Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120

04/20/2023 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS

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Audio Topic
01:04:41 PM Start
01:05:48 PM Overview(s): Alaska Air National Guard
01:32:00 PM HB155
02:06:59 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ Presentation: Overview of the Alaska Air TELECONFERENCED
National Guard by Director/Assistant Adjutant
General Brian Kile
*+ HB 155 ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
   HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS                                                                  
                         April 20, 2023                                                                                         
                           1:04 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stanley Wright, Chair                                                                                            
Representative Laddie Shaw                                                                                                      
Representative George Rauscher                                                                                                  
Representative Dan Saddler                                                                                                      
Representative Cliff Groh                                                                                                       
Representative Andrew Gray                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Ben Carpenter                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
OVERVIEW(S): ALASKA AIR NATIONAL GUARD                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 155                                                                                                              
"An Act establishing the Alaska Military Affairs Commission; and                                                                
relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska Military Affairs                                                                
Commission."                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 155                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION                                                                           
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STAPP                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
04/10/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/10/23       (H)       MLV                                                                                                    
04/20/23       (H)       MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
BRIAN KILE, Brigadier General, Commander                                                                                        
Alaska Air National Guard                                                                                                       
Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson                                                                                                  
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:   Provided a PowerPoint  presentation, titled                                                               
"Overview of the Alaska Air National Guard."                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE WILL STAPP                                                                                                       
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As the prime sponsor, presented HB 155.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRYCE WARD, Mayor                                                                                                               
Fairbanks North Star Borough                                                                                                    
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided invited testimony on HB 155.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
NOLAN KLOUDA, Executive Director                                                                                                
Center for Economic Development                                                                                                 
University of Alaska Anchorage                                                                                                  
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:   Provided a PowerPoint  presentation, titled                                                               
"Economic Impacts of the Military in Alaska."                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HONOUR MILLER-AUSTIN, Staff                                                                                                     
Representative Will Stapp                                                                                                       
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION  STATEMENT:   On behalf  of Representative  Stapp, prime                                                               
sponsor, provided the  sectional analysis on HB  155 and answered                                                               
questions.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:04:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STANLEY  WRIGHT  called the  House  Special  Committee  on                                                             
Military  and Veterans'  Affairs meeting  to order  at 1:04  p.m.                                                               
Representatives  Shaw, Saddler,  and Wright  were present  at the                                                               
call to order.  Representatives  Rauscher, Groh, and Gray arrived                                                               
as the meeting was in progress.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
^OVERVIEW(S): Alaska Air National Guard                                                                                         
             OVERVIEW(S): Alaska Air National Guard                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
1:05:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the  first order of business would be                                                               
an overview of the Alaska Air National Guard.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:05:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRIAN  KILE, Brigadier  General, Commander,  Alaska Air  National                                                               
Guard, Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson   (JBER), presented a video                                                               
recording about  the Alaska  Air National Guard  (AK ANG)  to the                                                               
committee.   He gave a PowerPoint  presentation, titled "Overview                                                               
of  the Alaska  Air National  Guard" [hard  copy included  in the                                                               
committee packet].   On slide  2, he explained that  the overview                                                               
would  cover   AK  ANG's   key  leaders,   organization,  assets,                                                               
personnel, and  operations.  He  moved to  slide 3 to  outline AK                                                               
ANG's  organizational structure,  stating  that it  is under  the                                                               
Commissioner  and  Deputy  Commissioner   of  the  Department  of                                                               
Military and Veterans'  Affairs (DMVA).  He moved to  slide 4 and                                                               
slide 5 to  outline the key leaders, assets, and  personnel of AK                                                               
ANG, 168th Wing.  He stated  that there are 825 airmen within the                                                               
168th Wing  located at Eielson  Air Force Base and  126 personnel                                                               
at  a geographically  separated  unit at  the  Clear Space  Force                                                               
Station.   He explained that the  main mission of the  168th Wing                                                               
is  aerial refueling,  with eight  KC-135 tankers.   He  said the                                                               
guard  is working  towards being  an "active  association," which                                                               
would grant it 4 more  additional KC-135s and 230 active-duty air                                                               
force.  He said the guard  would take ownership of the additional                                                               
aircraft at the end of 2023.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRIGADIER GENERAL KILE  stated that another mission  of the 168th                                                               
Wing  is  space warning,  which  monitors  above atmospheric  air                                                               
space  for ballistic  missiles,  as well  as  for earth  orbiting                                                               
objects.   He stated that  DMVA and the Joint  Force Headquarters                                                               
of the AKANG are located at  Joint Base Richardson.  He said that                                                               
the 176th  Wing is  located on  the Elmendorf side  of JBER.   He                                                               
explained  that the  168th  Wing monitors  Alaska  air space  for                                                               
aircraft  and  ballistic  missiles.    He  said  that  the  144th                                                               
Strategic  Airlift  Squadron has  eight  C-17s  that can  deliver                                                               
personnel and  equipment anywhere  in the world,  especially with                                                               
support from the KC-135 refueling  craft.  He explained that also                                                               
at  JBER  is  the  "Rescue Triad"  which  contains  three  rescue                                                               
squadrons.   He stated  that the  212th Rescue  Squadron contains                                                               
para-rescuers, combat rescue  officers, and survival specialists,                                                               
while  the other  two squadrons  deliver to  rescue survivors  on                                                               
scene.   He  said the  guard  has 4  AC-130j Hercules  aircrafts,                                                               
which  can  conduct  air drops,  helicopter  air  refueling,  and                                                               
tactical air lifts.   Further, the guard has 6  HH-60G Pave Hawks                                                               
aircrafts.  He moved to slide 6  and shared that 70 percent of AK                                                               
ANG members  work 24/7 during  missions.  These  missions include                                                               
air refueling,  Alaska North  American Aerospace  Defense Command                                                               
Region  tanker  alerts,  missile  warnings,  strategic  airlifts,                                                               
search and rescue, and air defense.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:17:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    SADDLER,    concerning   refueling    missions,                                                               
questioned whether the guard's KC-135s will be upgraded.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
BRIGADIER  GENERAL KILE  explained  that there  is  an effort  to                                                               
transition KC-135s to KC-46s; however,  Alaska is not on the list                                                               
to receive  these.  He commented  that AK ANG is  working through                                                               
its  national   representatives  to  make  Alaska   part  of  the                                                               
transition  program.   He shared  that KC-135s  were manufactured                                                               
from 1958 to 1962, and an upgrade is needed.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:18:26 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRIGADIER GENERAL KILE spoke about  the guard's search and rescue                                                               
operations.   He  explained that  AK  ANG works  with the  Alaska                                                               
Rescue  Coordination  Center,  located  at  JBER,  which  manages                                                               
aviation and  military rescues  in Alaska.   Further,  the center                                                               
works with  the Federal Aviation Administration  (FAA) and serves                                                               
as the  coordinating unit  with the Alaska  State Troopers.   For                                                               
maritime  search and  rescue operations,  AK ANG  works with  the                                                               
U.S. Coast Guard District 17.   He stated that the average annual                                                               
mission count  is about 100,  and this has  been since 1993.   He                                                               
noted the changes  that technology has brought,  for example, the                                                               
use of satellite phones and tracking devices.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:20:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   SADDLER  acknowledged   the  current   workforce                                                               
challenges in  Alaska.  He  questioned recruitment  and retention                                                               
in the guard.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
BRIGADIER GENERAL KILE  answered that the guard has  a 90 percent                                                               
fill rate,  with 88 percent  at Eielson  and 92 percent  at JBER.                                                               
He  said that  nationally there  is a  lower percentage  of those                                                               
qualified to  join service.   In Alaska,  of the 18  percent that                                                               
are  qualified  to  serve,  a large  portion  are  interested  in                                                               
active-duty service,  but this takes  them outside of  the state.                                                               
He said AKANG  does attempt to recruit high  school students, but                                                               
the majority  of the members  are those that were  transferred to                                                               
Alaska,  stayed  in the  state,  and  joined after  active  duty-                                                               
service.   He  reported that  yearly  around 100  to 120  members                                                               
transition from active duty to AKANG.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:22:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WRIGHT asked  about the  mission of  the tankers  that are                                                               
coming to Alaska.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
BRIGADIER GENERAL  KILE answered that  AK ANG has 8  aging KC-135                                                               
planes  and will  be getting  4  more.   He explained  that in  a                                                               
refueling  mission,  if  an  aircraft  enters  Alaska  air  space                                                               
without a flight plan, AK ANG  members must be able to respond at                                                               
a moment's  notice, and these members  would live and sleep  in a                                                               
bunker at the  airfield.  He noted that  there are complications,                                                               
like the  age of  the aircraft and  the below  40-degree weather,                                                               
and these planes  require many maintainers to  keep them running.                                                               
He said the guard is also seeking upgraded hanger space.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:23:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRIGADIER  GENERAL   KILE,  in   response  to  a   question  from                                                               
Representative Gray, explained that  the lack of qualified people                                                               
to serve  exists because of  the [low] Armed  Services Vocational                                                               
Aptitude  Battery   (ASVAB)  scores,  the  drugs   prescribed  to                                                               
individuals  when   they  were  young,  and   some  disqualifying                                                               
injuries.   He  said  that the  policies  concerning tattoos  are                                                               
being adjusted.   He  said that overall,  there are  many health-                                                               
related  issues  related to  whether  a  person is  qualified  to                                                               
enlist in the military.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRAY  pointed  out  an article  in  the  Military                                                             
Times,  as  it  had  suggested electronic  military  records  are                                                             
making  the  recruitment  issues   around  injuries  worse.    He                                                               
acknowledged  that he  is  not  speaking on  behalf  of the  U.S.                                                               
Department of Defense  (DoD).  He offered  his understanding that                                                               
in  the past  recruiters  had determined  a  person's ability  to                                                               
serve; however,  now with electronic  medical records,  this does                                                               
not exist.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
BRIGADIER GENERAL KILE prefaced that  he is not speaking for DoD.                                                               
He said that tracking a  person's medical records electronically,                                                               
rather than  via paper, would  give more fidelity  into someone's                                                               
entry.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:26:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRIGADIER  GENERAL BRIAN  KILE, in  response to  a question  from                                                               
Representative  Groh,  spoke  about  ASVAB, which  is  a  written                                                               
standardized  test  that  measures vocational  skills,  including                                                               
reading,  writing, and  general mechanics.   He  stated that  the                                                               
military requires a  minimum score on the test in  order to enter                                                               
service.   He  said he  could  not speak  to why  the scores  are                                                               
lower, but  he noted lower scores  have become a barrier  to some                                                               
wishing to  join the  military, and fewer  people are  taking the                                                               
test.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:29:11 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER referred  to legislation  that sought  to                                                               
expunge the  record of  minor misdemeanor  marijuana possessions.                                                               
He asked if such an act would inhibit or encourage enlistment.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
BRIDGADIER  GENERAL  KILE,  in  response,  confirmed  that  if  a                                                               
misdemeanor  was  expunged  from  the  record  of  a  minor,  the                                                               
military would not  have a record of  the misdemeanor; therefore,                                                               
the record would not be cause for disqualification.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:30:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 1:30 p.m. to 1:32 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
        HB 155-ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:32:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the  final order of business would be                                                               
HOUSE  BILL NO.  155, "An  Act establishing  the Alaska  Military                                                               
Affairs Commission; and relating to  the duties and powers of the                                                               
Alaska Military Affairs Commission."                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:32:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  WILL STAPP,  Alaska State  Legislature, as  prime                                                               
sponsor,  introduced  HB 155.    He  stated  that his  staff  and                                                               
invited testifiers would speak to the proposed legislation.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:34:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRYCE  WARD, Mayor,  Fairbanks North  Star  Borough (FNSB),  gave                                                               
invited testimony on HB 155.   He began by reviewing the military                                                               
affairs  offices  in other  states.    He informed  members  that                                                               
states  with  active  and  aggressive  military  affairs  offices                                                               
report  gains in  the economy  due  to focused  attention on  the                                                               
defense  industry.   He explained  that  these offices  originate                                                               
from the  Base Realignment and  Closure (BRAC) process,  and work                                                               
in an  advocacy role for  the state's  economy, as it  relates to                                                               
the military industry.   He pointed out that  officials in states                                                               
who  are  able to  work  with  their  governors cite  access  and                                                               
authority as an  advantage of the commission.   He explained that                                                               
other offices  fulfill missions  through cabinet  level positions                                                               
across state offices.   He noted that some the  offices have also                                                               
been independent.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WARD stated  that HB  155 would  create the  Alaska Military                                                               
Affairs  Commission, which  would be  run through  the governor's                                                               
office.   He stated  that in conjunction  with the  Department of                                                               
Military  and  Veterans'  Affairs  (DMVA),  the  mission  of  the                                                               
commission  would be  to facilitate  communication between  bases                                                               
and   activities  of   the  surrounding   community;  provide   a                                                               
centralized   resource   for    state   officials,   installation                                                               
commanders, and  business community members; provide  outreach to                                                               
troops, families,  and the  general public;  help to  prepare for                                                               
future  installation;  address encroachment,  transportation,  as                                                               
well as quality of life  concerns of military families; boost the                                                               
defense industry by increasing  defense expenditures; and recruit                                                               
local businesses in  promoting the importance of  the military to                                                               
the  state's   well-being.    He  explained   that  the  proposed                                                               
commission would  ensure that state and  congressional leadership                                                               
are coordinated  in efforts to  support the defense  industry, as                                                               
well  as the  state's  military  affairs as  an  enterprise.   He                                                               
pointed out the  renewed focus on the Arctic and  in Alaska, with                                                               
developments in Arctic  strategies being done in  every branch of                                                               
the military.   He said  that FNSB  has been engaged  in military                                                               
discussions across  the country, noting  that the state  has been                                                               
absent from  these conversations.   He pointed out  the abundance                                                               
of  military engagement  in Alaska  and stated  that the  borough                                                               
alone is  unable to  entirely speak  on the  state's behalf.   He                                                               
said that this notably regards coastal issues.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:37:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRAY asked  whether  Mayor Ward  believes HB  155                                                               
would alleviate housing needs.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WARD responded  that having  a statewide  coordinated effort                                                               
would  help  alleviate  such  needs,  and  a  statewide  military                                                               
affairs commission could help solve this.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:39:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
NOLAN   KLOUDA,   Executive   Director,   Center   for   Economic                                                               
Development  (CED),  University  of   Alaska  Anchorage,  gave  a                                                               
PowerPoint   presentation,  titled   "Economic  Impacts   of  the                                                               
Military  in  Alaska"  [hard  copy   included  in  the  committee                                                               
packet].   On slide 1,  he explained that  from 2019 to  2021 CED                                                               
led a "deep dive" look into  the military in Alaska to understand                                                               
its  impact on  the state.   He  moved to  slide 2  and said  the                                                               
presentation   would  provide   the  recommendations   from  this                                                               
investigation, which  include the  proposed structure in  HB 155.                                                               
He  moved to  slide 3  and said  that Alaska's  seafood, tourism,                                                               
mining, and  oil and  gas industries  each have  associations and                                                               
groups that advocate on behalf of  the industry and report on the                                                               
number of jobs each industry has  created.  On slide 4, he showed                                                               
that between 2019  and 2020 the oil and gas  industry has created                                                               
77,600 jobs, the mining industry  has created 9,200 jobs, and the                                                               
seafood industry has created 58,700 jobs.   Moving to slide 5, he                                                               
pointed  out that  in  this timeframe  the  military presence  in                                                               
Alaska had  resulted in 58,000  total jobs, with 33,400  of these                                                               
being civilian  jobs.  He  stated that these numbers  represent 1                                                               
in 10  civilian jobs  and 1  in 6 total  jobs in  the state.   He                                                               
pointed out that  this figure is bigger than  any other industry,                                                               
except oil and gas.   He moved to slide 6 to  show a breakdown of                                                               
the jobs in the state associated with the military.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. KLOUDA  moved to  slide 7 to  highlight the  military's major                                                               
economic impact in Interior Alaska,  as one-third of all the jobs                                                               
are  tied  to  the  military.    He  said  the  one-third  figure                                                               
represents just the  military civilian jobs, and  the ratio could                                                               
be higher  if accounting for  direct military members.   On slide                                                               
8,  he said  that 1  in every  10 jobs  within the  Anchorage and                                                               
Matanuska-Susitna  Borough area  are tied  to the  military, with                                                               
30,000 total jobs.  He  continued that there is military spending                                                               
in  every borough  of Alaska,  with only  one borough  not having                                                               
this spending  in the last  two to three  years.  He  pointed out                                                               
that  the military  has a  large impact  on Alaska  but does  not                                                               
necessarily have advocacy on its own behalf.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:44:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. KLOUDA moved  to slide 9 and slide 10  to present suggestions                                                               
from a consultant.  It  was recommended that a statewide military                                                               
coalition/alliance  be  established  through  state  legislation,                                                               
while  also creating  an office  of military  affairs within  the                                                               
state  government.     He  noted  that  HB   155  addresses  this                                                               
recommendation.     He  outlined  that  members   of  a  military                                                               
coalition/alliance  should   be  identified  by   statute  and/or                                                               
appointed  by the  governor; represent  military communities  and                                                               
associated     constituencies;     include     private     sector                                                               
representation;  meet regularly  to discuss  and act  on the  key                                                               
issues impacting Alaska's military  and defense sector; and build                                                               
continuity between gubernatorial administrations.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR.  KLOUDA  moved  to  slide 11  and  outlined  the  coalition's                                                               
mission  and activities,  which include:  advocating to  Congress                                                               
and  U.S. Department  of  Defense (DoD)  in  support of  Alaska's                                                               
military  installations, missions,  and defense  sector; advising                                                               
the governor and  the legislature on defense  and military issues                                                               
in  the  state;  developing  strategies to  protect  the  state's                                                               
existing military  missions, while positioning Alaska  to compete                                                               
for   new  military   missions   and   defense  industries;   and                                                               
identifying public infrastructure  needs by recommending programs                                                               
that   support   the   retention  and   expansion   of   military                                                               
installations, missions,  and the  defense sector.   In reference                                                               
to Representative Gray's  question as to whether  the group would                                                               
be able to  address housing issues, he expressed  the belief this                                                               
coalition could  be important in  channeling a  discussion around                                                               
the needs of an installation or expanded mission.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR. KLOUDA moved  to slide 12 to further  outline the coalition's                                                               
proposed mission  and activities, which include:  reviewing state                                                               
policies to support military  installations and maximize economic                                                               
benefits to  local communities; making policy  recommendations to                                                               
improve  the  quality  of life  for  uniformed  service  members,                                                               
veterans,  and  their  families; and  expanding  connections  and                                                               
collaboration  between  the   state's  businesses,  universities,                                                               
business organizations, and  installations.  He said  that one of                                                               
the other  recommendations is that the  proposed coalition should                                                               
not be housed  within the Alaska Office of  Veterans Affairs, but                                                               
rather  housed  within   the  Office  of  the   Governor  or  the                                                               
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. KLOUDA,  on slide  13, explained  that the  Arctic strategies                                                               
implemented  by   DoD  and  the   U.S.  Coast  Guard   have  many                                                               
implications for  Alaska.   He recommended that  work be  done by                                                               
the state  to attract missions, such  as having the home  port of                                                               
icebreakers be the state.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:48:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRAY, referring  to slide  10, asked  whether, in                                                               
putting together the proposed military  coalition, there would be                                                               
room for geographic representation.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR.  KLOUDA  answered  that geographic  representation  would  be                                                               
important.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:50:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STAPP   suggested  that  Alaska  stands   at  the                                                               
precipice of  a new geopolitical  reality, as new  threats emerge                                                               
from  Asia.    He  explained  that  the  purpose  of  a  military                                                               
commission would  include capitalizing on all  DoD investments in                                                               
Alaska.  He maintained that the  state would need the right tools                                                               
and  people  in  place  to   be  able  to  capitalize  on  future                                                               
opportunities,  and Alaska  should have  a seat  at the  table in                                                               
this process.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:52:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HONOUR  MILLER-AUSTIN, Staff,  Representative Will  Stapp, Alaska                                                               
State  Legislature,  on  behalf of  Representative  Stapp,  prime                                                               
sponsor, gave  the sectional analysis  for HB 155  [copy included                                                               
in  the  committee  packet],  which  read  as  follows  [original                                                               
punctuation provided]:                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Section 1                                                                                                                  
      • Establishes the Alaska Military Affairs Commission                                                                      
     in the Office of the Governor                                                                                              
      • Defines the Commission membership to include nine                                                                       
     voting members.                                                                                                            
     • Sets (staggered) three-year member terms.                                                                                
        • Details Commission meetings, quorum rules, and                                                                        
     authorizes per diem and travel expenses.                                                                                   
     • Enumerates the duties of the Commission.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Section 2                                                                                                                  
      • Sunsets the Alaska Military Affairs Commission on                                                                       
     June 30, 2030.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Section 3                                                                                                                  
      • Adds uncodified law regarding the initial terms of                                                                      
     Alaska Military Affairs Commission members.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:54:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  MILLER-AUSTIN,  after being  asked  to  clarify an  acronym,                                                               
explained that  ACAST stands for  Alaska Civilian  Armed Services                                                               
Team.     She  further  explained   that  ACAST   operates  under                                                               
Administrative  Order  291,  which   was  issued  in  2017  under                                                               
Governor Bill Walker.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:55:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER asked  how the  proposed Alaska  Military                                                               
Affairs  Commission would  fit in  alongside  the existing  House                                                               
Special Committee on Military and  Veterans' Affairs, Joint Armed                                                               
Services   Committee,  Department   of  Military   and  Veteran's                                                               
Affairs,  Fairbanks   Tiger  Team,   and  Anchorage   Chamber  of                                                               
Commerce's Military Affairs Committee.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STAPP  answered that the  purpose of HB  155 would                                                               
be  to  unify  all  of  these aspects.    He  said  the  proposed                                                               
commission is  modeled after the  Fairbanks Tiger Team,  and this                                                               
concept would  be taken  statewide in order  to create  a unified                                                               
approach, facilitating all the pieces  in industrial and economic                                                               
development.   He elaborated  that the  committee would  not only                                                               
harness the  economic and industrial  potential of  continued DoD                                                               
investment, but it  would also help ensure that  a pathway toward                                                               
civilian life  in Alaska  is created for  those stationed  in the                                                               
state.   In  response to  a  follow-up question,  he stated  that                                                               
there  are  other  examples  in  the  country,  as  the  proposed                                                               
commission  would not  be  unique  to Alaska,  and  the state  is                                                               
"behind the curve."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:57:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WRIGHT  stated that he  has worked across state  lines with                                                               
many individuals, and the proposed  commission model is something                                                               
that is  critical in other states.   He thanked the  bill sponsor                                                               
for drafting HB 155.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:58:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  MILLER-AUSTIN  addressed Representative  Saddler's  question                                                               
and  offered her  understanding  that other  states have  already                                                               
established military affairs commissions.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STAPP  added  that  states  with  large  military                                                               
installations already have  systems set up.  He  pointed out that                                                               
Alaska has the largest military presence in the country.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:59:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRAY   expressed  strong  support  for   HB  155;                                                               
however, he  expressed concern about  bringing a large  amount of                                                               
service members to Eielson Air Force Base.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STAPP responded that  issues of housing at Eielson                                                               
Air Force Base have not  had statewide recognition.  He explained                                                               
that the geographical  areas in the state are often  not aware of                                                               
issues in other  regions in the state.  He  suggested that if the                                                               
proposed  commission were  in place,  such  a regional  disparity                                                               
would be dealt with at a statewide level.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:01:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GROH  expressed support for  HB 155.   He referred                                                               
to language  in the bill on  page 2, lines 16  and 17, concerning                                                               
members serving staggered terms.   He expressed the understanding                                                               
that the  terms must start  at different  lengths in order  to be                                                               
considered staggered.  He asked how this process would work.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STAPP expressed  the understanding  that all  the                                                               
members of the proposed commission  would start at the same time,                                                               
with reappointments done in a staggered fashion.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:02:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR   WRIGHT,   from   previous  experience   on   boards   and                                                               
commissions,  suggested  that  members would  be  appointed  with                                                               
either a two-year term or three-year term.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:02:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GROH asked if this  would mean that the person who                                                               
appoints  the members  of the  commission would  select the  term                                                               
lengths.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. MILLER-AUSTIN  directed attention to  page 3, line 30  of the                                                               
proposed legislation.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GROH pointed out that  the commission would be set                                                               
to meet  quarterly, or as  the chair directs.   He asked  if this                                                               
would be adequate.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MS. MILLER-AUSTIN  responded that meeting quarterly  is adequate.                                                               
She noted  that there would  be no limit  on the number  of times                                                               
the commission could meet.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:04:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. MILLER-AUSTIN, in response  to Representative Gray, explained                                                               
that the  members would be  chosen by  the governor and  could be                                                               
reappointed.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked whether  members could serve forever if                                                               
governors kept reappointing them.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MS. MILLER-AUSTIN deferred to Representative Stapp.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:05:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STAPP confirmed that the governor could reappoint                                                                
members in perpetuity.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:06:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   SHAW   likened   reappointments   to   being   a                                                               
legislator; one could be elected forever, as long as the people                                                                 
he/she works for are happy.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:06:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
[HB 155 was held over.]                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:06:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no further business before the committee, the House                                                                 
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was                                                                 
adjourned at 2:07 p.m.                                                                                                          

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB 155 Fiscal Note - GOV 4.14.23.pdf HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM
HB 155
HB 155 Sectional Summary.pdf HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM
HB 155
HB 155 Supporitng Documents AMAC-ACAST-JASC Summary Comparison_v.1.pdf HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM
HB 155
HB 155 Sponsor Statement.pdf HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 155
HB 155 Presentation 4.18.23.pdf HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM
HB 155
HB 155 Supporting Documents FY2021 Defense Spending_AK.pdf HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM
HB 155
HB 155 ver A.PDF HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM
HB 155
DMVA Air Presentation for (H) MVA 4.20.23.pdf HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM
HB 155 Presentation - Economic Impacts of the Military in Alaska 4.20.23.pdf HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM
HB 155
AK Air National Guard Video 4.20.23.mp4 HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM