Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/04/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB 218 | |
| SB 226 | |
| HB 326 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 226 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 326 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 326(FIN)
"An Act authorizing the governor to order the organized
militia into active state service to fight wildland
fire, authorizing the governor to delegate to the
adjutant general the authority to order the organized
militia into active state service to fight wildland
fire, and authorizing the payment of Alaska National
Guard called into active state service to fight
wildland fire at rates of pay established for certain
emergency fire-fighting personnel; and providing for an
effective date."
Co-Chair Stedman described this as a first hearing for the
bill.
MCHUGH PIERRE, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY
AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, presented an overview of the bill. He
remarked that the history of the bill started in 2004 when
there were a record number of wild land forest fires in the
state. When the fire fighting resources in the state are
stretched thin, and extra help is needed, the Division of
Forestry calls on the National Guard.
9:35:07 AM
Co-Chair Stedman asked how many times the National Guard is
called to fight fires and wondered if this will have any
effect on the civilian side. Mr. Pierre responded that it
will not affect the civilian sector at all. The National
Guard is the last line of defense called during a fire.
9:36:14 AM
Senator Thomas noted that this sounds like an equal pay for
equal work situation.
9:36:38 AM
Senator Huggins noted that a Chief Warrant Officer 5 would
have a higher daily rate than a Colonel (06), which seemed
odd to him. Mr. Pierre agreed but noted that rarely would a
Colonel or Lt. Colonel work the fire line. The usual crew
staffing is one Blackhawk helicopter, one pilot in command,
a second pilot and one Chief Engineer or crew officer. The
highest ranking person on the fire line is usually the
pilot, a Chief Warrant Officer 3 or 4. The civilians hired
to do the same job may be receiving more than double the
salary.
9:38:24 AM
Senator Huggins noted that "full timers" complicate the
situation. The "full timers" may possibly be taking a pay
cut from their civilian job to fight a fire. Mr. Pierre
agreed but the goal of the bill is to make sure that there
are traditional National Guard personnel responding to these
fires. National Guard members under federal pay would move
to a State pay rate when fighting fires resulting in a
possible pay cut.
9:39:39 AM
Senator Huggins reported that often guardsmen have to take
leave to fight a fire. Mr. Pierre agreed that can happen. He
explained that within the National Guard only about fifteen
percent of the personnel are full time. They are either a
technician under federal pay or Active Guard and Reserve
(AGR) on federal pay. If a National Guard member is asked to
take on a mission, they would have to file for leave from
their civilian job. He reiterated that at present the full-
timers take most these jobs therefore part-timers have less
opportunity to receive the training to be successful on
missions. The part timers, who make up the majority of the
National Guard, would love to be able to participate.
9:41:08 AM
Senator Huggins remarked that it is a worthy goal but it is
unfortunate that many National Guard are mandatorily told to
report which requires them to take leave or a vacation from
their civilian job.
9:41:42 AM
Senator Olson wondered if civilian employers would be
adversely affected when National Guard employees leave work
to fight fires. Mr. Pierre remarked that the department does
not mandate National Guard personnel respond to a fire but
has made it strictly volunteer. He revealed that there have
been no complaints from employers in local communities so
far.
9:42:39 AM
Senator Olson questioned what other states do in similar
situations. Mr. Pierre responded that other states react in
same way. The state would activate their members on a "state
active duty rate" which varies form state to state. Alaska
has not updated its active duty rates recently. The state
has noticed that state active duty rates and National Guard
federal rates do not match. Mr. Pierre expressed the
importance of seeing that all are paid evenly across the
board.
9:43:38 AM
Senator Elton asked if this bill requires the department
perform specialized training for fire fighting. Mr. Pierre
replied that the current bill does not require any
additional training above the military training. He reported
that those who respond to wild fires only respond in their
trained capacity.
9:44:35 AM
Mr. Pierre appreciated the time of the Committee.
9:45:05 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT CSHB 226 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying
fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 326 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and previously published fiscal notes
from the Department of Administration, the Department of
Military Affairs and the Department of Natural Resources.
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