Bill expanding military, veteran benefits passes WA Senate

OLYMPIA — A bill that would extend access to state benefits and other opportunities for veterans, military spouses and other uniformed personnel has passed the Washington Senate and is pending in the Washington House of Representatives. 

State Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, said during a public hearing on SB 5430 that he also proposed it in the 2025 session. 

“We worked on it quite a bit,” Lovick said. “I’m hoping we will get it over the finish line.” 

SB 5420 expands some benefits to include people who work in the commissioned corps of the US Public Health Service and the commissioned officer corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. People in those categories would be eligible for many of the same benefits as other military service members, such as hiring preferences and civilian job retention. They will also be eligible for other veteran preferences in certain circumstances.  

Hiring preferences for some jobs would be extended to the spouses of active-duty personnel and veterans. 

The terms militia, uniformed services and some veteran classifications would be redefined under the law, according to the bill's text.

In answer to a question, Lovick said that concerns about the definition of a veteran could be addressed if necessary. 

The bill received support from Tammy Crowe, a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Defense, who said it would modernize state laws.  

Lovick said SB 5420 passed the Senate with one dissenting vote. The bill had a hearing in the House Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee and is scheduled for consideration by the committee Feb. 24.