S-0760.3          _______________________________________________

                                 SENATE BILL 5521

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

By Senators Thorsness, Vognild, West, Snyder, Bailey, Sellar, Pelz, Moore, Owen, Stratton, Conner, Madsen, Sutherland, Jesernig, Talmadge, Skratek, L. Kreidler, A. Smith, Niemi, Bauer, Wojahn, Newhouse, Hayner, Rasmussen, McMullen, Gaspard, Murray, Rinehart, Erwin, Nelson, Saling, McCaslin, Craswell, Roach, McDonald, Oke, Amondson and Johnson.

Read first time February 5, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Governmental Operations.

Authorizing military leave for state employees called to active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm.

     AN ACT Relating to military leave for state employees; adding a new section to chapter 38.40 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 38.40 RCW to read as follows:

     (1) A state employee who is a member of the Washington national guard, or of the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps reserve of the United States or who has retired from the armed forces and who is called to active duty in the armed forces of the United States in support of Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm is entitled to and shall be granted military leave of absence for the period of such active duty.  Such military leave is granted in addition to any vacation or sick leave to which the employee might otherwise be entitled and shall not involve any loss of efficiency rating or privileges.  During the period of such active duty the employee shall continue to receive his or her regular compensation, less the amount of the employee's base pay for military service.

     (2) For purposes of this section, "state employee" means all full-time and career seasonal employees of the state, whether or not covered by civil service; elected and appointed officials of the executive branch of government, including full-time members of boards, commissions, or committees; justices of the supreme court and judges of the court of appeals and the superior courts; and members of the state legislature.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.      This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.