House Bill 150 Authorizes the Same Pay for Militia Members Called Up for State and Federal Active Duty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2017
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation to authorize the same pay and benefits for members of Alaska’s organized militia, whether they are called up for state active duty or federal active duty. House Bill 150, sponsored by the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, simplifies and clarifies the current payment system for militia members.
“Alaska’s soldiers deserve to know what they will be paid for the work they perform. This bill creates a stable and reliable pay system for Alaska’s organized militia,” said Rep. Chris Tuck, Chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
Under the current accounting system, members of the organized militia called into active state service are paid based on the specific assigned duties, which makes it difficult and time consuming to determine the exact amount of compensation due. When called up for federal service, members of the organized militia are paid based on their grade and rank. The new system included in HB 150 creates a reliable pay structure that would pay an amount based on grade and rank, as done in the U.S. Armed Service.
“The current pay system is neither stable nor reliable for our Alaska service members, and constitutes a cumbersome, error-prone accounting system which requires many hours to determine each member’s pay for active state service,” said Rep. Andy Josephson. “This new accounting system will create stability and reliability for Alaska soldiers, while keeping in line with our objective of creating government efficiencies and cost savings measures.”
House Bill 150 passed the Alaska House of Representatives today by a vote of 38-0. The bill now goes to the Alaska State Senate for consideration.
For more information, please contact Alaska House Majority Coalition Press Secretary Mike Mason at (907) 444-0889.
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