One of my top priorities has been ensuring every veteran can access the benefits and support they’ve earned. Many veterans struggle to navigate the VA’s bureaucracy on their own, especially in rural or underserved areas. That’s why I introduced House Bill 1102, a bill to expand WA’s Veterans Service Officer (VSO) program. VSOs are trained advocates who help veterans file VA claims, access healthcare, and connect with resources. Right now, there are huge gaps in coverage – only 8 of our state’s 39 counties meet the national average for vets receiving VA disability or pension benefits. In other words, thousands of WA veterans are missing out on benefits simply because they don’t have a VSO to guide them.

House Bill 1102 is the largest expansion of our state’s VSO program. It will prioritize placing VSOs in the areas of the greatest need. The goal is simple: no matter where a veteran lives in Washington, they should be able to get help claiming the benefits they earned in uniform. This legislation also directs the state Department of Veterans Affairs to proactively reach out to every newly discharged service member within 90 days, so they know about available benefits and services. As a veteran myself, I know how confusing it can be to return to civilian life – a local advocate to turn to can make all the difference.

What does this mean for our district’s veterans? It means more one-on-one help. If you’re a veteran or family member in our community, you won’t have to drive for hours or make endless 1-800 calls to get assistance – a Veteran Service Officer can explain what you’re eligible for, help fill out paperwork and follow up on your claims. This can unlock access to VA health care, disability compensation, education benefits, job training, and more. We’ve already seen how effective this can be: in Island County, we fought to have continued funding for a VSO, and veteran benefit usage jumped. House Bill 1102 passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support and is now moving through the Senate.

Another major effort this year is easing the financial burden on our disabled veterans, especially as they age. Many veterans living on fixed incomes struggle to keep up with property taxes – no one who served their country should be taxed out of their home. I helped work on expanding the Washington Property Tax Exemption Program in 2023, which gives property tax breaks to seniors and people with disabilities. Disabled veterans can qualify too, but under current law, you must have an 80% or higher service-connected disability rating to be eligible.

I am proud to co-sponsor House Bill 1106 to expand our property tax relief program for disabled veterans by phasing down the disability rating requirement. Instead of needing an 80% disability rating, the threshold will drop to 60% in 2026 and 40% by 2027. This change recognizes that every disabled veteran’s sacrifice matters, not just those above an arbitrary cutoff. Even a 40-60% disability can make it hard to work full-time or can create expensive health needs, so it’s only right that we provide some tax relief.

I’m happy to report House Bill 1106 passed the House overwhelmingly and is now awaiting action in the Senate. This bipartisan support shows that here in Washington, we put veterans above politics and come together to support those who served.