OLYMPIA – National Guard members are getting a pay increase when fighting state wildfires, thanks to a new law passed by Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place. House Bill 1137 updates the state active duty compensation statute to a rate consistent with Department of Natural Resource rates for Guard members called to state service for wildland fire response.
I am proud to stand with members of the National Guard by increasing their pay when they are serving us in dangerous conditions. Thank you to the Military Department for bringing this issue to my attention and to all the men and women who protect our state during the wildfire crisis.
Because the state active duty compensation statute tied National Guard member pay to the federal minimum wage, it resulted in pay less than the state minimum wage. Leavitt’s bill is the first update to the statute in 30 years.
