SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2415

As of February 19, 2004

Title: An act relating to defining veteran for certain purposes.

Brief Description: Defining veteran for certain purposes.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Talcott, Wallace, Armstrong, Fromhold, Anderson, Upthegrove, G. Simpson, Morrell, Conway and Rockefeller.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/20/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: The definition of veteran is used throughout statute as an eligibility requirement for various benefits, including retirement service credit; admission to the soldiers' and veterans' homes; veterans' scoring preference on civil service exams; free license plates for disabled veterans and prisoners of war; county aid to indigent veterans and families; restrictions on sending veterans or their families to almshouses; and county burial of indigent deceased veterans.

For purposes of these benefits, a veteran is defined as a person who has served as a member in any branch of the armed forces, including the National Guard and reserves, who has fulfilled initial service obligations or has been called into federal service for at least 180 days; a member of the women's air forces service; a member of the Philippine armed forces during WWII; or as a civil service crew member with service aboard a U.S. Army transport service or U.S. Naval transportation service vessel during WWII.

Summary of Bill: The definition of veteran is expanded to include a U.S. documented merchant mariner with service aboard an oceangoing vessel operated by the Department of Defense, or its agents, during the following periods:

      •     June 25, 1950, through July 27, 1953, in Korean territorial waters; or

      •    August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975, in Vietnam territorial waters.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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