Education (Higher Education)

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5785: Modifying students' share of the education costs at institutions of higher education.

This bill modifies the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship programs, impacting students seeking financial aid for higher education in Washington state. It codifies the maximum eligibility for the Washington college grant to students with family incomes up to 60 percent of the state median family income. The bill also adjusts how maximum grant amounts are calculated for various institutions, including private universities and apprenticeship programs, with some changes taking effect in the 2026-27 academic year. Additionally, it updates criteria for institutional eligibility, specifically for out-of-state affiliated institutions, to participate in these financial aid programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies grant eligibility to include lower-income students (up to 60% median income) and adjusts funding calculations, expanding access to higher education financial aid.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1337: Concerning the appointment of presidents of institutions of higher education.

HB 1337 modifies governance rules for Washington's public universities by requiring student and faculty representatives on governing boards. It mandates that each university's board include one student (appointed annually from student-elected candidates) and one faculty member (appointed for three years from faculty nominations), with both excluded from voting on faculty hiring or discipline matters (except for presidential appointments). The bill affects all public universities, including the University of Washington, Washington State University, and regional campuses, by altering board composition and appointment processes. Key changes include standardized term lengths for board members and specific selection procedures for student/faculty roles, aiming to enhance academic community input in leadership decisions. The legislation declares an emergency to expedite implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds student/faculty representation to university governing boards, enhancing stakeholder input in higher education governance without direct funding changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1618: Expanding access to college in the high school to private school students.

HB 1618 expands Washington State's existing "College in the High School" program to include students attending state-approved private high schools. The bill requires institutions of higher education to offer dual-credit courses at no cost to 9th-12th grade students in both public and qualifying private schools, with private school participation now explicitly included in the program's definition. Key provisions mandate that private schools must be state-approved, require schools to award high school credit for successful completion, and ensure no fees for students enrolling in these courses. This change directly affects private school students seeking college credit while still in high school, aligning their access with public school peers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands dual-credit access to private school students, mandating no-cost courses and state-approved participation, directly increasing educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Choice

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signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1486: Adding a student member to the state board for community and technical colleges.

House Bill 1486 adds a student member to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, increasing its total membership from nine to ten. This change ensures that a student currently enrolled in a community or technical college will have a voice in the board's decisions. The student member will serve a one-year term and must be at least 18 years old. They will participate in discussions and policy development, though they will be excluded from voting on matters related to hiring, discipline, personnel, or pending litigation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds student representation to college board, enhancing student voice in policy decisions affecting higher education access and governance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5639: Providing tuition and fee waivers at public institutions of higher education for children of murdered parents.

SB 5639 creates a tuition and fee waiver at Washington's public colleges and universities for children of homicide victims who were Washington residents at the time of their parent's murder and were subject to a dependency proceeding under state law. The waiver covers all tuition and fees for up to six academic years, provided the student begins their education within 10 years of high school graduation. This expands existing tuition waivers for children of first responders and firefighters to include children of homicide victims. The bill requires annual reporting on waiver costs and mandates a state study to track educational and health outcomes for affected students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for higher education, expanding access to students with deceased parents, directly supporting educational access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5397: Establishing limits on the percentage of courses taught by faculty without tenure track status at community and technical colleges.

SB 5397 limits the percentage of courses taught by non-tenure-track faculty at Washington state community and technical colleges. Starting July 1, 2030, these institutions must ensure no more than 45% of annual courses are taught by such faculty, requiring them to adopt policies by July 2026. Colleges must also submit annual reports starting in 2028 detailing their progress toward this 45% cap, including current course percentages. This bill directly affects all Washington community and technical colleges and their faculty hiring practices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates increased tenure-track faculty presence (capping non-tenure at 45%), promoting faculty stability and quality in higher education institutions.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLimits non-tenure-track faculty to 45% cap, promoting stable, better-paid tenure-track positions for college instructors, strengthening employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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signed · Washington · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 5110: Providing tuition waivers for tribal elders at Washington’s community and technical colleges.

SB 5110 allows Washington's community and technical colleges to waive tuition and certain fees for tribal elders. Specifically, it permits colleges to waive all or a portion of tuition and service and activity fees for tribal elders over 55 years old from eligible Indian tribes. This bill directly affects these tribal elders who may seek to enroll in community or technical colleges. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is authorized to adopt rules to implement this provision.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for tribal elders by waiving tuition/fees at community colleges, directly increasing enrollment opportunities in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1226: Making supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium.

HB 1226 allocates $2.7 million from the Multimodal Transportation Account to fund the University of Washington’s sidewalk accessibility mapping project, requiring public data sharing and prioritizing overburdened communities. It also appropriates $1 million to the Washington State Transportation Center for engineering internships, training programs, and a workforce analysis addressing shortages in civil engineering and related fields. Additionally, $6 million from the Carbon Emissions Reduction Account funds zero-emission electric vehicle charging infrastructure at state facilities, with reporting requirements on installation locations and carbon impact. The bill mandates annual project updates to legislative committees and prioritizes installations based on state environmental goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.7M and $1M for transportation infrastructure and workforce programs, advancing budget appropriations for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2.7M for UW sidewalk accessibility (higher ed infrastructure) and $1M for engineering internships/workforce training, directly funding education-related initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $6M from Carbon Emissions Reduction fund, directly funding climate action. Explicit reference to emissions reduction confirms environmental intent.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $2.7M for sidewalk mapping, $1M for transportation workforce training, and $6M for carbon reduction - funding infrastructure and sustainable transit projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Climate Change Electric Vehicles Pedestrian Safety Transportation Funding

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5164: Providing student navigational supports to increase postsecondary enrollment.

SB 5164 proposes creating a state-funded program to place "postsecondary enrollment specialists" in high schools across Washington, working at a 1:600 ratio with seniors. These specialists will directly assist students - especially those from lower-income backgrounds - with completing financial aid applications (like FAFSA and WASFA), connecting to scholarships, and navigating college enrollment processes. The bill requires school districts to partner with community colleges, tribal organizations, or community groups to hire these specialists and mandates free training for school staff on financial aid. It also requires annual reports tracking how the program increases financial aid completion rates and enrollment, targeting schools with historically low application rates. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationState-funded program creates enrollment specialists to assist students with financial aid and college navigation, specifically targeting lower-income students to expand postsecondary access and enrollment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1035: Creating policies and resources to address secondary traumatic stress in the higher education workforce.

HB 1035 requires Washington's public community colleges, technical colleges, and regional universities to adopt policies addressing secondary traumatic stress among faculty and staff. It mandates developing model policies with specific elements, including mental health support, diversity-focused workplace climates, campus mental health committees, and annual reporting. Institutions must post these policies publicly by September 2025 and incorporate all required elements into their own policies by the start of the 2025-26 academic year. The bill also requires colleges to publish online links to mental health resources, self-assessment tools, and best practices for their workforce.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health support and diversity-focused policies for higher education staff, strengthening workforce well-being and retention in educational institutions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health support services as required policy element for college staff, directly advancing mental health resources in workplace settings.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health support and safe workplace policies for faculty/staff, directly advancing workplace safety standards under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment Mental Health

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