Keeping our Washington national guard strong act.
HB 1073 creates the Washington National Guard Retention Program to help the state retain military personnel. It directs the Adjutant General to study retention needs - such as length of service and critical skills - and determine reenlistment bonuses to encourage members to extend their service. The program requires clear eligibility criteria and bonus payment schedules, with the state military department mandated to report on retention needs to the governor and legislature every three years starting in 2027. The bill directly affects Washington National Guard members who may qualify for reenlistment bonuses.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Last action Mar 12, 2026
Floor votes · House Feb 17, 2026
How they voted
98–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 100
Feb 17, 2026
D
Democratic61
96% Yea
R
Republican39
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
7
Committee
8
Feb 17, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (98-1-1)
house
Feb 9, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
APP - Majority; do pass.
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Jan 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
TEDV - Majority; do pass.
lower
Jan 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 8:00 AM.
lower
1 primary · 11 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mari Leavitt
DDemocratic
Co
Alicia Rule
DDemocratic
Co
Brandy Donaghy
DDemocratic
Co
Cindy Ryu
DDemocratic
Co
Clyde Shavers
DDemocratic
Co
Dave Paul
DDemocratic
Co
Greg Nance
DDemocratic
Co
Joe Timmons
DDemocratic
Co
Kristine Reeves
DDemocratic
Co
Peter Abbarno
RRepublican
Co
Stephanie Barnard
RRepublican
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