Washington HB1541: Veterans affairs adv. comm.

What the bill says

An act Relating to the veterans affairs advisory committee; and amending RCW 43.60A.080.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT Relating to the veterans affairs advisory committee; and amending RCW 43.60A.080. Sec. 1. RCW 43.60A.080 and 2015 c 219 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: (1) There is hereby created a veterans affairs advisory committee which shall serve in an advisory capacity to the governor and the director of the department of veterans affairs. The committee shall appoint members to serve as liaisons to each of the state veterans' homes((, unless the home has a representative appointed to the committee)). This liaison must share information on committee meetings and business with the resident council of the state's veterans' homes, as well as bring information back for the committee's consideration to ensure veterans' home resident issues are included at regular committee meetings. The committee shall be composed of seventeen members to be appointed by the governor, and shall consist of the following: (a) ((One representative of the Washington soldiers' home and colony at Orting and one representative of the Washington veterans' home at Retsil. Each home's resident council may nominate up to three individuals whose names are to be forwarded by the director to the governor. In making the appointments, the governor shall consider these recommendations or request additional nominations. If the resident council does not provide any nomination, the governor may appoint a member at …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Hunter Abell (R) · primary sponsor
• Brandy Donaghy (D)
• Melanie Morgan (D)
• Shelley Kloba (D)
• Clyde Shavers (D)
• Janice Zahn (D)
• Natasha Hill (D)
• Tarra Simmons (D)

Latest actions

1. March 9, 2026: Effective date 6/11/2026.
2. March 9, 2026: Chapter 5, 2026 Laws.
3. March 9, 2026: Governor signed.
4. March 3, 2026: Delivered to Governor.
5. February 28, 2026: President signed.
6. February 28, 2026: Speaker signed.
7. February 26, 2026: Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
8. February 26, 2026: Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
9. February 24, 2026: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
10. February 17, 2026: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

Votes

• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 26, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections: Do pass (February 16, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (January 22, 2026): 91 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections: Do pass as amended (March 28, 2025): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 11, 2025): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 11, 2025): 10 yea, 2 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1541?

HB1541 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Veterans affairs adv. comm.

What does HB1541 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to the veterans affairs advisory committee; and amending RCW 43.60A.080.

What is the status of HB1541?

Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 9, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1541?

Hunter Abell (R), with 7 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1541?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1541&Year=2025