FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5366

                          C 140 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing scoring criteria for veterans= employment examinations.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on State & Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Patterson, McCaslin, Oke, Horn, Goings and Bauer).

Senate Committee on State & Local Government

House Committee on State Government

Background:  In all competitive examinations for state and local public employment, veterans are given a preference status by adding to the passing grade, based upon a rating of 100 points, the following:  (1) 10 percent to a veteran who is not receiving any retirement payments; (2) 5 percent to a veteran who is receiving veterans retirement payments; and (3) 5 percent to a veteran who, after previous state or local public employment, is called or recalled to active military service for a period of at least one year during any period of war, for a first promotional examination only.

These examination preferences must be claimed by a veteran within eight years of the date of his or her release from active service.

Summary:  In all competitive examinations for state and local public employment veterans, are given a scoring criteria to be added to a passing score, based on a rating of 100 points:  (1) 10 percent to a veteran who served during a period of war or in a hostile environment and who does not receive military retirement pay; (2) 5 percent to a veteran who did not serve during a war or in a hostile environment or is receiving military retirement pay; (3) 5 percent to a veteran who was called to active duty for one year or more from state or local public employment.  This percentage is added to the first promotional exam only.

Veterans= scoring criteria must be claimed within 15 years of release from active service, unless a valid and extenuating reason arises including, but not limited to:  (a) documented medical reasons beyond the control of the veteran; (b) any Veterans= Administration documented disabled veteran; or (c) any veteran who loses his job, without fault, and whose livelihood is adversely affected may seek preference employment consideration.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 470

House970

Effective:June 8, 2000