Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5442: Establishing a college promise pilot program.

SB 5442 establishes a college promise pilot program in 10 eastern Washington counties (east of the Cascade Mountains) to help students afford postsecondary education. It provides eligible students with up to $5,000 annually for tuition and fees at local institutions, apprenticeships, or credential programs, targeting those graduating from region high schools, meeting income limits (≤150% of state median family income), and participating in mentoring programs. The program is funded through private contributions matched dollar-for-dollar by state funds ($500,000 for 2026, $1,000,000 for 2027), with a separate high school component offering full two-year community college tuition at three selected schools. The pilot program expires August 1, 2029, and requires annual reporting on student outcomes like degree completion and transfers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $5,000/year tuition/fee support for low-income students in eastern WA, expanding postsecondary access through targeted funding and mentorship programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1278: Concerning the role of students on the governing boards of institutions of higher education.

HB 1278 requires community college district governing boards to include one student trustee appointed by the governor from a list provided by student governments. The student trustee serves a one-year term as a full-time student in good academic standing, with voting rights except on faculty hiring or collective bargaining matters. The bill also mandates that student government representatives provide in-person reports at all regular board meetings across Washington’s community colleges and four-year institutions. This policy directly affects community college governance by institutionalizing student voice in decision-making processes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds student representation to community college governing boards, enhancing student voice in higher education governance and decision-making processes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5542: Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges.

Senate Bill 5542 expands eligibility for tuition waivers at community and technical colleges in Washington state. The bill removes the current age requirement, which states students must be nineteen years or older, to receive these waivers. This change allows any resident-eligible student enrolled in a program to complete their high school education at a community or technical college to potentially receive a full or partial tuition waiver, regardless of their age.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves age barrier for tuition waivers at community colleges, expanding educational access for all eligible high school completers regardless of age.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1540: Expanding eligibility for the students experiencing homelessness and foster youth program to an accredited tribal college.

HB 1540 expands eligibility for the "students experiencing homelessness and foster youth program" to include accredited public tribal colleges in Washington. This program, previously available only at public four-year institutions, provides assistance to students experiencing homelessness and those who were in the foster care system when they graduated high school. Support services can include access to laundry, storage, reduced-price meals, technology, housing assistance, and case management. Participating institutions are also enabled to develop affordable housing from surplus property and are required to submit annual reports to the legislature on the program's impact.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to support services for homeless/foster youth at tribal colleges, enhancing higher education accessibility for vulnerable students.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands housing assistance program to tribal colleges, directly supporting homeless students' housing needs as part of eligibility expansion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Affordable Housing Homelessness

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5724: Improving student access to dual credit programs, including career and technical education dual credit programs.

SB 5724 aims to improve access to dual credit programs, particularly career and technical education (CTE) dual credit, for Washington high school students. It requires collaboration between community colleges, school districts, and other entities to create a statewide catalog of dual credit courses, align CTE programs with career pathways, and streamline credit transfer processes. The bill also mandates updating the state's administrative data system to better track credits, improve transcript accuracy, and support articulation agreements between high schools and colleges. These changes target students seeking career-focused postsecondary education, with a specific focus on fixing current gaps where CTE dual credit doesn't reliably transfer to college. The bill requires a report on data system improvements by October 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands dual credit access for K-12 students, aligns CTE programs with career pathways, and streamlines credit transfer to improve educational opportunities and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1485: Increasing the annual limit of services and activities fees at institutions of higher education.

HB 1485 increases the maximum allowable annual increase for student services and activities fees at Washington state's public colleges and universities from 4% to 6%. This change applies to all institutions, allowing governing boards to raise these fees by up to 6% yearly (instead of 4%) if deemed reasonable by committees, to help cover rising costs for services like health care, counseling, recreation, clubs, and events. Community colleges have a separate rule tying fee increases to tuition growth, but the bill's main change is the higher 6% cap for all institutions. The bill aims to help schools maintain essential student services amid inflation without altering the existing fee approval process.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases allowable fee increases (4%→6%) to fund student services like health, counseling, and clubs, directly strengthening higher education program funding and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1851: Prohibiting the use of state appropriated funds by institutions of higher education to repair property damaged in a disruptive activity.

HB 1851 prohibits public colleges and universities in Washington from using state funds or tuition/fee revenue to repair property damaged during demonstrations, riots, or other disruptive activities that disrupt campus operations. The bill applies directly to public higher education institutions that permit such events causing property destruction. Key provisions require institutions to cover repair costs themselves using non-state, non-tuition funds, rather than relying on public or student-generated revenue. This policy change specifically targets funding sources for repairs, without restricting protest activities themselves.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts state budget use for campus repairs from disruptive activities, limiting government spending on this specific item by mandating non-state funds.92% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts state funding for repairs after disruptions, limiting institutional resources for higher education infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5205: Concerning Washington college grant award amounts.

SB 5205 sets specific maximum grant amounts for Washington state college students attending different types of institutions. It establishes fixed dollar amounts (e.g., $9,739 for four-year private nonprofits, $3,694 for two-year private nonprofits) that increase annually based on Washington's wage growth rate starting in 2025-26. To receive these amounts, institutions must sign an affidavit and avoid certain legal settlements; otherwise, students get fixed 2024-25 rates. The bill directly affects students at public, private nonprofit, private for-profit, and approved apprenticeship programs in Washington.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for college grants with annual increases tied to wage growth, directly funding public education through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes and annually increases grant amounts for college students ($9,739 max for four-year institutions), directly funding higher education access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1839: Increasing the investments in our workforce by amending the advanced computing surcharge.

HB 1839 imposes a 1.22% surcharge on select advanced computing businesses with global revenue exceeding $25 billion annually, targeting large tech firms engaged in software, cloud services, or platforms like social media. The tax applies to affiliated groups (e.g., parent companies and subsidiaries), with exemptions for hospitals and healthcare providers. Revenue generated will fund workforce programs, including expanding the Washington College Grant for families earning up to 70% of median income, increasing STEM teacher training, growing in-state college seats, and supporting student work-study in STEM fields. The bill aims to address a projected 600,000-worker shortfall by directing funds to education and training aligned with high-demand sectors like technology and healthcare.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes new tax on large tech firms to fund workforce programs, directly increasing state revenue allocation for public services per summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates surcharge revenue to expand Washington College Grant, directly increasing higher education access for low-income families.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce programs including Washington College Grant expansion for low-income families, directly advancing employment opportunities and education access per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing State Budget Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5658: Concerning the workforce education investment account.

SB 5658 modifies Washington state's college grant program to expand financial aid eligibility, raising the income threshold for maximum grants from 55% to 70% of the state median family income. It also creates a new $500 annual "bridge grant" for low-income students receiving the maximum college grant (excluding those in the college-bound scholarship program), to cover non-tuition expenses like books and housing. The bill establishes a "workforce education investment account" funded by a surcharge, directing all revenues to advanced computing programs at institutions like the University of Washington, with automatic enrollment increases when demand exceeds 100 students. This account must supplement, not replace, other funding, and the bill creates an oversight board to manage allocations. The changes primarily affect low-income undergraduate students pursuing higher education in STEM fields, especially those from underserved communities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands college grant eligibility and adds bridge grants for low-income students, increasing financial access to higher education through funding enhancements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill includes housing as covered expense in bridge grant for low-income students, advancing housing affordability through education aid.60% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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