SB 77-EXTEND JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE  CHAIR MENARD announced the consideration of SB 77, which reauthorizes the Joint Arms Service Committee. The committee was created so the legislature could provide support for Alaskans in the military and influence decisions affecting it. 9:02:42 AM SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 77, said the Joint Armed Services Committee was created in 1999 when Alaska was being considered as the site for deployment of a national missile defense system. Also, at that time, the Base Alignment and Closure Commission was closing vital military installations in Alaska. The committee was created to give the legislature a voice in the national debate on these issues. It has 16 members and has been very successful in representing Alaska's interests in matters related to maintaining a strong military presence in the state. Alaska has the highest percentage of military veterans in the country. The committee was active in advocating for the establishment of a missile defense site at Fort Greely, and it continues to play a vital role monitoring developments that might affect Alaska. This May, the committee will host a ceremony for those who have lost their lives in combat. Medals will be presented to family members in recognition of their service and sacrifice. The committee will sunset, and SB 77 reauthorizes it and makes is permanent. A permanent committee is warranted because of the strategic role Alaska plays in the security of the nation. The original SB 77 sought to reauthorize both the committee and its homeland security subcommittee. But a committee substitute (CS) was drawn up because the subcommittee has not been active. Its purpose was to review confidential materials related to homeland security, but the members were no longer allowed to get clearances to do that in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He suggested moving the CS. 9:05:54 AM SENATOR KOOKESH asked if there are other committees of referral. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said no. The CS takes out the repealer language. 9:06:38 AM SENATOR PASKVAN moved to adopt the CS to SB 77 [labeled 26- LS0373\E] as the working document. Hearing no objection, Version E was before the committee. SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report the CS to SB 77 [labeled 26- LS0373\E] from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). Hearing no objection, CSSB 77(STA) passed out of committee.