| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee | |
HB 1507
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.
Brief Description: Creating the uniformed service shared leave pool.
Sponsors: Representatives Seaquist, Bailey, Schual-Berke, Green, Kenney, Williams, Conway, Ericks, Lantz, Darneille, Linville, Moeller, Kelley, Morrell and Rolfes; by request of Governor Gregoire.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 1/23/07
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
In 1989, the Legislature enacted the Washington State Leave Sharing Program (Program) for
state employees. The stated purpose of the Program is to permit state employees to donate
annual leave, sick leave, or personal holidays to fellow state employees who are suffering from,
or have relatives or household members who are suffering from, an extraordinary or severe
illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition and has caused or is likely to cause
the employee to take leave without pay or terminate his or her employment. If an employee
qualifies to participate in the Program, the agency head will determine the amount of leave, not
to exceed 261 days, which the employee may receive. As long as a certain balance is
maintained, an employee may transfer annual leave and sick leave, and may transfer all of his or
her personal holiday.
In 2003, the Program was extended to those called to uniformed service. To qualify for the
Program, an employee called to uniformed service must have depleted or will shortly deplete his
or her annual leave and paid military leave.
Summary of Bill:
The Uniformed Service Shared Leave Pool (Pool) is created. Shared leave paid under this Pool,
in combination with military salary, may not exceed the level of the employee's state monthly
salary. Military salary includes base, specialty, and other pay, but does not include other
allowances, such as a housing allowance. Monthly salary includes special pay and shift
differential, but does not include overtime pay, call back pay, standby pay, or performance
bonuses.
An employee receiving leave from the Pool is not required to repay the leave unless there has
been a finding of wrongdoing.
The prohibition for receipt of more than 261 days of leave for employees called to uniformed
service is removed.
School district and educational service district employees may not donate to and receive leave
from the Pool.
The Department of Personnel, in consultation with the Military Department and the Office of
Financial Management, shall adopt rules and policies governing the Pool.
The Uniformed Service Shared Leave Pool account is created in the custody of the State
Treasurer. Expenditures from the account may only be used for providing shared leave to
employees under the Pool. Only the Adjutant General or his or her designee may authorize
expenditures from the account, and the account is not subject to allotment and no appropriation
is required for expenditures.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2007.