Title: An act relating to active duty members of the national guard.

Brief Description: Providing a life insurance policy for national guard members called to active duty.

Sponsors: House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives P. Sullivan, Walsh, Simpson, Green, Buri, Kessler, Haler, Morrell, McCoy, Williams, Linville, Hasegawa, Roberts, Sells, McDermott, Chase and Ormsby).

Brief History: Passed House: 1/25/06, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 3/28/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Cindy Fazio (786-7405)

Background: If a soldier is killed in combat, the soldier's family receives an approximate $12,000 death gratuity, paid by the federal government; it is not an insurance program payment. Service members may opt to purchase life insurance beginning at a minimum of $10,000 of coverage up to a maximum of $400,000 through the Federal Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Program. The monthly premiums for the insurance are $0.65 for each $10,000 of coverage, or approximately $26.00 for the maximum coverage.

Summary of Bill: The Military Department is directed to reimburse National Guard members the monthly premium that a guard member pays for the Federal Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Program. That premium is paid only while the guard member is deployed outside the United States.

The bill contains a null and void clause.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.