SB 5827 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning the definition of a "qualifying discharge" for the Washington state veterans' preference program for civil service.

SB 5827 clarifies the definition of a "qualifying discharge" for Washington state's veterans' preference program in civil service, directly affecting active-duty service members and veterans applying for state government jobs. The bill allows applicants to use an official statement from their commanding officer (including projected discharge details) to claim preference while still serving, rather than waiting for standard military discharge paperwork (DD214). It expands "qualifying discharge" to include discharges marked "other than honorable" if the applicant provides VA benefit documentation, and discharges related to sexual orientation or gender identity (if not prohibited by military law). This change ensures smoother job transitions by letting service members secure civil service positions before their official separation date.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Dec 4, 2025 Signed Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Substitute Passed Legislature · 3 edits

MINOR

The document has been updated from a draft 'Substitute Bill' to a 'Certification of Enrollment' indicating the bill has officially passed both chambers of the Washington State Legislature. This change adds formal certification details, including specific vote counts, dates of passage, and signatures from legislative officers, confirming the bill is now law.

TECHNICAL

Added a formal certification header and footer confirming the bill passed the Senate and House with specific vote counts and dates.

Included a certification statement signed by the Secretary of the Senate attesting to the bill's passage.

Removed the draft bill number 'S-3835.1' and replaced it with the official title and certification text.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 13, 2026 · House Mar 6, 2026

How they voted

50–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 51

Feb 13, 2026

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

19 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Mar 6, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (98-0-2)

house

Mar 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

APP - Majority; do pass.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

SGOV - Majority; do pass.

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (50-0-1)

senate

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors