Brief Description: Determining eligibility for veteran's regular or special license plates.

Sponsors: Senators Kastama, Winsley, Oke, Franklin, Rasmussen and Schmidt.

Hearing Date: 3/1/04

Staff: Page Scott (786-7301).

Background:

During the 2002 legislative session, a broader definition of veteran was provided for certain purposes. The definition includes: (a) peacetime veterans and those who have fulfilled their initial military service obligation in any branch of the armed services and the National Guard and reserves; (b) members of the women's air forces services pilots; (c) those in the armed forces reserves, National Guard, or Coast Guard who have been called into federal service by a presidential select reserve call up for at least 180 cumulative days; (d) civil service crewmembers with service aboard a U.S. army transport service or U.S. naval transportation service vessel in oceangoing service from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946; and (e) those who served in the Philippine Armed Forces or Scouts in World War II.

The definition references several sections of the RCW that provide benefits for which veterans are eligible. These benefits include: admission to state veterans' homes, veterans' preference for employment, free license plates, county aid to indigent veterans, restrictions on sending veterans to alms houses; and county burials.

Summary of Bill:

The definition of veteran used to determine eligibility for free disabled veteran license plates is changed to refer to the broader definition of veteran.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.