| Washington State House of Representatives |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Transportation Committee | |
SSB 5242
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: Establishing an internship program for wounded combat veterans.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Hewitt, Haugen, Kastama, Fairley, Shin, Kline, Clements, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Tom, Brandland, Murray, Roach, Spanel, Kauffman, Rockefeller, Regala, Jacobsen, McAuliffe, Berkey, Carrell, Sheldon, Kilmer, Rasmussen, Holmquist and Honeyford).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/28/07
Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).
Background:
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has recently implemented a program to
assist wounded veterans in transitioning military skills into civilian careers. The VDOT's
Wounded Veteran Internship Program is designed to provide veterans with full-time temporary
positions that match their military skills, or teach them new skills. The VDOT's program is able
to take advantage of the similarity between transportation jobs that require skills common to
military personnel, such as mapping, planning, procurement, and quality control. Positions are
for six months to two years and may result in permanent placement with the VDOT or other
businesses that work with the VDOT.
Summary of Bill:
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must establish an internship
program for returning wounded combat veterans. Positions may include, but are not limited to
engineering, construction trades, logistics, and project planning. The emphasis of the program
should be to assist veterans who served in southern or central Asia (Operation Enduring
Freedom) and the Persian Gulf (Operation Iraqi Freedom). The WSDOT may adopt rules to
implement this program. Placement of veterans as apprentices under existing apprenticeship
programs is encouraged.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.