House Bill Analysis, HB 1541, Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (Washington, hearing 1/29/25)

Summary

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research bill analysis of HB 1541, Concerning the veterans affairs advisory committee, for the Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, with a hearing date of 1/29/25, by request of Department of Veterans Affairs. The brief summary says the bill removes two members representing the veterans homes in Orting and Retsil, adds two at-large veteran members, and allows the Governor to appoint one member from a state-recognized Native American tribe and one member who is a current or former Washington National Guard member. The appropriation is None, a fiscal note was requested on January 23, 2025, and the bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which it is passed.

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Full text

Washington State                    BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research   ANALYSIS
Technology, Economic Development, &
Veterans Committee
                                        HB 1541
Brief Description: Concerning the veterans affairs advisory committee.

Sponsors: Representatives Abell, Donaghy, Morgan, Kloba, Shavers, Zahn, Hill and Simmons;
    by request of Department of Veterans Affairs.


                                     Brief Summary of Bill
          • Modifies the membership of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee
            by removing two members representing the veterans homes in Orting
            and Retsil and adding two at-large veteran members.
          • Allows the Governor to appoint one member from a state-recognized
            Native American tribe, and one member who is a current or former
            Washington National Guard member.


Hearing Date: 1/29/25

Staff: Martha Wehling (786-7067).

Background:

Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.
The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) provides advice and makes
recommendations to the Governor and the Director of the Washington Department of Veterans
Affairs (WDVA). The VAAC consists of 17 members appointed by the Governor to serve four-
year terms. The VAAC members include:
    • one member from the Washington Soldiers' Home and Colony in Orting;
    • one member from the Washington Veterans' Home at Retsil;




     This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
     members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
     constitute a statement of legislative intent.

House Bill Analysis                             -1-                                         HB 1541
    • three members, one from each of the three congressionally chartered and recognized
      veterans service organizations with the largest membership in the state;
    • 10 members representing the congressionally chartered and recognized veterans service
      organizations that have at least one active chapter in the state; and
    • two members who are veterans at large.

The Governor must ensure that appointments represent all geographical parts of the state, as well
as minority and women veteran viewpoints. The VAAC must appoint members to serve as
liaisons to the state veterans' homes, unless the home has a representative appointed to the
VAAC. Members appointed before 1992 were eligible to serve until the expiration of their terms
and were eligible for reappointment.

State Veterans' Homes.
The State Constitution mandates that the Legislature provide a soldiers' home for honorably
discharged resident soldiers, sailors, and marines who were disabled in the line of duty. In 1890
the Legislature created the Washington Soldiers' Home in Orting. In 1907 the Legislature
established a branch of the Washington Soldiers' Home at Retsil, called the Washington
Veterans' Home. In 2001 the Legislature established another branch in Spokane, called the
Eastern Washington Veterans' Home. In 2014 the Walla Walla Veterans' Home was established.

These state veterans' homes are managed by the WDVA. The WDVA must provide room and
board, medical, dental, domiciliary and nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, and
recreational activities to residents of the state veterans' homes.

Summary of Bill:

The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) membership is modified to remove two
members and add two members. The representative from the Washington Soldiers' Home and
Colony at Orting is removed, and the representative from the Washington Veterans' Home at
Retsil is removed. Instead of two at-large veteran members, the Governor will appoint four at-
large veteran members.

Out of the 10 member appointments not otherwise specified, the Governor has the option to
appoint one veteran who is a member of a Native American tribe recognized in the state, and one
veteran who is a current or former member of the Washington National Guard.

Reference to the 1992 member appointments is removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 23, 2025.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.


House Bill Analysis                            -2-                                         HB 1541


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