Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HJM 4012: Supporting combat-injured veterans.

HJM 4012 is a Washington State House Joint Memorial urging Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102), which would amend federal law to extend "full concurrent receipt" benefits to combat-injured veterans regardless of their years of service. Currently, veterans with less than 20 years of service who are medically retired due to combat injuries receive less federal disability compensation than those with 20+ years, creating inequity. The memorial requests Congress schedule a vote on H.R. 2102 to resolve this disparity and fulfill the nation's obligation to all combat-injured veterans. This is a procedural request to the federal government, not a state law.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill seeks to extend full disability benefits to combat-injured veterans with <20 years service, correcting an inequity in federal compensation per the Major Richard Star Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5954: Concerning veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility.

SB 5954 requires Washington public colleges to waive all tuition and fees for children and surviving spouses/domestic partners of veterans who died in service, were totally disabled due to service, or were prisoners of war/missing in action. To qualify, recipients must be Washington residents, meet age or federal eligibility criteria (e.g., under 26 or meeting VA benefit periods), and the waiver covers up to 250 credits with a $500 annual stipend for textbooks. The law does not apply to veterans who served only within the U.S. or its waters, and private colleges are encouraged but not required to adopt similar policies. Public institutions must report annually on waiver usage, including demographic data.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access to higher education by waiving tuition/fees for veterans' families, directly increasing affordability and opportunity for college attendance.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition benefits for veteran survivors by waiving fees and providing textbook stipend, directly advancing educational support for veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 5827: Concerning the definition of a "qualifying discharge" for the Washington state veterans' preference program for civil service.

SB 5827 clarifies the definition of a "qualifying discharge" for Washington state's veterans' preference program in civil service, directly affecting active-duty service members and veterans applying for state government jobs. The bill allows applicants to use an official statement from their commanding officer (including projected discharge details) to claim preference while still serving, rather than waiting for standard military discharge paperwork (DD214). It expands "qualifying discharge" to include discharges marked "other than honorable" if the applicant provides VA benefit documentation, and discharges related to sexual orientation or gender identity (if not prohibited by military law). This change ensures smoother job transitions by letting service members secure civil service positions before their official separation date.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' civil service preference eligibility by allowing active-duty members to use commanding officer statements instead of waiting for DD214, easing employment access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1738: Ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses.

HB 1738 clarifies and expands eligibility for existing Washington state benefits for veterans, uniformed service members (including National Guard), and military spouses. It updates key definitions across multiple statutes to ensure veterans' service time counts toward public safety job seniority, creates hiring preferences for veterans, and expands business loan eligibility for service members facing revenue loss due to military duties. The bill directly affects those with qualifying military service or spouse status who seek state employment, public safety careers, or business financial assistance. These changes ensure consistent application of current benefit programs without creating new funding or programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates hiring preferences for veterans and ensures military service counts toward seniority, expanding employment opportunities for military personnel.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran benefit eligibility, creates hiring preferences, and expands business loans for military service members - directly advancing veterans' access to benefits and opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment

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signed · Washington · House May 7, 2025

HB 1106: Recognizing the tremendous sacrifices made by our military veterans by phasing down the disability rating requirements to ensure more disabled veterans are eligible for property tax relief.

House Bill 1106 expands eligibility for property tax relief to more disabled military veterans in Washington state. It lowers the required combined service-connected disability rating from 80% to 40% or higher for veterans to qualify for property tax exemptions on their primary residence. This change allows a broader group of disabled veterans to receive a reduction in their annual property tax obligations, provided they meet other existing criteria related to residency, ownership, and income thresholds. The bill aims to recognize the sacrifices of veterans by making property tax relief more accessible.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief by lowering eligibility thresholds, reducing tax burden for disabled veterans under state tax system.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief to disabled veterans, reducing housing costs for eligible homeowners, indirectly supporting affordability without addressing core housing policy areas.65% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransLowers disability rating requirement from 80% to 40% for property tax relief, expanding eligibility for more disabled veterans' benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5398: Concerning property tax exemptions for veterans with disabilities.

SB 5398 creates property tax exemptions for Washington veterans with severe service-connected disabilities and their surviving spouses. It allows veterans receiving VA compensation for a combined disability rating of 80% or higher (or total disability) to qualify for tax relief, along with surviving spouses aged 57+ who meet income requirements. The exemption reduces or eliminates property taxes based on income thresholds: full exemption for lowest-income veterans (threshold 3), and partial exemption covering up to $70,000 of home value for moderate-income veterans (threshold 2), or up to 60% of home value (minimum $60,000) for highest-income eligible veterans (threshold 1). The bill adjusts tax calculations for income changes like retirement or spouse loss, and maintains eligibility during cost-of-living increases to social security benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for low-income veterans with disabilities (80%+ disability) and surviving spouses via income-based exemptions, directly reducing taxes for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSB 5398 creates property tax exemptions for veterans with severe disabilities (80%+ VA rating) and surviving spouses, directly expanding financial benefits and reducing tax burdens for qualifying veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5410: Concerning parking privileges for veterans.

SB 5410 amends Washington State law to expand eligibility for disability parking privileges to include veterans. Specifically, it adds veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who use a service animal (as defined by federal regulations) to the list of qualifying individuals under existing parking rules. The bill does not create new benefits but extends current disability parking access to this veteran group, requiring the same medical certification as other applicants. It maintains all existing requirements for documentation, application, and issuance of parking placards or license plates. This change directly affects eligible veterans seeking parking accommodations under Washington’s disability parking program.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands existing disability parking access to veterans with 70%+ VA disability ratings using service animals, advancing their benefit access without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1371: Concerning parking privileges for veterans.

House Bill 1371 expands eligibility for special parking privileges in Washington state. It allows veterans with a 70 percent or higher disability rating from the U.S. armed forces or Department of Veterans Affairs, who also use a service animal, to qualify for these permits. This bill amends existing law to include these specific criteria for veterans under the state's special parking privilege statute. It also details the application process for both temporary and permanent parking placards or license plates for qualifying individuals.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands parking privileges for veterans with 70%+ VA disability using service animals, adding new eligibility to existing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1102: Increasing support and services for veterans.

House Bill 1102 aims to increase the number of veterans in Washington State who are aware of and receiving federal benefits. It expands the state's Veterans Service Officer (VSO) program, prioritizing funding for counties where a lower percentage of veterans currently receive federal disability or pension compensation. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to proactively inform recently discharged veterans about available benefits and to provide county-specific service information online. It also mandates biennial reports on veteran service access and requires counties with state-funded VSOs to serve veterans from adjacent counties.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands VSO program funding to increase veteran benefit awareness/access, directly advancing veterans' services through proactive outreach and county-specific support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing