Committee Hears HB 2,088 to Join Dietitian Licensure Compact; Broad Support from Practitioners and Veterans Groups

The House Postsecondary Education Workforce Committee on Jan. 13 held a public hearing on House Bill 2,088 to enact the Dietitian Licensure Compact, which would allow licensed dietitians to practice across state lines under a compact privilege. Committee staff and a dozen proponent witnesses described the measure as a tool to expand access to nutrition care, support telehealth and ease licensing burdens for military spouses.

Elizabeth Brenn, staff to the committee, briefed members on the bill’s mechanics: "The bill before you is House Bill 2,088, which enacts the dietitian licensure compact," she said, explaining that the compact would establish a commission of participating states, set eligibility standards (including an accredited degree and a national exam), and allow member states to share investigative and disciplinary information.

Representative Marie Lovett, sponsor of HB 2,088, framed the proposal as consistent with other occupational compacts Washington has adopted. Lovett said the compact would increase access to care across urban and rural areas and help military families, noting, "1 in 5 Washington military families continue to be food insecure," as part of her case for speeding licensure recognition for dietitians.

Committee members asked procedural and substantive questions. Representative McIntyre asked whether the dietitian compact differed from prior compacts; Lovett replied it is "exactly in the same spirit" as earlier agreements. Representative Michael Keaton asked about federal input; Lovett said the committee had received a letter from an Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Army urging support because of benefits to military spouses and service members.

Public testimony was uniformly supportive. Vice Chair Nance reported 107 written pro signatures and 0 con, with 12 people signed up to testify. Diana Smith, representing the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, said the Academy represents about 2,800 dietitians in Washington and urged passage based on her background as an Army dietitian. Matthew Schillingberg of the Veterans Legislative Coalition said his group — representing 18 veterans organizations — "unanimously support[s] this bill." Caitlin Bison of the Council of State Governments provided technical detail about the compact’s development, eligibility requirements (active, unencumbered home-state license, background checks) and governance by a member-state commission; she noted 15 states have enacted the compact so far.

Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center supported improving worker mobility but urged the committee to consider broader universal licensure recognition (ULR) across professions to reduce licensing friction more broadly; she cited a 2022 Institute for Justice report she said ranked Washington among the worst for licensing burdens on lower-income occupations. Other testimony included military spouses who described having to reapply for Washington certification after moves and private-practice dietitians who said the compact would help reach underserved rural communities and support telehealth.

The hearing closed with no formal committee vote recorded. Chair Dave Paul announced routine housekeeping items and upcoming committee schedules before adjourning the meeting.

What’s next: HB 2,088 received public hearing testimony and may be scheduled for executive session later in the session; the committee did not take action at the Jan. 13 meeting.