OLYMPIA, WA — Legislation aimed at protecting college tuition benefits for the children of disabled veterans received a public hearing Thursday in the Washington State Senate.

Keith Wagoner testified before the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee in support of Senate Bill 5954, which would change how Washington determines eligibility timelines for survivors’ and dependents’ education assistance. The proposal seeks to prevent families from losing benefits due to delays in federal disability certification.

Under current state law, children and dependents of disabled veterans can lose access to tuition waivers if eligibility windows expire before benefits are used. Supporters of the bill say those time limits can lapse while families wait for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to complete lengthy disability determinations.

SB 5954 would align Washington’s eligibility rules with federal standards under Chapter 35 of the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program. The bill would adjust age and time restrictions for children and surviving spouses and remove what proponents describe as an administrative barrier tied to delayed federal processing.

Wagoner, a Republican from Sedro-Woolley and a retired U.S. Navy officer, told lawmakers the measure was inspired by a constituent whose disability certification took years to finalize. By the time the federal approval was issued, the state eligibility period had already expired, preventing the transfer of education benefits to her children.

Testimony in support of the bill also came from veterans advocacy organizations. Alan Acosta, representing the Veterans Legislative Coalition and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, said the proposal would bring Washington in line with other states and improve access for military families.

The bill remains under consideration by the committee.