The 2025 Washington State legislative session began on January 13th, this 105-day session is scheduled to run through April 27th, 2025. In the past two weeks, Western has weighed in on the Governor’s budget proposals and is closely tracking various legislative proposals.
With a projected budget deficit, lawmakers are weighing a variety of decisions from potential cuts in state spending to proposals to increase revenues. Higher education spending is discretionary and historically, Western and other public higher education institutions have been at risk of budget cuts in difficult budget years. House and Senate budget proposals will become public in late March – stay tuned!
Higher education policy bills:
SB 5308 / HB 1557 – Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP)
- This proposal expands the current WAGAP program to ensure K-12 students across Washington who meet certain criteria are notified of their guaranteed admission into public universities in Washington.
HB 1136 / SB 5164 – Postsecondary Navigators
- This bill expands the reach of existing postsecondary navigators who assist students with transitions between K-12 and higher education. The House and Senate bills vary slightly in scope of program expansion.
SB 5275 – Passport to Careers
- If passed, SB 5275 would make the Passport to Careers scholarship an entitlement. Western serves a large percentage of the students who utilize this scholarship at four-year universities.
SB 5355 – Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault
- This bill bolsters support services for students who have experienced sexual assault or other intimate partner violence.
HB 1568 / SB 5402 – Washington College Grant eligibility
- Changes eligibility for full Washington College Grant awards from 55% of the median family income to 70% of the median family income providing greater access to the grant for low-income students. This bill would codify a higher eligibility threshold than currently exists and codify $500 bridge grants to students who are eligible for full awards and who are not part of the college bound program.
Upcoming cutoffs:
- Policy cutoff – Friday, February 21st
- Fiscal cutoff – Friday, February 28th
- House of Origin cutoff – Wednesday, March 12th