Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Housing, Community Development & Veterans Committee

HB 1328

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.

Brief Description: Increasing employment opportunities for spouses of military members.

Sponsors: Representatives Kilduff, Leavitt, Orwall, Mosbrucker, Reeves, Ryu, Stanford and Jinkins.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs, Employment Security Department, and Department of Commerce to initiate a demonstration campaign to increase military spouse employment.

  • Requires the Office of Financial Management (OFM) to develop a military spouse recruitment program.

  • Requires each state agency employing 1,000 or more people to submit an annual report to the OFM that includes certain employment data and information.

Hearing Date: 1/30/19

Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).

Background:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), the Employment Security Department (ESD), and Department of Commerce (Commerce) are required to initiate a demonstration campaign to increase veteran employment. In initiating this campaign, the agencies are required to consult with local chambers of commerce, associate development organizations, and businesses. The campaign may include partnerships with chambers of commerce and the exchange of information regarding veteran employment among business owners, the local chambers of commerce, and the DVA.

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) is required to develop a military recruitment program that targets veterans and gives them credit for their knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities. In developing the program, the OFM is required to consult with The Department of Enterprise Services (DES), the DVA, the State Military Transition Council, the Veterans Employee Resource Group, and other interested stakeholders. Program development must include, but is not limited to, identifying: (a) public and private military recruitment programs and ways those programs can be used in Washington; (b) similar military and state job classes and develop a system to provide veterans with experience credit for similar work; and (c) barriers to state employment and opportunities to better utilize veterans experience.

Summary of Bill:

The DVA, the ESD, and Commerce must consult local chambers of commerce, associate development organizations, and businesses to initiate a demonstration campaign to increase military spouse employment. The campaign may include partnerships with chambers of commerce and the exchange of information among business owners, the local chambers of commerce, and the DVA, regarding military spouse employment. Funding for the campaign must be established from existing resources.

The OFM must develop a military spouse recruitment program that targets military spouses and gives them credit for their knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities. In developing the program, OFM must consult with the DES, the DVA, the state Military Transition Council, the Veterans Employee Resource Group, the ESD, and other interested stakeholders. Program development must include, but is not limited to, identifying:

Funding for the military spouse recruitment program must be established from existing resources. The OFM must report to the Legislature with a draft plan by January 1, 2020.

Each state agency employing 1,000 or more people must submit an annual report to the OFM that includes the following information:

For purposes of the demonstration campaign, the recruitment program, and the agency reporting requirement, "military spouse" means any person married or previously married to a military service member, irrespective of the length of the marriage, during the military service member's service in any branch of the United States armed forces as an active duty service member, reservist, or National Guard member.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2019.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.