HB 2082 aims to increase funding for public K-12 education, early learning, child care, and higher education in Washington state. The bill proposes to do this by modifying the state's capital gains tax and estate tax. It introduces an additional 2.90% excise tax on an individual's Washington capital gains that exceed $1,000,000, effective January 1, 2025. For the estate tax, it increases the exclusion amount to $3,000,000 for estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2025, and intends to raise the top-tier rates up to 35 percent. Revenues generated from these changes would be dedicated to the education legacy trust account.
SB 5517 sets new minimum state funding levels for school staff salaries in Washington, primarily affecting school districts and their non-teaching staff. It requires increasing the average state allocation for classified staff (such as office, clerical, and support workers) to $67,325 by the 2025-26 school year, with further increases to $73,384 for 2026-27 and $99,164 for classified administrators by 2027-28, all adjusted for inflation. The bill mandates regional cost adjustments for salary allocations based on local housing values and requires a four-year review to ensure funding aligns with staffing costs. These changes directly impact how school districts calculate state funding for non-certificated staff salaries.
HB 1267 adjusts how Washington school districts receive state funding for special education programs. It gradually increases the "funded enrollment limit" (the percentage of students eligible for special education that districts can count for full funding) from 16% in 2024-25 to 17% by 2026-27. The bill also requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to monitor districts for potential over-identification of students for special education services, and mandates corrective action plans and state auditor audits if districts exceed the limit. This directly affects school districts and charter schools with special education enrollment percentages above the phased-in limits.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change the voter approval threshold for school district bonds from a simple majority to 55% of voters. It would require school districts seeking funding for facility construction, modernization, or repairs to obtain approval from at least 55% of voters participating in the election, rather than a majority. The amendment directly affects school districts across Washington that need to issue bonds for capital projects. If approved by voters, this change would become part of the state constitution, altering how local school funding is authorized.
HB 1746 adjusts how Washington state provides supplemental funding to public schools based on local property tax levies. It calculates state assistance by comparing a school district's actual levy rate (per $1,000 assessed value) to a $1.50 threshold, with full funding for districts meeting or exceeding that rate. The bill extends this formula to tribal schools (starting 2022) and charter schools (starting 2025), capping per-student assistance at $2,000 (adjusted for inflation) based on prior-year levy data. This funding is separate from the state's basic education program and directly affects school districts, tribal education compact schools, and charter schools that rely on local levies.
SB 5593 adjusts how Washington school districts calculate their maximum allowable enrichment levies (local property taxes for extra programs beyond state funding). It sets new limits based on student enrollment: $2,500 per student (adjusted for inflation) for districts with fewer than 40,000 students, and $3,000 per student for larger districts. The bill also modifies the calculation to account for local effort assistance, compliance adjustments, and cooperative agreements between districts. School districts must now get approval for their levy expenditure plans before voting on new levies.
HB 1310 eliminates the enrollment cap on students eligible for state special education funding in Washington, directly affecting all public school districts and students with disabilities. The bill increases funding multipliers for districts serving students with disabilities in inclusive settings (80%+ time in general education), raising the multiplier from 1.12 to 1.5289 for those students, while lowering it to 1.447 for less inclusive placements. It also requires the state superintendent to monitor racial disproportionality in special education identification and provide technical assistance to districts. These changes aim to ensure equitable state funding without requiring local district contributions and support inclusive educational practices.
HB 1357 (Washington State) updates special education funding to incentivize inclusive classrooms. It revises the funding formula so school districts receive higher per-student allocations (1.18 multiplier) for students with disabilities spending 80%+ of their day in general education settings, versus a lower rate (1.09) for less inclusive placements. The bill also creates a grant program for up to 20 "pilot schools" to become centers of excellence in inclusionary practices, requiring demonstrated leadership commitment, staff training plans, and data on current inclusion efforts. These schools would receive funding to reach a 1.5 inclusion multiplier over four years. The bill directly affects school districts and students with disabilities in Washington state, focusing on concrete funding changes and support mechanisms to promote inclusive education.
HB 1356 adjusts Washington state's K-12 school funding by updating local enrichment levy limits and creating a state matching program. It sets new per-pupil funding caps ($2,500 for districts under 40,000 students, $3,000 for larger districts) through 2030, adjusted annually for inflation plus a temporary 3.33% annual increase (2027-2030), then raises the cap to $5,035 starting in 2031. The bill requires school districts to get approval for how they spend local levy funds before voting on them and links state funding to local effort - matching districts that raise less than $1.50 per $1,000 in property value. This directly affects all public school districts and state-tribal education compact schools by changing how local taxes and state funds combine to support school programs.
HB 1579 requires Washington school districts to report detailed transportation data for specific student groups, including those with special education needs, experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or attending skill centers. It mandates the state superintendent to develop a new funding model by 2028 that addresses unique challenges in rural and urban districts, and establishes a $400 flat rate per homeless student for transportation costs. The bill directly affects school districts and the students in these four priority groups by changing how transportation funding is calculated and reported. Districts must submit quarterly reports on mileage, ridership, and costs, with funds for homeless students limited to their specific transportation needs.
