Welcome to the weekly Washington STEM Advocacy Coalition update. Invite a colleague, changemaker, or leader to join the 2026 Washington STEM Advocacy Coalition, receive notifications and information about upcoming policy calls, and stay up to date on advocacy efforts. Sign up here.
Our 2026 Legislative Priorities are grounded in the near-term goals of our strategic plan. They reflect our response to a short 60-day session and acknowledge the challenging budget landscape.
Updates from Olympia:
Orlando Cano, Washington STEM Legislative Liaison
- Budget Development: Budget development is moving quickly; budget teams are meeting daily and reviewing. Policy Committee cut-off is on February 4th, and Fiscal Committee cut-off is on February 9th. Revenue forecast is scheduled for February 16th.
Member movement:
- Sen. Steve Conway announced he will not run for re-election, retiring after serving 34 years in the legislature. He is the Senator from the 29th legislative district, which includes most of Parkland, South Tacoma, and Spanaway.
- Sen. Matt Boehnke also announced he was not running for re-election and will be running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District. Current Congressman Dan Newhouse had previously announced he would not seek reelection. Sen. Boehnke represents the 8th Legislative District, which includes parts of Kennewick, Pasco, and South Richland in the Tri-Cities area.
Bill Alerts & Priority Updates
Jayme Shoun, Director of Policy & Government Affairs
Upcoming bills discussed including some newly introduced legislation. We welcome information-sharing back to the coalition for consideration. Please continue to follow the bill tracker for updates on all education bills we’re monitoring. If you choose to take action, refer to the table below.
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SB 6260: Implementing efficiencies and programming changes in public education.
- Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM on Tuesday (1/27)
- Bill would codify RCW to match the proposed Supplemental budget reductions in education. Included is the Running Start 1.4 FTE to 1.2 FTE reduction.
- Note: We are still gathering information but related to Running Start, SBCTC has encouraged folks to sign in CON and testify. Please see the one pager from SBCTC. SB 6260 would codify this reduction.
SB 6217/HB 2458 :Expanding access to the Washington college grant to students enrolled in eligible postsecondary nondegree credential programs.
- SB 6217 scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 10:30 AM on Monday (1/26)
- HB 2458 scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM on Wednesday (1/28)
- Request legislation from State Board of Community and Technical Colleges
SB 5859/ HB 2007 - Expanding opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options
- SB 5859 had a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on Thursday (1/22) Watch the hearing here.
- HB 2007 will be heard in in the House Education Committee on Thursday (1/29) at 8:00am
- Bills would add language regarding competency-based assessment to certain graduation pathways.
- Competency based assessment is added to the AP, IB, and Cambridge international transition pathway, so that students may fulfill their graduation pathway requirement by earning high school credit, with a C+ grade or higher, in AP, IB, or Cambridge international courses, or competency-based assessments in English language arts and mathematics; or by earning statutorily proscribed scores on AP, IB, or Cambridge international exams.
Bills not discussed but may be of interest:
SB 5784: Encouraging agency demographic data collection.
- Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM on Tuesday (1/27)
- Among the provisions in the bill, it would update school data collection to align with the new federal OMB standards starting in the 2025–26 school year.
- Continues and clarifies detailed disaggregation of student data (race, income, disability status, discipline outcomes, etc.) for reporting and accountability. Agencies must go beyond the minimum federal categories when needed, collecting more detailed subcategories that reflect Washington’s diversity
HB 2429/ SB 6224: Supporting children and youth behavioral health.
We highly recommend checking out Start Early Washington’s Notes from Olympia for more detailed information about the below and more items in the Early Care and Education space.
- HB 2429: Bill hearing held on Tuesday (1/20) in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services and is scheduled for Executive Session on Friday (1/30)
- SB 6224: Senate companion bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 4:00 PM on Wednesday (1/28)
- Bill intends to move the Washington Thriving strategic plan forward- a set of recommendations provided by the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Workgroup. would extend the Children and Behavioral Health Workgroup for two additional years.
- House Early Learning & Human Services held a work session. You can watch here. items
SB 2593: Addressing school district accounting, budgeting, and reporting requirements.
- Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM on Monday (1/26)
- Would require school districts to have a restricted minimum fund balance level within their general fund and to submit certain financial data to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction each month.
SB 2440: Addressing records maintained by the office of the education ombuds.
- Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM on Monday(1/26)
- Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) request legislation to strengthen protections and access to complaint information.
From last week:
SB 5872/ HB 2159: Establishing the preK promise account
- Hearing held in the House Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees. Watch the Ways and Means hearing here. Watch the House Appropriations here here.
- Testimony led by the Ballmer Group, Governor’s office, WSA, and DCYF.
- HB 2159 scheduled for executive session on Thursday (1/29) in the House Appropriations Committee.
- SB 5872 not yet scheduled for Executive Session. .
SB 6052: Establishing a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment
- Public hearing held in Senate Early Learning & K12. Watch the video here..
- Thanks to folks who signed in and testified.
- The bill would allow WSIPC to develop, maintain, and govern a statewide digital transcript file standard. Additionally create a secure, platform-independent environment for the exchange of transcript data between secondary and postsecondary institutions. School districts, charter schools, state tribal education compact schools, and public institutions of higher education must participate in the statewide digital transcript data sharing environment with independent, not for profit colleges as optional to participate.
- Not yet scheduled for the Executive Session.
SB 6089:Increasing coordination and alignment throughout the P20W system.
- Public hearing held in the Senate Early Learning & K12 Committee on Thursday (1/22) Watch the hearing here.
- WA STEM provided testimony in PRO
- LEV leading a bill that would establish a public-private partnership in service of a P20W vision for Washington.
- Goal is to create a better aligned and cohesive P20W system. The bill would be funded through philanthropic partnerships
- It does two things: contract with a nonprofit to establish the current landscape in the state and a statewide advisory committee for key stakeholders to come up with a vision of what our P20W system could look like. And work with a nonprofit for a dashboard for an early learning to workforce dashboard.
- Not yet scheduled for Executive Session
SB 5931/HB 2311: Concerning workforce education investment accountability and oversight board administrative changes.
- SB 5931 had a public hearing in Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development. Watch the hearing here. Senate bill was Exec’d from committee on Thursday 1/22.
- HB 2311 had a public hearing in the House Postsecondary Education & Workforce committee. Watch the hearing here.
- Request legislation from WSAC. Technical bill that puts in statute some process oriented items for the WEIA Board that have been developed over the last year.
- HB 2311 scheduled for Executive Session on Tuesday (1/27)
SB 5978: Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications
- SB 5978 had a Public Hearing in Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development on Monday. Watch the hearing here.
- Similar bill to years past that would establish a requirement for public institutions to participate in the WA GAP program with an opt out function. Colleges receive student data directly from K–12 systems (via WSIPC) and can proactively notify eligible students of guaranteed admission rather than waiting for applications.
- Scheduled for Executive Session in the Senate Higher Education & Workforce committee on Thursday (1/29)
If you have any feedback on the bills listed or ones you are tracking, reach out!
Weekly Action Alerts
Action alerts and bills to watch for the upcoming week. You can also refer to the attached bill tracker.
Take action on any legislation here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/
Monday (1/26)
Expanding access to the Washington college grant to students enrolled in eligible postsecondary nondegree credential programs
Take action here.
Monday (1/26)
Formalizing data collection protocols to support parenting students
Take action here.
Monday (1/26)
Addressing school district accounting, budgeting, and reporting requirements
Take action here.
Monday (1/26)
Concerning financial aid awards for students attending private four-year institutions of higher education
Take action here.
Monday (1/26)
HB 2440
Addressing records maintained by the office of the education ombuds.
Take action here.
Tuesday (1/27)
Establishing the supporting our early education degree seekers scholarship
Take action here.
Tuesday (1/27)
Concerning the ongoing review of approved teacher and principal preparation programs
Take action here.
Tuesday (1/27)
Modifying funding for the passport to careers program and eligibility for the Washington college grant
Take action here.
Tuesday (1/27)
Implementing efficiencies and programming changes in public education (See the attached document)
Take action here.
Tuesday (1/27)
Concerning workforce education investment accountability and oversight board administrative changes
Executive Session
Wednesday (1/28)
Expanding access to the Washington college grant to students enrolled in eligible postsecondary nondegree credential programs
Take action here.
Wednesday (1/28)
Concerning postsecondary education consumer protections in the event of school or program closures
Take action here.
Wednesday (1/28)
Supporting children and youth behavioral health.
Take action here.
Thursday (1/29)
Expanding opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options
Take action here.
Thursday (1/29)
Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications
Executive Session
Thursday (1/29)
Establishing the preK promise account
Executive Session
Thursday (1/29)
Concerning the completion of postsecondary financial aid applications
Executive Session
Committee Calendar
Standing committee calendars of relevant education and fiscal committees. Find all legislative committees here
Week of Jan 26-Jan 30 Highlights
- Couple of Work Sessions next week of note:
- Monday (1/26): Dual Credit work session in the Senate HEWD
- Thursday (1/29) : WIEA Oversight Board work session in Senate HEWD
- We are quickly approaching the first Policy Cutoff. Bills must make it out of their policy committee on or before Feb 4
- Floor action is already underway with more anticipated next week. Follow House Floor Calendars and Senate Floor Calendars
- Remember- bills that did not meet cutoffs last session are eligible for action this session.
MONDAY
10:30 AM
Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee (starting 1/19)
1:30 PM
Senate Human Services Committee
1:30 PM
House Education Committee
4:00 PM
Senate Ways and Means Committee
4:00 PM
House Appropriations Committee
TUESDAY
8:00 AM
Senate Early Learning & K12 Education Committee
8:00 AM
House Capital Budget Committee
1:30 PM
Senate Human Services Committee
1:30 PM
House Early Learning & Human Services Committee
1:30 PM
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Development Committee
4:00 PM
House Education Committee
4:00 PM
Senate Ways and Means Committee
WEDNESDAY
8:00AM
Senate Human Services Committee
10:30 AM
Senate Early Learning & K12 Education Committee
1:30 PM
Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee
1:30 PM
House Early Learning & Human Services Committee
1:30 PM
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Development Committee
4:00 PM
House Appropriations Committee
THURSDAY
10:30 AM
Senate Early Learning & K12 Education Committee
8:00 AM
House Education Committee
1:30 PM
House Capital Budget Committee
4:00 PM
Senate Ways and Means Committee
4:00 PM
House Appropriations
FRIDAY
8:00 AM
House Early Learning & Human Services Committee
(Draft) 2026 Legislative Session Cut Off Calendar
Draft cut off dates (must be adopted when session begins)
January 12
2026 Legislative Session Begins
February 4
Policy Committee Cutoff (House of Origin) Except House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees.
February 9
Fiscal Committee Cutoff (House of Origin)
February 17
House of Origin Cutoff. Last day to consider bills in the house of origin (5 p.m.).
February 25
Policy Committee Cutoff - Opposite House. Except House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees.
March 2
Fiscal Committee Cutoff - Opposite House
March 6
Opposite House Cutoff. Until 5 p.m., last day to consider opposite house bills with the exception of budgets
March 12
Sine Die
The WA STEM Advocacy Coalition exists to collect and disseminate information pertaining to statewide education policy. We exist to provide feedback and evidence-based recommendations to the Legislature. Joining our weekly informational sessions to hear updates on our policy and advocacy does not in itself constitute lobbying
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