HB 155-ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION  1:48:40 PM CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 155, "An Act establishing the Alaska Military Affairs Commission; and relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska Military Affairs Commission." 1:49:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE SHAW moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) to HB 155, Version 33-LS0701\U, Bergerud, 4/27/23, as a working document. REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER objected for the purpose of discussion. 1:50:09 PM FORREST WOLFE, Staff, Representative Stanley Wright, Alaska State Legislature, explained that Version U would make two changes to HB 155: on page 2, line 26, it would add subsection (e) to AS 44.19860 to add language that places administrative support responsibilities in the Office of the Governor; and it would change "Armed Services" to "Armed Forces of the United States" to be in compliance with U.S. code and state statue. 1:51:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked why administrative support duties would be moved from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to the Office of the Governor. REPRESENTATIVE WILL STAPP, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor of HB 155, answered that the change is a matter of resource with existing personnel and funding to be able to absorb the commission. 1:52:10 PM REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER removed his objection. There being no further objection, Version U was before the committee as a working document. 1:52:25 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 155, Version U, which read as follows: Page 1, following line 3: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the legislature that the mayors and public members appointed to the Alaska Military Affairs Commission be geographically distributed to represent as many different communities across the state as possible." Page 1, line 4: Delete "Section 1" Insert "Sec. 2" Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, line 1: Delete "sec. 1" Insert "sec. 2" Page 4, line 2: Delete "sec. 1" Insert "sec. 2" REPRESENTATIVE SHAW objected for the purpose of discussion. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that he supports HB 155 and sees that its goal benefits the entire state by planning for and encouraging more military missions. He said Amendment 1 expresses the legislature's intent that members of the commission be geographically distributed. 1:53:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE SHAW maintained his objection. 1:54:06 PM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Shaw, Carpenter, Groh, Gray, Saddler, and Wright voted in favor of Amendment 1. Therefore, Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 6-0. 1:54:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 155, Version U, which read as follows: Page 3, line 23, following "state": Insert "; (8) report to the Joint Armed Services Committee and any special committee of the legislature relating to military and veterans' affairs, if such committee exists at the time the report is due, issues on the commission's activities over the previous calendar year; the commission shall provide the report in an electronic format and deliver the report by January 31 each year" REPRESENTATIVE SHAW objected for the purpose of discussion. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that Amendment 2 seeks to accommodate a prohibition on members of the legislature serving on the Military Affairs Commission. He said the amendment requires a report, which would keep committees and legislators informed. REPRESENTATIVE SHAW removed his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 2 was adopted. 1:55:28 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment 3 to HB 155, Version U, which read as follows: Page 2, line 14, following "States,": Insert "and one of whom, to the extent possible, representing a geographic region not otherwise represented on the commission," REPRESENTATIVE SHAW objected for the purpose of discussion. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that Amendment 3 is similar to the first amendment as it relates to seat distribution by geographic location. He said the amendment would allow that one of the two public members be from an area that is not otherwise represented. REPRESENTATIVE SHAW removed his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 3 was adopted. 1:56:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE STAPP thanked committee members. 1:57:21 PM REPRESENTATIVE SHAW moved to report CSHB 155, Version 33- LS0701\U, Bergarud, 4/27/24, [as amended], out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 155(MLV) was reported out of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.