SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6457

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Title: An act relating to the preferential hiring of veterans by the marine division of the department of transportation.

Brief Description: Concerning preferential hiring of veterans by the marine division of the department of transportation.

Background: Washington State Ferries (WSF) currently offers military veterans a preference in their hiring process in certain job classifications. After passing the required tests and receiving a points score, additional points are then added to the score of an applicant who is a veteran, based on the length of time they served in the military and the type of service they provided.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a Wounded Combat Veteran's Program that was created by the Legislature in 2007, which is currently unfunded. Internship positions may include engineering, construction trades, logistics, and project planning.

Summary of Bill: Within available resources, WSF must expand opportunities to provide for preferential hiring of veterans. Options may include increasing the veterans points used in the hiring process and applying this practice to more job classes, notifying veteran assistance organizations of job vacancies and participating in the Wounded Combat Veterans Internship Program.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is a good sense bill that will help military veterans. WSF is supportive of veterans preference; however, we would like to see the language removed that relates to veteran points and expanding job classes that points are used in.