FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2115

C 178 L 14

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the composition of the officer promotion board.

Sponsors: Representatives Johnson, Appleton, Seaquist, Goodman, Moscoso, Klippert, Morrell, Orwall, Tarleton, Green, Smith, Zeiger, Haler, Ross, Hayes and Walkinshaw; by request of Washington Military Department.

House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Background:

The state Constitution provides for the organization of the state militia with the Governor serving as Commander-in-Chief. The organized militia consists of the National Guard and the State Guard. The Governor may call the entire militia into active service, but the National Guard, including the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, may also be called into federal service. The State Guard is available to serve when the National Guard is called into federal service.

The Governor commissions all officers in the state militia and appoints the Adjutant General to command the state militia. The Officer Promotion Board (OPB) selects commissioned officers for promotion or appointment to fill a vacancy. The composition of the OPB is determined by whether the promotion is for the National or State Guard.

For promotions within the Army National Guard or Air National Guard, respectively, the OPB consists of:

• the Adjutant General;

• the Assistant Adjutant General Army (or Air); and

• the five commanders senior in grade and date of rank in that grade in the Army (or Air) National Guard.

For promotions within the State Guard, the OPB consists of:

• the Adjutant General;

• the Assistant Adjutant General Army; and

• the five commanders senior in grade and date of rank in that grade in the State Guard.

Members of the OPB who are lieutenant colonels are automatically disqualified from selecting an officer for promotion to the rank of colonel. Likewise, lieutenant colonels and colonels are automatically disqualified from selecting an officer for promotion to the rank of brigadier general. Disqualified members are not replaced. An official act of the OPB must be approved by at least four members. If the OPB consists of less than four members, approval must be unanimous.

Summary:

The OPB is restructured to consist of at least five voting members who are officers senior in grade to those officers being considered for promotion within the same respective division. Any member must be recused from participating in considering the promotion of an officer who is senior in grade to the member. The OPB must include at least one general officer appointed by the adjutant general for consideration of an officer promoted to lieutenant colonel or above.

Votes on Final Passage: