
the confirmation hearing of the various boards and commissions.
^Alaska Police Standards Council
Alaska Police Standards Council
8:32:07 AM
CARRIE BELDEN, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council
(APSC), said that she is currently the director of the Division
of Probation and Parole, Department of Corrections (DOC). She
relayed that she was born and raised in Alaska, and that Alaska
remains home for her, her immediate family, and her extended
family. She offered her wish to be reappointed to the Alaska
Police Standards Council in order to support her community and
make it a safer place.
MS. BELDON advised that she began working for DOC in 2004 as a
Probation Officer I, was promoted to supervisor, and assisted in
the training unit for the largest probation office in the state.
She continued by saying that she transferred to the Parole
Board, became supervisor of the Parole Board, then promoted to
director of the Parole Board, and was then asked to be director
of the Division of Probation and Parole. Ms. Beldon said that
she has attended various trainings, is a member of the National
Institute of Corrections (NIC), and completed the NIC executive
excellence program. She mentioned that she has attended a
couple of APSC meetings. She stated her belief that it is
important work, and related that she would like to be involved.
8:35:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER made a motion to advance the confirmation
of Carrie Belden, appointee to the Alaska Police Standards
Council, and added that the vote of the House State Affairs
Standing Committee does not indicate approval or disapproval but
is a vote to move the name forward to the joint session of the
House of Representatives and Senate. There being no objection,
the confirmation was advanced.
8:35:35 AM
JOHN PAPASODORA, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council
(APSC), advised he has lived in Alaska for 53 of his 55 years.
He relayed that he graduated from the University of Alaska and
has been in both state and municipal law enforcement since 1985.
He related that he began his career with the Soldotna Police
Department and worked there for five years before accepting a
position with the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) as a
state trooper. He said he worked for the Division of Alaska
State Troopers (AST) for just over 19 years, worked in various
locations throughout the state, was promoted to sergeant, worked
in the General Investigations Unit, was promoted to lieutenant,
and worked in field operations, including emergency operations,
homeland security, and the Alaska Bureau of Investigation (ABI).
He relayed that he oversaw ABI as a captain until his retirement
and he is currently the chief of police in Nome. He related
that he has a wide variety of experience with his 31 years of
service in law enforcement in the State of Alaska.
MR. PAPASODORA explained that his intent for serving on the
Alaska Police Standards Council is to continue building
professionalism within the police field and to work with
partners in DOC. He pointed out that law enforcement is going
through a transition throughout the country, and expressed his
desire to be part of the forward movement to help Alaska avoid
some of the problems occurring in other places in the nation.
He opined that Alaska has a professional base of law enforcement
services and that Alaska's criminal justice system is effective
compared with other places. He reiterated his desire to
continue Alaska's forward momentum in increasing and maintaining
professionalism within all criminal justice agencies.
8:38:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER made a motion to advance the confirmation
of John Papasodora, appointee to the Alaska Police Standards
Council, and added that the vote of the House State Affairs
Standing Committee does not indicate approval or disapproval but
is a vote to move the name forward to the joint session of the
House of Representatives and Senate. There being no objection,
the confirmation was advanced.
8:39:34 AM
BRYCE JOHNSON, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council
(APSC), advised he has been the Chief of Police of the Juneau
Police Department (JPD) for just under three years, and that he
has three children - one having graduated from Thunder Mountain
High School and two teenagers currently attending the high
school. He said he worked his way up through the ranks in the
Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) and retired with just
over 20 years of service before being hired as the Chief of
Police at JPD. He offered that SLCPD is similar to the
Anchorage Police Department (APD) in size and scope.
CHIEF JOHNSON related that he is excited about APSC and attended
one of its meetings. He expressed his belief that law
enforcement has had a tough couple of years nationally and that
the profession needs improvement; however, he noted that the
behavior of officers and their sanctioned actions 25-30 years
ago would result in termination today. He offered that crime
rates today are at historic lows, citing community oriented
policing and other innovations coming out of police departments,
and emphasized the importance of ridding police departments of
unprofessional police officers. He related that he feels a deep
responsibility to his profession to make sure that police
officers are the guardians of the public and of the profession
of policing.
8:41:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER made a motion to advance the confirmation
of Bryce Johnson, appointee to the Alaska Police Standards
Council, and added that the vote of the House State Affairs
Standing Committee does not indicate approval or disapproval but
is a vote to move the name forward to the joint session of the
House of Representatives and Senate. There being no objection,
the confirmation was advanced.
^State Commission for Human Rights
State Commission for Human Rights
8:42:53 AM
BRANDON NAKASATO, Appointee, State Commission for Human Rights,
said that he is currently a research analyst with the Division
of Senior and Disability Services (SDS), Department of Health
and Social Services (DHSS). He advised that after college, he
served as an AmeriCorps volunteer helping Somali refugees
integrate into their new communities in Central Maine. He said
he served in a local volunteer human rights organization called
the Lewiston-Auburn community task force, a collaboration
between the Maine Human Rights Commission, law enforcement, and
other local authorities reviewing human rights complaints in
Lewiston-Auburn. He pointed to his service on multiple boards
involving anti-discrimination and human rights work, including
the African Immigrants Association, the African Emigrants
Advocacy Group, and the Kentucky Fairness Alliance. He said he
currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of
Alaska [Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)] and the
Friends of the Library, Anchorage.
MR. NAKASATO related that his commitment to human rights is
based on his experience in working on matters of social justice
and his personal experience and perspective as an ethnic and
sexual minority. He stated, "I "believe in the inherent
equality and dignity of every person, and that the work of the
commission in its 53-year history is vital to insuring it is
honored as called for by our human rights law."
8:44:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked whether he was advocating for a sexual
minority.
MR. NAKASATO reiterated that part of his experience as a
commissioner would be his experience and perspective as an
ethnic and sexual minority.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked for clarification that he is a
representative of a sexual minority.
MR. NAKASATO answered that he is gay.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER made a motion to advance the confirmation
of Brandon Nakasato, appointee to the State Commission for Human
Rights, and added that the vote of the House State Affairs
Standing Committee does not indicate approval or disapproval but
is a vote to move the name forward to the joint session of the
House of Representatives and Senate. There being no objection,
the confirmation was advanced.
^Alaska Public Offices Commission
Alaska Public Offices Commission
8:46:01 AM
THOMAS TEMPLE, Appointee, Alaska Public Offices Commission
(APOC), said that he is an attorney in Fairbanks, Alaska and
would be honored to serve on the Alaska Public Offices
Commission (APOC). He opined that it is important the public
have full confidence in the election process, and that
transparency and ethics are promoted among candidates and public
officials. He said he would be honored to offer his time and
talents in accomplishing that mission.
8:46:57 AM
CHAIR LYNN asked Mr. Temple to identify what, in his background,
would help him in the political realm.
MR. TEMPLE responded that he is not a particularly political
person, although, he said he votes in every election and follows
the local and national issues. He related that his relevant
background includes his service on the Fairbanks North Star
Borough Planning Commission and the Fairbanks Public Safety
Commission. He added that as a practicing attorney for 15
years, he would be able to spot issues and address them in a
fair manner.
8:48:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER made a motion to advance the confirmation
of Thomas Temple, appointee to the Alaska Public Offices
Commission, and added that the vote of the House State Affairs
Standing Committee does not indicate approval or disapproval but
is a vote to move the name forward to the joint session of the
House of Representatives and Senate. There being no objection,
the confirmation was advanced.
^Parole Board
Parole Board
8:48:25 AM
STEVE MEYER, Appointee, Parole Board, said that he was a 35-year
resident of Alaska and lives in Kenai with his wife and dogs.
He advised that he began his career in 1991 as a correctional
officer and has since retired. He related that he was a
corrections officer for five years, a training officer at the
Anchorage Correctional Officer Academy for one year, a
transportation and training sergeant at the Wildwood
Correctional Center, and a probation and parole officer for the
last ten years of his career. He mentioned that he also wrote
presentence reports for the Superior Court and was a member of
the Alaska State troopers Special Emergency Response Team (SERT)
for 15 years.
MR. MEYER went on to say that he has a solid background in most
aspects of law enforcement and has served on numerous boards and
advisory committees in his community. He added that his life
experience prior to corrections included work in oil fields,
commercial fishing, and construction, and opined that he would
bring his experience and knowledge of parole issues and a
reasonable voice to the board.
8:50:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER made a motion to advance the confirmation
of Steve Meyer, appointee to the Parole Board, and added that
the vote of the House State Affairs Standing Committee does not
indicate approval or disapproval but is a vote to move the name
forward to the joint session of the House of Representatives and
Senate. There being no objection, the confirmation was
advanced.
8:51:50 AM
JASON WILSON, Appointee, Parole Board, said he is Tlingit, was
born and raised in Juneau, and he has four daughters, ages two
through seventeen. He highlighted from his resume the
following: he is currently the Village Public Safety Officer
Manager for Tlingit Haida Central Council; he previously worked
for the Division of Juvenile Justice; he was a youth counselor
at Johnson Youth Center for eight years; and he coached softball
at Thunder Mountain High School. He said he looks forward to
the opportunity to serve Alaska on the Parole Board.
8:53:18 AM
CHAIR LYNN asked Mr. Wilson whether there was anything in tribal
law that would help him understand the requirements in state
law, particularly with parole issues.
Mr. Wilson responded that he was still learning and was
uncertain, but he said he was sure that will come up.
8:54:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER made a motion to advance the confirmation
of Jason Wilson, appointee to the Parole Board, and added that
the vote of the House State Affairs Standing Committee does not
indicate approval or disapproval but is a vote to move the name
forward to the joint session of the House of Representatives and
Senate. There being no objection, the confirmation was
advanced.
^Alaska Police Standards Council
Alaska Police Standards Council
8:54:33 AM
KELLY SWIHART, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council
(APSC), stated that he and his wife moved to Alaska in 1991 with
the U.S. Army, and he began his career in law enforcement in the
Matanuska-Susitna Valley in 1996. He went on to say that in
2011, he was offered the position of the director of public
safety in Hoonah, Alaska, and after two years accepted the
position of chief of police in Petersburg. He expressed his
sentiment that law enforcement is "near and dear to me," and he
stated he would like to continue his service on APSC to help
maintain the standards and ideals of the law enforcement
profession. He added his belief that the mission of APSC is to
develop standards and to make sure law enforcement officers
receive the training they need to achieve those standards and
then hold them accountable.
8:56:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER made a motion to advance the confirmation
of Kelly Swihart, appointee to the Alaska Police Standards
Council, and added that the vote of the House State Affairs
Standing Committee does not indicate approval or disapproval but
is a vote to move the name forward to the joint session of the
House of Representatives and Senate. There being no objection,
the confirmation was advanced.
8:57:21 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:57 a.m. to 8:59 a.m.
HB 269-MVA COMMISSIONER MEMBER OF CDVSA
8:59:30 AM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 269, "An Act adding the commissioner of military
and veterans affairs to the membership of the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault."
8:59:48 AM
RON CLARKE, Legislative Liaison, Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), presented HB 269 on behalf of the
House Rules Standing Committee, sponsor, by request of the
governor. He explained that the proposed legislation adds the
commissioner of DMVA to the membership of the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA). He explained that
Section 1 adds the position of commissioner of DMVA to the list
of members of the council, and Section 2 sets the quorum at six
members instead of the previous five.
9:01:32 AM
ADJUTANT GENERAL LAURIE HUMMEL, Adjutant General/Commissioner,
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA); Adjutant
General Alaska National Guard, testified in support of HB 269
which seeks to add the DMVA commissioner to the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She asked the committee
to give its "quick and favorable" attention to the proposed
legislation.
9:02:00 AM
ADJUTANT GENERAL HUMMEL paraphrased her written testimony as
follows:
It may not be immediately apparent why a military
officer would be a logical addition to this group, but
the council's mission falls squarely in my lane, as
I'll explain. As commissioner, I serve as the State
of Alaska's official liaison to all military forces
serving in state. This additional role means that I'm
in daily contact with a full spectrum of military
personnel and their family ... members. Today in
Alaska, there are some 23,000 active and reserve
component military personnel and 4,100 national
guardsmen. I'm also responsible for the state's
Office of Veterans' Affairs, which assists veterans to
access those state and federal programs and services.
As you know, Alaska has more veterans per capita than
any other state - that's about 74,000 veterans, and
that number is increasing every year. There is a
total of about 101,000 service members and veterans,
that along with their 189,000 dependent family members
- that's a total of 290,000 people or about 40 percent
of Alaska's residents. That's a huge portion of our
population. And put another way, that's about on
average 1,800 veterans and 3,800 dependent family
members per House district. These Alaskans are
important for their sheer numbers, but they also have
unique perspectives and valuable skills, and they
bring talent and extraordinary benefit to their
communities. They also have extensive experience in
facing the social ills that plaque us all, including
sexual assault, domestic violence, and their effects
on both military and civilian community. But working
with active duty veterans and service members and
their families every day, I can't help but share their
experiences, their challenges, their struggles, and
their successes in overcoming the wide-ranging effects
of sexual assault and domestic violence.
9:04:12 AM
ADJUTANT GENERAL HUMMEL continued:
A community the size of ours demands that we tackle
these difficult issues head on, and we're doing so.
By working to protect our military men and women from
the effects of sexual assault and domestic violence,
we've learned valuable lessons that we could use to
assist all Alaskans. The military, in general, has
learned a lot about creating safe work places,
fostering respectful colleagues, and the importance of
clear knowledge that we all serve under a command
structure committed to the safety and security of the
force. The services have launched and will continue
comprehensive, wide-ranging efforts to raise awareness
of sexual assault and harassment.
Specifically at the Alaska National Guard, we've
implemented new measures to protect victims and their
identities. We have the sexual assault prevention and
response program, which provides crisis intervention
and support services to victims of sexual assault 24/7
statewide, and this program is an associate member of
the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault. It has a working relationship already with
the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
We would welcome an expansion of that relationship
through passage of HB 269, and the formal connection
between DMVA and the council that would bring benefit
to Alaskans statewide.
9:05:38 AM
ADJUTANT GENERAL HUMMEL continued:
As Adjutant General, I chair regular meetings to
review the progress of all current and pending cases
of sexual assault associated within the guard family.
I imagine there is no other state, local, or private
employer in Alaska that has been faced with challenges
in this area to the point of crisis and tackled them
as aggressively as we have.
Finally, ... there is a budgetary angle to this. A
2008 study found that the average cost of a sexual
assault nationwide is over $150,000; that 50 percent
of victims will not be able to work in their current
jobs for a year after assault due to the severity of
their mental health injuries; and that violence and
substance abuse constitute up to a third of the cost
of healthcare nationally or about $750 billion a year.
We could share with the council our most successful
practices from the services that we provide to
eligible victims with federal funds. Our military
programs are robust and part of an integrated approach
to maximize the opportunity for survivor recovery.
The [U.S.] Department of Defense has invested heavily
in this aspect of personnel readiness and wellness,
and we at DMVA manage and operate many integrated
programs. We'd like to share what we've learned along
the way with the council, and we'd also like to learn
from the other council members' expertise.
So, in summary, Mr. Chairman, this is very important
work, which unfortunately will never be done. Your
military forces in Alaska are committed to remaining
vigilant and willing to tackle difficult situations,
and we look forward to working even more closely with
the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
I recommend your prompt passage of HB 269, and I thank
you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to speak.
9:07:41 AM
CHAIR LYNN asked Adjutant General Hummel to repeat the number of
veterans in each House district on average.
ADJUTANT GENERAL HUMMEL replied, on average, there are 1,800
veterans and 3,800 dependent family members per House district.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked for an explanation of the fiscal
note.
9:08:44 AM
MR. CLARKE responded that the duties associated with service on
the council are in line with what Adjutant General Hummel does
as a matter of course within her daily duties. He further
stated that travel would be minimal due to the ability to
teleconference meetings, and the council frequently meets in
Anchorage where Adjutant General Hummel is stationed. He
concluded that the fiscal note is zero for those reasons.
9:09:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS moved to adopt Conceptual
Amendment 1 to add the Department of Military & Veterans'
Affairs to Section 18.66.050 (4) and would add to the title:
"and relating to the duties of the Council on Domestic Violence
and Sexual Assault."
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER objected for purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS offered that the proposed
conceptual amendment was a conforming amendment to make sure the
addition of the new member to the Council on Domestic Violence
and Sexual Assault is reflected in all parts of the statute.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER removed his objection to Conceptual
Amendment 1. There being no further objection, Conceptual
Amendment 1 was adopted.
9:10:53 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:11 a.m.
9:11:19 AM
BRENDA STANFILL, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault (ANDVSA), testified on behalf of ANDVSA's 19 member
agencies and associate member in support of HB 269. She relayed
that ANDVSA is supportive of DMVA joining the council, adding
that the council is made up of public and state department
members, and ANDVSA attempts to maintain a balance between the
two. She continued that a balanced membership assists in making
sure the council receives the perspective of the state
departments, the communities, and those involved with the
everyday work. She stated that with the addition of the DMVA
member on the council, the ratio then becomes six state
department members and four public members. She voiced concern
that the council is lacking in representation from rural Alaska
and pointed out that it is a huge issue for ANDVSA, especially
when considering the geographical issues and lack of services in
the rural areas. She asked that the legislature consider adding
an additional member to the council in order to balance the
ratio.
9:14:04 AM
CHAIR LYNN closed public testimony on HB 269.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS asked whether the suggestion to
add an additional member to the council had been proposed
previously, and he also asked about the origin of the
suggestion. He recommended that the committee proceed with HB
269.
CHAIR LYNN suggested offering Representative Kreiss-Tomkins'
question to the House Finance Committee, the next committee of
referral.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HB 269, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and zero fiscal notes.
There being no objection, CSHB 269(STA) was reported out of the
House State Affairs Standing Committee.
9:16:55 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:17
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Belden.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
Governor Appointments |
| Johnson.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
Governor Appointments |
| Meyer.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
Governor Appointments |
| Nakasato.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
Governor Appointments |
| Papasodora.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
Governor Appointments |
| Reich.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
Governor Appointments |
| Swihart.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
Governor Appointments |
| Temple.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
Governor Appointments |
| Wilson.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
Governor Appointments |
| 10 HJR 30 Amendment N.1 (Lynn).pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 30 |
| 01 HB 269 v.A.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
HB 269 |
| 02 HB 269 Transmittal Letter 01-18-2016.pdf |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
HB 269 |
| 03 HB 269 Fiscal Note DPS 1-6-2016.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
HB 269 |
| 04 HB 269 Fiscal Note MLV 1-6-2016.PDF |
HSTA 3/31/2016 8:00:00 AM |
HB 269 |