SB 5909 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Reviewing and discontinuing low-enrollment undergraduate programs at public baccalaureate institutions.

Washington's SB 5909 requires public universities to review undergraduate programs with fewer than 10 graduates annually over five years. After three consecutive years on the review list, institutions must consider discontinuing such programs unless they demonstrate factors like newness, workforce demand, equity needs, or accreditation requirements. If discontinued, schools must create a "teach-out plan" to help current students complete their degrees. The bill mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing all reviewed programs, decisions, and financial/student outcome data.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 17, 2025 Last action Feb 26, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
8
Committee
10
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
WM - Majority; do pass.
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
HEWD - Majority; do pass.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Matt Boehnke
Matt Boehnke
RRepublican
WA
8