Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5420: Veteran benefits access
Status: Signed into law, March 24, 2026
Ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses.
What the bill says
An act Relating to ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses; amending RCW 38.04.010, 38.42.010, 41.18.150, 41.20.050, 41.40.170, 43.24.130, 41.04.010, 41.44.120, 73.16.031, 73.16.010, 73.16.051, and 73.16.110; reenacting and amending RCW 41.44.030; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses; amending RCW 38.04.010, 38.42.010, 41.18.150, 41.20.050, 41.40.170, 43.24.130, 41.04.010, 41.44.120, 73.16.031, 73.16.010, 73.16.051, and 73.16.110; reenacting and amending RCW 41.44.030; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that service to our nation is a selfless sacrifice carried out by members of the armed forces, uniformed services, and their families. Therefore, the legislature finds that members of the uniformed services should be afforded the same benefits and opportunities when choosing to continue public service employment in Washington state. The legislature further recognizes the need to support employment opportunities for veterans, who served at any time in our nation's history and obtained a qualifying discharge, and spouses who support our current active duty force by allowing for hiring preference. Sec. 2. RCW 38.04.010 and 1991 c 43 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: When used in this title, the following words, terms, phrases shall have the following meaning: The word "militia" shall mean the military forces provided for in the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington. The term "organized militia" shall be the general term to include both state and national guard and whenever used applies equally to all such organizations. The term …
Sponsors
- John Lovick (D) · primary sponsor
- Keith Wagoner (R)
- Mike Chapman (D)
- Perry Dozier (R)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 207, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Senate concurred in House amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 9, 2026): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 5, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: Do pass as amended by Committee on Appropriations and without amendment by Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans (March 2, 2026): 29 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Passage (January 21, 2026): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: Do pass as amended by Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans (April 5, 2025): 30 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: MILITARY
Common questions
- What is SB5420?
- SB5420 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Veteran benefits access.
- What does SB5420 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses; amending RCW 38.04.010, 38.42.010, 41.18.150, 41.20.050, 41.40.170, 43.24.130, 41.04.010, 41.44.120, 73.16.031, 73.16.010, 73.16.051, and 73.16.110; reenacting and amending RCW 41.44.030; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5420?
- Signed into law as of March 24, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5420?
- John Lovick (D), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5420?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5420&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.