SB 213-TRANSPORTATION OF MEMBERS OF AK NATL GUAR Number 020 MR. BEN GRENN, committee aide to Senator Tim Kelly, sponsor of SB 213, stated SB 213 will permit active members of the Alaska National Guard, the Alaska Naval Militia and the Alaska State Defense Force, when space is available, free transportation on the Alaska Marine Highway and the Alaska Railroad. This free status will be limited to traveling to and from drill, training, or other official militia activities. The purpose of SB 213 is to provide a vehicle to get members of our volunteer defense forces to and from military training. In the present climate of downsizing and defense budget cuts, funding for transportation of members is constricted. As the owner and operator of the passenger railroad and marine highway system, the State of Alaska is in the position to offer transportation for these military personnel who are participating in training to defend our state and freedoms. SB 213 would mandate the railroad and ferry system to provide free transportation, on a space available basis, for the members of the above referenced state defense organizations who are en route to or from drill, training, or other official militia activities. The bill makes a name change from "Alaska State Militia" to "Alaska State Defense Force" in several places in the statute. SB 213 is a simple, straightforward document to assist our volunteer and citizen soldiers to get to their training. GENERAL TOM WESTALL, Commander 49th Civil Support Brigade, stated that he provided the committee with a briefing sheet. In 1983 the Department of Defense (DOD) asked the Adjutant Generals of several states to look at the defense forces to see if they could be brought into the total force structure. The military has been downsizing and the probability of federalizing the National Guard has been very likely. The State Defense Force would be a "stay behind" force and provide military formation for the Governor in the event of the federalization of the National Guard. The defense force provides a force multiplier for the various State agencies during times of disasters and other emergencies. In the services, only declared disasters are recorded, but the force participates more than that. 60 soldiers were furnished for Y2K search and rescue activities and for public service with the military police. Currently the force is structured as a cadre unit. They have brigade headquarters at Ft. Richardson at the armory, a fourth battalion in Anchorage, a second battalion in the Mat-Su valley, a first battalion in Juneau, and a third battalion in Fairbanks. The force also has an aviation detachment and medical detachment with certified State doctors and registered nurses to take care of all medical needs. United States Code Title 32, says that each state can have a National Guard and State Defense Force. The force is also covered by National Guard regulations. AS 26 is the statute the force operates under in the State. That statute shows the force as a militia; that is part of the language that needs to be changed to "State Defense Force." Number 121 CHAIRMAN KELLY asked if the language had already been changed and the legislation is just conforming the language in the statute, or whether SB 213 makes the official change. GENERAL WESTALL stated that SB 213 makes the official change. SENATOR MACKIE asked if the name change was unanimously agreed upon amongst all military units in the State or whether there was any opposition to changing the language. GENERAL WESTALL said the "State Defense Force" is a federal term that Alaska has adopted. Some states prefer "State Guard." Alaska avoided that term to make a clear distinction between the Alaska National Guard and the State Defense Force so it is clear on which unit people are addressing. The characterizations of Defense Force are more appealing than a militia group. They also have their own regulations on commissioning, enlisting, personnel action, training, and logistics; so it is a well regulated force. Number 150 SENATOR MACKIE asked if the Alaska State Defense Force falls under the command of the State's top military officials. GENERAL WESTALL stated the Governor is the Commander in Chief of all military forces within the State of Alaska. General Oates is the senior military officer for the State. CHAIRMAN KELLY asked if there are any full-time employees for the State Defense Force. GENERAL WESTALL said not at this time. The Attorney General decided the provisions to pay the Alaska Defense Force were not clear. SB 213 would be helpful for the Alaska Defense Force, because the units in Juneau have no economic way to come to Anchorage to train. It would be good for morale and cross-training to let them train with a full brigade. Number 185 ADJUTANT GENERAL PHILLIP OATES, Commissioner, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, stated the Alaska State Defense Force is a magnificent organization of volunteers. These people are not paid to train, they train on their own because they are Alaskan patriots. The only time these individuals are paid is when they are called for active state duty. SB 213 helps these groups come together for training and it lets the group know the State appreciates their service. SB 213 will help the National Guard, because members are in 76 different locations around the State. SB 213 provides transportation on a space available basis, so the impact will be minimal. It will help the force become ready in case an emergency arises. SB 213 has his full support. Number 209 CHAIRMAN KELLY asked if they can be transported by National Guard aircraft. GENERAL OATES said yes, most of the travel is done with the Force's own resources. The only time they pay for travel on State resources is for annual training. This will provide targets of opportunity when it is not essential to train. Once a year, the National Guard has funding to transport for annual training. CHAIRMAN KELLY asked if the State Defense Force members need two weeks of active duty a year. GENERAL OATES replied no, they do not. They have a training cycle, but it is not a mandated cycle like the National Guard. They go to the field for exercise; it is a different structure because they are volunteers. General Oates introduced Major Mancino and Major Young. Number 238 MS. WENDY LINDSKOOG, Director of External Affairs for the Alaska Railroad Corporation, stated that the Alaska Railroad supports SB 213, which provides free transportation for the military on a space available basis. This bill provides another way for the Alaska Railroad to support the State's armed forces. MS. LINDSKOOG cited AS 42.40 and gave some history on the Alaska Railroad Corporation. She said that there would be no financial impact to the railroad, if the space available basis policy is not violated. Military members would not take the place of revenue paying customers. Military travelers have the potential of being bumped on different segments of travel with the railroad. Ms. Lindskoog also gave the committee some background information on the Alaska Railroads rates and different routes. CAPTAIN NORM EDWARDS, Operations Manager of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), stated the AMHS supports SB 213. Since revenues are always a concern for the AMHS, one concern is that current travel being paid for by federal funds will now be lost to the State of Alaska. Another concern is that free travel not occur on the highest revenue generating runs. Lastly, AMHS is concerned that the new task does not become a burden for the operations of AMHS. AMHS hopes SB 213 will allow operations that are complimentary to what AMHS already performs. The plans to implement the bill will include: defining space available; union contracts go to first come, first serve basis; and providing travel between Alaska ports only. AMHS would like to add language to section 2 of SB 213 that reads "between Alaska ports only" immediately after "AMHS." AMHS wanted to make everyone aware of those issues, but they do support SB 213 along with the Alaska State Defense Force. CHAIRMAN KELLY said he feels confident the AMHS and the Alaska Railroad will work out the concerns mentioned. Chairman Kelly asked General Westall if he could think of a reason someone would need to go to Seattle. GENERAL WESTALL said no. Most of the use will be intermittent and not on a regular basis. Occasionally the AMHS would be used to travel to Haines. SENATOR MACKIE asked if there would be any training outside the State of Alaska. GENERAL WESTALL said no, there would be no training outside the State. CHAIRMAN KELLY said the intent is to operate between Alaska ports only, instead of making a committee substitute for SB 213. CAPTAIN EDWARDS stated he understands the intent, and that is how it will be interpreted. SENATOR MACKIE moved SB 213 out of committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, the motion carried.