SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5 Urging the United States Department of Defense to pay veterans benefits retroactively and to continue to provide retirement benefits for members of the Alaska Territorial Guard who served during World War II. Senator Huggins MOVED to ADOPT Work Draft 26-LS0468\R, Bailey, 2/2/09. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 10:13:02 AM KAREN SAWYER, STAFF, SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS, explained CSSJR 5 as a resolution urging the Department of Defense to continue to provide retirement benefits for members of the Alaska Territorial Guard who served during World War II. They were denied benefits in January due to a glitch in the law. There was strong response, including from the Alaska delegation, which resulted in the U.S. Army making a decision to use emergency funds to extend the benefits two months. The original language of the resolution has been changed to take out the language about retroactivity; added language supports the Alaska delegation to provide permanent recognition of the members. In addition, the resolution requests that the Department of Defense continue to use funds to provide benefits until Congress passes the bills or the army reverses their January decision. 10:15:25 AM Senator Huggins MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #1: Page 2, line 16, following "S. 342" Insert: "and H.R. 744" Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion. Senator Huggins explained the technical amendment changing language. Co-Chair Stedman removed his OBJECTION. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 10:16:17 AM Senator Huggins MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #2: Page 1, Line 12, Insert: WHEREAS, in 2000, because of the efforts of Alaska's U.S. Senator, Ted Stevens, the United States Congress passed legislation that required that service as a member of the Alaska Territorial Guard during World War II of an individual who was honorably discharged be considered active duty for purposes of all laws administered by the United States Secretary of Defense; and Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion. Senator Huggins explained that the amendment clarifies the chronology of the process. He read the amendment. Co-Chair Stedman removed his OBJECTION. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 10:17:51 AM Senator Elton suggested a language change from "their" to "its" on page 2, lines 14 and 15. Co-Chair Stedman referred to the zero fiscal note. Co-Chair Stedman opened public testimony. KATHIE WASSERMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, testified in support of the legislation. She reported that the league had addressed the issue and put forth a resolution to take to the National Association of Counties. Most members felt the change was an appalling message sent from the army to the men who had served. 10:19:14 AM SENATOR GENE THERRIAULT, testified that he supported Amendment 2 to the resolution. He spoke to other language he supported. He thought it was important for the legislation to go forward because the fact that Congress has taken action to fund another two months has misled Alaskans to believe the issue was resolved. The long term solution has yet to be achieved, and it was important and appropriate for the government of Alaska to make a statement through the passage of the resolution. 10:21:20 AM Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report CSSJR 5(FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSJR 5(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with new zero fiscal note by the Senate Finance Committee for all departments. 10:21:55 AM