Panel reviews HB 1541 to add Native American and National Guard representation to Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee

Representative Hunter Abell introduced House Bill 1541, which modifies the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAC). The VAC is a 17-member advisory body to the governor and the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs on veterans’ matters; the department operates four veterans homes in Orting, Retsil, Spokane and Walla Walla.

The bill would keep the committee at 17 members but reallocate two positions that had been reserved for residents of veterans homes (Orting and Retsil) into four at-large veteran member positions. It also provides the governor the option to appoint a member of a state-recognized Native American tribe and a veteran who is a current or former member of the Washington National Guard from among the ten veterans service organization seats.

Why sponsors proposed the change: Representative Abell and Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Director David Puente told the committee that the two facility-designated seats have often been vacant because residents of inpatient veterans homes cannot practically travel to VAC meetings statewide; the VAC has adopted a liaison model in which committee members or liaisons visit homes. The proposal aims to better represent Native American veterans and National Guard veterans, two groups the agency and VAC members say can be underserved.

Support and testimony: Director David Puente testified the department and the VAC requested the change after outreach and town halls in multiple counties; he noted VA outreach and tribal veteran representative training, and described the goal of improving access to benefits and services for tribal veterans and Guard members. Vincent McDonald (Colville tribal veterans program) and Rick (Richard) Thomas (Veterans Legislative Coalition/former First Special Forces Group commander) testified in favor; the Veterans Legislative Coalition submitted a unanimous endorsement.

Questions and concerns: Representative Penner asked whether the Orting and Retsil resident seats have been vacant; the sponsor and staff said they have been vacant for some time and that the liaison model is intended to preserve home-level input without requiring residents to travel. Committee members suggested the sponsor could work with stakeholders to adjust language if needed; Director Puente said the department would continue outreach to underserved veteran groups and hold VAC town halls around the state.

Ending: The committee closed the hearing on HB 1541 after testimony and discussion; no committee-level amendment or vote on the bill occurred at this meeting.