Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/27/2024 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB185 | |
| SB223 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 223 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 185 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 223-ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL APPOINTMENT 3:54:50 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 223 "An Act relating to the appointment of an assistant adjutant general; and providing for an effective date." 3:55:22 PM CRAIG CHRISTENSON, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Anchorage, Alaska, said SB 223 would change the requirement of five-year service in the Alaska National Guard for the assistant adjutant general positions to a preference. There are currently two positions that serve dual roles: one as the commander of the Army National Guard and a state-level director, and the other as the commander of the Air National Guard and a director. DMVA found it necessary to expand the selection pool for these appointments. By making the requirement a preference, it helps to widen the pool of potential candidates. 3:56:46 PM ANGELA LAFLAMME, Legislative Liaison, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Anchorage, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis for SB 223: [Original punctuation provided.] Sectional Analysis Senate Bill 223 Assistant Adjutant General Qualifications (33-GS2609\A) Section 1 amends AS 26.05.180(a) relating to headquarters staff of the Alaska National Guard regarding appointment and qualification of an assistant adjutant general by removing the requirement for at least five years of service in the Alaska Army National Guard or Alaska Air National Guard and replacing it with language providing the Adjutant General flexibility when appointing an assistant adjutant general to provide a preference to a candidate with at least five years of service. Section 2 establishes the effective date of this legislation. 3:57:49 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked how many years the five-year requirement has been in place. 3:58:07 PM MR. CHRISTENSON offered to return to the committee with further information. He stated his belief that it could have been a decade or two. 3:58:26 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI commented that it seems likes people with service in the Alaska National Guard and Air National Guard should receive preference over candidates from other states and others without experience. 3:58:51 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI concurred, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing candidates with Alaska training or experience with the Alaska National Guard. 3:59:32 PM SENATOR CLAMAN stated the last time AS 06.26.05.180 was last amended in 1973, so the 5-year requirement has existed for at least 50 years. 4:00:14 PM MR. CHRISTENSON replied that in the Army National Guard, a person is selected based on eligibility for O-7. Currently, there are twelve positions for O-6, including some in medical and non-combat roles which limits the applicant pool to four guardsmen. He noted that some individuals are newly promoted, while others may be considering retirement. Transitioning from the position of Active Guard Reserve to the Assistant Adjutant General means becoming a state employee and a part-time guardsman, resulting in a significant pay reduction of $80 to $90 thousand dollars. While preference is given to those with Alaska National Guard experience, widening the candidate pool is necessary due to individuals with diverse career plans and potential candidates from other states who have worked at National Guard bureaus. However, the selection must prioritize the right fit for the role. 4:03:02 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the National Guard has experienced issues filling the positions in the past 50 years. 4:03:22 PM MR. CHRISTENSON said DMVA is unable to fill the currently vacant position. 4:03:30 PM SENATOR CLAMAN asked whether the position of Assistant Adjutant General could legally be filled by a U.S. Air Force colonel, or higher, stationed in Alaska. 4:04:08 PM MR. CHRISTENSON replied that a candidate could not be brought on as an Assistant Adjutant General unless they had five years of experience with the Alaska National Guard. 4:04:20 PM SENATOR CLAMAN asked whether individuals with 20 years of experience in the federal Air Force or Army would still be required to serve five years in the Alaska National Guard to be considered. 4:04:29 PM MR. CHRISTENSON replied that is correct. 4:04:38 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI asked if Alaskan residency is required for eligibility. 4:04:58 PM MS. LAFLAMME replied that statute does not dictate that, and the qualifications for the position of state director would be consistent with those of any other state director. She stated her belief that employment with the state of Alaska would require residency. 4:05:23 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI suggested that more research may be needed. 4:05:29 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked how many people are currently eligible for the open position. 4:05:46 PM MR. CHRISTENSON stated his belief that currently no one, but he would contact personnel and report back to the committee. 4:06:02 PM SENATOR CLAMAN asked whether someone with no National Guard experience but has 20 years of experience with the U.S. Air Force and their last five years served in Alaska, could the National Guard hire them as the assistant under the proposed changes. 4:06:34 PM MS. LAFLAMME replied yes and said a candidate with qualified military and background experience could meet federal requirements without having five years of service with the Alaska National Guard. 4:06:56 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 223; hearing none, he closed public testimony. 4:07:12 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI said he recently met General Wilkins, a one-star general from the 11th Airborne as well as a guardsman for the Montana National Guard. He requested written clarification on residency requirements. 4:07:44 PM MS. LAFLAMME said in active military, a candidate could still be a resident in their home state and be stationed in Alaska. She said she is uncertain how the Montana National Guard compares, specifically if a candidate follows Title 10 orders with the National Guard to serve as a commander in Alaska. That individual could be on active duty while still being a member of the National Guard. 4:08:16 PM SENATOR MERRICK wondered why anyone would want to take a huge pay cut to get this promotion. 4:08:35 PM MR. CHRISTENSON said many people in the military strive to advance to higher levels of leadership. He stated that reaching the top leadership positions in the National Guard, such as commander of the Army or Air Force, represents a promotion to the rank of general officer. From there, they could become the Adjutant General or pursue other positions within the National Guard bureau in Washington D.C. It could be driven by a career shift, patriotism, or a professional goal. 4:09:23 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked how it is possible there are no federally recognized field-grade commissioned officers with five years' experience. 4:09:41 PM MR. CHRISTENSON replied that according to statute, the position requires a field-grade officer, which would mean major, lieutenant colonel, or colonel. Under federal regulations, the individual would need to be eligible for a promotion to the O-7 rank, which means an O-6 general officer. While there are many field grade officers, O-6 positions are voluntary. There are currently no individuals who have met the requirements for promotion to that board. Those who have met the requirements may be among those considering retirement. 4:10:58 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI expressed that he is uncomfortable with allowing an out-of-state individual who has never stepped foot in Alaska to fill this position. He opined that SB 223 opens it up to that possibility and asked if that could occur under this bill. 4:11:32 PM MR. CHRISTENSON replied it is technically possible. However, the hiring for this position is taken seriously and requires highly qualified candidates. He expressed confidence that it is unlikely for someone who has never been to Alaska to fill the role. 4:12:01 PM MS. LAFLAMME added that "the statute for hiring an appointment of adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard has this preference. So, theoretically that could be the same situation that we find ourselves in right now under the current statute and it makes it very difficult for hiring the next level to potential replace the assistant or the adjutant general with an assistant adjutant general to have those strict qualification there and it be open at the higher level." 4:12:31 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if she would consider an amendment to require five years of Alaska residency. 4:12:45 PM MS. LAFLAMME replied that her only concern is if someone were in active military in Alaska for only three years, it would disqualify them for the position unless they changed their residency prior to leaving active service. 4:13:18 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI asked whether an adjutant general must have residency in Alaska. 4:13:31 PM MS. LAFLAMME replied that the position appointed by the governor adheres to the same requirements as any other commissioner. A candidate must have military service and be federally recognized as a general grade officer to hold that position. Other than the federal requirements, they would have to meet the same requirements to be appointed as the executive principal of the department. 4:13:59 PM At ease 4:14:20 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting. 4:14:24 PM SENATOR CLAMAN quoted AS 26.05.160 (a), "To be eligible for appointment as adjutant general, a person must be a citizen of the state and must be a federally recognized general-grade officer in the Alaska National Guard or an officer who has the qualifications to gain federal recognition." He said the provision about citizens of the state is not in AS 26.05.180. 4:15:03 PM SENATOR MERRICK asked if there is a definition for citizen of Alaska. 4:15:17 PM SENATOR CLAMAN replied [undiscernible] 4:15:26 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI asked whether the assistant adjutant general ascends to the position of adjutant general if the position becomes vacant. 4:15:47 PM MR. CHRISTENSON replied not necessarily. He said while the governor may consider the assistant adjutant general when the position of adjutant general becomes vacant, it is not guaranteed. 4:16:02 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI commented that as head of the agency for DMVA, the adjutant general position is subject to legislative confirmation. 4:16:40 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 223 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 02.08.24 DMVA Staff Qualifications Senate Transmittal Letter.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |
| SB0223-1-2-021224-MVA-Fiscal Note.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |
| SB0223A.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |
| SB223 Sectional Analysis version A.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |
| SB 185 Full Text.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| SB 185 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| SB 185 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| SB 185 Supporting Documentation.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| SB 185.Fiscal Note.Gov.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 185 |
| 030624 SSTA DMVA Answers from SB 223 Bill Hearing 022724.pdf |
SSTA 2/27/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 223 |