Title: An act relating to veterans' scoring criteria in examinations.

Brief Description: Revising veterans' scoring criteria in examinations.

Sponsors: House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Haigh, Nixon, Conway, Morrell, Bailey, McCoy, Green, Springer, McCune, Kilmer and P. Sullivan).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/5/06, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/16/06 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Fairley, Haugen, Kline, McCaslin, Mulliken and Pridemore.

Staff: Cindy Fazio (786-7405)

Background: Honorably discharged members of the military branches receive a score adjustment in examinations for appointment and hiring in state jobs. The Department of Personnel makes the adjustment to the military person's examination score for any competitive state job. The adjustment varies based on the veteran's status. For example, a ten percent score adjustment is given to a veteran who served during a period of war, or in an armed conflict, and does not receive military retirement. A five percent score adjustment is given to a veteran who did not serve during a period of war, or in an armed conflict, or is receiving military retirement. The examination score adjustment is added to the passing mark, grade, or rating on the examination. The score adjustment is not used in promotional examinations.

Summary of Bill: When the Department of Personnel contracts with a private vendor to provide examination services, either the state or the private vendor must give eligible veterans the applicable examination score adjustment.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: I am committed to working for veterans. This is a good bill and I urge your support.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Kathy Haigh, Sponsor.