HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1625
As Passed House:
February 9, 2022
Title: An act relating to specifying that space force reserve members who are officers or employees of the state of Washington or of any county, city, or other political subdivision have access to a period of paid military leave of absence from employment.
Brief Description: Specifying that space force reserve members who are officers or employees of the state of Washington or of any county, city, or other political subdivision have access to a period of paid military leave of absence from employment.
Sponsors: Representatives Bronoske, Leavitt, Boehnke, Sells, Graham, Santos, Slatter, Griffey and Young.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor & Workplace Standards: 1/11/22, 1/21/22 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/9/22, 95-1.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Extends access to paid military leave to public employee members of the United States Space Force.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKPLACE STANDARDS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 4 members:Representatives Sells, Chair; Berry, Vice Chair; Bronoske and Ortiz-Self.
Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by 1 member:Representative Hoff, Ranking Minority Member.
Minority Report: Without recommendation.Signed by 2 members:Representatives Mosbrucker, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Harris.
Staff: Lily Smith (786-7175).
Background:

Space Force.

 

The United States Space Force (USSF) was established in 2019 as the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces.  The duties of the USSF include protecting national interests, activities in space, and conducting space operations.


State Paid Military Leave.

 

Any officer or employee of the state or local government, who is a member of the Washington National Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps Reserves of the United States or of any organized reserve or armed forces of the United States, is entitled to 21 days of paid military leave from employment each year.  The leave is granted so the person may report for active duty or active training duty, and is in addition to vacation or sick leave.  
Summary of Bill:

State and local government employees and officers that are members of the United States Space Force are entitled to paid military leave.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill is intended to be proactive in providing clarity to public employers regarding the new United States Space Force.  There is no reserve component of the Space Force yet, but when one is created, public employers will be ready to allow their employees to have paid time off in order to serve their country.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Dan Bronoske, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.