““No one ever made a decision because of a number. They need a story.” – Daniel Kahneman , Psychologist, Behavioral Economist, and Author
Week four of this year’s legislative session centered on the first significant policy cut-off date, but all eyes remain focused on the state budget. While I missed the free baked potatoes (and all the fixins’ courtesy of the Washington State Potato Commission ) on Monday’s annual “Potato Day”, I spent the day with nearly 30 principals and assistant principals for Stage 2, Day 4 of our Danielson Framework training, which was great. I can make a baked potato bar for the Super Bowl!
Wednesday marked the session’s first major cut-off, when policy bills had to advance out of committee to remain alive. Attention now shifts to the fiscal committees—House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means—which have until Monday, February 9, to act on bills with fiscal impacts. As of this writing, relatively few education bills have been scheduled, and the Senate has even canceled its Saturday Ways and Means meeting. Given the ongoing budget challenges, these signals suggest that many policy bills may not survive this next phase. In the midst of these discussions, it is essential to keep telling the stories that show how budget decisions affect students and schools. Basic education remains underfunded in Washington State, and legislators need to hear directly about the impacts.
This week, Democrats introduced a proposal to levy an income tax on individuals earning more than $1 million annually, with estimates projecting roughly $3.5 billion in annual revenue. Coverage in The Seattle Times and The Washington State Standard provides additional context. Governor Ferguson has expressed support for the concept but not the current details, noting a desire to see more direct benefits flow to lower-income residents. Even if the bill passes—as many expect—it would not generate revenue until April 2029, meaning it would do little to address the immediate budget shortfall.
On Thursday, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal held a press conference calling for $1.6 billion of the proposed revenue to be directed toward education, alongside $1.4 billion in property tax reductions. OSPI has shared a one-pager outlining Reykdal’s “Middle Class Prosperity Proposal,” and the full press conference is also available for viewing.
Several education-related bills continue to move forward. HB 2257 passed out of the House Finance Committee and would exempt before- and after-school care operated by elementary schools—as well as nonprofit presentations—from sales tax. It would also create service tax exemptions for K–12 schools and ESDs. SB 6260 advanced to the Senate Ways and Means Committee and proposes several budget adjustments included in Governor Ferguson’s supplemental operating budget, including reducing Running Start funding from 1.4 to 1.2 FTE, modifying the bus depreciation schedule, and funding School Links (the statewide HSBP platform) through MSOC dollars.
Another notable bill, SB 5346—An act relating to improving student outcomes by restricting mobile device use by public school students —passed out of the Senate Early Learning and K–12 Committee. The bill would expand the definition of digital citizenship to include student use of mobile devices, direct OSPI to recommend best practices for responsible use, and require two reports summarizing district policies that limit student mobile device use. An intent section sets the goal of enabling every school district to implement a community-tailored, bell-to-bell cell phone policy by 2030.
SB 5849 , which would make financial education a graduation requirement, was heard in the Senate Early Learning and K–12 Committee on Wednesday but did not receive executive action. I testified as “other,” emphasizing that principals support financial literacy instruction while noting that this content is already being addressed through revisions to math standards and the State Board of Education’s Future Ready Initiative, which is taking a comprehensive look at graduation requirements.
While several education bills remain in play, many must still clear a fiscal committee to stay alive. Here is my current tracking list—shorter than last week’s and likely to shrink further after Monday’s fiscal cut-off.
Bills Being Heard Next Week
Only one bill (as of this writing) will be heard in committee next week. Both the House and the Senate will be on the floor all week as they work to pass bills out of each chamber. Representative Santos is getting a jump start on hearing a bill that has already passed the Senate in her House Education Committee.
Thursday, 2/11
House Education
​​​​​​​SSB 5240 Concerning anaphylaxis medications in schools.
Bills Heard or Voted Upon in Executive Session This Week
House Education
HB 1295 Using evidence-based instructional practices in reading and writing literacy for public elementary students.
HB 2007 Expanding opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options.
HB 2360 Expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools.
HB 2369 Promoting the use of local foods in public schools.
HB 2432 Supporting public school students by improving their access to surplus technology hardware.
HB 2440 Addressing records maintained by the office of the education ombuds.
HB 2534 Promoting educational stability for children of military families.
HB 2557 Providing parental access to special education evaluation reports.
HB 2262 Concerning civics education for public school students through instruction and information about the production and use of official signatures.
HB 2551 Maintaining the financial solvency of school districts.
HB 2593 Addressing school district accounting, budgeting, and reporting requirements.
HB 2594 Ensuring that unhoused children and youths in Washington have equal access to free, appropriate public education.
HB 2636 Requiring reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state’s public education system.
Senate Education:
SB 6277 Promoting educational stability for children of military families.
SB 6052 Establishing a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment.
SB 5992 Creating the youth development fund account to increase access to positive youth development programs.
SB 6078 Providing prelicensing supports to individuals interested in becoming a licensed child care provider.
SB 6089 Increasing coordination and alignment throughout the P20W system.
SB 5918 Providing funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs.
SB 5861 Encouraging community representation in education.
SB 6065 Concerning school district transportation vehicle funds.
SB 5849 Making financial education a graduation requirement in Washington state.
SB 6130 Celebrating national voter registration day.
SB 6278 Concerning the ongoing review of approved teacher and principal preparation programs.
SB 6247 Concerning school district financial management.
SB 6260 Implementing efficiencies and programming changes in public education.
SB 6268 Maintaining an online record of special education complaint decisions.
SB 6263 Updating school district public bid limits.
AWSP and WSPEF Legislative Priorities
The AWSP and WSPEF Legislative Priorities document was developed over the past several months through conversations with members, partners, and stakeholders, as well as participation in multiple workgroups. This year, for the first time, we intentionally named the “bookends” of leadership by placing both AWSP and the Washington School Principals’ Education Foundation (WSPEF) at the top of the document—anchored by students at the center of everything we do.
Elevating Student Voice
We are working with students from the Association of Washington Student Leaders’ Student Voice Network to host an Educational Advocacy Summit on February 20–21, 2026. This event will include both in-person and virtual participation, with approximately 40-50 students attending in Olympia. Students will learn more about state government, tour the Capitol, meet with legislators, and participate in a mock bill competition—bringing authentic student voice directly into the legislative process. Learn more.
Your Voice
Our job is to keep telling our stories about what our students and educators need to create successful learning environments. There are many ways to have your voice heard. Check out the “Important Links” below to find out how to contact your own legislators. They care very much about hearing directly from their constituents. When we weigh in as an association, it is helpful and important, but having many of you reach out directly with a short email to legislators can be much more powerful. Find your legislator and email them here if you have any thoughts to share.
Action Alert
Our first Action Alert of the session is live and it’s related to SB 5918, increasing funding for MSOC. It’s still important to keep messaging to legislators that basic education is being underfunded and that supporting increased MSOC funding is one clear need for all districts. Click here to find it and scroll down to the “Take Action” button. You’ll enter your mailing address and then see your Senator, two Representatives, and a message that will be sent to them. Feel free to edit this message if you’d like.
Get Involved
Many thanks for all that you do for students and staff. If you have questions or comments or want to get involved, please reach out to me.
Thank you so much!
Roz Thompson, Government Relations and Advocacy Director, AWSP
Retirement & Health Benefits
Retirement & Health Benefits Update for Feb. 6, 2026
Fred Yancey, The Nexus Group
The legislature continues to work their magic. The good news is that a number of education bills did not make it beyond the first policy cutoff. Monday, Feb. 9 is the fiscal cutoff for bills dealing with dollars. Then it becomes a race for the bills in each chamber to clear and be sent to the other body by Feb. 17. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, work will begin in earnest crafting the supplemental budget. Read more from Fred.
