Finance subcommittee removes Alaska State Defense Force funding; members warn disaster-response impact

The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs recommended removing the Alaska State Defense Force from all funding in the DMVA closeout narrative, subcommittee staff told the full committee on March 7.

Bridal Anderson, staff to Representative Neil Foster, said the subcommittee denied a requested program manager position and a $175,000 increment to expand operations for the Alaska State Defense Force, naval militia and Civil Air Patrol and removed base funding totaling $359,500 in unrestricted general funds and $40,700 in interagency receipts.

Why it matters: Members expressed concern the removal could affect early disaster response. Representative Stepp asked whether deleting the ASDF would reduce the state's ability for early boots-on-the-ground responses; Co-Chair Foster and subcommittee members said the department had told the subcommittee early deployment capabilities could be affected. Anderson and others noted the ASDF had been used for early response to the Murbach disaster and for wildfire traffic control.

Committee discussion: Co-Chair Foster said he voted against removing ASDF funding and described the decision as bipartisan within the subcommittee. Subcommittee testimony indicated the deletion was motivated by a decision to reallocate limited dollars to other priorities.

Procedural note: The subcommittee adopted the remainder of the DMVA package and forwarded the budget action report and narrative to the full Finance Committee.

Next steps: The full committee will consider the closeout and any amendments at its next meeting.