Bill > HB1073

This bill establishes a Washington National Guard retention program designed to help maintain and improve the state's military readiness by providing reenlistment incentives. Under this program, the Adjutant General (the senior military officer in charge of the state's National Guard) will be authorized to study retention needs, including analyzing service length and critical skills retention. The Adjutant General can develop and offer reenlistment bonuses to encourage National Guard members to extend their service, with flexibility to consider factors like reenlistment terms and specialty conversions when determining bonus amounts. The program will be subject to available appropriations, and the Adjutant General will have the authority to establish specific eligibility criteria for the bonuses, which must be publicly published. Additionally, the state military department will be required to provide a comprehensive report to the governor and legislature on retention needs and recommendations at least once every three years, with the first report due by November 1, 2027. The bill aims to strengthen the Washington National Guard by creating strategic incentives for service members to remain in the guard and maintain critical skills and personnel levels.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1073&Year=2025&Initiative=false