FINAL BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 6086

                                   C 35 L 92

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the veterans affairs advisory committee.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators McCaslin, M. Kreidler, Oke and Bauer; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

BACKGROUND:

The statute creating the State Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee requires that several types of veterans be represented among its members.  Most of them are members of federally recognized veterans' organizations, which are named in the law. 

Almost every session, another eligible veterans' organization requests a seat on the advisory committee.  Through the interim, all of the active veterans' organizations were consulted about a mechanism whereby the statute would not require frequent amendment, but the representation could rotate to allow broad participation in the committee's business.

SUMMARY:

Membership on the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee is increased from 15 to 17.  The Soldiers' Home and Colony at Orting and the Veterans' Home at Retsil each have a representative (up to three may be nominated by the respective residents' councils).  Each of the three congressionally chartered veterans' organizations with the largest number of active veteran members have one representative (up to three nominations are made by the respective state commanders).  Two at-large members are also appointed; nominations may come from individuals or organizations.

Ten members are chosen to represent the other congressionally chartered veterans' organizations which have at least one active chapter in the state, under a similar nomination procedure.  No organization may have more than one official representative on the committee at any one time.  In making appointments, geographical balance, minority viewpoints and issues of concern to women veterans must be considered.  The Governor may ask for additional recommendations beyond the first three in each group.  All nominations must be forwarded by the Director of Veterans Affairs.

All members serve four-year terms, any one individual may serve only two terms, and vacancies can only be filled for an unexpired term.  Current members may serve until the expiration of their terms and may be eligible under the new qualifications for reappointment.

The committee must adopt an order of business for conducting its meetings.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      45    1

House 96    0     (House amended)

Senate      47    0     (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:  June 11, 1992