Brief Description: Concerning the activation of the national guard.

Sponsors: Senators Pridemore, Schmidt, McAuliffe and Kohl-Welles; by request of Governor Gregoire.

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections
House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability

Background: The Governor has the power to order the organized militia of Washington into active service for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, war, insurrection, rebellion, invasion, and whenever responsible civil authorities fail to preserve law and order or protect life or property.

When the militia is called into active service for these reasons, bills, claims, demands for military purposes, and warrants for pay and expenses are drawn from the existing funds for those purposes.

Summary: The Governor has the power to order the organized militia of Washington into active service for the additional following reasons: when required for the public health, safety, or welfare; to perform any military duty authorized by state law; or to prepare for, or recover from any of these events or the consequences of them.

When the organized militia performs duties, other than anticipated planning, training, exercises, and other administrative duties not of an emergent nature, bills, claims, demands for military purposes, and warrants for allowed pay and expenses are drawn from the existing funds for those purposes.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      47   0
House      85   1

Effective: March 28, 2005