CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 255(STA) "An Act establishing the Joint Committee on Military Bases in Alaska; and providing for an effective date." TIM BENINTENDI, staff to Senator Tim Kelly, spoke to this bill. His statement was as follows: "SB 255 would establish a joint House, Senate and citizen committee to take up issues strictly dealing with military base closures in Alaska. It would focus upon, but not be limited to, activities of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, the so-called BRAC Commission, which is a federal entity that periodically reviews all military facilities in the United States. The attention by BRAC given to Alaskan bases in the past presents a considerable challenge and necessitates a strong and vigilant response from the Legislature. As it now stands, a formal BRAC reactivation is being debated in Washington DC. However, Defense Department officials have said that they would perform a base review and closure exercise even if BRAC isn't reinstituted later in the year." "The military establishment in Alaska accounts for approximately $1.7 billion annually throughout our economy. In addition, the base closures experienced to date, that is Adak Naval Air Facility and Fort Greely have shown that the process requires considerable amount of attention on the part of state government to monitor the economic impact and reuse potential of such base closures. This joint committee would provide that critical focus." "We have included public members in this joint committee to draw the participation of individuals from the state's primary military base localities, Anchorage and Fairbanks. We have invited participation from the state's Commissioner of Military and Veteran's Affairs department." "The bill before you reflects a correction made in the Senate State Affairs Committee to more clearly indicate the inclusion of three public, non-legislative members of the committee. "The amendment you also have would change the indicated amount of value the military presence hold for Alaska from $2.7 billion to $1.7 billion. This revision comes from Institution for Social and Economic Research, which updated that value for us. It modifies the higher number, which was previously used by our congressional delegation. The revised figure reflects past troop reductions and previous base closures and does not include the value of retired military personal." "We ask your support for that amendment. I understand the teleconference won't take place, so Mr. Chris Nelson, who's had experience with this in the past, won't be joining us, but I would be happy to take any questions or discuss the fiscal note." Senator Adams noted the fiscal note added another Legislative assistant. Senators Hoffman and Adams had volunteered their staff for this. Senator Adams felt it would be more objective to have representation coming from a rural area rather than hiring a new staff member. He said this would save $73,600, by eliminating the personal services. Senator Pearce said her intention had been to zero out the fiscal note with the exception of the travel and per diem for the public members, which she felt they did have to pay. She thanked Senator Adams for the offer his staff support. She added that she had been supportive of earlier efforts on BRAC commissions. She noted they had tried this before and enjoyed success. Alaska occupies a unique position on the globe that makes it a top priority for the Department of Defense, she observed. She still felt the need for concern about losses perhaps of some of their armed forces, particularly in Anchorage and Fairbanks. She was troubled, because she felt it was time for others to step forward. It shouldn't always have to be the Legislature that brings forward the support and the effort to stop these closures. She would have expected some sort of commitment from the Governor and from the local communities. She didn't see any money contributed from the local communities who would be affected. She did see where they were recommending people to serve on the task force, but thought they should also contribute money. She felt the approach should be broader than just a small Legislative committee. She also thought there was plenty of staff available during the interim to support the group and that no new positions should be funded. She stated that she casts a dim view of staff travel as a general rule and particularly to staff traveling to Washington DC to represent the Legislature of the State Of Alaska. She felt that only Legislatures could do an adequate job of meeting with the appropriate people and making that effort count. She then moved to adopt a Senate Finance Fiscal Note that would not fund staff especially for this task force. It also would not fund travel for the legislators or staff. It would fund travel and per diem for the members of the public who would serve on the task force. She added they could look at contracting supplies, but would need funding for advertising. She asked that the bill be held until the afternoon meeting, while the new fiscal note was prepared. She said this would only hold up the bill one day, and there were adequate votes to pass the legislation. Senator Adams asked about the Legislator travel costs for this task force. Would the funds come from the Leadership funds for each body, House and Senate, he asked. Senator Pearce affirmed that. He then asked about the sunset of the task force and if it would be a three-year committee. Mr. Benintendi told the committee they had no problem removing the provision for new staff. The intent had been just to show what the cost would be if the Legislature decided to add a special position. There was further discussion about different military sites in the state. Senator Phillips moved Amendment #1, which updates the economic value to the state, deleting $2.7 billion and inserting $1.7 billion. The sponsor concurred with the amendment. There was no objection and the amendment was adopted. There was no further discussion on the bill at this time. Co-Chair Sharp ordered the bill held in committee until 4:30pm when a new fiscal note would be presented. He announced the committee would re-convene at 4:30 to address SB 255 and the Results Based Budget Worksession on the Alaska State Troopers.