HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1707

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to the Washington state defense force.

Brief Description:  Changing the Washington state guard to the Washington state defense force.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Anderson, Sheldon, McLean, R. King, Jacobsen, Broback and Wineberry; by request of Military Department.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, February 19, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Minority Member; Bowman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler; Grant; Moyer; O'Brien; and Sheldon.

Staff:  Linda May (786-7135).

Background:  The Washington State Guard is a defense force available to serve the governor in the event that the National Guard in the state of Washington is called to federal service.  The governor may also call the state guard into state service in other instances, for example, in the wake of a natural disaster.

Some confusion exists regarding the name "State Guard."  Some people take this phrase to mean the Washington members of the National Guard.  The portion of the U.S. Code which authorizes the creation of the Washington State Guard uses the term "state defense force."

Summary of Bill:  The name "Washington State Guard" is changed to "Washington State Defense Force."

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Sometimes there is confusion of the State Guard with the National Guard.  This name change is for clarification and to avoid this confusion.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Kevin Ryan, Military Department (in favor).