SB 222-APPROP: BASE CLOSURE/REALIGNMENT STUDY  9:25:41 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that SB 222 was before the committee. The bill proposes to appropriate $300,000 to hire a consulting firm to develop strategies to protect military installations in Alaska from possible closure as the federal government begins its Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. The closure of any Alaskan base should concern both state and federal officials as Alaska plays a vital role in the nation's security. KENDRA KLOSTER, staff to Senator Bill Wielechowski, sponsor of SB 222, introduced the bill. She related that SB 222 is an appropriation from the general fund to the Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs (DMVA). The bill will allow the state to hire a consulting firm from Washington, D.C. to address recent budget cuts of $487 billion over ten years, which were announced by Defense Secretary Panetta. The firm will also examine pending BRAC closures in 2013 and 2015. MS. KLOSTER referred to articles in members' packets regarding what other states are doing about the cuts. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted the bill came about because of meetings with DMVA and Senator Murkowski. He called the legislation critical for Alaska's economy, as well as for the nation's security. He noted the funding is in the Supplemental Appropriations bill currently in the Senate. 9:28:48 AM MCHUGH PIERRE, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA), testified in support of SB 222. He voiced appreciation for the legislation because it was of critical importance to Alaska. Other states are taking significant action on infrastructure issues for the military. He pointed out that the first step is to see what the Department of Defense considers as Alaska's needs and determine how to partner with other entities. He gave an example of a need at Eielson Air Force Base to refurbish the power plant and privatize energy. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI requested information about the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, both past and current. MR. PIERRE spoke of the number one priority of BRAC, a formula model used to determine the cost of base relocation (COBRA), which identifies key mechanisms for "racking and stacking" various base operations. He stressed that Alaska must make sure it is not in the top five of the list. The goal is to use pieces from the COBRA model to rate each installation and offset risky issues before BRAC begins. Two BRAC's have been proposed, one for 2013 and one for 2015. Congress has to take action for them to happen. He did not believe Congress would take action to create one in 2013, but will for 2015. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted DMVA hired a consultant for the Eielson BRAC in the past. MR. PIERRE recalled that in 2005, DMVA hired the Lundquist Group from Washington, D.C. for $2 million. They worked closely with the Fairbanks North Star Borough and the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation in order to display to the BRAC Commission the military strategic importance case for Eielson. That effort will have to be repeated for the upcoming BRAC. He noted that there was only one installation in the 1993 BRAC that was saved due to the economic impact on the community and that was Whidbey Island in Washington. It was the only installation saved because of the "economic impact" argument. He concurred with Chair Wielechowski that for the 2015 BRAC the focus should be on "military strategic importance." 9:33:33 AM DOUG ISAACSON, Mayor, City of North Pole, testified in support of SB 222. He related that Eielson was vital to the Northern Edge exercise last year as well as to Red Flag. He stressed the strategic importance of Eielson and the need for a consultant for the BRAC process. He spoke of the devastation to Fairbanks North Star Borough if jobs at Eielson are lost. He described a picture of what would happen to North Pole as a result of BRAC. He called the legislation a necessary first step. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI requested a motion to move the bill from committee. SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report SB 222, version M, from committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that without objection, SB 222 moved from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.