HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1739

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Grimm, Ballard, Basich, Walker, Walk, B. Williams, Baugher, Anderson, Bristow, Day, Jones, Kremen, Winsley, Schoon, Dellwo and Sanders

Assisting the Washington state guard in civil affairs.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; Chandler, Hankins, O'Brien, Peery and Taylor.

House Staff:Ken Conte (786-7135)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Organized Militia of the State of Washington consists of the National Guard and the Washington State Guard.

The National Guard is organized under federal law.  Members of the National Guard are civilian employees of the federal government, paid by the federal government.  The National Guard is called to active duty by the President in cases of national emergency.  In such situations, members of the National Guard are deployed according to national need, and could end up stationed within the State, elsewhere in the U.S., or throughout the world.

The Washington State Guard is organized under State law and is not recognized by the federal government.  Members of the Washington State Guard are unpaid volunteers who serve as a State defense force in the event of a national emergency. Essentially, the State Guard is deployed within the State to fill in for the National Guard when it is deployed elsewhere.  Thus, the State Guard would staff armories and other installations normally staffed by the National Guard.

Under State law, a person must be between 18 and 64 years of age to serve in the Washington State Guard.  State law also provides procedures for the appointment and promotion of officers of the State Guard.  Under the regulations of the State Guard, a person must have prior military experience in order to serve in the State Guard.

The Washington Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is the State branch of a national organization operated out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense.  The purpose of the Committee is to coordinate activities, facilitate good relations, and ease tensions between employees who participate in national defense activities and their employers.  In Washington, the Committee works closely with the Military Department and employers.  Members of the Committee are appointed by the Chair of the Committee.  There are currently about 90 members serving on the Committee.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  Members of the Washington Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve may be appointed to the Washington State Guard to serve as members of a Civil Affairs Unit. The Adjutant General is to determine each member's rank.  The purpose of the Civil Affairs Unit is to assist the State in the event of the mobilization of military forces in the State.

State law governing eligibility to serve in the State Guard and appointment and promotion of officers would not apply to members of the Washington Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The substitute bill authorizes the discretionary appointment of members of the Washington Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to the Washington State Guard.  Under the original bill, their appointment would be mandatory.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Doug Sayan, prime sponsor; Rick Read, Military Department; Pete Lukevich, Washington National Guard; and Michael Hodge, Washington Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve plays an important role by facilitating cooperation between employees who participate in Guard and Reserve activities and their employers.  The Committee assists both the employer and employee by explaining the concerns and difficulties of each.  The Committee members have worked closely with the Military Department and would be of great assistance to the Department in the event of national mobilization.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.