BILL REQ. #:  H-3418.1 

Read first time 01/17/14.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to providing a more direct path to a commercial driver's license for military veterans and veterans of the national guard who have truck driving experience; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that veterans are an important part of our community and that current policies and programs fail to consider their relevant experience in driving commercial vehicles while serving our country. Further, the legislature recognizes that commercial vehicles are an integral part of our state's economy and that many employers are facing a shortage of qualified employees. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to establish an accelerated pathway for military veterans, and veterans of the national guard, who have relevant truck driving experience to receive a commercial driver's license.
     As it stands, military veterans are eligible to take an eight-week course while working toward receiving a commercial driver's license. It is the intent of the legislature to create an alternative pilot program for veterans that will allow them to take a shorter course instead, and to accomplish this goal, will establish a partnership between an institute of higher learning, the Washington state department of veteran affairs, and local trucking companies.