House approves key bills for service personnel and veteransSeaquist's shared-leave program among those bills headed to the SenateFebruary 12, 2007 OLYMPIA – Four legislative proposals aimed at helping Washington's current service personnel and the state's military veterans -- as well as their families -- won approval in the House of Representatives this morning (Feb. 12). State Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor) joined his colleagues in supporting a veterans’ package, including his own measure to create a first of its kind shared-leave program for state employees. "Military personnel endure an enormous amount of personal and economic sacrifice," said Seaquist. "In times of war we have a tremendous responsibility to support our soldiers as they come home from overseas." Almost 20 years ago, the Legislature set up the leave-sharing program for state employees. The idea was to allow state workers to help colleagues in need by donating annual and sick leave. Seaquist’s bill (HB 1507) would create the uniformed service shared-leave pool that would allow state employees to also share leave with colleagues who are called into military service. “This program would be the first of its kind in the nation,” said Seaquist, who came to the legislature after 30 years of service in the United State’s Navy. “State employees called up for active duty generally earn less than they do in their state job. This bill is a way to help keep them from going broke while serving our nation." Other veterans’ measures passed on Monday include: House bill 1292: According to Federal Veterans Administration (VA) statistics, there are 140,000 veterans living in Eastern Washington; 37 percent of these veterans live in Spokane County. The measure would allow for the creation of a Washington state veterans’ cemetery for honorably discharged deceased veterans, as well as their deceased spouses, to be laid to rest in a cemetery on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. House bill 1127: Currently public employees are allotted 15 days of military leave. Recently legislators heard testimony about a police officer-National Guard member who was forced to take sick leave in order to meet increased training requirements. House Bill 1127 extends military leave for public employees to 30 days. House bill 1126: This legislation would waive the $10 late fee for concealed-pistol-license renewals for military men and women serving outside of Washington when their license expires. Seaquist said of the military bills passed from the House, “This is a small but important step and I look forward to continued support for our veterans here in the legislature.” All of the bills were passed with unanimous support and now await action in the Senate. ### Staff Contact: Derek Baker (360) 786-7697; baker.derek@leg.wa.gov Link to Rep. Seaquist’s Website and print quality photo: http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/seaquist/ House Bill 1507: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1507&year=2007 House Bill 1292: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=1292&year=2007 House Bill 1127: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1127&year=2007 House Bill 1126: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=1126&year=2007 Radio and TV News Directors: To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell_da@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208.
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Rep. Larry Seaquist
26th Legislative District