SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SCR 8400

                 As Reported By Committee On:

            Government Operations, January 10, 1996

Brief Description:  Creating the Joint Select Committee on Veterans and Military Personnel Affairs.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Winsley, Owen, C. Anderson and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/25/95, 1/31/95 [DP]; 1/10/96 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 4/4/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8400 be substituted therefor, and the substitute concurrent resolution do pass.

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

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  There is presently no coordinated legislative effort to examine and make recommendations on programs and services for veterans and military personnel.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A Joint Select Committee on Veterans and Military Personnel Affairs is created.  The committee consists of four members, one from each caucus of the Senate and House.  The committee must report to the Legislature before the 1997 legislative session on the current status of veteran and military personnel affairs in the state of Washington.  The committee is required to establish an advisory group of all interested parties.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The committee is reduced from three members of each caucus to one member from each caucus.  The reporting date is changed from the 1996 legislative session to the 1997 legislative session.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  It is about time a complete overview of veterans and military personnel affairs was undertaken.  There are some serious problems, e.g., homelessness.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Keith Sherman, Vets Legislative Coalition; Betty Chandler; John Lee, Deputy Director, WDVA.