The Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee on Feb. 18 adopted an amendment to House Bill 17-38 that expands eligibility for certain retirement and state benefits by clarifying qualifying military service and discharge status, then voted to report the substitute bill out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

Martha Whaling, staff to the committee, said the amendment WALE 220 aligns the bill’s definitions with other language in the Revised Code of Washington and defines a qualifying discharge to include “honorable, generally under honorable conditions, or any characterization of service where the reason for discharge was solely based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” language intended to address unfair historical discharges.

Representative Shavers, speaking in support, said the measure improves employment opportunities for veterans and their spouses and urged members to vote yes. Representative Donaghy and others voiced support during discussion.

Committee members voted to adopt WALE 220; the amendment was incorporated into a substitute bill. The committee then voted to report substitute House Bill 17-38 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The roll-call recorded 13 ayes and no nays.

Why it matters: The bill changes statutory definitions that determine eligibility for state retirement and employment preferences for veterans and could affect benefit and hiring processes where discharge characterization is a barrier.

Clarifying detail: Staff reported a one-time Department of Licensing impact of $27,000 in the first biennium; no other fiscal impacts were identified in the briefing.

Ending note: Committee staff recorded the due-pass recommendation and will forward the substitute bill to the next legislative stage.