This bill (SB 6320) modifies Washington State's funding formula for school district enrichment levies and creates new rules for students in alternative learning experiences. It adjusts state funding based on actual district levy rates (capping at $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value) and establishes a process for districts to restore funding for students in remote online programs when certified by a healthcare provider due to immunosuppression, chronic illness, injury, or bullying-related medical conditions. The bill defines "multidistrict online providers" as organizations serving students across multiple districts, excluding certain cooperative programs. It directly affects school districts, students in remote learning, and tribal education compact schools by changing how enrollment and funding are calculated for alternative learning programs.
HB 2438 establishes the "Supporting Our Early Education Degree Seekers Scholarship" to provide tuition-free education for students pursuing early childhood education credentials at Washington state community or technical colleges. It targets low-to-moderate income students (65-150% of state median family income) enrolled in eligible associate degree or certificate programs, requiring them to work in early learning centers for two years post-graduation. The scholarship uses $10 million annually from the existing Washington Advanced College Tuition Payment Program surplus (which has a 178% funding level), covering up to 90 tuition credits per student over three years. Recipients must maintain academic progress and may receive additional wraparound support services from colleges to aid program completion.
SB 6260 establishes a reimbursement system for school districts to replace student transportation vehicles, requiring the superintendent to set annual payments based on vehicle category, lifetime, and inflation. It also mandates a statewide online "high school and beyond plan" platform for all students by 2020-21, requiring features like translation support, automatic academic data integration, and student privacy controls. The bill directs the superintendent to select a vendor by June 2024 and develop a full implementation plan by October 2024, including cost estimates and professional development. These changes directly affect school districts, students, and educators by altering transportation funding and creating a standardized digital tool for college/career planning.
HB 2549 requires Washington school districts to create cardiac emergency response plans for all schools and athletic facilities starting in the 2026-27 school year. These plans must include designated response teams (staff, coaches, nurses), AED placement within three minutes of cardiac arrest, annual staff training per American Heart Association guidelines, and coordination with local emergency services. Schools must update plans yearly and ensure AEDs are accessible, unlocked, and maintained. The law directly affects all public school districts and athletic facilities in Washington State.
HB 2534 (Promoting educational stability for children of military families) helps military-connected children enroll in Washington schools more smoothly when their families relocate due to military orders. It allows schools to accept enrollment applications before the child arrives in Washington, using military orders as proof of relocation (e.g., transfers to WA or bordering states, deployments), and requires parents to provide documentation within 90 days. The bill ensures schools transfer special education plans (like IEPs or 504 plans) from previous states and provide comparable services without delay. This directly affects military families moving to Washington and public school districts handling their enrollments.
SB 6268 requires Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction to maintain a free, public online record of all final decisions from special education complaints. This record must be accessible to anyone online for 20 years after a complaint is resolved, including historical decisions if available. The bill directly affects parents, students with disabilities, and school districts by increasing transparency around special education dispute outcomes. It ensures that final complaint decisions - covering issues like service access or program eligibility - are publicly available without cost, supporting informed decisions and accountability.
HB 2432 allows Washington school districts to prioritize selling or giving surplus technology hardware (like laptops and tablets) to public school students at reduced price or for free, instead of selling to the general public first. It specifically directs districts to prioritize students from families qualifying for free/reduced meals or earning at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The bill amends existing law to require districts to document sales/grants and defines "surplus technology hardware" as devices issued to students during the school year. This policy change aims to reduce financial barriers for students needing technology for education and workforce development.
SB 6012 exempts schools (both public and private) from paying Washington's retail sales tax on certain services they purchase for operational use, such as cleaning, repairs, or maintenance. The bill amends state tax law (RCW 82.04.050) to exclude these school-purchased services from the definition of "retail sale," removing the tax obligation for schools. This change directly affects schools by reducing their operational costs for essential services, without altering tax treatment for other businesses. The bill is currently pending in committee after being prefaced for introduction in January 2026.
SB 6276 protects dedicated funding for workforce education by requiring all revenues from the workforce investment surcharge (under RCW 82.04.299) and specified sources (RCW 82.04.290(2)(c)) to be deposited directly into a state treasury account. Funds in this account may only be spent on higher education programs, operations, student aid, and workforce development activities like career-connected learning. The bill explicitly prohibits using these funds to replace or reduce existing state, federal, or local education funding - requiring them to "supplement, not supplant" other resources. This amendment to RCW 43.79.195 ensures dedicated support for education and workforce programs without shifting existing budget responsibilities.
HB 2676 establishes a reimbursement system for school districts purchasing student transportation vehicles, based on vehicle category, expected lifespan (minimum 15 years), and inflation. It requires districts to maintain vehicles properly or face reduced future reimbursements. The bill also mandates that all school districts provide a standardized online "high school and beyond plan" platform for students by the 2020-21 school year, featuring automatic grade updates, multilingual support, and privacy controls. The Superintendent of Public Instruction must select a vendor for this platform by June 2024 and develop a statewide implementation plan by October 2024. These changes directly affect public school districts, transportation providers, and students in Washington State.
