The Senate State Affairs Committee voted to report House Bill 17 out of committee Saturday, advancing a measure that would allow military veterans who are 100% disabled to retire up to five years earlier than current eligibility rules.

Representative Rauscher, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the change is intended to help veterans whose severe disabilities make lengthy service difficult. "This bill allows them to retire early, 5 years early, if they'd like," Rauscher said, noting the policy would give eligible members the option to retire sooner if their disabilities make continued service untenable.

Rauscher said the measure could also reduce state costs in some circumstances because the state’s employer contribution match would not be payable for the optional additional five years if an eligible member chooses earlier retirement. "It is not a hurt to our budget, but it does help them out," Rauscher told the committee.

The committee opened and closed public testimony; no public speakers were recorded for this item at the hearing. Senator Bjorkman moved to report House Bill 17 out of committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note; the chair called for objections and heard none. The committee recorded the bill as reported from committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note.

The motion and committee action advance the bill to the next legislative steps; specific statutory text and fiscal details are contained in the work draft and attached fiscal note referenced in the motion.