SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1205

BYRepresentatives Sayan, O'Brien, Heavey, Day, Ferguson, Ballard, Zellinsky, Jones, Basich, Prentice, Leonard, Rayburn, Rasmussen, Dorn, R. King, R. Meyers, Hargrove, Rector, Anderson, P. King and Kremen

Recording of honorable discharges.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 16, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Conner, Pullen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

                  March 17, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MARCH 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

County auditors are required to record at no expense the honorable discharge papers of any veteran who was a resident of the county at the time of his enlistment or induction into the armed forces of the United States.  The recording assures retrieval of the record if the veteran's status must be verified for benefit applications such as VA-insured mortgage loans.  By itself, the record provides no entitlement, but serves a purpose similar to a birth or death certificate.

"Honorable" discharges are no longer the only bases for eligibility in many instances; medical and general discharges may also be applicable.  It has been suggested that the recording should be available to a veteran in any county, not just the one where the veteran entered service.

SUMMARY:

County auditors are required to record discharges for any veterans who are Washington State residents.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: No one