Opposite house fiscal cutoff occurred on April 4th, 2023. If a bill has not passed out of the fiscal committee of the opposite chamber than it originated in (Senate for House bills, House for Senate bills), the bill is considered dead. The only exception are bills deemed to be necessary to implement the budget (NTIB) which is rare.
Legislation updates:
Each of the bills highlighted below are still moving at this point in legislative session!
Bills with impact to WWU:
HB 1030 – Applied Doctorate Degrees
Authorizes the board of trustees of the regional universities to offer applied, but not research, doctorate degrees.
Status: Ready for floor action in the Senate.
SB 5079 – Tuition Establishment Date
Moves up the date by which the Office of Financial Management determines the maximum rate of tuition fee increases to October.
Status: Governor Inslee signed on 3/30/2023!
SB 5593 – Improving Equity in K-12 Data
Builds a process around federal statutes that allow institutions of higher education to access K-12 student data for purposes of informing them of postsecondary educational opportunities.
Status: Passed out of House Appropriations on 4/3/23. Must pass off the House floor before 4/12/23.
HB 1559 – Student Basic Needs
Directs institutions of higher education to establish a Student Basic Needs Task Force to develop a Hunger-Free Campus Strategic Plan, hire benefits navigators, and establish benefits hubs.
Status: Passed out of Senate Ways & Means on 4/3/23. Must pass off the Senate floor before 4/12/2023.
SB 5702 – Students Experiencing Homelessness Pilot
Removes the expiration date for the student’s experiencing homelessness program and expands the program to include a tribal college.
Status: In the House Rules committee, needs to be pulled to the floor and passed before 4/12/2023.
SB 5238 – Student Collective Bargaining
Expanding collective bargaining for employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education.
Status: Passed out of Appropriations on 4/3/2023
Other bills to note:
SB 5711 – Extending eligibility for the Washington College Grant program
Aligns the timeline for Washington College Grant eligibility with federal PELL grant eligibility.
Status: Did not receive a hearing in House Appropriations. Could be NTIB.
Upcoming dates:
- Opposite chamber cutoff is April 12th at 5pm.
- The legislature is scheduled to adjourn Sine Die on April 23rd.