Mari Leavitt — Representative Mari Leavitt is called during roll call and then identifies herself as serving Washington's 28th Legislative District.
Steve Conway — Steve Conway introduces himself as the state senator representing South Tacoma, notes that his district includes many military members and veterans, and mentions that he has served on the committee for almost two decades.
Steve Conway — Senator Steve Conway is introduced as the next speaker and then asks follow-up questions about seed collection and sourcing, continuing into concerns about encroachment issues. The exchange is a single, continuous discussion centered on these related environmental and land-use topics.
Steve Conway — Senator Conway was called on after being noted as next and briefly muted, then he thanked the witness for their service and raised questions about state funding for the operation of veterans cemeteries, noting his interest in the issue as a member of the state Ways and Means Committee.
Steve Conway — Cited as having worked with the speaker on the National Guard recruitment portion and the upcoming retention strategy.
Steve Conway — Referenced as having expressed interest in future funding for a future cemetery.
Steve Conway — Invited to work on ideas related to future cemetery funding.
Steve Conway — Identified as having a final comment before adjournment.
Steve Conway — Expresses concern about cuts affecting veterans services and requests a formal report.
Steve Conway — His request for a report and concern about cuts is acknowledged and thanked.
Jim McCune — The transcript says 'Senator McEwen'; likely intended to be Senator McCune, but uncertain.
John Lovick — Greeted during roll call as 'Senator Lovick, 44th District.'
John Lovick — Named as the next person to whom the floor will be handed.
T'wina Nobles — Senator T'wina Nobles introduces herself as representing the 28th Legislative District and shares her military family background, continuing by noting her role as an honorary commander at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Tina Orwall — Introduces herself as representing the 33rd Legislative District and notes her father was a World War II veteran.
Jenny Graham — Representative Jenny Graham is called on during roll call and responds by introducing herself, noting that she serves Spokane’s 6th District and mentioning her connection to Fairchild Air Force Base.
Kristine Reeves — Kristine Reeves introduces herself as representing the 30th Legislative District in the South King County/Federal Way area and explains her background in military affairs, including 15 years of service for Senator Patty Murray and Governor Inslee.
Kristine Reeves — Referenced as having pointed out the population base of military families during the introduction.
Phil Fortunato — Phil Fortunato explains that he is joining remotely because of a scheduling conflict, shares that his sons served in the Marine Corps and that he has limited military experience from military school, and expresses pride in serving on the committee representing the 31st Legislative District. He then describes the district as covering South King County into Pierce County, including communities such as Sumner, Bonney Lake, Buckley, and Wilkeson.
Phil Fortunato — Called on to ask a question.
Keith Wagoner — The chair turns the meeting over to Senator Keith Wagoner, addressing him as the meeting transitions to his participation.
Keith Wagoner — Called on because the chair could see his hand raised.
Keith Wagoner — Called out as having no further questions.
Keith Wagoner — The chair called on Senator Wagoner to continue with a follow-up and indicated he could proceed with a quick question.
Keith Wagoner — His gratitude toward staff is echoed and acknowledged.
Michael Keaton — Introduces himself as a retired Air Force fighter pilot from the 25th District, Puyallup.
Chris Gildon — Introduces himself as a state senator from the 25th Legislative District.
Chris Gildon — Senator Gildon discusses a constituent issue involving the transition from active duty and the timing of DD-214 issuance, then explains that he is developing an idea to allow service members to receive veterans preference points before leaving military service.
Dr. Dan Calvert — Introduces himself as the program coordinator for Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Dan Calvert — Introduced himself as the program coordinator for the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sentinel Landscape Partnership Program and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak.
David Puente — Introduces the agency's strategic plan and budget reduction discussion, noting the breadth of WDVA's work statewide.
Solomon — Named as someone who will help answer questions.
Peter Abbarno — Referred to as 'Rep. Abbarno'; the chair notes he is short on time.
Director Puente — Addressed by a legislator regarding the Tri-Cities State Veterans Cemetery.
David — The committee thanked David and indicated a break before the next presentation.
Megan Barnes — Megan Barnes was introduced as the Executive Director of Blue Star Families and then identified herself as the executive director of the Puget Sound chapter. She began her remarks by noting that the Puget Sound chapter is relatively new, launched in August 2023, setting up her discussion of the chapter’s growth and activities.
Rachel Duncan — Rachel Duncan is introduced as the Program Manager for Blue Star Families and is noted to be at Camp Murray for an event, including grocery gift card distribution. She is also described as leading a popular book club for military families at JBLM and having previously run Welcome Week before the current speaker took over.
Rachel — Referenced as the only other person helping stretch the organization across the region.
Megan — Referenced as having spoken earlier about the challenges military families face.
Dr. Calvert — Referenced as having suggested policy-based ideas that might not require additional funding.