Bill would let school districts give paid leave to Civil Air Patrol and Coast Guard Auxiliary members; committee advances measure

Representative Mark Berry, described in committee as a retired Air Force general, presented HB 1017, saying the bill "specifically addresses the civil air patrol and United States coast guard auxiliary." He told the committee that CAP and auxiliary members provide search-and-rescue and STEM programming for communities and that many are unpaid volunteers who give time for training and emergency activations.

Under the bill, school districts would be authorized to provide up to 15 days of paid leave per calendar year to employees who are CAP or Coast Guard Auxiliary members when they are requested to be activated or attend special training. Sponsor discussion estimated that if an employee used all 15 days, substitute costs could total roughly $1,500.

Senator Chesterfield voiced support and asked whether the school district would pick up the cost; presenters confirmed the leave would come from the school budget. No public opponents were registered in the committee for this item.

The committee moved the bill and passed it by voice vote.

What happens next: The bill was advanced out of committee; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript (voice vote recorded as "Aye").