One thing that both sides of the political aisle agree on in the Alaska House of Representatives is that the military is important to Alaska. A bill establishing an Alaska Military Affairs Commission, with prime sponsor Rep. Will Stapp of Fairbanks, passed the House on a unanimous vote of 37-0. Three members were absent: Rep. Maxine Dilbert of Fairbanks, Rep. Daniel Ortiz of Ketchikan and Rep Andi Story of Juneau, all members of the Democrat-led minority caucus.
House Bill 155 establishes the commission in the Office of the Governor and sets staggered three-year terms for the nine voting members. The commission is intended to provide advice, counsel, and recommendations on military issues and economic and industrial development related to military issues to the governor, state agencies, the Alaska Legislature, communities, and the state’s congressional delegation.
The AMAC will work to expand and grow the current presence of the armed forces in the state, including new bases, expanded missions, and increased training, the sponsoring documentation says. Members would include the lieutenant governor, who would serve as chair of the commission, the adjutant general of the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs or designee, the commissioner of Commerce Community and Economic Development or designee, three members of are mayors or their designees from communities with military presence, and two public members with military experience or expertise, and one public member with statewide business or economic development experience. The public members would be appointed by the governor.
There will be no pay for service, but the governor’s office may pay per diem to members on meeting days.
Alaska has more than 67,000 veterans representing four generations across five major conflicts. There are 21,407 active military members in the state with over 29,400 military dependents.
Rep. Jamie Allard said the commission will help the State of Alaska do a better job of reaching out to veterans, particularly female veterans, who are often ignored.
The bill has cosponsors Representatives Frank Tomaszewski, Julie Coulombe, Alyse Galvin, Cliff Groh, Dan Saddler, Mike Cronk, Stanley Wright, Kevin McCabe, and Andy Josephson, and Allard.
HB 155 is in the Senate for consideration.