An Act relating to the Joint Armed Services Committee, a permanent interim committee of the Alaska State Legislature; and providing for an effective date.

Alaska is being considered as the site, for the deployment of a National Missile Ballistic Defense System. The Pentagon and the Secretary of Defense recently stated that another round of Base Realignments and Closures are forthcoming. Because of these challenges, I have introduced House Bill 77.

House Bill 77 would replace the existing Joint Committee on Military Bases in Alaska established in ch. 31, SLA 1998 with the Joint Armed Services Committee. The Joint Armed Services Committee would have an existence longer than called for in the Uniform Rules, Rules 21(b) & (c). Creating the joint committee for longer than the duration of the current 21st Legislature would require a change in statute. It cannot be done with a concurrent resolution, hence this bill. The committee would be activated on July 1, 1999 and the Legislative Council would provide administrative and other services to the committee.

This committee would provide a unified front by House, Senate, Military and Civilian members to monitor timely military topics relative to Alaska.

Alaska is in the crux of two swaying forces with regard to its military - the potential creation of new sites for a National Ballistic Missile Defense System and possible consolidation of existing military operations. These events require considerable and constant attention. With the military accounting for approximately $1.7 billion of Alaska's economy, it is imperative that we take a leading role to monitor the economic impact of future military related events. The Joint Armed Services Committee will provide that focus.