Committee OKs bill clarifying military leave definitions for state employees

House Bill 2663 updates statutory language to align leave-of-absence rules for state and local employees who serve in the National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserves. The presenter said the measure clarifies terms (defining "day" as a "shift of work") and updates outdated terminology to reduce confusion; Representative Michelle Pena (speaker 9) described the change as a language cleanup that will not affect benefits.

Committee members asked for examples and confirmed the change is intended to harmonize terminology for active duty and training. Members expressed broad support for veterans and service members and the committee voted to advance the bill with a due-pass recommendation.

Next steps: HB2663 moves to the Senate floor with the committee recommendation.