ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
   HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS                                                                  
                         March 21, 2023                                                                                         
                           1:00 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stanley Wright, Chair                                                                                            
Representative Laddie Shaw                                                                                                      
Representative Ben Carpenter                                                                                                    
Representative George Rauscher                                                                                                  
Representative Cliff Groh                                                                                                       
Representative Andrew Gray                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Dan Saddler                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
PRESENTATION(S): OVERVIEW OF THE ALASKA MILITARY YOUTH ACADEMY                                                                  
PROGRAM                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 25                                                                                                               
"An Act relating to eligibility for the permanent fund dividend;                                                                
and providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB  25                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: PFD ELIGIBILITY UNIFORMED SERVICES                                                                                 
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STORY                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
01/19/23       (H)       PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23                                                                                
01/19/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
01/19/23       (H)       STA, MLV, FIN                                                                                          
01/31/23       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
01/31/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
01/31/23       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
02/16/23       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
02/16/23       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
02/21/23       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
02/21/23       (H)       Moved CSHB 25(STA) Out of Committee                                                                    
02/21/23       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
02/22/23       (H)       STA RPT CS(STA) NEW TITLE 5DP 1NR                                                                      
02/22/23       (H)       DP:     ARMSTRONG,    ALLARD,     STORY,                                                               
                        CARPENTER, SHAW                                                                                         
02/22/23       (H)       NR: C.JOHNSON                                                                                          
03/09/23       (H)       MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/09/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/09/23       (H)       MINUTE(MLV)                                                                                            
03/14/23       (H)       MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/14/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/14/23       (H)       MINUTE(MLV)                                                                                            
03/16/23       (H)       MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/16/23       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
03/21/23       (H)       MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
DAVID MCPHETRES, Director                                                                                                       
Alaska Military Youth Academy                                                                                                   
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs                                                                                     
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Co-provided a PowerPoint presentation on                                                                 
the Alaska Military Youth Academy Program.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
JOSH BOWEN, Budget Officer                                                                                                      
Alaska Military Youth Academy                                                                                                   
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs                                                                                     
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Co-provided a PowerPoint presentation on                                                                 
the Alaska Military Youth Academy Program.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
EMILY NAUMAN, Deputy Director                                                                                                   
Legislative Legal Services                                                                                                      
Legislative Affairs Agency                                                                                                      
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Offered invited testimony during the                                                                     
hearing on CSHB 25(STA).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY STORY                                                                                                       
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Offered brief remarks during the hearing on                                                              
CSHB 25(STA), as the prime sponsor.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:Z00:33 PM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STANLEY  WRIGHT  called the  House  Special  Committee  on                                                             
Military  and Veterans'  Affairs meeting  to order  at 1:00  p.m.                                                               
Representatives Shaw, Gray, Rauscher,  and Wright were present at                                                               
the call  to order.   Representatives Carpenter and  Groh arrived                                                               
as the meeting was in progress.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:01:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
^Presentation(s): Overview  of the Alaska Military  Youth Academy                                                               
Program                                                                                                                         
 Presentation(s): Overview of the Alaska Military Youth Academy                                                             
                            Program                                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the  first order of business would be                                                               
a  presentation  on  the Alaska  Military  Youth  Academy  (AMYA)                                                               
Program.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:02:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DAVID  MCPHETRES,   Director,  Alaska  Military   Youth  Academy,                                                               
Department of  Military and Veterans Affairs,  directed attention                                                               
to a  PowerPoint presentation,  titled "Overview  Alaska Military                                                               
Youth  Academy,"   dated  3/21/23  [included  in   the  committee                                                               
packet].  He began his presentation  with an overview of the AMYA                                                               
Mission Statement  on slide  2, which  read as  follows [original                                                               
punctuation provided]:                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Help meet the life  coping skills and educational needs                                                                    
     of  16-18 year  old Alaskans  who  are at  risk of  not                                                                    
     completing  their secondary  education, and  to provide                                                                    
     them  with  the  values, skills,  education  and  self-                                                                    
     discipline to succeed as adults.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     A  17 ½  month residential  and non-residential  quasi-                                                                    
     military educational  program for  young men  and women                                                                    
     who have not received a high school credential.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Operates as  a non-combatant entity under  the National                                                                    
     Guard  with  oversight  by   the  Office  of  Assistant                                                                    
     Secretary    of   Defense    (Manpower   and    Reserve                                                                    
     Affairs)(Reserve Integration) (OASD)(RA).                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
He  stressed that  AMYA  was  not a  replacement  for a  juvenile                                                               
detention  center  or  an intensive  therapy  organization.    He                                                               
provided  anecdotal information  about what  kind of  experiences                                                               
cadets have at  AMYA and explained the  2-week acclimation period                                                               
for new cadets  that introduces them to the  military style rules                                                               
there.   He  further explained  AMYA was  quasi-military, meaning                                                               
the  students  are not  enlisted  upon  joining the  program  nor                                                               
required to enlist  later, rather the military  structure is used                                                               
as  a  [behavior  management]  tool.     He  indicated  that  the                                                               
acclimation period  was used to  see whether a  prospective cadet                                                               
will  succeed  and that  80  percent  of  cadets that  start  the                                                               
program graduate.   After this period  is when they start  on the                                                               
academic  curriculum.    He  provided a  brief  overview  of  the                                                               
academic  process as  well as  other  vocational and  skill-based                                                               
training the cadets  are exposed to.  He  highlighted the success                                                               
of AMYA through a  photo on slide 2 of a  recent top graduate who                                                               
is now  a U.S.  Airmen.   He returned  to reference  more general                                                               
overview  information  from  slide   2,  which  read  as  follows                                                               
[original punctuation provided]:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Return  on   Investment  of  $2.66  for   every  dollar                                                                    
     expended on the program                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     There are 40 Challenge sites  in 31 States, Puerto Rico                                                                    
     and the  District of Columbia that  serve ~10,000 teens                                                                    
     per year                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Largest  Mentoring program  in  the State  of Alaska                                                                       
     opportunity for uniformed personnel to be mentors                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     6,480 Graduates from AMYA since 1994                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     2561 GEDs and 422 HS Diplomas since 2005                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Additionally, he noted  that AMYA receives funding  from both the                                                               
U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) and the State of Alaska.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:06:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOSH  BOWEN,  Budget  Officer,  Alaska  Military  Youth  Academy,                                                               
Department  of  Military  and  Veterans  Affairs,  explained  the                                                               
budget and  funding sources for  AMYA in further detail  on slide                                                               
3, which reads as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Cooperative  Agreement     Between the  National  Guard                                                                    
     Bureau and State of Alaska                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     75%  Federal  Reimbursement  and   25%  State  Match                                                                       
     Personal Services    Reimbursed up to  assigned General                                                                    
     Schedule  (GS)  Maximum  for   each  position  and  for                                                                    
     Allowable Benefits    Reimbursement for Authorized Cost                                                                    
     or Activities Subject to Cooperative Agreement                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     General  Funds      Personal  Services      Salary  for                                                                    
     employees that go  over GS Maximum and  State of Alaska                                                                    
     specific benefits   Provide for  cost or activities not                                                                    
     reimbursable or go over authorized cost limitations                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     SFY23 Annual  Cost Per Cadet  = $46,879    Cadets spend                                                                    
     avg. of  4,380 hours per  cycle with AMYA. (2  cycles a                                                                    
     year)    $46,879  divided by  4,380 hours  = $5.35  per                                                                    
     hour per cadet                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     AMYA  is a  tuition free  24hr operation  that provides                                                                    
     clothing, bedding,  hygiene supplies,  school supplies,                                                                    
     food, and activity costs                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
He  added   that  one  limitation  of   reimbursement  under  the                                                               
cooperative  agreement was  clothes and  equipment.   The current                                                               
agreement allows for  $500 per cadet to  be reimbursed federally,                                                               
but  AMYA  averages  about  $1000  per cadet  on  clothing.    He                                                               
contributed this to the logistics  of living in Alaska, including                                                               
the extreme winter weather and cost of shipping.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:09:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked whether  the cadets were allowed to                                                               
fund any of their equipment or clothing on their own.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MCPHETRES replied  that  cadets can  provide  some items  on                                                               
their  own, but  due to  AMYA  serving students  from all  socio-                                                               
economic backgrounds  past attempts  to implement  shopping lists                                                               
have  become  cost prohibitive  to  the  cadets and  resulted  in                                                               
uniformity issues  within the clothes themselves.   He reiterated                                                               
that AMYA was not allowed to charge cadets for clothing.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER posed a  hypothetical scenario in which a                                                               
cadet wanted  to purchase additional  equipment beyond  what AMYA                                                               
provided, and whether he/she could do so.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES  explained that AMYA standardizes  the clothing and                                                               
equipment  they  issue  and  answered that  no,  cadets  are  not                                                               
currently able to pay for these items themselves.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:11:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
 REPRESENTATIVE GRAY  referred to  information [on slide  2] that                                                               
described the  program as having residential  and non-residential                                                               
options, and asked how residency decisions are made.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES replied  that all cadets do a  combination of both.                                                               
The program starts with a  22-week residency that includes the 2-                                                               
week  acclimation period.   For  the year  after cadets  graduate                                                               
from  the  residential  phase,  AMYA  is  federally  mandated  to                                                               
continue following their progress and providing assistance non-                                                                 
residentially, he explained.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:12:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MCPHETRES   continued  the  presentation  with   data  about                                                               
graduated cadets.   He  reported that about  10 percent  join the                                                               
military immediately  and an additional  10 percent will  join by                                                               
the time they turn 18.   He briefly referenced two graduate's and                                                               
their stories, which were on slide 4.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:13:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES  continued with graduate  anecdotes on slide  5 and                                                               
shared the stories of Lena Allen,  who is now pursuing a master's                                                               
in law and  went into law enforcement, and  Lindsey Sorenson, who                                                               
was a  culinary arts  graduate and  has served  on board  for the                                                               
Alaska Fur Rendezvous.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:14:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES moved  on to speak about the  eight core components                                                               
of the  AMYA program.  He  started with pictures on  slide 6 that                                                               
showcased the  physical fitness training  all cadets  go through.                                                               
He stated that an average class  of cadets will lose a collective                                                               
2000 pounds  by graduation.   However, he stressed that  this was                                                               
all healthy weight  loss attributed to active  daily routines and                                                               
if a cadet comes in  below Body Mass Index (BMI) recommendations,                                                               
AMYA works to bring that up.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:15:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES  proceeded to slide 7  and spoke about the  next of                                                               
the  core components,  academic  excellence.   He indicated  that                                                               
AMYA's main  academic goal is  that their cadets earn  their high                                                               
school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED). Currently 65-                                                                
70 percent of cadets graduate AMYA with a diploma or GED.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:15:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MCPHETRES  acknowledged the  importance  of  job skills  and                                                               
Alaska's need  for people  to enter  the trades.   On slide  8 he                                                               
explained the  programs they offer  at AMYA in  partnerships with                                                               
state unions  and union  shops that  provide direct  training and                                                               
eventually apprenticeships to  the cadets.  There  is also onsite                                                               
culinary  arts  and  logistics training  available,  as  well  as                                                               
resume  development  and job  interview  training.   He  asserted                                                               
these programs provide the cadets  with skills they can take into                                                               
their adult lives.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:16:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WRIGHT sought  specifics on how AMYA works  with the Alaska                                                               
Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC).                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES  explained that they have  an extensive partnership                                                               
with AVTEC,  and they present  at AMYA  every program cycle.   He                                                               
expressed  that  his  biggest   concerns  with  cadets  in  post-                                                               
residency is when they return  home and described the backgrounds                                                               
of some  cadets as  having "life experiences  I wouldn't  wish on                                                               
any one  of us."   He shared  the gratifying feeling  of watching                                                               
cadets  overcome  those  challenges   and  suggested  that  their                                                               
partnership  with AVTEC  and other  vocational  programs plays  a                                                               
large role  in the cadet's success.   The next core  component of                                                               
the program  is learning how  to be a responsible  citizen, which                                                               
he spoke  about on slide  9.  He  shared that they  help eligible                                                               
cadets register to vote and take  them to the polling place if an                                                               
election occurs during  their program.  He  emphasized that being                                                               
a  responsible citizen  is  how  cadets can  give  back to  their                                                               
communities.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:19:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES proceeded  to slide 10 to showcase  the life coping                                                               
skills the  academy provides  to cadets.   He  anecdotally shared                                                               
that  there   has  been  higher  levels   of  suicidal  ideation,                                                               
violence,  and self-control  behaviors in  youth over  the recent                                                               
years.   He reported  that at  AMYA they work  to combat  this by                                                               
exposing cadets  to new and  difficult life experiences  with the                                                               
proper  support  that  helps  them  build  confidence  and  other                                                               
positive coping skills.  He  emphasized that an important part of                                                               
the campus  promoting such skills  is that  when a cadet  makes a                                                               
mistake,  they  do  so  in  a  safe  environment  with  immediate                                                               
correction so they can learn from it and move forward.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:20:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked whether  AMYA applicants exceed the                                                               
available spots in the program.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES  replied that they do  not.  He said  that they are                                                               
working  to  get  enrollment  back to  where  it  was  pre-COVID.                                                               
Currently the goal for [each] graduation is 125 cadets.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER  questioned  whether  AMYA  was  turning                                                               
applicants down even though there is availability.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MCPHETRES explained  that each  cadet  has to  fit into  DOD                                                               
standards,  which included  not being  a convicted  felon, having                                                               
the mental  and physical capabilities  to participate,  and being                                                               
within the age range.  He  noted that the only exception to these                                                               
rules is that age waivers may  be obtained for someone just below                                                               
or above the age range.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:21:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked how the academy is advertised.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES responded  that they advertise on the  radio, go to                                                               
school  counselors,  and appear  at  community  events to  spread                                                               
awareness  of the  program.   Currently  they have  been able  to                                                               
travel  more to  other  parts  of the  state  to do  face-to-face                                                               
visits.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRAY assumed  that most  cadets were  coming from                                                               
the Anchorage  area, and  further questioned  the existence  of a                                                               
fund to  cover travel for  cadets from other  areas, specifically                                                               
villages.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES answered  that travel is another  expense that AMYA                                                               
takes  on.   He  added  that 25-30  percent  of  cadets are  from                                                               
outside of Anchorage  and about 20 percent are from  off the road                                                               
system.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:23:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER  returned  to the  topic  of  vocational                                                               
training programs  in regard  to the cadets  that are  from other                                                               
areas,  and  asked whether  the  job  placements associated  with                                                               
these programs were going to be  in the cadet's home community or                                                               
located solely in the Anchorage area.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES replied  that cadets get placed in  jobs within the                                                               
communities they return to.   He explained that most graduates go                                                               
back to  their communities to continue  their vocational training                                                               
in local  entities, such as  the city jails, kitchens,  and small                                                               
auto repair  shops.   He emphasized  that AMYA  maintains contact                                                               
with their graduates from a distance for the following year.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER  asked   which  months  [AMYA]  operates                                                               
during.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES explained that there  are two educational cycles at                                                               
AMYA.   The first starts  in January  and graduates in  June, the                                                               
second  starts in  July and  graduates in  December. He  reported                                                               
that they  have changed their  schedule from prior years  so that                                                               
they are  now aligned with  the school calendar,  allowing cadets                                                               
to  return to  school after  the program  at the  start of  a new                                                               
semester.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER questioned  how  AMYA makes  up for  the                                                               
time  outside of  the cadet's  traditional school  environment so                                                               
that  they  can  continue  on   to  subsequent  grades  and  meet                                                               
educational [standards] when they return.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MCPHETRES  replied that  during  the  5  1/2 months  at  the                                                               
academy,  the  cadets  earn  at  least 7  1/2  credits  that  are                                                               
transferrable to  any high school in  the state, and he  has seen                                                               
cadets earn  as many  as 12 1/2  credits in a  single cycle.   He                                                               
noted  some cadets  enter the  program with  a credit  deficiency                                                               
that they can make up while at AMYA  so they can be back on track                                                               
and ready to learn when they reenter school.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:26:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MCPHETRES continued  with his  presentation on  slide 11  to                                                               
discuss  AMYA's  community  service   requirement.    Each  cadet                                                               
completes  at  least 40  hours  of  service within  the  school's                                                               
community, including litter pick-up  and assisting at events such                                                               
as races and  parades.  He indicated that  their participation in                                                               
such events also provides an  opportunity to showcase the program                                                               
and increase visibility.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:27:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WRIGHT  sought  a  more detailed  list  of  the  community                                                               
service opportunities  the cadets take  part in and what  they do                                                               
specifically.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES  provided take more  examples of  community service                                                               
events,  including  volunteering  at the  Thanksgiving  blessing,                                                               
veteran stand downs, and military  and community events.  He said                                                               
some  of  that  work  includes  loading  cars  with  Thanksgiving                                                               
groceries and helping  set up and tear down event  equipment.  He                                                               
maintained that  the cadets  are known to  be hard  and efficient                                                               
workers  and  that they  often  get  so  many requests  from  the                                                               
community for cadet volunteers that they have to turn some down.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WRIGHT  wondered how many  hours a group of  cadets usually                                                               
completes as a whole.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES did not have a  number for the entire cadre, but he                                                               
offered that  a single cadet  can earn up  to around 80  hours of                                                               
service during their 5 1/2 months.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:29:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES  moved on to  discuss health and hygiene,  the next                                                               
core component  of the program,  on slide  13.  He  revealed that                                                               
many of  the cadets  have little exposure  to health  and hygiene                                                               
skills or opportunities at home,  such as dental and vision care,                                                               
and can  even be unaware  of allergies or  other life-threatening                                                               
conditions  they may  have.    AMYA has  a  partnership with  the                                                               
National  Guard  that provides  full  dental  and vision  checks,                                                               
which he suggested is one  component of building better awareness                                                               
of health issues.  He also  said that AMYA helps set up insurance                                                               
through Denali  KidCare for uninsured  cadets that they  can take                                                               
with them  after leaving  the program.   Cadets  are additionally                                                               
trained in proper  self-care skills, which he stressed  is a life                                                               
basic but a vital part of the program.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:30:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES continued  with slide 13 and the  core component of                                                               
leadership  and followership.   By  week six  the cadets  run the                                                               
program themselves, taking lead on  directing daily routines.  He                                                               
mentioned   the  evolution   of   the   cadets'  leadership   and                                                               
followership skills,  adding that  many cadets thrive  when given                                                               
these  positions.   The cadets  can  progress through  leadership                                                               
ranks  up to  Corps  Sergeant  Major, which  he  reported is  the                                                               
highest cadet rank.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:31:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked whether  the leadership program was                                                               
rotational "so that  everyone gets a shot at it"  or if the cadet                                                               
leaders are chosen based on who shows the most ambition.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR.   MCPHETRES  confirmed   that  the   leadership  program   is                                                               
rotational so  that every cadet  gets a chance to  try themselves                                                               
out,  but that  cadets compete  for higher  level positions.   He                                                               
emphasized that the Corps Sergeant  Major does not rotate, rather                                                               
it is an earned position.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:33:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MCPHETRES proceeded  to speak  about graduation  preparation                                                               
cadets go through  which was highlighted on slide 15.   He shared                                                               
that the  focus of the  academy is  always "what's next"  for the                                                               
cadet and prior  to graduation they help the  cadets put together                                                               
a post  residential action plan.  This includes  short-, medium-,                                                               
and  long-term goals  for their  future; resume  information; and                                                               
other resources  that placement  staff work  with the  cadets on.                                                               
He mentioned that AMYA verifies  that 100 percent of their cadets                                                               
have  post  program placements  in  a  job, school,  or  military                                                               
branch before graduation.   Cadets are required to  check in once                                                               
a month  for the year  following graduation and he  reported that                                                               
these often function as an opportunity  for the cadets to ask for                                                               
continued support.   One of  the post-residential  resources they                                                               
can  access  is  the  non-profit 501c(3)  associated  with  AMYA.                                                               
Cadets can apply for scholarships  funded by this non-profit, and                                                               
he reported  that it has  been positive  way to keep  in contact.                                                               
He relayed  that an active-duty  alum told him that  the "academy                                                               
changed my life".   He detailed several other  examples of former                                                               
graduates, some active duty and  other non-military, that are now                                                               
using the skills and vocational  training they learned at AMYA in                                                               
their careers.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:37:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MCPHETRES  wrapped  up  his  presentation  by  inviting  the                                                               
committee members to this year's graduation on the 15th of June.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:38:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WRIGHT  shared he was  a judge  for a cooking  contest once                                                               
for the program  and thanked the presenters for  the passion they                                                               
have for the program.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:38:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER thanked the  presenters for their work at                                                               
AMYA  and summarized  a  tour  of the  facility  he  had been  on                                                               
previously.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:39:22 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked whether  demand for cadets is high                                                               
or declining.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCPHETRES reported that cadet  interest has been fairly flat.                                                               
He  attributed that  to  "being locked  into  our walls"  [during                                                               
COVID].   He claimed  that they need  face-to-face contact  to be                                                               
successful in  increasing interest  in AMYA.   He shared  that he                                                               
has  experienced a  communication gap  between the  community and                                                               
the academy that AMYA has  been actively working on repairing. He                                                               
expressed  that this  is especially  true  when it  comes to  the                                                               
public perception  of AMYA, and  he emphasized  that it is  not a                                                               
place for  "bad kids" but rather  those that need a  higher level                                                               
of structure  to thrive. He  reported interest requests  that are                                                               
triple  the  number of  applicants  that  start the  program  and                                                               
reflected on the need to close that gap.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  CARPENTER asked  whether  applicant interest  was                                                               
only from within the state.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MCPHETRES  explained  that there  are  40  similar  programs                                                               
throughout the nation.  These  other academies have been seeing a                                                               
boom in  applicants and  he reported that  there are  some cadets                                                               
who do come in  from out of state, but they  must have an Alaskan                                                               
resident as a relative who can  act as their legal guardian to do                                                               
so.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:42:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took a brief at-ease.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:42:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
           HB  25-PFD ELIGIBILITY UNIFORMED SERVICES                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the  final order of business would be                                                               
HOUSE  BILL  NO. 25  "An  Act  relating  to eligibility  for  the                                                               
permanent fund  dividend; and providing  for an  effective date."                                                               
[Before the committee was CSHB 25(STA).]                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WRIGHT   informed  committee   members  of  a   memo  from                                                               
Legislative Legal  Services addressing  a question  regarding the                                                               
applicability  of the  Permanent  Fund  Dividend (PFD)  five-year                                                               
rule.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:44:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
EMILY  NAUMAN,  Deputy   Director,  Legislative  Legal  Services,                                                               
Legislative Affairs Agency,  stated she was asked to  come to the                                                               
committee to  discuss the  five-year rule  in relation  to Alaska                                                               
Statutes  affected by  CSHB 25(STA).   She  referred to  the memo                                                               
from  Legislative Legal  Services on  this question  [included in                                                               
the  committee packet],  which  stated that  the  part of  Alaska                                                               
Statutes that  created the five-year rule,  AS 43.23.008(d), also                                                               
applies to members  of the armed services.  The  rule states that                                                               
after a resident  is absent from [Alaska] for more  than 180 days                                                               
for 5  of the  preceding years, then  the [Department  of Revenue                                                               
(DOR)] assumes that  the applicant is no longer a  resident.  She                                                               
maintained that the rule applies  even if the absence falls under                                                               
the  allowable  absences  under   AS  43.23.008(a),  which  would                                                               
include allowable absences for uniformed  or armed forces service                                                               
members if amended by CSHB 25(STA).                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:47:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ANDY  STORY,   Alaska  State  Legislature,  prime                                                               
sponsor of  CSHB 25(STA), said  she had  no comments to  offer at                                                               
this time.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:47:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRAY sought  to  confirm that,  as drafted,  CSHB                                                               
25(STA)  would  not  change  who  the  five-year  rule  currently                                                               
effects.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENATIVE STORY  shared her  understanding that  CSHB 25(STA)                                                               
would  not allow  anyone to  collect the  PFD after  5 years  and                                                               
deferred to Ms. Nauman for further details.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS.  NAUMAN added  two  qualifications  to Representative  Gray's                                                               
understanding.   She  explained that  the five-year  rule already                                                               
exists in  Alaska Statues and  CSHB 25(STA) does not  change that                                                               
part of the statue. Additionally,  she reported that an applicant                                                               
can rebuff the  presumption that they are no  longer qualified if                                                               
they can demonstrate clear and  convincing evidence to [DOR] that                                                               
they  have been  present  in  the state  for  30 cumulative  days                                                               
within  the 5  years and  they remain  a resident  as defined  in                                                               
Alaska Statues.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRAY asked  whether an  individual could  fulfill                                                               
the requirement  by "taking a  six-day vacation" to  Alaska every                                                               
year.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. NAUMAN confirmed Representative Gray's understanding.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:49:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that CSHB 25(STA) would be held over.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:50:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SHAW  expressed  his  support  for  the  proposed                                                               
changes  to CSHB  25(STA), as  chair of  the House  State Affairs                                                               
Committee (HSTA).  He reported  that the changes still align with                                                               
the intent  of the  committee substitute  (CS) that  was reported                                                               
from HSTA while removing additional financial burden on DOR.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:50:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
Special Committee  on Military and Veterans'  Affairs meeting was                                                               
adjourned at 1:50 p.m.