(JUNEAU) - A bill which allows the governor to backfill pay and provide continuing benefits to state employees called to active duty passed unanimously on the Senate floor today.

SB 26 allows the governor to make up the difference in pay and continue some or all health benefits for reservists called to active duty and their families. The bill has an immediate effective date and is retroactive to September 11, 2001.

"It is the intent of the bill that state employees called to active duty not be financially harmed or their families burdened while they are away from home defending their country," said Sen. Kim Elton (D-Juneau).

Joint sponsor Sen. Robin Taylor (R-Wrangell) added, "These courageous Alaskans should continue to receive the equivalent of their state salaries and some or all of their benefits."

Florida, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, Connecticut and New York have enacted similar legislation.

This authority would be discretionary and triggered by an order of the governor. "It is not anticipated that the governor would invoke this provision for a short-term mobilization of the National Guard for disaster assistance, but for large-scale activations such as those we have seen recently across the country," said Elton.

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