This measure allows the Governor to ensure that state employees who are members of reserve and auxiliary military units, including the Alaska National Guard, Alaska Naval Militia, and The Alaska State Defense Force will not be financially penalized while on active duty. These courageous Alaskans could continue to receive their state salaries, or the equivalent, and some or all of their state benefits.

This is the right thing to do for our reserve and auxiliary service members who are called to active duty. The governors of many other states already possess this authority. Alaska should join their ranks.

This authority would be discretionary and triggered by an order of the governor. We do not anticipate a governor would invoke this provision for a short-term mobilization of the National Guard for, say, disaster assistance. We would expect that it generally would be invoked only for large-scale activations such as those we have seen recently across the country. The intent of the bill is that state employees called to active duty should not be financially harmed.

We urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.

Last Updated: 03-31-03

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