Wash. Senate moving Kelley’s military bills

March 26, 2009

OLYMPIA – A Senate committee on Tuesday cleared a plan to update the state’s military justice code. Rep. Troy Kelley, D-Tacoma, introduced the bill to bring the state’s military laws into the 21st Century.

“Our military code was groundbreaking when first introduced in the 50’s,” Kelley said. “But a lot has changed since then and we need to make sure the code reflects modern challenges.”

Kelley’s proposal, House Bill 1036, was requested by the Washington Military Department and part of a nationwide effort by states to update state military justice codes. The state’s code initially was meant to mirror the Uniform Code of Military Justice. But that’s not the case today, with the last major change to the state code happening in 60’s.

An example of the kind of change being made is updating the definition of blood alcohol content to .08 percent, the state’s standard for non-military offenses for several years.

“National Guard members and other branches of the military work more and more with each other,” Kelley said. “Bringing our state code in line with state laws and the Uniform Code will give guard members a fair and consistent standard to abide by.”

Improved veterans’ scoring on exams

The Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee also approved Kelley’s bill to remove a deployment timeframe requirement for veterans back home taking promotion exams. Currently, veterans receive differing levels of scoring preferences on public service tests.

Kelley’s proposal, House Bill 1050, would allow a 5 percent preference on promotional exams for any veteran called to serve, regardless of whether it was for one week or one year.

“The current criterion is that they must be gone for a year, which leaves a lot of deserving veterans ineligible,” Kelley said. “The idea of the scoring preference is to acknowledge the service and sacrifice they’ve made. I believe that if you serve for a month and then get injured and have to come back, you’re just as deserving as the next service member.”

Both bills are in the Senate Rules Committee awaiting action on the Senate floor.

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For more information
State Rep. Troy Kelley, (360) 786-7890
Print-quality image: www1.leg.wa.gov/documents/house/members/photos/Kelley.jpg

Staff contact - Andrew Dziedzic, (360) 786-7218

Bill information
HB 1036: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=1036&year=2009
HB 1050: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=1050&year=2009