Bill Descriptions

SB 5020 Concerning elementary education starting at six years of age. Would amend the compulsory attendance laws to ensure that every child begins to receive educational instruction beginning by six years of age, instead of eight. It was heard in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on Jan. 11, voted out of committee on Jan.19, and referred to the Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5072 Advancing equity in programs for highly capable students. Improves procedures for referral, screening, assessment, identification, and placement of highly capable students. It was  heard by the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on Jan. 18 and will be voted on in committee on Jan. 25 at 1:30 pm.

SB 5102 Concerning school library information and technology programs. Every board of directors shall provide resources and materials for the operation of a school library information and  technology program ensuring every student in the school district has access to a school library information and technology program. It will be heard in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on Jan. 23 at 1:30 pm.

SB 5174  Providing adequate and predictable student transportation. Would gather additional data and implement a new student transportation formula to address  shortcomings in the existing student transportation formula. It was heard in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on Jan. 12 and will be voted on in committee on Jan. 25 at 1:30 pm.

SB 5257 Ensuring elementary school students receive sufficient daily recess. Recess supports the mental, physical, and emotional health of students and positively impacts their learning and behavior. The amount of time spent on recess varies throughout the state; therefore, youth do not have equitable access to opportunities for physical activity, self-directed play, and time outdoors. It was heard in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on Jan. 18 and will be voted on in committee on Jan. 26 at 1:30 pm.

SB 5311 Concerning special education funding formula. The state pays for special education on a per-student basis, which maxes out when more than 13.5% of a district’s students receive special education services. This cap is an average of the enrollment of disabled kids across the state. Raises the special education percent cap from 13.5 to 15 percent. A substitute bill, which lowers the percent from 15 to 14.5 but raises the excess cost multiplier from 0.995 to 1.1283 over 4 years, was heard in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on Jan. 19  and will be voted on in committee on Jan. 26 at 1:30 pm.

SB 5315 Concerning nonpublic agencies operating special education programs for students with disabilities.  The office of Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish standards for approval, monitoring, and investigating school district contracts with nonpublic agencies operating special education programs for students with disabilities. Standards shall ensure that any student served by a nonpublic agency has the same rights and protections that they would have if served by a school district. It was heard in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on Jan. 19.

HB 1003 Expanding access to dual credit programs. Would subsidize all dual credit costs and fees for students whose family incomes would make them eligible for state financial aid in college. It will be heard in the House Education Committee on Jan. 23 at 1:30 pm, along with HB 1146 and HB 1316 which also deal with dual credit.

HB 1044 Providing capital financial assistance to small school districts with demonstrated funding challenges. It will be heard in the House Capital Budget Committee on Jan. 26 at 1:30 pm.

HB 1109 Providing funding for school districts for special education. Funding for public schools to conduct initial evaluations for special education and to develop individualized education programs for the eligible students  during the summers of 2023, 2024, and 2025. It was heard in the House Education Committee on Jan. 17 and will be voted on in committee on Jan. 26 at 8:00 am.

HB 1207 Preventing and responding to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools. It clarifies and refines existing policies and regulations and requires annual access to these rights. It was heard in the House Education Committee on Jan. 19 and will be voted on in committee on Jan. 26 at 8:00 am.

HB 1210  Concerning the recording of school board meetings. It would require that all regular and special meetings of school district boards of directors at which a final action is taken or formal public testimony is accepted shall be audio recorded and such recordings shall be maintained for a period of not less than five years. It was heard in the House State Government Committee on Jan. 17 and will be voted on in committee on Jan. 25 at 1:30 pm.

HB 1228 A multilingual, multiliterate Washington through dual and tribal language education. This is an equity issue for our students and will be heard in the House Education Committee on Jan. 24 at 4:00 pm.

How To Be Involved

• Local Leagues in Washington have action chairs who coordinate action teams. Some local Leagues have education teams to take action locally. Contact your local League action chair to find out and join.
• You may also express your opinion on legislation with the LWVWA issue chairs. We will take your perspectives under considerations as we determine our support for legislation and prepare testimony. Catherine Ahl, Education Issue Chair, cahl@lwvwa.org or call (360) 697-7924.