SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5243

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 18, 1991

Brief Description:  Adding submarine veterans of World War II to the list of organizations represented on the veterans advisory affairs committee.

SPONSORS:Senators Rinehart, McCaslin, Madsen, Thorsness, Rasmussen, Oke and Conner.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

     Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; Madsen, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates:February 4, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee consists of 15 members, including two veterans at large (one of whom must be a Viet Nam era veteran), one each representing the Washington Soldiers' Home and Colony at Orting and the Washington Veterans' Home at Retsil, plus a representative from each of 11 veterans' organizations which are chartered by Congress and recognized by the Veterans Administration for claim representation.

It has been suggested that the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II also be represented on the committee.  This organization is federally chartered.

SUMMARY:

A representative of the Submarine Veterans of World War II is added to the membership of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, bringing the total to 16.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

This is an active organization commemorating the U.S. submarines lost at sea, including the U.S.S. Bonefish which was from Washington.  We have attended meetings of the advisory committee and would like to participate in its decisions.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

We are interested in several constructive changes in the composition and duties of the advisory committee, but do not wish to favor one group over another.

TESTIFIED:  Charles E. Stewart, Submarine Veterans of WW II (pro); Richard Finnigan, Disabled American Veterans (pro); Keith Sherman, Washington Veterans Legislative Coalition (con); Ron Hoffman, Assistant Director, Department of Veterans Affairs