SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 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.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Transportation, January 24, 2007
Title: An act relating to an internship program for wounded combat veterans.
Brief Description: Establishing an internship program for wounded combat veterans.
Sponsors: 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 History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/22/07, 1/24/07 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5242 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Murray, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Clements, Delvin, Eide, Holmquist, Jacobsen, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, Pflug and Spanel.
Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)
Background: Veterans returning from combat may face challenges finding employment and transitioning military skills into civilian careers. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has recently implemented a program to assist with this transition. 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. 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 VDOT or other businesses that work with 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). WSDOT may
adopt rules to implement this program.
Placement of veterans as apprentices under existing apprenticeship programs is encouraged.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Transportation): Language was amended to clarify that this is a separate internship program from any other existing WSDOT programs. The appropriation of $250,000 is removed and implementation of the internship program is subject to receiving an appropriation.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 19, 2007.
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: Veterans coming back from Iraq are often amputees or otherwise severely wounded. Trying to get a job in the civilian world is a difficult transition. This bill is good for veterans and the economy. Washington offers less benefits than other states to veterans. Veterans deserve support when they come home.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Hobbs, prime sponsor; Rich Bright, combat veteran.