Committee hears bill to expand state benefits to newer uniformed services and spouses

Senate Bill 5420, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. John Lubbock (44th District), would expand several state benefits and hiring preferences to additional uniformed service members and their spouses, supporters told the Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee on Feb. 18.

Emily Poole, committee staff, summarized the bill and said it would add members of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps to eligibility for benefits where they were not previously named, including certain public employee retirement systems and protections under the Washington Service Members Civil Relief Act. The staff summary also said the bill extends public employment preference to spouses of active‑duty service members and includes license‑extension provisions.

Sen. John Lubbock, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure had passed the Senate “48 to 1” and asked for committee consideration. Several witnesses supported the bill.

Tammy Perrault, appearing for the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs and the Military Department, said SB 5420 “modernizes Washington state code to reflect the evolving needs of our military members, veterans, uniformed service members, and their families.” Perrault also said the bill recognizes the U.S. Space Force, established in 2019, and would extend licensing relief and hiring preference tools to affected uniformed service members and military spouses.

Witnesses and the sponsor said they would consider technical amendments as the bill moves through the process. The committee heard testimony but took no formal action or vote during this meeting.