The Washington State Guard (Guard) is a military unit organized under the Washington State Military Department.  Members of the Guard are volunteers and serve under the direction of the state's Adjutant General.  Guard members are available to serve the Governor in place of the National Guard in the event that the National Guard in Washington is called into federal service.  The Governor may also call the Guard into state service in other instances, including natural disasters, search and rescue, or recovery operations.

The Adjutant General sets the term of enlistment in the Guard.  However, an applicant may not be enlisted if the original term of enlistment cannot be completed before the applicant reaches the age of 64.  The Adjutant General may extend the service age upon request by an active member of the Guard if the Adjutant General determines the member's extension would be in the best interest of the Guard.  Extensions are for a one-year duration and may be renewed until the member reaches age 68.

The age limit on enlistment to the Guard is eliminated.  The Adjutant General or the Adjutant General's designee may extend a Guard member's service age for a two-year duration upon the request of an active member of the Guard.  An extension may be renewed beyond age 64 if:           

• the member is physically and mentally capable of completing all assigned mission tasks; and
• the Washington State Guard Officer Review Board recommends the extension.

The Governor vetoed the emergency clause of the bill.