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HB1073 • 2026

National guard retention

Keeping our Washington national guard strong act.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Leavitt, Representative Abbarno, Representative Ryu, Representative Shavers, Representative Paul, Representative Timmons, Representative Simmons, Representative Rule, Representative Barnard, Representative Nance, Representative Reeves, Representative Donaghy
Last action
2026-03-12
Official status
H Rules 3C
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

National guard retention

National guard retention

What This Bill Does

  • National guard retention

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-12 House

    By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.

Official Summary Text

National guard retention

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
AN ACT Relating to keeping our Washington national guard strong 1
act; and adding a new section to chapter 38.24 RCW.2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 38.24 4
RCW to read as follows: 5
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this 6
specific purpose, there is created the Washington national guard 7
retention program. 8
(2) The adjutant general shall establish the program to study 9
retention needs, including length of service and critical skills 10
retention. The adjutant general may consider the reenlistment term, 11
conversion to a shortage specialty, and other retention factors to 12
determine the amount of any reenlistment bonus that will encourage 13
members of the Washington national guard to extend their terms of 14
service. 15
(3) The adjutant general shall determine eligibility criteria for 16
the retention program. The criteria must be specified in policy and 17
changes must be published. 18
(4) The adjutant general shall determine the amount of any 19
reenlistment bonus and the schedule to make bonus payments.20
H-0276.2
HOUSE BILL 1073
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Leavitt, Abbarno, Ryu, Shavers, Paul, Timmons,
Simmons, Rule, Barnard, Nance, Reeves, and Donaghy
Prefiled 12/16/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans.
p. 1 HB 1073
(5) The state military department must report to the governor and 1
the legislature on retention needs and recommendations at least once 2
every three years, beginning November 1, 2027. 3
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 1073