HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2700
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House:
February 14, 2008
Title: An act relating to military department claims and accounts.
Brief Description: Creating the military department active state service account.
Sponsors: By Representatives O'Brien, Morrell, VanDeWege, Green, Hurst, Pearson, Sullivan, Williams, Hankins and Kelley; by request of Military Department.
Brief History:
Appropriations: 2/5/08 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/14/08, 94-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 33 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Green, Haigh, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Ross, Schmick, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sullivan and Walsh.
Staff: Wendy Polzin (786-7137).
Background:
The Washington Military Code governs the organization, administration, and duties of the
Military Department and the state militia. The militia consists of both the National Guard
and the State Guard. The National Guard is organized under the United States National
Defense Act and serves both the Governor under state law and the President under federal
law.
Summary of Bill:
The Military Department Active State Service Account (Account) is created in the State
Treasury. Funds may be deposited in the Account through state legislative appropriations,
federal appropriations, or any other lawful source. Money in the Account may only be spent
after it is appropriated. There is no appropriation included in the bill.
Expenditures from the Account may be used to fund anticipated planning, training, exercises
and other administrative duties not of an emergency nature.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This Account will be used for anticipated planning and administrative duties not
covered by other funds. There is a void in state training that this Account would fill. Money
in the Account would be used for non-emergency planning.
The Account would add value by preparing for events. Federal alert orders make it difficult
to know what units/personnel will be available when, and the state can't afford a six- to
seven-day delay to train during an emergency situation. Funds could be used for mass
evacuation planning and providing expertise on logistics. Because there is no imminent
danger, federal funds cannot be used for planning situations. Many Guardsmen are still in the
state and have not been called for federal duty, and are available for the state training.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative O'Brien, prime sponsor; and Timothy Lowenberg, Washington Military Department.