Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1073: National guard retention
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Keeping our Washington national guard strong act.
What the bill says
An act Relating to keeping our Washington national guard strong act; and adding a new section to chapter 38.24 RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to keeping our Washington national guard strong act; and adding a new section to chapter 38.24 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 38.24 RCW to read as follows: (1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, there is created the Washington national guard retention program. (2) The adjutant general shall establish the program to study retention needs, including length of service and critical skills retention. The adjutant general may consider the reenlistment term, conversion to a shortage specialty, and other retention factors to determine the amount of any reenlistment bonus that will encourage members of the Washington national guard to extend their terms of service. (3) The adjutant general shall determine eligibility criteria for the retention program. The criteria must be specified in policy and changes must be published. (4) The adjutant general shall determine the amount of any reenlistment bonus and the schedule to make bonus payments. (5) The state military department must report to the governor and the legislature on retention needs and recommendations at least once every three years, beginning November 1, 2027. --- END ---
Sponsors
- Leavitt, Mari (D) · primary sponsor
- Peter Abbarno (R)
- Cindy Ryu (D)
- Clyde Shavers (D)
- Dave Paul (D)
- Joe Timmons (D)
- Tarra Simmons (D)
- Alicia Rule (D)
- Stephanie Barnard (R)
- Greg Nance (D)
- Kristine Reeves (D)
- Brandy Donaghy (D)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
- : First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
- : APP - Majority; do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- : By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 17, 2026): 96 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: Do pass (February 9, 2026): 28 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans: Do pass (January 21, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: MILITARY
Common questions
- What is HB1073?
- HB1073 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): National guard retention.
- What does HB1073 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to keeping our Washington national guard strong act; and adding a new section to chapter 38.24 RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB1073?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1073?
- Leavitt, Mari (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1073?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1073&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.