FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1028

C 71 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising the provision for military leave for public employees.

Sponsors:  Representatives Haigh, D. Schmidt, Romero, Conway, Kenney and Talcott.

House Committee on State Government

Senate Committee on State & Local Government

Background:

Members of the Washington National Guard are required to attend one drill weekend per month and one training period per year.  The annual training period usually lasts two weeks.  The national guard uses the military's fiscal year, which runs from October 1 to September 30, for determining when the annual commitment must be served.  In other words, a member of the national guard must attend one annual training period per military fiscal year, instead of per calendar year.

State and local employees who are members of the national guard or reserves are entitled to 15 days of leave per calendar year to fulfill their service obligations.  This can lead to a situation where a member of the national guard does not have enough state leave to cover his or her service obligation.  For example, if a national guard member is called for his or her annual two‑week training period in January, the member will use up his or her state leave for the year.  However, since the military's fiscal year begins in October, the member could conceivably be required to fulfill another annual training period in October, November, or December before he or she gains another 15 days of state leave.

Summary:

The year in which state military leave is granted to members of the Washington National Guard and reserves is synchronized with the military=s fiscal year (October 1 through September 30).

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate440

Effective:  October 1, 2001