Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1557: Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications.

HB 1557 establishes Washington's Guaranteed Admissions Program, which guarantees admission to public four-year colleges for eligible high school seniors meeting specific criteria. It requires participating colleges (including tribal institutions and state universities) to simplify application processes starting in 2026-27, and mandates high schools to share student data with colleges to identify qualified applicants. The bill also requires all high schools to provide annual notifications to students in grades 9-12 about this program, the Washington College Grant, dual credit options, and other college pathways. Institutions may opt out of the program by reporting their reasons to the legislature, but must still pursue alternative access initiatives.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees college admission access for eligible high school seniors, simplifies application processes, and requires data sharing to identify qualified applicants, expanding higher education access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 1316: Expanding the scope of programs for postsecondary students experiencing homelessness and former foster youth.

HB 1316 requires Washington's public four-year colleges and tribal colleges to create programs supporting students experiencing homelessness and those who were in foster care when they graduated high school. The bill mandates institutions provide specific services like laundry access, reduced-price meals, technology, short-term housing assistance, and case management. It also allows schools to develop surplus property for affordable housing and requires annual reporting on program participation, strategies, and recommendations. This directly affects enrolled students facing housing instability or foster care backgrounds at participating institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates colleges to create programs providing housing, meals, technology, and case management for homeless and foster youth students, directly expanding educational access and support for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates short-term housing assistance for homeless students and allows schools to develop surplus property for affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Affordable Housing Homelessness

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1343: Limiting the scope of cause for loss of aid.

HB 1343 would repeal existing state law (RCW 28B.10.281) that allowed students to lose financial aid for certain activities. This bill directly affects Washington state college students receiving financial aid by removing a specific eligibility restriction. The key mechanism is the deletion of the provision that tied aid loss to particular student conduct, replacing it with a broader, undefined standard. The bill does not create new requirements but eliminates a specific cause for aid termination. (Note: The bill did not pass, as indicated by "Minority; do not pass" on its legislative record.)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves restriction on financial aid eligibility, enhancing access to higher education funding for students by eliminating specific conduct-based aid loss provisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1565: Continuing the Washington dual enrollment scholarship.

HB 1565 extends Washington's dual enrollment scholarship program, which covers costs for high school students participating in Running Start (a program allowing 11th/12th graders to take college courses at community colleges/universities). It directly affects eligible students who qualify for free/reduced lunch, the College Bound Scholarship, or Washington College Grant. The bill expands scholarship coverage to include textbooks, course materials, transportation, and food stipends (if funds remain), beyond previously covered tuition and fees. It appropriates $750,000 annually for 2026-2027 and extends the program until 2032, requiring the Washington Student Achievement Council to develop implementation rules and guidance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state funding for education scholarship program, increasing budget allocation for student support services like textbooks and transportation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands dual enrollment scholarship coverage to include textbooks, transportation, and food stipends for eligible students, increasing access to higher education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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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

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1337: Concerning the appointment of presidents of institutions of higher education.

HB 1337 modifies governance rules for Washington's public universities by requiring student and faculty representatives on governing boards. It mandates that each university's board include one student (appointed annually from student-elected candidates) and one faculty member (appointed for three years from faculty nominations), with both excluded from voting on faculty hiring or discipline matters (except for presidential appointments). The bill affects all public universities, including the University of Washington, Washington State University, and regional campuses, by altering board composition and appointment processes. Key changes include standardized term lengths for board members and specific selection procedures for student/faculty roles, aiming to enhance academic community input in leadership decisions. The legislation declares an emergency to expedite implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds student/faculty representation to university governing boards, enhancing stakeholder input in higher education governance without direct funding changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1618: Expanding access to college in the high school to private school students.

HB 1618 expands Washington State's existing "College in the High School" program to include students attending state-approved private high schools. The bill requires institutions of higher education to offer dual-credit courses at no cost to 9th-12th grade students in both public and qualifying private schools, with private school participation now explicitly included in the program's definition. Key provisions mandate that private schools must be state-approved, require schools to award high school credit for successful completion, and ensure no fees for students enrolling in these courses. This change directly affects private school students seeking college credit while still in high school, aligning their access with public school peers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands dual-credit access to private school students, mandating no-cost courses and state-approved participation, directly increasing educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Choice

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signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1486: Adding a student member to the state board for community and technical colleges.

House Bill 1486 adds a student member to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, increasing its total membership from nine to ten. This change ensures that a student currently enrolled in a community or technical college will have a voice in the board's decisions. The student member will serve a one-year term and must be at least 18 years old. They will participate in discussions and policy development, though they will be excluded from voting on matters related to hiring, discipline, personnel, or pending litigation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds student representation to college board, enhancing student voice in policy decisions affecting higher education access and governance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5639: Providing tuition and fee waivers at public institutions of higher education for children of murdered parents.

SB 5639 creates a tuition and fee waiver at Washington's public colleges and universities for children of homicide victims who were Washington residents at the time of their parent's murder and were subject to a dependency proceeding under state law. The waiver covers all tuition and fees for up to six academic years, provided the student begins their education within 10 years of high school graduation. This expands existing tuition waivers for children of first responders and firefighters to include children of homicide victims. The bill requires annual reporting on waiver costs and mandates a state study to track educational and health outcomes for affected students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for higher education, expanding access to students with deceased parents, directly supporting educational access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5397: Establishing limits on the percentage of courses taught by faculty without tenure track status at community and technical colleges.

SB 5397 limits the percentage of courses taught by non-tenure-track faculty at Washington state community and technical colleges. Starting July 1, 2030, these institutions must ensure no more than 45% of annual courses are taught by such faculty, requiring them to adopt policies by July 2026. Colleges must also submit annual reports starting in 2028 detailing their progress toward this 45% cap, including current course percentages. This bill directly affects all Washington community and technical colleges and their faculty hiring practices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates increased tenure-track faculty presence (capping non-tenure at 45%), promoting faculty stability and quality in higher education institutions.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLimits non-tenure-track faculty to 45% cap, promoting stable, better-paid tenure-track positions for college instructors, strengthening employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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