HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1050
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government & Tribal Affairs
Title: An act relating to veterans' scoring criteria.
Brief Description: Adjusting veterans' scoring criteria.
Sponsors: Representatives Kelley, Hope, Rolfes, Johnson, Angel, Dammeier, Conway, Ross, Hunt, Herrera, Smith, Armstrong, Moeller, Parker, Rodne, Haler, Short, Shea, Chase, Morrell, Green, Sullivan, Newhouse, Upthegrove, Campbell, Kristiansen, VanDeWege, Wallace, Simpson, Bailey, Maxwell, McCune and Condotta; by request of Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government & Tribal Affairs: 1/13/09, 1/16/09 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Hudgins, Miloscia and Newhouse.
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135)
Background:
State law provides that honorably discharged veterans receive preference in public employment. For some public employment positions, applicants must take a competitive examination. In those cases, preference is given to veterans by adding a percentage to the passing mark, grade, or rating of an examination. When scoring competitive exams, the state, including all of its political subdivisions and municipal corporations, must give the scoring criteria status (preference), as provided for in statute, to qualified veterans, as follows:
10 percent to a veteran who served during a period of war or in an armed conflict and does not receive military retirement. This scoring preference applies until the veteran's first appointment. It may not, however, be used in promotional examinations.
5 percent to a veteran who did not serve during a period of war or in an armed conflict, or who is receiving military retirement. This scoring preference applies until the veteran's first appointment, but may not be used in promotional examinations.
5 percent to a veteran who was called to active military service for one or more years from employment with the state or any of its political subdivisions or municipal corporations. This scoring preference is applied to the first promotional examination only.
Veterans' scoring criteria may be claimed upon release from active military service.
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Summary of Bill:
Public employees called to active military service may receive the 5 percent scoring preference on promotional examinations, regardless of how long the employee serves in active service.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill represents more of a technical correction than a policy change. If a public employee is called to active duty, and that duty is cut short due to injury, illness, or other issues, that employee would not receive the preference. The bill simply allows the preference for those whose service is reduced for convenience of the government to have the same preference as those who complete their entire deployment.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Kelley, prime sponsor; and Dale Movius, Veterans Legislative Coalition.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.