HB 332 - MEMBERS OF ALASKA STATE MILITIA CHAIRMAN MURKOWSKI announced the next order of business as HB 332, "An Act relating to payment, benefits, and work status of members in the active service of the Alaska State Militia; and providing for an effective date." CAROL CARROLL, Director, Central Office, Administrative Services Division, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, came before the committee to present HB 332. The purpose of the bill is to provide a statutory method to pay members of the Alaska State Defense Force/Alaska State Militia when called to active service. She noted that the defense force/militia is part of the organized militia, but they are treated differently than the Alaska National Guard and Alaska Naval Militia - the national guard and militia are federally based and have a federal pay structure. The bill suggests that the members of the defense force/militia would be paid as if they were state employees. MS. CARROLL further stated the department was notified last year by the Department of Law that they were paying members of the defense force/militia inappropriately. Since that time, the department has been paying those members as non-permanent state employees, which creates some discomfort and confusion. The bill, therefore, clarifies that they are members of the Alaska State Defense Force/Alaska State Militia; that they are under its command structure; that they are subject to its discipline; but that they are to be paid using a state scale. The bill would also change how they are paid for workers' compensation [benefits]. She further pointed out that HB 332 is referred to in HB 331, and that merging them would simplify both bills. Number 1536 THOMAS S. WESTALL, Brigadier General, 49th Civil Support Brigade, Alaska State Defense Force/Alaska State Militia, testified via teleconference from Anchorage. The defense force/militia does a lot of volunteer work without pay and will continue to do so, but there are times when the governor needs them for state missions, i.e. disasters. They are called under Title 26, which gives them a full range of duties and protections. For instance, when under Title 26 their jobs are protected, but when under Title 39 as state employees their jobs are not protected. Furthermore, a reason that they need some compensation is because those who volunteer in the spirit of a true militia, as George Washington envisioned, give time away from their jobs and families, when they have house payments and car payments like everybody else. They don't expect to get rich, but they need some compensation and protection so that they can continue their lives. He said, "Can you imagine asking your employer if you can go do another job? They might just ask you to continue doing it." This is a very important bill for the Alaska State Defense Force/Alaska State Militia. Number 1654 CHAIRMAN MURKOWSKI asked General Westall whether it's correct to say that the defense force/militia members receive some compensation when called on by the governor, but that they perform many volunteer services. GENERAL WESTALL replied that's correct. He cited that the defense force/militia will provide military police support for the Iditarod restart for the City of Wasilla, so that the city doesn't have to uncover their normal patrols. He pointed out that it's important to keep in mind when they are called on for a disaster they have to go; they cannot say no. He said, "I have to tell you something. They have never, never, ever not wanted to report for duty. Everyone is so excited about being in the defense force that they're very anxious to do this. And, that's why we do a lot of these unpaid services." Number 1756 ED KNOEBEL testified via teleconference from Glennallen. As a member of a defense force, he understands that a person is covered under workers' compensation when traveling to and from state duty. He asked whether the bill would extend that [benefit] to volunteer duty. GENERAL WESTALL answered yes. The current statute and proposed statute would cover an individual in an unpaid status. An individual under orders, however, is covered from portal-to-portal, which gives additional protection. CHAIRMAN MURKOWSKI closed the meeting to public testimony. CHAIRMAN MURKOWSKI announced that the bill would be held over in order to "fine-tune" it.