SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5292

BYSenate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Conner and Bauer)

Permitting certain retired veterans to be eligible for veterans' preferences for public employment purposes.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 25, 1987; March 4, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5292 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410); Walt Corneille (786-7452)  March 17, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The State Civil Service Law and the Higher Education Personnel Act require that the respective personnel boards adopt rules pertaining to employment preferences for veterans.  One specific provision is a prohibition against providing seniority for layoffs and reemployment for a veteran who had voluntarily retired from military service with more than 20 years of active service and whose military retirement pay exceeds $500 per month.  It has been suggested that retired veterans should receive the same preference in seniority as other veterans.

SUMMARY:

A veteran who has voluntarily retired with more than 20 years of active military service cannot be excluded from coverage by personnel rules for seniority in layoffs and reemployment until his or her military retirement pay exceeds $1,000.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Mark Brown, WFSE; John M. Libby, Sr., VFW; Lew Brewer, American Legion; Eugene St. John, WPEA