HB 1570 grants collective bargaining rights to student employees (those enrolled in academic or certificate programs) at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College. It defines specific bargaining topics, including tuition remission and waivers, while excluding issues like academic calendars, tuition amounts, student admissions, and termination based on academic performance. Compensation agreements must align with legislative budget limits, though institutions may offer additional pay beyond these limits. The bill applies only to employees not already covered by other collective bargaining laws at these institutions.
SB 5922 allows Washington school districts to transfer funds from fully depreciated student transportation vehicles to other purposes, such as purchasing electric buses or installing charging stations, after receiving approval from the superintendent of public instruction. The bill modifies existing rules to permit this transfer when a district reduces its fleet due to declining enrollment or changing transportation needs. Funds in the dedicated "transportation vehicle fund" must still be used exclusively for school bus-related expenses, including electric vehicle conversions, major repairs, or charging infrastructure. It directly affects school districts managing student transportation fleets, ensuring funds remain tied to transportation purposes while enabling modernization efforts. The change streamlines how districts reallocate resources from older vehicles without compromising future transportation planning.
SB 5825 authorizes the Washington State Leadership Board to accept gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources to support its existing programs. The board, which administers initiatives like Washington World Fellows (a college readiness fellowship) and Boundless Washington (an outdoor leadership program for youth with disabilities), can now use these funds to expand its mission of fostering youth leadership and civic engagement. The bill explicitly states that private donations must supplement, not replace, state appropriations and must be used for programs not previously funded by the legislature. It requires the board to publicly report all funds received and expenditures on its website.
HB 2044 revises how unexcused student absences are addressed by school districts, affecting students and their parents. The bill eliminates the requirement for school districts to file truancy petitions before a child's fifth unexcused absence. Instead, after a fifth unexcused absence, districts are directed to enter into an attendance agreement with the parent or child (if age eight or above), either directly or through a community engagement board. Truancy petitions to juvenile court are now generally required only if an attendance agreement is not reached or not complied with, and typically not before the child's 15th unexcused absence in a school year.
HB 1296, "Promoting a safe and supportive public education system," enacts new requirements for public schools, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools in Washington. The bill prioritizes student safety, access to education free of discrimination, and privacy within the school system. It expands protected characteristics to include ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, and neurodivergence in anti-discrimination policies. Furthermore, the bill mandates that schools develop and share a "Statement of Student Rights" through educational and promotional materials, including civics education, to inform students of their entitlements.
Senate Bill 5412 provides financial tools for Washington school districts facing severe financial difficulties, specifically those in "binding conditions" or under "enhanced financial oversight." It allows these districts to take temporary, interest-free loans from their capital projects funds, which must be repaid within one year and not detriment existing projects. Additionally, districts in binding conditions may request authorization from the Superintendent of Public Instruction to sell real property. Proceeds from such sales must be used to restore financial stability or fund an authorized interfund loan, with this authorization limited to once every ten years.
SB 5813 aims to increase funding for public education, child care, early learning, and higher education by modifying the state's capital gains and estate taxes. Beginning January 1, 2025, an additional excise tax of 2.90 percent will be imposed on an individual's Washington capital gains that exceed $1,000,000. For the estate tax, the bill increases the applicable exclusion amount to $3,000,000 for estates of decedents dying on or after July 1, 2025. It also creates a more progressive rate structure for the estate tax by increasing the top tier rates up to 35 percent, with all revenues dedicated to the education legacy trust account.
This bill modifies the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship programs, impacting students seeking financial aid for higher education in Washington state. It codifies the maximum eligibility for the Washington college grant to students with family incomes up to 60 percent of the state median family income. The bill also adjusts how maximum grant amounts are calculated for various institutions, including private universities and apprenticeship programs, with some changes taking effect in the 2026-27 academic year. Additionally, it updates criteria for institutional eligibility, specifically for out-of-state affiliated institutions, to participate in these financial aid programs.
House Bill 2050 updates the system for providing state local effort assistance funding to K-12 public school districts in Washington. This funding helps supplement local school district levies for educational enrichment programs. The bill modifies how this assistance is calculated, including updating financial thresholds and refining definitions for terms like "eligible school district" and "student enrollment." It also removes temporary provisions related to how student enrollment from prior school years was considered for funding calculations. These changes affect how much state funding school districts receive to support their local education efforts, with an effective date of January 1, 2026.
HB 2049 aims to enhance funding for K-12 education and communities by modifying state and local property tax authority and adjusting the school funding formula. The bill revises the maximum dollar amount school districts can levy for enrichment, setting it as the lesser of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value or a per-pupil limit. This per-pupil limit is updated with specific "inflation enhancements" through 2030 and establishes a new base amount starting in 2031, impacting funding based on student enrollment. Additionally, it adjusts how the state provides local effort assistance funding to supplement these school district enrichment levies.
