SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5993

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, March 1, 1995

Title:  An act relating to leaves of absence for disaster relief services.

Brief Description:  Providing for paid leaves of absence for state employees to provide disaster relief services.

Sponsors:  Senators Winsley, Finkbeiner, Swecker and Wood.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/28/95, 3/1/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5993 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Drew, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  A state employee must request and be granted an official leave status in order to participate in specialized disaster relief services.  This status would be leave without pay or vacation time.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A category of leave of absence with full pay and benefits is established for state employees to participate in specialized disaster relief services after a proclamation of a state emergency.  The maximum period is 160 working hours in any 12-month period.  The employee must be a certified disaster services volunteer of the American Red Cross and receive a request to serve.  The leave must be approved by the employee's supervisor.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill converts 20 working days into 160 working hours to clarify the position of employees working flex time hours.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 28, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  No large fiscal impact is expected because the bill only applies to declared states of emergency.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Sharon Whitehead, Dept. of Personnel.