Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
02/28/2023 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR4 | |
| HB76 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 76 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 76-PAY FOR AK DEFENSE FORCE
1:28:33 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 76, "An Act relating to pay for the Alaska State
Defense Force; and providing for an effective date."
1:28:49 PM
CRAIG CHRISTENSON, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs, stated the discussion would be
around removing a statement from current statute. He provided
an explanation of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF) and its
being part of Alaska's Organized Militia, but said that if ASDF
are brought in for training, currently there is no mechanism to
pay the members like the other members of state organized
militia. He stressed this is not about paying members for
drill, but for uncommon instances.
1:33:54 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT asked if this would be "mission critical" to have
this training, and if so, why?
MR. CHRISTENSON brought up an example referencing water
purification - the systems required being unique - and he said
if a large storm took out communication, ASDF may be the only
means of communication and assistance in rural villages.
Training is key to all of that.
1:35:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW pointed out the white paper having a request
for $2.1 million, but the fiscal note is zero. [Both documents
are included in the committee packet.]
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that the white paper referenced the
budget requests. He referred the question to Mr. Ernisse.
1:35:51 PM
BOB ERNISSE, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, replied that
HB 76 doesn't ask for additional funding, but is asking for the
opportunity to pay members when they are in training or
volunteer status.
1:36:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked whether there is any drill pay.
MR. CHRISTENSON replied unless they are placed on state active
duty for an event such as a disaster, everything is volunteer.
The bill does include a provision for drill pay.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked if this is analogous to National Guard
Title 32 orders.
MR. CHRISTENSON replied yes, ASDF could always do training in a
volunteer status and that would allow them to be paid for the
training.
1:37:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted it may be helpful for a brief
overview of the Alaska State Defense Force to be given to the
public.
MR. CHRISTENSON informed the committee that Mr. Brown is in the
audience and asked that he come up and speak. He provided a
brief introduction to Mr. Brown.
1:38:35 PM
SIMON BROWN, Brigadier General, Alaska State Defense Force,
directed his reply to Representative Saddler. He explained that
ASDF was originally the Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) and its
responsibility at the time was to guard the entire coastline of
Alaska with approximately 6,000 members. Now known as the
Alaska State Defense Force, the primary responsibilities are to
respond to emergencies throughout the state and the majority are
not state declared emergencies; they are in small communities
and an example is Typhoon Merbok in 2022. He explained there
are ground forces present throughout the small communities, and
their familiarity with the area and citizens give them the
ability to respond immediately.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked what the total enrollment
membership is and how they are distributed.
BRIGADIER GENERAL BROWN replied approximately 200 at this time
and his goal is to have 5-person teams in communities throughout
the state.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER referred to the language on page 1 of the
bill and asked for clarification on the training portion.
1:42:20 PM
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that currently in statute, the Alaska
Naval Militia, the Air National Guard, and the Army National
Guard can be paid for any state active duty, but it does not
cover community service - this being why ASDF is trying to
remove the exemption.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER observed that is a very specific carve-
out and asked why that specific exemption was included for
training and community service in the first place.
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that he does not know the reason, but it
was decades ago.
1:44:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER pointed out the fiscal note being
indeterminate, and it is unclear how many people would be
activated and the number of times. He inquired if
administrative or ceremonial functions qualify for active
service.
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that community events such as parades
are not considered for paid state active duty.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER stated he was thinking about the
processing and headquarter elements that go with bringing new
recruits into an organization, and he asked whether these
administrative functions qualify for state active duty.
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that the intent was not to bring people
into state active duty to do routine paperwork. This state
active duty request is specifically for more specialized
training.
1:47:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER acknowledged that HB 76 illuminates the
prohibition of payment for training, which had been explained,
but asked for a description of the community service portion.
MR. CHRISTENSON replied that an example of community service
could be traffic management at large events such as an air show.
1:49:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH stated that he saw the structure of ASDF Mr.
Christenson had laid out, and he questioned where the
headquarters are located and if there are any personnel in his
hometown of Anchorage.
BRIGADIER GENERAL BROWN replied that battalion headquarters are
located in Wasilla, Alaska, the scout brigade headquarters are
in Bethel, Alaska, and the sustainment brigade is in Kodiak,
Alaska. He stated some of his staff reside in Anchorage,
Alaska.
1:50:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY referenced back to a former statement that
volunteers do not get paid for drill, and asked how often they
drill.
MR. BROWN replied they drill two days every month.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked whether [the proposed bill] would
authorize pay for drill.
MR. CHRISTENSON responded that drill is considered training;
however, there would be a significant fiscal note and a budget
ask so the intention is not for drill itself to be paid.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked if the intention is to pay for
"special training" and not drill.
MR. CHRISTENSON relayed that the Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) felt it best to leave the options open
and not limit the type of training. The department also does
not have a fiscal note to pay for drill - but rather that it
would allow pay for training.
1:54:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER wanted clarification for the record that
the bill does not seek to provide payment to ASDF members for
the two day per month drill, and that ASDF members do not
qualify for retirement.
MR. CHRISTENSON confirmed that is correct - ASDF members are
eligible only for worker's compensation according to statute,
but not eligible for retirement or any other typical state
benefits.
1:56:37 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT opened public testimony on HB 76. After
ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, he closed
public testimony.
CHAIR WRIGHT announced HB 76 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 4 Sponsor Statement 2.22.23.pdf |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HJR 4 Letter of Support - Song 2.22.23.pdf |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HJR 4 Letter of Support - Consulate of Korea 2.22.23.pdf |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HJR 4 Version A 2.22.23.PDF |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HB 76 Fiscal Note MVA-COM 12.22.22.pdf |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HB 76 |
| HB 76 Additional Information Relating to ASDF 02.13.2023.pdf |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HB 76 |
| HB 76 Additional Information Relating to the ASDF 02.15.2023.pdf |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HB 76 |
| HB 76 Supporting Document 02.14.23 Alaska State Defense Force Pay TL House.pdf |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HB 76 |
| HB 76 Version A 2.15.23.PDF |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HB 76 |
| HJR 4 Letter of Support - Getty 2.27.23.pdf |
HMLV 2/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 4 |