CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 326(FIN) "An Act authorizing the governor to order the organized militia into active state service to fight wildland fire, authorizing the governor to delegate to the adjutant general the authority to order the organized militia into active state service to fight wildland fire, and authorizing the payment of Alaska National Guard called into active state service to fight wildland fire at rates of pay established for certain emergency fire-fighting personnel; and providing for an effective date." Co-Chair Stedman described this as a first hearing for the bill. MCHUGH PIERRE, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, presented an overview of the bill. He remarked that the history of the bill started in 2004 when there were a record number of wild land forest fires in the state. When the fire fighting resources in the state are stretched thin, and extra help is needed, the Division of Forestry calls on the National Guard. 9:35:07 AM Co-Chair Stedman asked how many times the National Guard is called to fight fires and wondered if this will have any effect on the civilian side. Mr. Pierre responded that it will not affect the civilian sector at all. The National Guard is the last line of defense called during a fire. 9:36:14 AM Senator Thomas noted that this sounds like an equal pay for equal work situation. 9:36:38 AM Senator Huggins noted that a Chief Warrant Officer 5 would have a higher daily rate than a Colonel (06), which seemed odd to him. Mr. Pierre agreed but noted that rarely would a Colonel or Lt. Colonel work the fire line. The usual crew staffing is one Blackhawk helicopter, one pilot in command, a second pilot and one Chief Engineer or crew officer. The highest ranking person on the fire line is usually the pilot, a Chief Warrant Officer 3 or 4. The civilians hired to do the same job may be receiving more than double the salary. 9:38:24 AM Senator Huggins noted that "full timers" complicate the situation. The "full timers" may possibly be taking a pay cut from their civilian job to fight a fire. Mr. Pierre agreed but the goal of the bill is to make sure that there are traditional National Guard personnel responding to these fires. National Guard members under federal pay would move to a State pay rate when fighting fires resulting in a possible pay cut. 9:39:39 AM Senator Huggins reported that often guardsmen have to take leave to fight a fire. Mr. Pierre agreed that can happen. He explained that within the National Guard only about fifteen percent of the personnel are full time. They are either a technician under federal pay or Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) on federal pay. If a National Guard member is asked to take on a mission, they would have to file for leave from their civilian job. He reiterated that at present the full- timers take most these jobs therefore part-timers have less opportunity to receive the training to be successful on missions. The part timers, who make up the majority of the National Guard, would love to be able to participate. 9:41:08 AM Senator Huggins remarked that it is a worthy goal but it is unfortunate that many National Guard are mandatorily told to report which requires them to take leave or a vacation from their civilian job. 9:41:42 AM Senator Olson wondered if civilian employers would be adversely affected when National Guard employees leave work to fight fires. Mr. Pierre remarked that the department does not mandate National Guard personnel respond to a fire but has made it strictly volunteer. He revealed that there have been no complaints from employers in local communities so far. 9:42:39 AM Senator Olson questioned what other states do in similar situations. Mr. Pierre responded that other states react in same way. The state would activate their members on a "state active duty rate" which varies form state to state. Alaska has not updated its active duty rates recently. The state has noticed that state active duty rates and National Guard federal rates do not match. Mr. Pierre expressed the importance of seeing that all are paid evenly across the board. 9:43:38 AM Senator Elton asked if this bill requires the department perform specialized training for fire fighting. Mr. Pierre replied that the current bill does not require any additional training above the military training. He reported that those who respond to wild fires only respond in their trained capacity. 9:44:35 AM Mr. Pierre appreciated the time of the Committee. 9:45:05 AM Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT CSHB 226 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 326 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and previously published fiscal notes from the Department of Administration, the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Natural Resources.