HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1654

Revising definition of veteran.

Brief Title                              Hearing Date: 2/17/99

Reps. Kessler, Hatfield                  Staff:  Scott MacColl

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7106

BACKGROUND:

The definition of a veteran relates to programs specifically designed to target veterans, and allows people so designated to receive public job testing preference, a different rate of retirement pay, and other benefits.

Veteran Defined:

A veteran is defined as having served during a war or in the direct theater of armed conflict. A war is described as WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, and any future war as determined by Congress.  A direct theater of armed conflict is described as the crisis in Lebanon, Panama, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia and others.

Merchant Marine Veteran defined:

WWII merchant marine veterans are defined as being a US documented merchant mariner that served aboard a oceangoing vessel operated by the War Shipping Administration, or the Office of Defense Administration, during the period of armed conflict from December 7, 1941 to August 15, 1945.

Army/Navy Transport Civil Service Crewmember defined:

A civil service veteran is a crewmember with service aboard a US army or navy transport service vessel in oceangoing service during the period of armed conflict between December 7, 1941 to August 15, 1945.

SUMMARY:

Merchant Marine Veteran defined:

The definition of a WWII merchant marine veteran is altered to no longer include the requirement that the veteran served during an armed conflict, and the dates of service are extended from August 15, 1945 to December 31, 1946.

Army/Navy Transport Civil Service Crewmember defined:

The definition of a army/navy transport civil service veteran is altered to no longer include the requirement that veterans must have served during an armed conflict, and the dates of service are extended from August 15, 1945 to December 31, 1946.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.