HB 1475 suspends $5,000 annual bonuses for certificated instructional staff (teachers) who hold National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, effective for the 2025-26 through 2028-29 school years. The bill halts payments that would otherwise be made under existing law, which previously provided these bonuses (adjusted for inflation) to certified teachers, plus an additional $5,000 for those working in high-poverty schools meeting specific criteria. This suspension applies to all eligible teachers regardless of school poverty designation during the specified years. The change does not alter the underlying bonus structure or eligibility rules but temporarily stops payments for four consecutive school years.
SB 5596 repeals Washington State's participation in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, a multi-state agreement that allowed teachers to transfer licenses more easily between states. The bill removes specific laws (RCW 28A.420.005-.120) that governed this compact, ending Washington’s ability to recognize teaching licenses from other participating states. This directly affects out-of-state teachers seeking to work in Washington schools, as they will no longer qualify for streamlined licensure under the compact and must meet Washington’s full licensing requirements instead. The repeal also modifies the "provisional employee" rules for new teachers but does not change the core process for school districts to nonrenew teaching contracts.
HB 1699 (Defending equity in interscholastic sports) requires Washington public school districts to verify a student’s biological sex through a healthcare provider’s statement (based on reproductive anatomy, genetics, or testosterone levels) before allowing biologically male students to participate in female-identified sports. It permits schools to prohibit biologically male students from competing in sports with separate male/female classifications, while mandating equal resources (equipment, facilities, coaching, etc.) for all gender-segregated teams. The bill amends existing laws (RCW 28A.600.200 and 28A.640.020) to align with these provisions and requires the superintendent to develop guidelines eliminating sex discrimination in school activities. It directly affects public school students, athletic programs, and district policies governing interscholastic sports participation.
SB 5135 clarifies that school district boards of directors hold final authority over curriculum standards, evaluation systems for staff, and the review of teaching materials (like textbooks) upon parent complaints. It repeals a prior law requiring comprehensive sexual health education in schools. The bill mandates school boards to set curriculum standards based on district needs and annually report evaluation criteria for staff to the state superintendent. This directly affects Washington school districts, their boards, and parents who may request material reviews. The changes shift curriculum control to local boards while removing a specific state-mandated health education requirement.
HB 1851 prohibits public colleges and universities in Washington from using state funds or tuition/fee revenue to repair property damaged during demonstrations, riots, or other disruptive activities that disrupt campus operations. The bill applies directly to public higher education institutions that permit such events causing property destruction. Key provisions require institutions to cover repair costs themselves using non-state, non-tuition funds, rather than relying on public or student-generated revenue. This policy change specifically targets funding sources for repairs, without restricting protest activities themselves.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change the voter approval threshold for school district bonds from a simple majority to 55% of voters. It would require school districts seeking funding for facility construction, modernization, or repairs to obtain approval from at least 55% of voters participating in the election, rather than a majority. The amendment directly affects school districts across Washington that need to issue bonds for capital projects. If approved by voters, this change would become part of the state constitution, altering how local school funding is authorized.
SB 5737 suspends annual bonuses for certificated instructional staff in Washington state who hold National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, specifically for the 2025-26 through 2028-29 school years. The bill amends existing law to prevent payment of these $5,000 bonuses, which previously applied to certified teachers in all schools and additional bonuses for those in high-poverty schools meeting specific criteria. This suspension applies broadly to all eligible teachers under the current bonus structure, overriding prior provisions that would have continued payments. The change affects public school teachers with National Board certification, not the underlying eligibility rules for the bonuses themselves. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
SB 5593 adjusts how Washington school districts calculate their maximum allowable enrichment levies (local property taxes for extra programs beyond state funding). It sets new limits based on student enrollment: $2,500 per student (adjusted for inflation) for districts with fewer than 40,000 students, and $3,000 per student for larger districts. The bill also modifies the calculation to account for local effort assistance, compliance adjustments, and cooperative agreements between districts. School districts must now get approval for their levy expenditure plans before voting on new levies.
HB 1877 would eliminate most non-teaching administrative offices in Washington state's public education system that do not involve daily student interaction, such as educational service districts and certain programs. By December 31, 2025, the state auditor must identify these offices and dissolve them, with the exception of the constitutionally required superintendent position. The bill states this change aims to reduce costs and administrative burdens, directing any education-related functions to be relocated into student-facing roles. This proposal is currently in committee review after its first reading on February 7, 2025.
SB 5346 requires Washington public school districts to adopt policies restricting student mobile device use during instructional hours by the 2026-27 school year. It directs the state superintendent to report on existing policies and recommend strategies (like time limits or secure storage) by December 2025, leading to a model policy developed by school directors. School districts must align their local policies with this model and share them annually with students and families. The bill excludes school-issued devices and defines "instructional hours" per existing law, focusing on reducing distractions and supporting mental health without specifying direct device bans.
