The Twenty-third Legislature was mindful of Alaska's military men and women and their fight in the War on Terrorism. The lives of many changed after the attack on American soil on September 11, 2001. As lives changed, government needed to change along with it. Several bills passed in honor of those men and women called away to active duty.

First, Majority members wanted active duty personnel to know that the state supports them 100 percent. The state also passed legislation to continue the wages and benefits of all state employees who were called to active duty and to allow for family members to receive a deployed military member's Permanent Fund Dividend.

The Legislature continues to give their full appreciation to Alaska's military, not only to those who serve, but also to their spouses, families and employers.

2004 Successful Legislation

HB 536 : Permanent Fund Application Deadlines: Military
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by the Hou. Rules Committee
Requested by Hou. Econ. Dev., Int'l Trade & Tourism Committee

An Act relating to applications for permanent fund dividends by certain individuals serving in the armed forces; and providing for an effective date.

Version: CS HB 536 (MLV)
Contact: Jon Bittner, 465-4930
Action: 05-10-04: Passed the Senate

HB 536 amends the current PFD application process to allow for members of the armed services who receive hostile fire/imminent danger pay during the application period to receive an application extension. Amended to establish a 90 day window, from the time military personal cease receiving hostile fire/imminent danger pay, to file for the PFD. Amended to add a sunset of December 31, 2004

| Sponsor Statement |
| Bill Summary | [PDF - 3 Pages - 8 KB]

SB 301 : Pioneers' Homes/Veterans' Homes
Signed Into Law! Chapter 59 SLA 04
Sponsored by the Sen. Rules Committee
Requested by Gov. Frank Murkowski

An Act relating to the Alaska Pioneers' Home, and the Alaska Veterans' Home; relating to eligibility for admission to the Alaska Pioneers' Home and Alaska Veterans' Home; relating to state veterans' home facilities; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Version: HCS CS SB 301 (FIN) Am H
Contact: Sherry Hill, 465-3030
Action: 06-15-04: Signed Into Law

Authorizes the establishment of an Alaska Veterans' Home and allows the Department of Health and Social Services to require home residents to apply for other state or federally sponsored programs that could reduce the amount of assistance. The bill designates the Pioneer Home in Palmer as the State veterans' home. The House adopted a Senate letter of intent that the State continue to maintain a Pioneers' Home waiting list for the Palmer home and that the home have an occupancy of 75 percent veterans and 25 percent from the waiting list. The House increased the monthly stipend that indigent residents receive, increased the minimum level of allowable assets, and required the State to conduct annual unannounced licensing inspections. The House also adopted a letter of intent that the bill shall not reduce the number of non-veteran Pioneers' Home residents living in Pioneers' Homes statewide.

| Gov's Transmittal Letter |

2003 Successful Legislation

SB 26 : State Employees Called To Military Duty
Signed into Law! Chapter 65 SLA 03
Sponsored by Sen. Robin Taylor, Sen. Kim Elton

An Act relating to state employees who are called to active duty as reserve or auxiliary members of the armed forces of the United States; and providing for an effective date.

| Sponsor Statement | [PDF - 1 page - 20 KB]

SB 148 : PFD: Allowable Absence For Military SVC
Signed into Law! Chapter 69 SLA 03
Sponsored by Sen. John Cowdery

An Act relating to allowable absences for certain members of the armed forces and their spouses and dependents for purposes of eligibility for permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date.

06-11-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed SB 148 into law. Sponsored by Sen. John Cowdery (R-Anchorage), SB 148 would change the allowable absences for certain members of the armed forces and their spouses and dependents for purposes of eligibility for permanent fund dividends.

| Sponsor Statement |

SJR 9 : Supporting Members Of Military
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 6
Sponsored by Sen. Con Bunde

Expressing confidence in and support for all members of the military, their families, and employers of members of the National Guard.

03-28-03 : Senate Joint Resolution 9 unanimously passed the House of Representatives Friday, just hours before a large rally in front of the capitol to honor and support our troops fight for the liberation of Iraq and the security of our country. Sponsored by Sen. Con Bunde (R-Anchorage), SJR 9 expresses confidence in and support for all members of the military, their families, and employers of members of the National Guard.
SJR 9 will now be forwarded to the President of the United States, and our State's Congressional delegation.

| Sponsor Statement |

SJR 10 : Pledge Of Allegiance Resolution
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 20
Sponsored by Sen. Lyda Green

Relating to the Pledge of Allegiance.

05-14-03 : Senate Joint Resolution 10 passed the House of Representatives Wednesday. Sponsored by Sen. Lyda Green (R-Mat-Su), SJR 10 would express the support of the Alaska State Legislature for the review of Newdow vs. U.S. Congress by the United States Supreme Court and of our firm belief of the principles and ideals stated in our nation's Pledge of Allegiance.

| Sponsor Statement |

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