FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1325

C 268 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Creating a joint committee on veterans' and military affairs.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives D. Schmidt, Conway, Haigh, Bush, Talcott, Romero, Mielke, Anderson, Rockefeller, Campbell and Wood; by request of Joint Select Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs).

House Committee on State Government

Senate Committee on State & Local Government

Background:

A variety of military personnel reside in Washington including veterans, active military personnel, members of the National Guard, and members of the reserve.  A variety of state agencies handle issues relating to military personnel including the Military Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In 2000 the Joint Select Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs (JSCVMA) was created.  The purpose of the committee was to examine and define issues and make recommendations with respect to desirable changes in programs, laws, and administrative practices affecting veterans and military affairs.  The committee consisted of 16 members, eight from the House and eight from the Senate.  Because it was created by concurrent resolution, the JSCVMA ceased to exist after the last biennium.

Summary:

The Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs (JCVMA) is created.  The committee must study issues relating to veterans, active military forces, the National Guard, the Reserves, the Military Department, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The JCVMA must make recommendations to the Legislature regarding these issues and may create subcommittees to perform its duties.  The committee must also study recommending legislation requiring public entities to display the POW/MIA flag on certain holidays.

The JCVMA consists of 16 members, four members from each caucus in the House appointed by the Speaker (or Co‑Speakers) of the House, and four members from each caucus in the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.  The committee must establish a four‑member executive committee and may adopt rules and procedures for its orderly operation.

The committee terminates December 31, 2005.

Votes on Final Passage:

House940

Senate470(Senate amended)

House(House refused to concur)

Senate(Senate refused to recede)

House(House refused to recede from its position)

Senate440    (Senate amended)

House880(House concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001