Title: An act relating to military department claims and accounts.

Brief Description: Creating the military department active state service account.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Morrell, VanDeWege, Green, Hurst, Pearson, Sullivan, Williams, Hankins and Kelley; by request of Military Department.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/14/08, 94-0.

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/29/08 [DP]

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Fairley, Hatfield, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Tom.

Staff: Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

Background: Payment of military claims and expenses for active state service by the organized militia (National or State Guard) in emergencies is authorized from general funds not otherwise appropriated. Generally, non-emergency duties are funded with appropriations from the state General Fund.

Summary of Bill: The military department active state service account is created in the state treasury and is subject to appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for claims and expenses for the organized militia for non-emergency activities, such as planning, training exercises, and other administrative duties.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (on companion SB 6342): PRO: The department cannot control the availability of forces when it's required to deal with an emergency. This account created by this bill gives the department greater predictability in providing planning and training resources.

Persons Testifying (on companion SB 6342): PRO: Major General Timothy Lowenberg, Washington Military Department.