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.