Bill Descriptions

SB 5048 Eliminating college in the high school fees.

SB 5072 Advancing equity in programs for highly capable students. Improves procedures for referral, screening, assessment, identification, and placement of highly capable students.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

SB 5355 Mandating instruction on sex trafficking prevention and identification for students in grades seven through 12. Beginning no later than the 2024-25 school year, school districts must provide this instruction at least once between grades 7 and 12. The instruction may be a stand-alone course or integrated into other relevant courses, or an existing course may be repurposed to include this instruction. This could be included in the Comprehensive Sexual Health Education program for all students, that LWVWA supported in 2020 and participated in the campaign for Referendum 90 which was approved by the voters of the state.

HB 1044 Providing capital financial assistance to small school districts with demonstrated funding challenges.

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.

HB 1146  Requires public high schools to notify students and their parents about available dual credit programs and any financial assistance available to reduce the cost of these programs

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.

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.

HB 1418 Providing enrichment funding for charter public schools. This would provide local effort assistance (LEA) of $1550 per pupil to charter schools. Under the Local Effort Assistance program, the state provides additional funding to school districts at a disadvantage in raising enrichment levies due to low property values. Districts eligible for LEA, but levy below $1.50 per $1,000 rate, receive  LEA in proportion to their actual levy collection. Unlike school districts, charter school boards do not have the authority to levy taxes. School districts that can't even pass a levy are not eligible for LEA. Therefore, charter schools are not eligible for LEA either.

HB 1238/SB 5339 Providing free school meals for all

HB 1316 Deals with dual credit courses and Running Start

HB 1744 Clarifying the responsibilities and accountability for the effective delivery and oversight of public education services to charter school students. This bill would require each charter school board to ensure that its members and administrative staff receive annual training to support the effective operation and oversight of the charter school, including compliance with requirements governing the employment of properly credentialed instructional staff, and all other state laws governing charter schools.

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.