6482 AMS SWEC BUZZ 002

SB 6482 - S AMDS - 159

    BySenator Swecker

    On page 2, line 1, after "during" strike everything through "1945" on line 2, and insert "((the period of armed conflict, December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945)) any period of armed conflict"

    On page 4, after line 12, insert the following:

     "Sec. 3.  RCW 41.40.170 and 1991 c 35 s 78 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) A member who has served or shall serve on active federal service in the military or naval forces of the United States or who is a U.S. documented merchant mariner with service aboard an ocean going vessel in a war zone and who left or shall leave an employer to enter such service shall be deemed to be on military leave of absence if he or she has resumed or shall resume employment as an employee within one year from termination thereof.

    (2) If he or she has applied or shall apply for reinstatement of employment, within one year from termination of the military or merchant marine service, and is refused employment for reasons beyond his or her control, he or she shall, upon resumption of service within ten years have such service credited to him or her.

    (3) In any event, after completing twenty-five years of creditable service, any member may have service in the armed forces or merchant marines credited to him or her as a member whether or not he or she left the employ of an employer to enter the armed or merchant marine service:  PROVIDED, That in no instance, described in this section, shall military or merchant marine service in excess of five years be credited:  AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That in each instance the member must restore all withdrawn accumulated contributions, which restoration must be completed within five years of membership service following the first resumption of employment or complete twenty-five years of creditable service:  AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That this section will not apply to any individual, not a veteran within the meaning of RCW 41.04.005((, as now or hereafter amended)):  AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That in no instance, described in this section, shall military or merchant marine service be credited to any member who is receiving full military retirement benefits pursuant to Title 10 United States Code."

Renumber the sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly

SB 6482 - S AMD - 159

    By     Senator Swecker

    On page 1, line 2 of the title, strike "and 41.04.010" and insert "41.04.010 and 41.40.170"

EFFECT: Includes all merchant marines who have served in a period of armed conflict in the definition of veteran, rather than just merchant marines who served during World War II.  The amendment also allows merchant marines to receive credit for service under the Public Employees Retirement System.

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