SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5958

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 Senate Committee On:

Government Operations & Security, February 19, 2015

Title: An act relating to providing for representation of the state veterans' homes on the governor's veterans affairs advisory committee.

Brief Description: Providing for representation of the state veterans' homes on the governor's veterans affairs advisory committee.

Sponsors: Senators Roach, Liias, Benton, McCoy, Angel and Chase; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Security: 2/19/15 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & SECURITY

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Pearson, Vice Chair; Liias, Ranking Minority Member; Dansel, Habib and McCoy.

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC). The VAAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Governor and the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The Committee has 17 members appointed by the Governor to serve four-year terms. The VAAC consists of the following:Ÿ

The Governor must ensure that appointments represent all regions of the state and minority and women's veteran viewpoints.

State Veterans' Homes. The state Constitution mandates that the Legislature provide a soldiers' home for honorably discharged resident soldiers, sailors, and marines who were disabled in the line of duty. DVA manages the veterans' homes and must provide room and board, medical, dental, domiciliary and nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, and recreational activities to residents. There are four veterans' homes in the state:

Summary of Bill: The two VAAC positions representing the state veterans' homes in Orting and Retsil are eliminated and two more veteran-at-large positions are added.

The VAAC must appoint members to serve as liaisons to each of the state veterans' homes. The veterans' homes liaisons must share information about VAAC business with the resident council of each veterans' home. The liaisons also must ensure that the issues of the veterans' homes residents are included in regular VAAC meetings.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Years ago we had a more ambulatory veterans’ home population, and it was easier to have veterans’ home representatives attend the meetings. Now we only have domiciliary care and it’s difficult to have residents travel to the meetings. We think this will result in much more healthy and productive conversations between homes and the VAAC. This is an outstanding bill and the Veterans Legislative Coalition supports it.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Heidi Audette, WA State Dept. of Veterans Affairs; Ted Wicorek, Veterans Legislative Coalition.