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WashingtonSB 54202025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: John Lovick (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Broader retirement rules for city workers

Beginning June 11, 2026, approved uniformed-service leave counts as service in Washington's statewide city employees retirement system. Employees kept from being in service at the system's start by qualifying service or another listed circumstance can receive special credit. Their city sets that credit, capped at five years, and requires an honorable-discharge certificate or other supporting records. For compensation periods after January 1, 1968, the system uses the full normal-time pay rate without the earlier monthly cap.

Job protections after uniformed service grow

Beginning June 11, 2026, workers entitled to job restoration after uniformed service return without losing seniority. Their service absence counts as furlough or leave. Insurance, vacation, retirement pay, and other benefits follow the employer's established rules for workers on leave. After restoration, employers cannot fire them without cause for one year.

More job preferences for service families

Beginning June 11, 2026, qualifying service members and their widows or widowers receive preference for covered state and county jobs. Spouses of active-duty members also qualify, as do spouses of qualifying veterans with permanent, total service-connected disabilities. Current Guard or reserve members relying on veteran status must have been deployed to an armed conflict. Public applicants must be able to do the job; age or physical impairment alone does not disqualify them. Private employers may offer these preferences, but need not; doing so does not violate state or local equal-employment laws.

More retirement credit for eligible firefighters

Beginning June 11, 2026, eligible Washington firefighters can count Public Health Service and NOAA commissioned corps service toward retirement. Credit is limited to five years of qualifying wartime service. Firefighters must have belonged to the department when entering service and received a discharge other than dishonorable.

More service members get hiring-score boosts

Beginning June 11, 2026, eligible Public Health Service and NOAA commissioned corps members receive public-employment exam preferences. Wartime or armed-conflict service earns a 10% addition to a passing score when the applicant receives no military retirement. Other eligible applicants receive 5%; these hiring preferences end at the first appointment and do not cover promotions. Public employees called to active service receive a separate 5% promotional-exam addition until their first promotion. Applicants need proof of a qualifying discharge or current honorable service.

More uniformed members qualify for relief

Beginning June 11, 2026, Public Health Service and NOAA commissioned corps members qualify as service members for Washington's military-relief chapter. This includes access to its service-member business loan program. The business must be owned and operated by a sole proprietor or a service member holding at least 50% ownership. It must suffer a material revenue loss from service under federal or governor's orders lasting more than 30 consecutive days.

More public retirement credit with repayment

Beginning June 11, 2026, specified public retirement rules count Public Health Service and NOAA commissioned corps service. General credit requires returning to employment or completing 25 years of credited service, and is capped at five years. Members who withdrew contributions must restore them within five years after returning to work or completing 25 years of service. Surviving spouses or eligible children can seek credit through a member's death during service, with proof of honorable service. Members totally incapacitated by service can seek credit through discharge, with the director's finding and proof of honorable discharge.

Police pension credit requires contribution payments

Beginning June 11, 2026, covered city police pensions recognize Public Health Service and NOAA commissioned corps service. Members can count up to five years of qualifying wartime service toward pension service. They must have belonged to the department when entering service. They need an honorable discharge, current honorable service, or a medical discharge with an honorable record. Members must pay the required pension contributions for their absence.

Guard relief requires a Washington connection

Beginning June 11, 2026, National Guard members qualify under Washington's military-relief chapter only with a Washington connection. They must live in Washington or be stationed there. Members who meet neither condition are excluded from the chapter's service-member definition.

Service families retain licenses with fees

Beginning June 11, 2026, valid Washington professional and occupational licenses remain valid during NOAA commissioned officer service, except revocation for cause. After a qualifying discharge, holders can renew within six months by paying the current renewal fee. Spouses and registered domestic partners can request inactive status during the NOAA member's deployment or stationing outside Washington. Their licenses must have been valid when that absence began. They can request reactivation within six months after returning to Washington, paying the current fee and meeting current renewal requirements.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Lovick

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Keith Wagoner

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 240 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 48 • No: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 1/21/2026

Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/24/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 207, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/10/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/9/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/5/2026Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2026Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    3/5/2026Senate

  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/4/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/2/2026Senate

  14. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/2/2026Senate

  15. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) but without amendment(s) by Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans.

    3/2/2026Senate

  16. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/25/2026Senate

  17. TEDV - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

  18. TEDV - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026Senate

  19. First reading, referred to Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans.

    1/26/2026Senate

  20. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    1/21/2026Senate

  21. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.

    1/13/2026Senate

  22. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

    1/12/2026Senate

  23. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

    4/27/2025Senate

  24. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

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