FINAL BILL REPORT

2SHB 2040

C 57 L 15

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Initiating a campaign to increase veteran employment.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives McCabe, Caldier, Senn, Harris, McBride, Dent, Johnson, Sells, Kagi, Kilduff and Wilson).

House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background:

Veteran Assistance.

There are a number of organizations that identify and assist with the needs of veterans. Included in these organizations are the veterans advisory boards (boards) and the Washington State Military Transition Council (Council).

The legislative authority for each county must establish a board. The board must advise the legislative authority of the needs of local indigent veterans, resources available to local indigent veterans, and programs that could benefit the needs of the local indigent veterans and their families. Members of the board must be veterans. The majority of board members must be from a nationally recognized veterans organization.

The Council was created in 2013. The Council supports collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies and private nonprofit organizations that share responsibility for providing transition assistance to service members and their families. The Council is led by a chair, who is the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and has an executive committee, strategic planning committee, advisory group, and workgroups that focus on veteran employment, education, career and technical training, and veteran-owned small businesses.

Associate Development Organizations.

An associated development organization (ADO) is a local economic development nonprofit corporation that is broadly representative of community interests. Associated development organizations serve as a point of contact for local economic development activities, supporting new business development and recruitment, and coordinating business retention and expansion activities within their area. Each county in Washington has designated an organization as their ADO. There are 34 ADOs total.

Summary:

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Employment Security Department, and Department of Commerce must consult local chambers of commerce, associate development organizations, and businesses to initiate a demonstration campaign to increase veteran employment in Washington. Businesses may share information about veteran employment with local chambers of commerce, who may provide this information to the Department of Veterans Affairs. "Veteran" is defined as any veteran discharged under honorable conditions.

All participants in the campaign are encouraged to work with the Washington State Military Transition Council and veterans advisory boards. Funds used for the campaign must be from existing resources.

Votes on Final Passage: