Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5618: Concerning transparency in college admissions.

SB 5618 requires all Washington state universities, regional universities, and the state college to clearly display specific admissions data on their websites. The bill mandates posting scoring criteria (like rubrics and weights for GPA, tests, and essays), demographic data of applicants and acceptees (including race, income, and residency), and GPA statistics for both groups. This applies to both general college admissions and program-specific admissions. The goal is to make admissions processes more transparent for prospective students and the public. The bill is currently in its first reading stage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates transparency in college admissions data to improve access and fairness, aligning with educational access indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1447: Tracking Washington application for state financial aid award amounts.

This bill requires Washington's higher education office to track and publicly share the exact state financial aid amounts awarded to each student using the Washington Application for State Financial Aid, starting with the 2025-26 academic year. By December 1, 2026, the office must annually report to the legislature on total applicants, recipients, and total aid disbursed per higher education institution. This data will be published online to increase transparency about how state financial aid is distributed. The bill directly affects students receiving state aid through the Washington Application and all public colleges/universities in Washington.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates transparency in state financial aid distribution for higher education, enhancing accountability in funding allocation per educational funding policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5119: Concerning collective bargaining for certain employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education.

SB 5119 expands collective bargaining rights to student-employees enrolled in academic or certificate programs at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College. It allows these employees to collectively bargain over specific workplace issues like compensation and tuition remission waivers, but excludes topics such as tuition rates, academic calendars, class sizes, and termination for academic reasons. The bill specifies that bargaining units must cover only one institution and cannot include employees already covered under other state labor laws. This legislation directly affects student-employees working at these four public universities who are simultaneously enrolled in academic programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands bargaining rights for student-employees at public universities over compensation/tuition, supporting educational access and stability for student-workers without restricting academic policies.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands collective bargaining rights for student-employees over compensation and tuition remission, directly supporting workers' organizing rights in employment context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining

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signed · Washington · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 5355: Improving safety at institutions of higher education while supporting student survivors of sexual assault.

SB 5355 establishes new protections and resources for student survivors of sex-based violence and harassment at Washington state's larger institutions of higher education. The bill grants survivors specific rights, including access to trauma-informed employees, a timely institutional investigation process, and mental health or counseling services. It also requires institutions to offer supportive measures, such as academic adjustments or schedule modifications, and honor court-issued no-contact orders. Additionally, the bill mandates training for Title IX employees and requires certain campuses to establish committees to evaluate and improve survivor support services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes protections, resources, and supportive measures for student survivors at higher education institutions, enhancing safety and access within educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health/counseling services for survivors, directly advancing healthcare access within institutional protections for sexual assault survivors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1883: Concerning the Washington customized employment training program.

HB 1883 extends the expiration date of a tax credit for businesses participating in Washington's customized employment training program from 2026 to July 1, 2031. The credit allows businesses to reduce their state tax bill by 50% of payments made to the training program. The bill requires the college board to submit a 2028 report detailing program outcomes, including employee training numbers, wage growth, retention rates, and geographic distribution. The legislature states that future extensions may be considered if 75% of businesses complete training and repay the allowance, based on the report's findings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax credit allowing businesses to reduce state tax bill by 50%, providing tax relief and funding workforce training program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends tax credit for business participation in college board-administered training program, supporting workforce development within higher education via tax incentives and requiring outcome reporting.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends tax credit for employer training program with outcome reporting on wage growth and retention, supporting worker skill development and employment outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Higher Education Workforce Development

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5797: Enacting a tax on stocks, bonds, and other financial intangible assets for the benefit of public schools.

SB 5797 enacts a new tax on certain financial intangible assets, such as stocks and bonds, in Washington State. The bill levies a tax of $0.34 for every $1,000 of true and fair value of these assets. It primarily affects individuals and artificial persons with over $50,000,000 in taxable financial intangible assets, while exempting retirement savings, college savings, and ownership interests in private companies. Revenues generated from this tax are dedicated to the education legacy trust account to support public schools, early learning, child care, and higher education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tax on high-value financial assets to fund public schools via education legacy trust, directly advancing education funding under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill imposes tax on financial assets to fund public schools via education legacy trust account, directly increasing education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

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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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