Hello! Today is day 31 of the 105-day 2023 legislative session. We are 9 days away from policy cutoff and tracking many bills closely.
Legislation Updates:
1030 – Applied Doctorates
- At the request of the regional universities, allows blanket authority for applied doctorate programs.
Status: Unanimously passed the House! Waiting on Senate hearing.
5079 – Tuition timelines
- At the request of the public four-year sector, aims to provide financial aid packaging sooner.
Status: Waiting on floor vote in the Senate.
5593 – K-12 Student Data
- Builds a process for public four-year institutions to receive public K-12 data for the purpose of admissions and financial aid awareness.
Status: Scheduled to be voted out of the K-12 committee on Thursday, 2/9.
1559 – Student Postsecondary Basic Needs Act
- Studies needs around the state and allows institutions to make recommendations for further action.
Status: Possible executive session scheduled for Friday, 2/10.
1156 – WCG Eligibility Expansion
- Aligns WCG with federal PELL grant timelines, allowing students to utilize the grant for 6 years instead of 5.
Status: Not yet scheduled for executive session in Appropriations.
5703 – Bridge grants
- Continues bridge grant funding for recipients of the Washington College Grant.
Status: Public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, 2/8.
1399 – Native American Opportunity Scholarship
- Provides for a new scholarship for native students.
Status: Passed out of committee, currently in Rules.
Key Dates:
Feb 17 – Policy cutoff
Feb 24 – Fiscal cutoff
March 8 – House of origin cutoff
Late March – Budget proposals
Budget news:
- Operating budget likely tighter than the last few years and the Capital budget is constrained by needed investments in a new behavioral health hospital, we are working to keep up momentum and secure investments from the Governor’s budget.