HB 1338 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning school operating costs.

HB 1338 revises Washington state's formula for distributing basic education funding to school districts. It establishes specific per-pupil funding levels based on "prototypical" school models (e.g., 600 students for high schools, 432 for middle schools, 400 for elementary schools), setting minimum class size requirements (like 17 students per teacher in K-3) and staff ratios for roles including teachers, librarians, paraeducators, and support staff. The bill mandates transparency by requiring the superintendent to publish per-pupil funding data online and school districts to link to it on their websites. This directly affects all public school districts in Washington, determining how state funds are allocated for core instructional programs and operational costs.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to reflect its progression from a House Bill to a Substitute Bill, incorporating changes made during the legislative process. The most significant substantive change involves a reduction in the specific funding allocations per student for various school operating costs, such as technology, utilities, and curriculum, for the 2025-26 school year. Additionally, the bill now includes a new nullification clause that would make the entire act void if specific funding is not provided by the state budget by June 30, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on school operating costs and staffing allocations, but the financial scope has been reduced for several line items. A new condition was added regarding the timeline for funding implementation.

FISCAL

Specific dollar amounts per student for technology, utilities, curriculum, supplies, library materials, and professional development were decreased for the 2025-26 school year compared to the original version.

The minimum allocation amount for small school certificated staff units was reduced from $16,870.44 to $14,141.10.

Funding amounts for exploratory and preparatory career and technical education courses were adjusted, with some categories seeing a decrease in per-student allocation.

TIMELINE

A new provision was added stating that the act becomes null and void if specific funding is not included in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2025.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from H-0259.2 to H-1805.1 to reflect its status as a Substitute Bill, and the reading date was changed to 02/28/25.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.

lower

1 primary · 28 co-sponsors