WashingtonService members may seek government job preference before discharge
People leaving military service may use a written statement from their service branch to seek veterans’ preference for an initial government appointment before discharge.
What it does
People seeking a government job may use a service-issued statement about their expected discharge to claim veterans’ preference for an initial appointment. They must later provide official discharge papers.
Agencies must check the expected discharge details and track final paperwork. If those papers conflict with the certification, the agency must give the applicant notice and a chance to respond before certain adverse actions.
Argument forPeople leaving military service could use a service-issued statement to seek job preference before discharge, helping them pursue civilian work sooner.
Argument againstApplicants could lose an appointment or benefit if they do not provide final discharge papers within the allowed time, even after the agency gives them extra time.
More detail
Applicants may use a predischarge certification to claim veterans’ preference for an initial appointment. This applies to people seeking veterans’ preference for an initial government appointment. The certification must state that the person is expected to receive a qualifying discharge, the expected discharge date, and the service characterization. Applicants must provide official discharge papers within 30 days after discharge. If they do not, the agency must give notice and at least 15 more days to submit them; after that, it may rescind an appointment or benefit based only on the certification. After discharge, the certification cannot support preference in a layoff or retention decision unless official papers confirm a qualifying discharge. The certification must be issued no more than 120 days before the person submits it. Official papers are due within 30 days after discharge; if they are late, the agency must give notice and at least 15 more days to submit them.
Agencies must check predischarge certifications, track final paperwork, and give notice and a chance to respond before certain adverse actions. These duties apply to agencies handling veterans’ preference based on a predischarge certification. Agencies must write procedures to check the service characterization and expected discharge date in the certification. An agency may not terminate an appointment or rescind an offer because official papers conflict with the certification without first giving notice and a chance to be heard. Notice and a chance to respond must come before an agency takes an adverse action based on a mismatch between the certification and official papers.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 23Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 23Chapter 146, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 23Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 9President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 6Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#15). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 6Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 5Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Mar 2Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Mar 2APP - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 27Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 25Referred to Appropriations.Minor
- Feb 25SGOV - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 24Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 17First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.Minor
- Feb 13Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#24). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 13Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 131st substitute bill substituted (SGTE 26).Major
- Feb 10Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 9Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 9WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.Minor
- Feb 9Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 2Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 26Referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Jan 23And refer to Ways & Means.Minor
- Jan 23SGTE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 23Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 16Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.Minor
- 2025
- Dec 4Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
Veterans