SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5029
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 Reported By Senate Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections, January 18, 2007
Title: An act relating to veterans' scoring criteria in examinations.
Brief Description: Revising veterans' scoring criteria in examinations.
Sponsors: Senators Hobbs, Fairley, Roach, Kastama, Swecker, Pridemore, Keiser, Rasmussen and Shin.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/16/07, 1/18/07 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Kline, Pridemore and Swecker.
Staff: Amy Van Horn (786-7784)
Background: Honorably discharged veterans receive a score adjustment on examinations taken to apply for state jobs, known as civil service exams. The Department of Personnel makes the score adjustment, adding five or ten percentage points to a veteran's test score depending on the veteran's status. The score adjustments apply only to initial hiring exams, and not exams taken to earn a promotion.
Summary of Bill: The score adjustment for eligible veterans must be applied to civil service exams whether the state hires a private company to administer the exams, or administers the exams itself.
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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill simply closes a loophole in current law. The Veterans Legislative Coalition supports this bill.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Steve Hobbs; Dennis Primoli, Veterans Legislative Coalition (VLC); John E. Lee, Director, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs.