SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6457

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, February 2, 2012

Title: An act relating to the preferential hiring of veterans by the marine division of the department of transportation.

Brief Description: Concerning preferential hiring of veterans by the marine division of the department of transportation.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6457 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Fain, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Frockt, Hill, Hobbs, Litzow, Ranker, Rolfes, Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Background: Washington State Ferries (WSF) currently offers military veterans a preference in their hiring process in certain job classifications. After passing the required tests and receiving a points score, additional points are then added to the score of an applicant who is a veteran, based on the length of time they served in the military and the type of service they provided.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a Wounded Combat Veteran's Program that was created by the Legislature in 2007, which is currently unfunded. Internship positions may include engineering, construction trades, logistics, and project planning.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): Within available resources, WSF must expand opportunities to provide for preferential hiring of veterans. Options may include increasing awareness of the veterans points process used in the hiring processs, notifying veteran assistance organizations of job vacancies, working with other state and local agencies, and participating in the Wounded Combat Veterans Internship Program.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): WSF is no longer directed to expand the level or use of veteran preference points, and is instead directed to publicize the veteran point process and work with other agencies to increase the hiring of veterans.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: This bill is a good sense bill that will help military veterans. WSF is supportive of veterans preference; however, we would like to see the language removed that relates to veteran points and expanding job classes that points are used in.