Establishing a health sciences campus of the University of Washington.

SB 5424 transfers all assets and operations of Evergreen State College to the University of Washington (UW) by July 1, 2026, creating a new UW health sciences campus focused on training healthcare workers. This directly affects Evergreen students and staff (who will transition to UW programs), Washington communities (which will gain more behavioral health, nursing, and dental services), and UW (which assumes ownership of Evergreen’s property). Key mechanisms include abolishing Evergreen State College, establishing a health-focused mission for the new campus, requiring an advisory committee to shape programs aligned with workforce needs, and mandating a 10-year financial plan for sustainability. The campus will prioritize undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, dental, and behavioral health fields to address regional healthcare shortages. The bill expires August 1, 2029, with a requirement for the UW board to submit a financial plan by July 1, 2028.