SB 232-NAT'L GUARD: COMMAND/ACTIVE SERVICE/PAY  9:06:42 AM CHAIR MCGUIRE announced the consideration of SB 232. MCHUGH PIERRE, Legislative Liaison, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), said SB 232 came about in 2004 when the Alaska National Guard was fighting Alaska's extreme fires alongside staff from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). There are two different pay rates: one for emergency firefighters and one for active duty guard members. The guard was making one fourth to one half of what the others were making. The commissioner of DMVA told the DNR commissioner, and he said, "We've got the money, let's just pay them." But statute requires the state to pay active duty rates, and Section 2 of SB 232 will change that. Section 1 "will allow a little more freedom for when there are other events when the governor is not as available to be reached." Her authority can be delegated to the commissioner of DMVA, who is also an adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard. The commissioner would be delegated to activate National Guard forces for whatever the governor provides for, prior to the situation. CHAIR MCGUIRE asked if changing the statute to reflect this one circumstance will cause a wholesale rate change. MR. PIERRE said the bill only addresses wildfire fighting. The rates are set by DNR and BLM and only when the National Guard is called to action. It happens every summer, and guard people know that [this pay] is not the norm. It is an exception for wildfire fighting because of its danger. 9:09:29 AM SENATOR GREEN asked if the National Guard gets the same professional training as other firefighters. MR. PIERRE said they are only called for specific duties that they are capable of doing, like crew chief and helicopter pilot. SENATOR STEVENS said he served as an army officer. A person in the military doesn't have a choice when called. Firefighters can choose not to work. MR. PIERRE said that is true, but the guard is the last line of defense. Private contractors are called first. When called, guard leadership determines what specific job a member will do. 9:11:22 AM SENATOR STEVENS said everyone can agree to equal pay for equal worked, but he asked if the military gets benefits that the other firefighters don't, like the use of the "PX." MR. PIERRE said there are the benefits to National Guard members, "however, through this legislation they'll be treated just like any other wildfire fighter on the scene." This includes worker's compensation and medical benefits. When they get off of the fire, they will be treated just like they were in the National Guard again. SENATOR GREEN asked if the department gets compensated for the use of the equipment. LYNN WILCOCK, Chief, Fire and Aviation, DNR, Fairbanks, said "They do get compensated basically for their costs of [indecipherable] aircraft, and that is primarily what we're talking about here is the National Guard Blackhawks and making sure that the pilots and the support personnel that support those helicopters receive equal pay." Commissioner Irwin recognized it in 2004. The guard is extremely valuable and is used after all civilian assets are used. They are also used while waiting for workers to arrive from the Lower 48. 9:13:27 AM SENATOR GREEN said she was noting the DNR budget "and it is always amazing to read and see the figures of the set-aside cost and then tack on the per hour cost." She wanted to make sure DMVA was getting "a few bucks for their rental." MR. WILCOCK said aviation assets are getting expensive, and the guard is paid for their costs. SENATOR BUNDE asked if the proposed $35 per hour is what a state helicopter pilot would be paid. MR. WILCOCK said the emergency firefighter rates are based on the federal government rate for similar jobs, adjusted for inflation each year. "That is a comparable rate for a pilot if we were to hire that person as a pilot for the state of Alaska." SENATOR BUNDE asked if a private pilot makes more. MR. WILCOCK said he is not sure because that rate is established by the company. But he expects it is more. SENATOR BUNDE said fixed-wing pilots were paid $60 per hour 15 years ago, but he is not suggesting a raise for state employees. 9:15:28 AM SENATOR STEVENS asked what happens if the guard is firefighting and their services are needed elsewhere. MR. PIERRE said a priority would remove them from the fire. 9:16:00 AM CHRIS MAISCH, Director, Division of Forestry, DNR, Fairbanks, said the commissioner of DNR supports equal pay for equal work, and he is enthusiastic about the bill. SENATOR BUNDE said some Alaskans "off the end of the road" say they get no services, but with the cost of fires in remote areas, "they get a substantial state service." SENATOR STEVENS moved SB 232 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no objection, SB 232 passed out of committee.