(1) As used in RCW 41.04.005, 41.16.220, 41.20.050, 41.40.170, and *28B.15.380 "veteran" includes every person, who at the time he or she seeks the benefits of RCW 41.04.005, 41.16.220, 41.20.050, 41.40.170, or *28B.15.380 has received an honorable discharge, is actively serving honorably, or received a discharge for physical reasons with an honorable record and who meets at least one of the following criteria:

     (a) The person has served between World War I and World War II or during any period of war, as defined in subsection (2) of this section, as either:

     (i) A member in any branch of the armed forces of the United States;

     (ii) A member of the women's air forces service pilots;

     (iii) A U.S. documented merchant mariner with service aboard an oceangoing vessel operated by the war shipping administration, the office of defense transportation, or their agents, from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946; or

     (iv) A civil service crewmember with service aboard a U.S. army transport service or U.S. naval transportation service vessel in oceangoing service from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946; or

     (b) The person has received the armed forces expeditionary medal, or marine corps and navy expeditionary medal, for opposed action on foreign soil, for service:

     (i) In any branch of the armed forces of the United States; or

     (ii) As a member of the women's air forces service pilots.

     (2) A "period of war" includes:

     (a) World War I;

     (b) World War II;

     (c) The Korean conflict;

     (d) The Vietnam era, which means:

     (i) The period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975, in the case of a veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period;

     (ii) The period beginning August 5, 1964, and ending on May 7, 1975;

     (e) The Persian Gulf War, which was the period beginning August 2, 1990, and ending on the date prescribed by presidential proclamation or law;

     (f) The period beginning on the date of any future declaration of war by the congress and ending on the date prescribed by presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of the congress; and

     (g) The following armed conflicts, if the participant was awarded the respective campaign badge or medal: The crisis in Lebanon; the invasion of Grenada; Panama, Operation Just Cause; Somalia, Operation Restore Hope; Haiti, Operation Uphold Democracy; Bosnia, Operation Joint Endeavor; Operation Noble Eagle; southern or central Asia, Operation Enduring Freedom; and Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom.

[2005 c 255 § 1; 2005 c 247 § 1. Prior: 2002 c 292 § 1; 2002 c 27 § 1; 1999 c 65 § 1; 1996 c 300 § 1; 1991 c 240 § 1; 1984 c 36 § 1; 1983 c 230 § 1; 1982 1st ex.s. c 37 § 20; 1969 ex.s. c 269 § 1.]

NOTES:

     Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 28B.15.380 was amended by 2005 c 249 § 2 and no longer applies to veterans. For later enactment, see RCW 28B.15.621.

     (2) This section was amended by 2005 c 247 § 1 and by 2005 c 255 § 1, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Severability -- 2005 c 247: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2005 c 247 § 3.]

     Effective date -- 2005 c 247: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 3, 2005]." [2005 c 247 § 4.]

     Effective date -- 1983 c 230: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1983." [1983 c 230 § 3.]

     Effective date -- Severability -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 37: See notes following RCW 28B.15.012.