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
- What to expect next week: February 4th is Policy Committee Cutoff and February 9th is Fiscal Committee Cutoff. The legislature requires a five-day public notice on all bills scheduled for a public hearing. This rule can be waived if there are no objections from committee members, so we may see some additional bills added to committee hearings to ensure they make it through committee cutoffs.
- Budgets: House and Senate budget teams are still developing budget proposals. The Senate Ways & Means Committee is scheduled to meet Saturday, February 7th. The House is not scheduled at this time but committee schedules could change so keep an eye on committee schedule notifications.
Bill Alerts & 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.
SB 5500: Defining the cost of quality child care for the biennial survey.
2025 title: Modernizing reimbursement rates for the working connections child care program.
- Passed from the Senate floor with a striking amendment and will go to the House. Bill primarily provides a definition of “cost of quality child care” based on previous work by the Early Educator Design Team and DCYF.
- Introduced in 2025 and retained in the present status.Codifies the “Cost of Quality Care Rate Model,” co-created with child care providers, other advocates and the Department of Children, Youth and Families. The bill is designed to be cost neutral.
Note: Looking for more across early learning? We highly recommend you sign up for Start Early WA’s Notes From Olympia. Start Early WA provides excellent weekly updates (and some fun legislative trivia) Updates are also available on their website here.
SB 6260/ HB 2676: Implementing efficiencies and programming changes in public education.
- House companion bill HB 2676 has been introduced and referred to House Appropriations. Not yet scheduled for a hearing.
- Scheduled for Executive Session in the Senate Early Learning & K12 Committee on
- Follow the Executive Session materials here.
- 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 an retain 1.9% of funding from districts for HSBP licenses.
- The bill had a public hearing on Tuesday (1/27) You can watch the hearing here.
SB 5872/ HB 2159: Establishing the preK promise account
- SB 5872 is scheduled for Executive Session in Senate Ways and Means on Tuesday (2/3 ). Committee materials here.
- HB 2159 Exec’d out of the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday (1/29)
- Hearing held in the House Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees. Watch the Ways and Means hearing here.
- Amendment offered: “Clarifies that the expenditures from the PreK Promise Account may be used to support any children enrolled in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.”
- Public hearings held last week. Testimony led by the Ballmer Group, Governor’s office, WSA, and DCYF.
SB 6089: Increasing coordination and alignment throughout the P20W system.
- Scheduled for Executive Session on Tuesday (2/3) Committee materials can be found here. No amendments available.
- 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.
SB 6052/HB 2570:Establishing a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment.
- SB 6052 Scheduled for Executive Session on Tuesday (2/3) Committee materials can be found here. No amendments available.
- Scheduled for Public Hearing on Monday 1/19 in Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development at 10:30AM 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.
- There is a question about how SB 5978 and the SB 6052 around digital transcripts are aligned or duplicating efforts.
SB 5978: Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications
- Executive action taken in the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee on Thursday (1/29). A proposed substitute was offered and adopted. The substitute:
- Beginning with the 2027-28 academic year, participating institutions shall determine eligibility criteria annually and notify OSPI of the criteria to enable clear data sharing protocols.
- Beginning with the 2027-28 academic year, each school district or other institutional education provider, who is a member of WSIPC, shall use the statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment developed and maintained by WSIPC to facilitate secure transfer of transcript data.
- By July 1, 2027, OSPI shall work with WSIPC to develop a process for non-WSIPC members to transfer transcript data without cost and without becoming a member of WSIPC. • Beginning with the 2028-29 school year, WSIPC must work with participating institutions to facilitate data transfer.
- Requires school districts, and others, to allow a student or family to opt out of data-sharing.
- Removes certain requirements on agency collaboration.
- Removes certain notice requirements.
- Exec’d out of committee.
- 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).
SB 5931/HB 2311: Concerning workforce education investment accountability and oversight board administrative changes.
- HB 2311: passed from House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee on Wednesday (1/27) Watch the hearing here.
- SB 5931 passed from committee and has been referred to Rules Committee for second reading.
- 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.
SB 5828/ HB 2567:Concerning the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship program for students attending private four-year not-for-profit institutions of higher education in Washington.
- HB 2567 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce on Wednesday (2/4) at 1:30pm.
- SB 5828 has been referred to the Ways and Means committee.
SB 5841: Concerning the completion of postsecondary financial aid applications.
- Amendments offered in committee and were adopted on Thursday (1/29)
- Removes the requirement that students complete a state or federal financial aid application as an element of their high school and beyond plan.
- Directs that the universal high school and beyond plan platform must import financial aid application data maintained by the Washington student achievement council to provide an easy way for authorized persons to view the student's progress on financial aid applications.
SB 6209 - Concerning financial aid awards for students attending private four-year institutions of higher education.
- Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development
- Amendment offered:
- Allows two-year for-profit institutions of higher education to participate in the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship if a gainful employment standard is met; and
- Establishes that the maximum award amounts for WCG and CBS eligible students attending two-year for-profit institutions is 50% of the maximum award for students attending public two-year institutions.
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 (2/2)\
House Appropriations
Concerning child care rate regions
Take action here.
Monday (2/2)
H Appropriations
Concerning applications for state financial aid
Take action here.
Monday (2/2)
S Ways & Means
Reducing duplication between high school and beyond plans and individualized education program transition plans
Take action here.
Wednesday (2/4)
H Appropriations
Concerning the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship program for students attending private four-year not-for-profit institutions of higher education in Washington
Take action here.
Executive Session
Monday (2/2)
Expanding opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options
Executive Session
Monday (2/2)
Using evidence-based instructional practices in reading and writing literacy for public elementary students
Executive Session
Tuesday (2/3)
Requiring reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state’s public education system
Executive Session
Tuesday (2/3)
Modifying funding for the passport to careers program and eligibility for the Washington college grant
Executive Session
Tuesday (2/3)
Establishing a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment
Executive Session
Tuesday (2/3)
Expanding access to the Washington college grant to students enrolled in eligible postsecondary nondegree credential programs
Executive Session
Tuesday (2/3)
Establishing the preK promise account
Executive Session
Tuesday (2/3)
Providing funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs
Executive Session
Tuesday (2/3)
Increasing coordination and alignment throughout the P20W system
Executive Session
Wednesday (2/4)
Implementing efficiencies and programming changes in public education
Executive Session
Committee Calendar
Standing committee calendars of relevant education and fiscal committees. Find all legislative committees here
Week of Feb 2-Feb 6 Highlights
- 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 the 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
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