SB 5954 requires Washington public colleges to waive all tuition and fees for children and surviving spouses/domestic partners of veterans who died in service, were totally disabled due to service, or were prisoners of war/missing in action. To qualify, recipients must be Washington residents, meet age or federal eligibility criteria (e.g., under 26 or meeting VA benefit periods), and the waiver covers up to 250 credits with a $500 annual stipend for textbooks. The law does not apply to veterans who served only within the U.S. or its waters, and private colleges are encouraged but not required to adopt similar policies. Public institutions must report annually on waiver usage, including demographic data.
HB 2098 imposes a surcharge on select large tech companies with global revenue over $25 billion, increasing the rate from 1.22% (2020-2025) to 7.5% (starting 2026) on their taxable gross income. The surcharge applies to businesses engaged in "advanced computing" (including cloud services, software, and platforms), excluding hospitals, health clinics, and certain telecom or financial firms. Revenues from the surcharge fund workforce education programs, with automatic enrollment increases in computer science and engineering degrees at state universities when demand exceeds capacity by 100+ students. The bill also requires quarterly reporting and includes penalties for evasion, while exempting specific healthcare providers from the tax.
HB 2132 protects student privacy for Washington state financial aid applications by making personally identifying and financial information exempt from public records requests. It limits how long institutions and the state council retain application records (one year after the award year ends, unless an audit or appeal is pending) and restricts sharing this data with other entities, including the federal government, without a court order or specific data-sharing agreements. The bill directly affects students applying for state financial aid (excluding the federal FAFSA) and state agencies handling these applications. Key provisions include strict privacy safeguards for sensitive data and clear limits on data sharing to prevent unauthorized disclosure.
HB 1554 expands eligibility for Washington's College Bound Scholarship to include students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 7th or 8th grade (even if they later lost that status) and those who qualified in 9th grade after being ineligible earlier. It also adds protections for adopted youth (adopted between 14-18 with specific agreements) to retain eligibility. The bill requires automatic enrollment for eligible students with no application needed, and mandates schools to notify students about the program. This change removes barriers that previously excluded low-income students due to temporary income fluctuations.
HB 1805 proposes a local 0.01% sales and use tax in Washington counties to fund additional services for children and families. The tax would generate revenue specifically for mental health support, early intervention programs, child care, school-based health services, shelter, rental assistance, and transportation. Counties could implement this tax via resolution or ordinance, with funds restricted to the listed services that address gaps in current Medicaid and behavioral health programs. The bill aims to support children and families early to improve well-being and reduce long-term needs like youth violence and substance use.
HB 1319 proposes a 1% annual tax on Washington residents' financial assets exceeding $100 million, including stocks, bonds, and similar investments. It would primarily affect approximately 3,400 of the state's wealthiest individuals, as estimated by the bill. Revenue generated would be directed to the state's general fund to support essential services like K-12 education, healthcare, wildfire prevention, and public safety programs. The tax applies to "financial intangible assets" defined broadly, excluding primary residences and certain other exemptions, with filing based on the prior calendar year's asset values.
Senate Bill 5412 provides financial tools for Washington school districts facing severe financial difficulties, specifically those in "binding conditions" or under "enhanced financial oversight." It allows these districts to take temporary, interest-free loans from their capital projects funds, which must be repaid within one year and not detriment existing projects. Additionally, districts in binding conditions may request authorization from the Superintendent of Public Instruction to sell real property. Proceeds from such sales must be used to restore financial stability or fund an authorized interfund loan, with this authorization limited to once every ten years.
HB 1031 requires Washington's superintendent of public instruction to develop indoor temperature standards for public schools by forming an advisory committee with health, environmental, school operations, and parent representatives by September 2025. The bill updates existing law to explicitly include "excessive heat" (defined using National Weather Service guidance) as a valid reason for school closures due to unsafe conditions, replacing vague prior language. It mandates the committee to balance temperature control with energy standards and report recommendations by January 2026, followed by cost estimates by July 2026. This directly affects all public school districts, teachers, and students in Washington by establishing a formal process to address climate-driven heat risks in school facilities.
HB 1166 establishes the "Providing Effective Education for Reentry Success Act" in Washington State, directly affecting incarcerated individuals by expanding their access to postsecondary education and digital tools. The bill requires correctional facilities to provide broadband internet access, allow incarcerated people to own personal laptops with WiFi, and ensure timely access to educational websites (within two weeks of request). It mandates that facilities collaborate on digital inclusion efforts and prohibits restrictions on online learning for responsible users, defining "digital equity" to include activities like taking online exams, accessing library resources, and applying for financial aid. The law aims to support rehabilitation and successful reentry through structured educational pathways and digital literacy opportunities.
Senate Bill 5235 aims to update and streamline laws related to public schools in Washington State. It repeals several outdated statutes and reorganizes others to modernize the legal framework for education. The bill amends existing laws concerning how high schools can use funds for dropout prevention, updating accepted activities to align with current "high school and beyond plans." Additionally, it modifies provisions for school meal programs, allowing school facilities to provide meals at cost to children in certain private educational programs and private school students.
