“Stories constitute the single most powerful weapon in a leader’s arsenal.” – Dr. Howard Gardner
This year’s legislative session began at full speed, with committee and budget hearings on Monday and Governor Ferguson’s first State of the State address on Tuesday. In his remarks, the Governor shared what his twins plan to do after graduating this spring: his daughter will head to the Midwest to attend college and play softball, while his son is still deciding where to study history.
That reflection led him to a broader theme. “It seems to me that history works in different ways,” he said. “And historic events for a state come in two forms: historical events that happen to us, and the history that we create.” He pointed to the extraordinary response across Washington after devastating floods this winter, then turned to the work ahead in this legislative session. As a history major, his words resonated with me. In a world full of uncertainty, we are not just witnessing events—we are responding to them and writing history in real time.
The defining challenge of this session is a projected $2 billion budget shortfall. Addressing it “is arguably the most important and difficult task that he and lawmakers face in the 60-day session,” writes Jerry Cornfield of the Washington State Standard. Governor Ferguson supports a wealth tax on individuals earning more than $1 million and believes some of that revenue should be returned to Washingtonians through the Working Families Tax Credit and increased K–12 funding. Even if such a tax passes, however, the funds likely would not be available until 2029 due to anticipated court challenges and required elections.
Claire Withycombe from The Seattle Times, writes “The state’s budget deficit also means that any education policy that costs the state money will face an uphill battle this year.” Ferguson has already proposed cutting about 1,800 slots in the Transition to Kindergarten program, funding for Running Start, increases for levy equalization, and funding for our Next Level Leaders program.
I weighed in “con” on the Governor’s proposed supplemental budget SB 5998/HB 2289 alongside WASA, WASBO, and WSSDA. My comments centered around the need for the budget to address MSOC funding so that districts did not have to cut positions like assistant principals, as well as the need to hold firm on reductions to programs that support school leadership.
About 15 different education bills were heard in committees this week. I weighed in support of a much narrower HB 1795 which would prohibit chemical, mechanical, and prone/supine physical restraint. I also weighed in support of SB 5574 which would require, as OSPI updates Social Studies standards and districts update their Social Studies curriculum, the inclusion of instruction about Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black American, and Latino American history. I was not as supportive of SB 5841 which would require students to complete the FAFSA/WASFA (or have a parent sign a waiver), and SB 5952 which would create one standard process across the state for waiving PE.
Below is a list of the bills heard this week and a look ahead at the bills being heard next week. Here is a link to my complete bill tracking list. It’s now 13 pages long, up from five pages last week. Sheesh. Legislators seem quite busy writing bills, but the budget reality means that not many will actually pass.
Bills Heard This Week
The House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee each heard the supplemental budget bills SB 5998/HB 2289 (as written by Governor Ferguson and his staff). The education committees heard the following policy bills.
Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education:
SB 5841 Concerning the completion of postsecondary financial aid applications.
SB 5922 Authorizing transportation vehicle fund transfers.
SB 5858 Providing pupil transportation safety net funding for special passengers.
SB 5943 Concerning the use of school impact fees.
SB 5901 Providing school construction assistance program facilities support for on-base schools.
SB 5860 Concerning school board compensation.
SB 5956 Addressing artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools.
SB 5574 Providing instruction on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black American, and Latino American history in public schools.
SB 5952 Standardizing the process for waiving physical education requirements for high school students.
SB 5969 Fulfilling high school and beyond plan requirements with individualized education program transition plans.
House Education:
HB 1795 Addressing restraint or isolation of students in public schools.
HB 1634 Providing school districts and public schools with assistance to coordinate comprehensive behavioral health supports for students.
HB 1662 Removing the requirement for certain education agencies to reside in OSPI for administrative purposes.
HB 1683 Adjusting school director districts.
Bills Being Heard Next Week
Monday, 1/19
SB 5978 Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications.
SB 5963 Modifying funding for the passport to career program and eligibility for the Washington college grant
HB 2246 Updating policies for elementary and secondary students with firearm violations
HB 2360 Expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools
SB 5872 Establishing the preK promise account
Tuesday 1/20
SB 6052 Establishing a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment.
SB 6051 Providing flexibility to school districts by authorizing school district waivers.
HB 2439 Enhancing public health by modifying cigarette, vapor product, and tobacco product policy.
HB 2429 Supporting children and youth behavioral health
SB 5883 Eligibility for membership in SEBB during the second year of employment
HB 2142 Replacing statutory references to ALE with remote and hybrid learning
HB 2369 Promoting use of local foods in public schools
HB 2439 Enhancing public health by modifying cigarette, vapor product, and tobacco product policy.
Wednesday 1/21
SB 5918 Providing funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs.
SB 5951 Expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools.
SB 5992 Creating the youth development fund account to increase access to positive youth development programs.
SB 6042 Requiring the creation and maintenance of school maps in safe school plans.
HB 2159 Establishing the preK promise account.
Thursday 1/22
SB 6089 Increasing coordination and alignment throughout the P20W system.
SB 5859 Expanding opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options.
SB 5861 Encouraging community representation in education.
SB 6065 Concerning school district transportation vehicle funds.
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.
Day on the Hill
Many of our Advocacy Advisory Council and AWSP Board Members are planning a visit to Olympia on January 26, 2026, for our annual “Day on the Hill.” They will be meeting with their own legislators and perhaps attending some committee hearings. You can get involved by scheduling a virtual meeting with your own legislators that week.
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
