03/10/1998 04:35 PM House MLV
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HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
March 10, 1998
4:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Beverly Masek, Chair
Representative Joe Ryan
Representative Eldon Mulder
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Irene Nicholia
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Pete Kott
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 211
"An Act renaming the Gravina Veterans' Memorial Bridge as the Ralph
M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge."
- MOVED SB 211 OUT OF COMMITTEE
* HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 63
Relating to support for Mitchell Field Adak airport.
- MOVED HJR 63 OUT OF COMMITTEE
* HOUSE BILL NO. 356
"An Act establishing the Joint Committee on Military Bases in
Alaska; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
CONFIRMATION HEARING: ANG ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL
- CONFIRMATION HEARING CANCELLED
(* First public hearing)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: SB 211
SHORT TITLE: RENAMING VET MEM BRIDGE IN KETCHIKAN
SPONSOR(S): SENATOR(S) TAYLOR, Mackie, Leman, Duncan;
REPRESENTATIVE(S) Williams
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
01/12/98 2165 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/2/98
01/12/98 2165 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
01/12/98 2165 (S) TRANSPORTATION
01/29/98 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH ROOM 205
01/29/98 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
01/30/98 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
01/30/98 2356 (S) TRA RPT 4DP
01/30/98 2356 (S) DP: WARD, WILKEN, GREEN, LINCOLN
01/30/98 2356 (S) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DOT)
02/04/98 2391 (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 2/4/98
02/04/98 2393 (S) READ THE SECOND TIME
02/04/98 2393 (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UNAN
CONSENT
02/04/98 2393 (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SB 211
02/04/98 2393 (S) COSPONSOR(S): LEMAN, DUNCAN
02/04/98 2394 (S) PASSED Y18 N- E2
02/04/98 2396 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/06/98 2230 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
02/06/98 2230 (H) MLV, TRANSPORTATION
02/06/98 2249 (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): WILLIAMS
03/10/98 (H) MLV AT 4:30 PM CAPITOL ROOM 124
BILL: HJR 63
SHORT TITLE: ADAK AIRPORT
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVES(S) MOSES
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
02/18/98 2351 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
02/18/98 2352 (H) MLV, TRANSPORTATION
03/10/98 (H) MLV AT 4:30 PM CAPITOL ROOM 124
BILL: HB 356
SHORT TITLE: JOINT TASK FORCE ON MILITARY BASES
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVES(S) MULDER, Dyson, Foster, Croft, Ivan
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
01/26/98 2138 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
01/26/98 2138 (H) MLV
03/10/98 (H) MLV AT 4:30 PM CAPITOL ROOM 124
WITNESS REGISTER
JOE AMBROSE, Legislative Assistant
to Senator Robin Taylor
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 30
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-4906
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented sponsor statement for SB 211.
REPRESENTATIVE CARL MOSES
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 521
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-4451
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented sponsor statement for HJR 63.
CHRISTOPHER GATES, Executive Director
Adak Reuse Corporation
4000 Old Seward Highway, Suite 300
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Telephone: (907) 561-4300
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 63.
VINCE TUTIAKOFF, Manager
Adak Reuse; Chairman
Aleut Corporation
FPO AP 96506
PSC 486 Adak
Adak, Alaska 99685
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 63.
AGAFON KRUKOFF, Mayor Elect;
Chairman, Adak Community Council
PSC 486 P.O. Box 1961
Adak, Alaska 99695
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 63.
GEORGE SPEAKE, Manager
Adak Airfield
PSC 486 P.O. Box 1933
Intra Alaska Zone 1
PFP AP 96506
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 63.
MITCH FERGUSON, Station Manager
Reeve Airways, Adak
(Address not provided)
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 63.
Tim Sullivan, Legislative Assistant
to Representative Eldon Mulder
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 501
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-2647
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 356.
CHRIS NELSON, Legislative Staff
to the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature
716 West Forth Avenue, Suite 540
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Telephone: (907) 258-8159
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on CSHB 356(MLV).
TIM ROGERS, Legislative Program Coordinator
Municipality of Anchorage
P.O. Box 196650
Anchorage, Alaska 99519
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of CSHB 356(MLV).
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 98-2, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR BEVERLY MASEK called the House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. Members
present at the call to order were Representatives Masek, Foster,
Joule and Nicholia. Representative Mulder arrived at 4:42 p.m.,
and Representative Ryan arrived at 4:47 p.m.
SB 211 - RENAMING VET MEM BRIDGE IN KETCHIKAN
Number 0095
CHAIR MASEK announced the first order of business would be SB 211
"An Act renaming the Gravina Veterans' Memorial Bridge as the Ralph
M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge," sponsored by Senator
Taylor.
JOE AMBROSE, Legislative Assistant to Senator Robin Taylor, Alaska
State Legislature, came before the committee. He read the
following statement into the record:
"Back in 1989, as Senate Bill 37 was moving through the House, an
amendment was added designating the bridge to be built across the
Tongass Narrows at Ketchikan as the Gravina Veterans' Memorial
Bridge.
"This amendment was offered at the suggestion of Ralph Bartholomew.
Ralph was a life-long resident of Ketchikan, a noted civic leader
and a veteran of World War II. He was also the leading proponent
for the construction of a bridge connecting Ketchikan with its
airport.
"Ralph passed away this fall and the community would like to see
the bridge renamed as the Ralph M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial
Bridge."
Number 0239
REPRESENTATIVE IRENE NICHOLIA asked what the current name of the
bridge is.
REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD FOSTER responded that it is the Gravina
Veterans' Memorial Bridge.
REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA asked who was Gravina.
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER pointed out it is the name of the island.
The bridge is to be built across Tongass Narrows to Gravina Island.
Number 0285
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER moved and asked unanimous consent to move SB
211 out of committee with the attached fiscal notes and with
individual recommendations. There being no objection, SB 211 moved
out of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans'
Affairs.
HJR 63 - ADAK AIRPORT
Number 0318
CHAIR MASEK announced the committee would hear HJR 63, "Relating to
support for Mitchell Field Adak airport," sponsored by
Representative Moses.
Number 0346
REPRESENTATIVE CARL MOSES came before the committee to explain the
resolution. He said he submitted HJR 63 in hope of getting a
special appropriation through Congress for the operation of the
airport at Adak. Representative Moses stated that the operation of
the airport is very important for the development and reuse of the
community of Adak. There is a lot of justification for getting a
special appropriation for the operation of the airport because the
airport is needed by the Coast Guard, the Air Force and the Army.
He noted a lot of different federal agencies have a need for the
airport, but those agencies don't want to commit any of their own
money as would affect their budget. Representative Moses said the
airport is also very important for twin jets that fly to the
Orient. There is a requirement that in order for twin jets to fly
over water or on long flights, they have to be within a certain
distance of an alternate airport or they can't fly that route. He
asked for the support of the committee to pass the resolution.
Number 0468
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER pointed out that resolutions can take awhile
to go through the various committees. He said if there isn't time
for the resolution to go through all the committees of referral, he
would be glad to be a signatory on a letter with other legislators
if the resolution isn't passed.
Number 0510
REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER questioned what the estimated annual
operating expense is of the airport.
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES responded that the amount is $750,000. He
noted that is an estimated figure.
Number 0534
REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA spoke in favor of HJR 63. She said she
believes it is a good investment. Representative Nicholia said she
was able to go to Sakhalin, Russia, and they stopped at Adak to see
the airport. She said it is a really nice airport. Representative
Nicholia informed the committee members that a new oil pipeline is
just being started in Sakhalin. There are Russian regions that are
very interested in trading and getting more economic development
projects in conjunction with Alaska's participation. They are
opening a bridge to their country in order to bridge Alaska and
Russia together to produce economic development. She noted that
Alaska even has a training center in Sakhalin in order to train
Russians to work on their pipeline. She stated she believes HJR 63
helps to further Alaska's economic development process.
Number 0656
CHRISTOPHER GATES, Executive Director, Adak Reuse Corporation,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage. He noted the Adak
Reuse Corporation is a corporation of regional representatives,
including the Aleut Corporation and others, who have been
designated by the federal government and the state government to
plan and implement the reuse of the former Naval Air Facility Adak.
He stated they have prepared some extensive comments in support of
HJR 63 which talks about the lives that would be saved, the
fisheries that would be enhanced, the international air carrier
operations from Europe to Asia that would be allowed to proceed,
the research and development in the Bering Sea, fishery enforcement
issues, Western Alaska restoration, Adak restoration, and the
Russian commerce that is possible with Adak. He said this is a
very important airport for the state of Alaska. It is also very
important regional airport for Atka. Mr. Gates emphasized that the
community of Atka, located 70 miles east of Adak, could not receive
essential air service without the instrument airport being
functional and operating at Adak. It would impact a number of
communities if Adak goes out of business as a regional instrument
flight rules (IFR) airport. He thanked Representative Moses for
introducing the resolution.
Number 0818
VINCE TUTIAKOFF, Manager, Adak Reuse; Chairman, Aleut Corporation,
testified via teleconference from Adak. He said it is very
important that the Adak Airport be funded through HJR 63. It is
also import to recognize that the airport is important to the state
of Alaska. He said there are approximately 200 citizens of Alaska
working at Adak. Mr. Tutiakoff pointed out that Adak provides the
community of Atka with freight service. It is important for search
and rescue operations, supply and emergency landing operations for
international carriers as well as within the state of Alaska. Adak
is important for the fisheries and the enforcement that needs to be
done in the area. Mr. Tutiakoff pointed out that they have had a
lot of contact with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and fish and game
vessels in the area. If the base wasn't operational, they would
not be able to do crew transfers and get their groceries.
Number 0970
AGAFON KRUKOFF, Mayor Elect; Chairman, Adak Community Council,
testified via teleconference from Adak. He said the community is
currently working towards the incorporation of Adak as a second
class city. He stated that he strongly supports the Airport
Improvement Program (AIP) funding for Adak. Mr. Krukoff said that
the people registered to vote in the community are thinking
globally and internationally. The airport is highly beneficial for
the further development of the state of Alaska. He thanked the
committee members for their support.
Number 1042
GEORGE SPEAKE, Manager, Adak Airfield, testified via teleconference
from Adak. He stated that not only is the Adak Airport important
to the state of Alaska, but it is also important internationally.
There are a lot of heavy aircraft that fly over that rely on Adak
as a divert airfield. Mr. Speake informed the committee members
that about four weeks ago he spoke with the customer service
representative for Alaska, from the Federal Aviation
Administration, who meets with the oceanic working group. He said
he had the representative pose the question to the oceanic working
group of what would happen if Adak was no longer available to them.
The response was unanimously that they would have to change their
routes and it would cost them $1 million. Mr. Speake said he would
also like to mention that they have about nine medivac missions,
the most recent being a boat that was in distress and had a injured
person on board. He referred to the IFR requirements for the
airfield and said if the Adak Airport had not been open, that
injured person would have not gotten off the ship and would have
possibly died.
Number 1125
CHAIR MASEK said the resolution asks Congress to appropriate
funding to the FAA to keep the Adak Airport operational. She asked
if the state of Alaska will maintain the airport.
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES said he expects the FAA to provide the funds
for the state to operate the airport. They will probably require
the normal participation by the state with non-federal funds.
Number 1191
MITCH FERGUSON, Station Manager, Reeve Airways, Adak, testified via
teleconference from Adak. He informed the committee that he
receives calls on a weekly basis from several aircraft operation
companies with questions regarding the airfield at Adak. Their
concerns are that it would be detrimental to their operations to
not have a working airfield at Adak. It is not only a benefit for
the state of Alaska, but it is a benefit internationally.
Number 1228
REPRESENTATIVE JOE RYAN asked Mr. Ferguson if Adak is on the great
circle route to the Far East.
MR. FERGUSON answered in the affirmative. He said they are one
hour north.
Number 1250
CHAIR MASEK said there is a short video about the airport and it is
available for any committee members wishing to see it.
Number 1280
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER moved and asked unanimous consent to pass HJR
63 out of committee with the attached fiscal notes. There being no
objection, HJR 63 moved out of the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs.
HB 356 - JOINT TASK FORCE ON MILITARY BASES
Number 1313
CHAIR MASEK announced the last order of business would be HB 356
"An Act establishing the Joint Committee on Military Bases in
Alaska; and providing for an effective date," sponsored by
Representative Mulder. Chair Masek noted there is a proposed
committee substitute.
Number 1330
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute dated 3/3/98. There being no objection, the committee
substitute was adopted.
Number 1355
TIM SULLIVAN, Legislative Assistant to Representative Eldon Mulder,
Alaska State Legislature, came before the committee to explain the
legislation. He informed the committee that there have been recent
calls from the Pentagon, the Secretary of Defense and many others
asking for another base realignment and closure committee process.
He said the committee members have an article written about the
acting secretary of the Air Force saying that if a new base
realignment and closure (BRAC) committee does not occur, he will
start shutting down bases on his own. Mr. Sullivan said for that
reason, Representative Mulder introduced HB 356. He read from the
sponsor statement:
"House Bill 356 would establish a joint House and Senate Committee
on Military Bases in Alaska. This committee would monitor the
activities of a new BRAC Commission, work to strengthen the
military presence in Alaska and, in the case of a reauthorized BRAC
process, work with the military, the administration and the
affected communities to protect our bases from closure.
"This joint committee will have an existence longer than that
called for in the Uniform Rules because of the reactivation of the
federal BRAC Commission. Creating this joint committee for longer
than the duration of the current Twentieth Legislature requires a
change in statute, and cannot be done by means of a concurrent
resolution, hence this bill. The joint committee would expire on
the date the Twenty-Second Legislature convenes. This time frame
corresponds with the activity period of the Base Realignment and
Closure Commission, which will again be reviewing all military
facilities in North America for justification of their continued
existence.
"The attention by BRAC given to Alaska bases in the past presents
a considerable challenge, and necessitates vigilance and a strong
unified response from the legislature. The military establishment
in Alaska accounts for approximately $1.7 billion throughout the
Alaskan economy. In addition, the base closures experienced to
date (Adak Naval Air Facility, Erickson Air Force Base, Galena Air
Force Base, King Salmon Air Force Base and Fort Greely) have shown
that the process requires considerable attention on the part of
state government to monitor the economic impact and the reuse
potential of such base closures. This joint committee would
provide that critical focus."
Number 1462
CHAIR MASEK asked Mr. Sullivan to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the original version of the bill.
MR. SULLIVAN informed the committee there are two changes. The
first is on page 1, line 14, which changes the number from $2.7
billion annually to $1.7 billion annually. He said this change was
made to represent draw downs that have already occurred in Alaska.
It also removed retirees that had been included in the earlier
number. The number is based on current military personnel and
their activities. Mr. Sullivan referred to Section 2, page 2,
subsections (3), (4) and (5), and said it made the individuals who
were to be appointed, individuals rather than members of the
legislature. He said he believes those are the changes.
Number 1491
REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA asked why the wording was changed to
include individuals as opposed to a member of the legislature.
MR. SULLIVAN said it is his understanding that there would be a
better representation, across the state, of individuals who have
some close workings with previous base realignment closure
commissions and/or work in the military area.
REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA asked how a public member from Juneau would
have information on the closure of bases.
Number 1549
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER responded that the possibility or specter of
opportunity would come under subsection (5). He said, "An
individual who is a state resident and appointed jointly by the
president and speaker after consideration of the recommendation of
the commissioner of Military and Veterans' Affairs, I think for the
fiscal note they were trying to give it a broad perspective of what
the options out there were to make sure that the fiscal note was
adequately addressed." Representative Mulder said he doesn't know
if there is anybody in Juneau that is concerned or interested or
wants to be involved, but it recognizes that the possibility
exists. He said he believes the more important point about the
public members is the fact that there are a number of individuals
who are retired from the military and they reside in Fairbanks,
Anchorage and throughout the state who are tremendous resources and
who would have the opportunity of being immense help to the interim
committee.
Number 1640
CHRIS NELSON, Legislative Staff to the Senate Majority, Alaska
State Legislature, testified via teleconference from Anchorage. He
said, "In 1995, I was the chief of staff to the legislature's Joint
Task Force on Military Bases, that headed up our efforts to defend
our bases from the 1995 BRAC. I would hope that the committee
would consider the fact that we are not alone in having bases that
are being threatened by future closure initiatives and that other
jurisdictions, right now, are moving just as we are moving to get
ready to defend their bases. In January, the Colorado Springs
Chamber of Commerce retained R. Duffy Wall (ph), a lobbying firm in
Washington, D.C., that was their 1995 BRAC team in Washington, to
begin to prepare a defense strategy to save Fort Carson. The state
of New York, each year, has a line item budget to support its
military bases within the state that the state government
appropriates. Each year, the state of New York will be spending
$7.8 million for all of its bases. We expect a large portion of
that will go to try to defend Fort Drum. The state of California,
likewise, has an agency in the state government completely devoted
to military bases, the reuse of closed bases and defending their
current bases from future BRAC closures. So there are people that
are already moving towards preparing their bases for defense in a
BRAC 2001 and I think that HB 356 is a very prudent and careful
measure that puts Alaska on an equal footing. It involves members
of the legislature. It also, at this time, provides for public
members that can bring a new perspective into this thing. I think
that it provides for a broadly based organization that can start
the process now so that we don't get caught flat footed." He said
in 1994 and 1995, Alaska came into the game rather late. Mr.
Nelson said he believes this is a great opportunity to be ahead of
the curve for BRAC 2001 and to pull together a lot of the people
who were involved in BRAC 1995, and keep our institutional memory
going.
Number 1774
TIM ROGERS, Legislative Program Coordinator, Municipality of
Anchorage, came before the committee to testify in support of CSHB
356. He said the military is a very important and vital resource
for the state of Alaska. It provides significant economic
resources to the state. He said the municipality is concerned that
there may be some threat to that resource in the future. Mr.
Rogers pointed out that the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce has just
recently formed their own BRAC Committee and the Municipality of
Anchorage is working with the chamber on that committee. Mr.
Rogers stated that if it weren't for the joint task force that was
appointed in 1994, he is thoroughly certain that the negative
impact on Anchorage would have been much more severe if nothing was
done. He urged passage of the legislation.
Number 1847
CHAIR MASEK said she would hold the HB 356 over until the next
meeting as she wants to review the fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER stated that he is proud that there is a House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs and he would
like to see the Senate have one also.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 1910
CHAIR MASEK adjourned the House Special Committee on Military and
Veterans' Affairs at 5:10 p.m.
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