Education

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5327: Concerning learning standards and graduation requirements.

SB 5327 directs the State Board of Education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to review and update learning standards and graduation requirements concerning computer science and financial education for K-12 students. The State Board of Education must recommend adjustments to high school graduation requirements to ensure students can demonstrate foundational skills in these subjects, considering various credit and competency options. Concurrently, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will update K-12 computer science learning standards and review financial education standards. The bill also requires the State Board to collect information from school districts on their current offerings and implementation needs for these subjects, and clarifies that school districts must provide all high school students opportunities to access financial education learning standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects updates to computer science/financial education standards and graduation requirements to ensure foundational skills, strengthening curriculum content for K-12 students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5663: Establishing a virtual campus for all Washingtonians.

SB 5663 allows Washington community and technical colleges to advertise their entirely online course offerings to potential students statewide, beyond their traditional district boundaries. Colleges can use various methods, including digital advertising and direct mail, to distribute information about these online courses. The bill also permits colleges to inform their local citizens about online programs offered exclusively by neighboring districts. However, it explicitly states that community and technical colleges are not allowed to compete with each other or other higher education institutions for student enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling community colleges to advertise online courses statewide, increasing opportunity for all Washingtonians to access higher education programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables digital advertising of online courses, expanding access to virtual education and supporting digital equity through technology adoption.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5542: Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges.

Senate Bill 5542 expands eligibility for tuition waivers at community and technical colleges in Washington state. The bill removes the current age requirement, which states students must be nineteen years or older, to receive these waivers. This change allows any resident-eligible student enrolled in a program to complete their high school education at a community or technical college to potentially receive a full or partial tuition waiver, regardless of their age.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves age barrier for tuition waivers at community colleges, expanding educational access for all eligible high school completers regardless of age.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5179: Establishing a complaint process to address noncompliance with certain state education laws.

SB 5179 establishes a statewide complaint process for students, parents, and community members to address noncompliance with specific state education laws by local school districts. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must create this process by July 2026 to investigate both "limited" complaints impacting individuals and "broad" complaints affecting groups or entire districts. Complainants are required to exhaust local complaint procedures or notify the district superintendent before filing with OSPI. If noncompliance is found, the school district must adopt and submit a compliance action plan. This process covers state laws concerning civil rights, harassment, curriculum requirements, the use of restraint or isolation, and student discipline.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes enforcement mechanism for education law compliance, strengthening accountability without altering funding or curriculum.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5193: Supporting remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs.

Senate Bill 5193 supports remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs in Washington state, directly affecting these students, their families, and participating school districts. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, school districts with online programs may offer students the ability to complete statewide assessments remotely. To implement this, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must develop or update assessment administration and security policies by April 1, 2027. These policies will cover requirements for testing personnel, student-to-proctor ratios, remote testing environments, device and network specifications, and parental consent. The bill aims to reduce burdens on families and ensure equitable access to assessments for online learners.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables remote testing for online students, expanding access to statewide assessments without restricting options, aligning with enhanced educational access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5738: Permitting individuals retired from the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, and the school employees' retirement system additional opportunities to work for up to 1,040 hours per year while in receipt of pension benefits.

SB 5738 extends a temporary provision allowing certain retired public employees in Washington state to work more hours while continuing to receive their pension benefits. The bill permits individuals retired from the public employees', teachers', school employees', and public safety employees' retirement systems to work up to 1,040 hours per year in specific public service roles, such as nonadministrative positions in school districts. This provision, which would have expired on July 1, 2025, is extended until January 1, 2030. This allows these retirees to re-enter the workforce for additional hours without their pension payments being suspended.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows retired teachers to work part-time in schools, supporting educator retention and addressing staffing needs without direct funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5297: Concerning the early learning facilities grant and loan program.

SB 5297 modifies the early learning facilities grant and loan program, which supports facilities providing care for children aged one month through 12 years. The bill renames the program's accounts and clarifies their uses, including funding for early childhood education and assistance programs. It removes the mandatory matching fund requirement for applicants experiencing financial hardship and introduces emergency grants for facilities affected by natural disasters or health and safety threats. The bill also expands eligibility to include Tribal compact schools and allows the Department of Commerce to contract with private-public partnerships to administer grants and loans.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves financial barriers for facilities, adds emergency grants, and clarifies funding for early childhood education programs serving children 1 month-12 years.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5412: Providing temporary interfund loans for school districts.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables school districts in financial distress to access temporary interest-free loans from capital funds, preventing funding shortfalls and maintaining educational operations.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5813: Increasing funding to the education legacy trust account by creating a more progressive rate structure for the capital gains tax and estate tax.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes progressive capital gains/estate taxes on high earners to fund public education, childcare, and higher education programs, directly increasing state funding for essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly increases education funding via progressive tax changes, targeting capital gains over $1M and estate tax adjustments to fund public education, child care, and higher education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5785: Modifying students' share of the education costs at institutions of higher education.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies grant eligibility to include lower-income students (up to 60% median income) and adjusts funding calculations, expanding access to higher education financial aid.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education