Brief Description: Revising veterans' scoring criteria in examinations.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Nixon, Conway, Morrell, Bailey, McCoy, Green, Springer, McCune, Kilmer and P. Sullivan.

Hearing Date: 1/18/06

Staff: Kathryn Leathers (786-7114).

Background:

State law provides that honorably discharged veterans receive preference in public employment. For some public employment positions, applicants must take a competitive examination. In those cases, preference is given to veterans by adding a certain percentage to the passing mark, grade, or rating of an examination. When scoring competitive exams, the state, including all of its political subdivisions and municipal corporations, must give the scoring criteria status (preference), as provided for in statute, to qualified veterans.

Summary of Bill:

Clarifies that agencies or private companies under contract to administer competitive examinations for public employment are included in the list of entities that must give veterans who take a competitive examination the statutory scoring preference.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.