Session reaches its second cutoff deadline today when bills with a fiscal impact must be out of those committees to continue in the legislative process. For the community and technical college system, the Senate this morning unanimously passed the bill that would allow community and technical colleges to adopt a waiver for part or all of tuition and fees for elders over the age of 55 who are members of Washington’s 29 federally-recognized Tribes.
In committee action, extending the business and occupation tax credit for the Customized Training Program passed the Senate Ways and Means Committee yesterday. Scheduled for votes at this afternoon's hearing are bills on supporting high school students as they apply for financial aid and education past high school, adding a student member to college boards of trustees, and the State Board-requested bill that would expand eligibility for the College Bound Scholarship.
Gov. Bob Ferguson at a press conference Thursday outlined his proposal to save $4 billion in the state budget on top of Gov. Jay Inslee's budget proposal released in December. The two proposals would save a total of $7 billion to help close the state's projected budget gap of $15 billion over the next four years. For the community and technical college system, Ferguson's proposal would eliminate funding for the Center of Excellence for Hospitality. He said he would honor negotiated collective bargaining agreements, although he would ask state workers to take a total of one furlough day for each month of the biennium — 24 in total.
Sen. June Robinson, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, released a statement during Ferguson's' press conference, saying the Legislature's job is to take a balanced approach.
"We appreciate the work the governor and state agencies have done to reach this point. Like them, we recognize that budget reductions are necessary and will carefully consider all the options that have been identified. But we have also reached the conclusion that reductions alone will not allow us to sustain the services Washingtonians rely on. People expect a government that remains functional and responsive, especially in times of federal instability," she said in the statement.
Bill Status Roundup
The bills listed below have been featured in this year's Legislative News and are still in play following last week's policy committee cutoff deadline. This bill status is as of 12 p.m. Friday.
| Bill number | Bill title | Bill status |
|---|---|---|
| HB 1197/SB 5166 | Making 2023-2025 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations | Jan. 13: Public hearing in House Appropriations Committee |
| HB 1198/SB 5167 | Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium operating appropriations | Jan. 13: Public hearing in House Appropriations Committee |
| HB 1136 | Providing student navigational supports to increase postsecondary enrollment | Jan. 31: Referred to House Appropriations Committee |
| HB 1216/SB 5195 | Concerning the capital budget | Jan. 16: Public hearing in House Capital Budget Committee |
| HB 1486 | Adding a student member to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges | Feb. 21: Referred to Rules 2 Review |
| HB 1554/SB 5543* | Providing equity in eligibility for the college bound scholarship | Feb. 13: Referred to House Appropriations Committee |
| HB 1556/SB 5542* | Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges | Feb. 13: Referred to Rules 2 Review |
| HB 1565 | Continuing the Washington dual enrollment scholarship | Feb. 19: Public hearing in House Appropriations committee |
| HB 1572 | Modifying higher education accreditation standards | Feb. 21: Referred to Rules 2 Review |
| SB 5007 | Supporting students who are chronically absent and at risk for not graduating high school |
Feb 24: Public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee Feb 27: Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| SB 5110* |
Providing tuition waivers for tribal elders at Washington’s community and technical colleges |
Feb 28: Passed Senate 48-0 |
| SB 5164 | Providing student navigational supports to increase postsecondary enrollment |
Feb. 17: Public hearing in Senate Ways and Means Committee Feb 28: Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| SB 5166/HB 1197 | Making 2023-2025 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations | Jan. 14: Public hearing in Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| SB 5167/HB 1198 | Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium operating appropriations | Jan. 14: Public hearing in Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| SB 5195/HB 1216 | Concerning the capital budget | Jan. 13: Public hearing in Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| SB 5355 | Improving safety at institutions of higher education while supporting student survivors of sexual assault |
Feb. 24: Public hearing in Senate Ways and Means Committee Feb 28: Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| SB 5402 | Modifying financial aid eligibility | Feb. 7: Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| SB 5523 | Concerning the role of students on the governing boards of institutions of higher education |
Feb 24: Public hearing in Senate Ways and Means Committee Feb 28: Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| SB 5542/HB 1556* | Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges | Feb. 11: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading |
| SB 5543/HB 1554* | Providing equity in eligibility for the college bound scholarship |
Feb. 17: Public hearing in Senate Ways and Means Committee Feb 28: Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| SB 5663 | Concerning entirely online course offerings at community and technical colleges |
Feb. 18: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading |
| SB 5682 | Concerning the Washington customized employment training program | Feb 27: Passed Senate Ways and Means Committee |
*Bills by request of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Trustees confirmed by Senate
The Senate this week confirmed Tasnim Tayiba as the student trustee to the Edmonds College Board of Trustees.
Coming up next week
Representatives and senators head to the floor next week to debate and vote on bills coming from policy and fiscal committees. Bills passing their originating chamber will then head to the opposite chamber to start the hearing process.
