This bill amends Washington State's business tax code, establishing new tax rates for various sectors: 0.275% for international investment management, 1.8% for most business activities (with a reduced 1.5% rate for small businesses and hospitals), and 0.9% for aerospace product development. It requires 16.67% of revenue from the 1.8% tax rate to be deposited into a workforce education investment account (RCW 43.79.195), which funds job training and workforce development programs. The bill does not increase funding for higher education; instead, it redirects business tax revenue to workforce education initiatives. It takes effect October 1, 2025.
HB 1657 establishes the "Washington 13 Free Guarantee," providing eligible Washington residents up to 45 tuition-free credits at state technical colleges beginning in 2027-28. It directly affects high school graduates from Washington state (or those earning equivalency in the same or prior year) without an associate's degree who qualify for financial aid. The program covers the tuition difference after applying existing gift aid (like Pell Grants or state scholarships), requiring students to enroll part-time in eligible programs and maintain academic progress. Technical colleges must also assign staff to support participants with wraparound services to help them complete their programs.
SB 5790 changes how annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are calculated for academic and classified employees at Washington's community and technical colleges. Previously, these salary increases were based on the consumer price index. Starting with the 2025-2027 budget cycle, the bill switches to using the implicit price deflator, a different economic measure, to determine the COLA rate. This ensures that the state continues to fully fund these adjustments for eligible college staff.
This bill amends Washington's license fee structure to require an additional $25 annual fee from many licensed health professionals. The funds will be transferred to the University of Washington to support its health sciences library. It affects all licensed health professionals in Washington covered by the fee structure, including nurses, physicians, therapists, psychologists, and others listed in the bill. The fee increase takes effect July 27, 2025, and is now law following the governor's signature.
Senate Bill 5769 renames "transitional kindergarten" to "transition to kindergarten programs" and formally establishes them in state statute. The program aims to assist eligible children, at least four years old, who need additional preparation to succeed in kindergarten. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will administer these programs, setting rules for eligibility, funding, and minimum standards, including requiring a local early learning needs assessment. School districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools will operate these programs, prioritizing enrollment for low-income families and children most in need, and cannot charge tuition for state-funded participants.
HB 2063 adjusts tuition waiver eligibility for students finishing high school at Washington community and technical colleges. It requires full tuition waivers for children and surviving spouses of fallen or totally disabled law enforcement officers, firefighters, or state patrol officers (if enrolling within 10 years of high school graduation), and allows partial waivers for non-resident students aged 19-20 completing high school. The bill also specifies that waivers for high school completers must cover only courses leading to a diploma or certificate. Colleges must report waiver costs annually to the state board, which then shares the data with legislative committees. This directly affects low-income high school completers, first responder families, and non-resident students seeking diplomas.
SB 5789 restores the maximum state financial aid eligibility for the Washington College Grant program to 125 percent of the credits required to graduate, replacing a previous higher limit. This change directly affects eligible students pursuing postsecondary credentials who receive state aid, ensuring support aligns with standard program credit requirements. The bill amends key statutes to set this 125% cap, meaning aid will no longer cover credits beyond 125% of a program’s published length. It applies to students meeting financial need criteria and enrolled in Washington institutions or apprenticeships, maintaining existing eligibility rules for low-income residents. The policy update aims to streamline aid usage while preserving access for qualifying students.
SB 5275 modifies how funds for two student aid programs are managed. It requires the Passport to Careers program (for job-training scholarships) and the Washington College Grant to be funded through a dedicated state financial aid account, ensuring these funds remain available year-to-year without expiring. The bill clarifies that money for these programs must be deposited into this account and can only be used for their intended purposes, with no changes to the actual grant amounts or eligibility rules. This policy change ensures consistent funding for students seeking career training or college education through these specific programs.
SB 5523 requires community college districts in Washington to appoint a student trustee to their governing boards. The student trustee, selected by the governor from a list submitted by student governments, must be a full-time student (enrolled in at least 10 credits) in good academic standing. The bill mandates this position for all community college districts, with the student serving a one-year term starting July 2026, and grants them voting rights on board matters. This policy aims to incorporate student perspectives directly into governance decisions affecting campus life and services.
HB 1020 creates a structured system to help students aged 16-21 who are not on track to graduate high school reengage with education. It requires school districts to partner with community colleges, educational service districts, or community-based organizations to provide programs offering academic instruction (including free college courses at community colleges), career counseling, and case management. These programs must generate high school credits toward diplomas or equivalency certificates and address barriers to success. The bill defines "eligible students" as those under 21 not accumulating sufficient credits or recommended by social services/juvenile justice systems. It directs the state education office to develop rules with input from colleges and community organizations.
