Committee advances bill changing membership of Veterans Affairs advisory panel

On March 21, 2025, the Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee voted to report out substitute Senate Bill 5338 with amendments that change membership rules for the state Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.

The bill, as amended, restores a requirement that the advisory committee include two representatives of state veterans homes and specifies that those representatives may be from any of the state veterans homes rather than from named homes only. It also reduces the number of veterans-at-large seats described in the bill from four to two and adds a permissive slot for a representative of a state Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) program that provides reentry services to justice‑involved veterans. The amendments also allow the governor to appoint a member at large in place of a veterans‑home representative if no homes submit nominations.

Emily (staff) briefed the committee on the substitute bill and the two amendments in the packet. Representative Penner moved the amendment that restores veterans‑home representation (referred to in the record as pool 1–25); Representative Kloba moved the amendment to create the reentry‑services slot (pool 1–26). Both amendments were adopted on voice votes before the committee voted to report the bill out with a "do pass as amended" recommendation.

Representative Donaghy urged support, saying the advisory committee should include people with relevant lived experience. Representative Penner and others noted some members may prefer slightly different language used in the House version, but the committee incorporated the amendments before finalizing its recommendation. The staff roll call recorded seven members voting yes, three voting no (recorded as "nay without recommendation"), and three excused. By that tally, the committee reported SB 5338 out of committee with a do‑pass as amended recommendation.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Report substitute Senate Bill 5338 out of committee with a do pass as amended recommendation. - Outcome: Approved (reported out of committee) - Tally: 7 yes, 3 no, 3 excused

Why it matters: The changes adjust how veterans‑home representation and justice‑involved veterans are considered for the advisory committee, affecting which groups can formally advise state veterans policy and how nominees are sourced.

What the bill does not do: The committee vote was a recommendation to the full Legislature; it does not itself change state law. The transcript does not show any appropriation or implementation timeline attached to this committee action.