SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6196
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, 2010
Title: An act relating to military leave for public employees.
Brief Description: Concerning military leave for public employees.
Sponsors: Senators Hobbs, Hewitt, Pridemore, Shin, Roach, Kilmer, Franklin, Swecker, Fairley, King, Benton, Keiser, Rockefeller, Tom, Kohl-Welles, Kline and Kauffman; by request of Military Department.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/18/10 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, McDermott and Swecker.
Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)
Background: An officer or employee of the state or local government, who is a member of: the Washington National Guard; a reservist with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or Marine Corps; or of any organized reserve or armed forces of the United States, is entitled to 21 days of military leave of absence from employment each year. This leave is granted so the military member may report for active duty or active training duty. The member will still receive normal pay during this leave; taking leave will not result in any loss of efficiency rating, privileges, or pay.
The Ready Reserves is comprised of military members of the Reserve and National Guard, organized in units or as individuals. Each member, reservist or National Guard, must perform a minimum number of training days annually. A member must participate in at least 48 scheduled drills or training periods during each year and serve on active duty for training at least 14 days, but not more than 30 days each year.
Summary of Bill: Military leave of absence is granted so that the member, reservist or National Guard, may report for required military duty, training, or drills. The officer or employee can only be charged military leave for days the officer or employee is scheduled to work.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
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 is a technical clean-up bill. Legislation passed in the last couple of years increasing the number of days from 15 to 21 because of the increased stress on our men and women who are in uniform, in the reserves and National Guard. This bill will clarify that public employees who are members of the National Guard or reserve may use their 21 days of military leave to serve not only in an active duty status, such as annual training, but also serve in an inactive duty status, such as National Guard drill weekends and also serve in State active duty, such as National Guard response to natural disaster when ordered to duty by the Governor. This bill clarifies that military leave is to be charged for days when the employee would normally be working.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Steve Hobbs, prime sponsor; Brigadier General Bret Daugherty, Assistant Adjutant General, Army and Commander, Washington Army National Guard; Dale Movius, Veterans' Legislative Coalition; Matt Zuvich, Washington Federation of State Employees.