VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5313

April 18, 2007

To the Honorable President and Members,
The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning, without my approval as to Section 2, Senate Bill No. 5313 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to establishing the retirement age for members of the Washington state patrol retirement system."

This bill will help the Washington State Patrol retain its experienced troopers. When the bill was moving through the legislature, they were concerned that a trooper may turn 60 years old between July 1, 2007 the first day this bill could be effective, and the standard effective date, which is 90 days after a bill is signed into law. The Washington State Patrol has since determined that no troopers will turn 60 years old during this period of time, and that no trooper will face the mandatory retirement age prior to the effective date of this bill. The emergency clause is therefore unnecessary.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 2 of Senate Bill No. 5313.

With the exception of Sections 2, Senate Bill No. 5313 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine O. Gregoire
Governor