SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5875

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, March 4, 1997

Title:  An act relating to the legislature.

Brief Description:  Creating the joint select committee on veterans and military personnel affairs.

Sponsors:  Senators Swanson, McCaslin, Haugen, Swecker, Jacobsen, Patterson, Rossi, Brown, Heavey, Finkbeiner, Hochstatter, Fraser, Sheldon, Kline, Loveland, Zarelli, Goings, Anderson, Hargrove, Prentice, Oke, Franklin, Thibaudeau, Winsley, Rasmussen, Kohl and Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/27/97, 3/4/97 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5875 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Anderson, Haugen, Horn, Patterson and Swanson.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  Issues raised during this legislative session underscore the need to provide properly for those who are currently giving military service or have given military service to their state and country.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Joint Select Committee on Veterans and Military Personnel Affairs is created.  The committee consists of four members, one from each caucus of the House of Representatives and the Senate.  The committee must report annually to the Legislature, the first report due before the 1998 legislative session, on the current status of veteran and military personnel affairs.

The committee must establish an advisory group that has access to and the assistance of legislative staff and employees of state agencies to perform studies, develop recommendations, and report to the Legislature in an ongoing manner.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill mandates representation of certain groups on the advisory committee.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This committee will supplement the Department of Veterans Affairs and act as a focal point for legislative activity.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Francis Agnes (pro); John Lee, Deputy Director, Department of Veterans Affairs (pro).