“That’s what we storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again.” – Walt Disney
Week two of the legislative session began with ceremonies in the House and Senate honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Those moments of reflection felt especially meaningful during a week marked by challenging national news and ongoing concerns about the state budget. They served as a timely reminder of our shared values—and of the importance of continuing to lift up the positive stories of the incredible work happening in our schools every day. I am grateful to Jeff Charbonneau, Principal of Zillah High School, for inspiring members of the AWSP Advocacy Advisory Council to do just that as we prepare to meet with legislators next week for our Day on the Hill.
There is some good news coming from the federal government this week because the House and Senate reached an agreement for FY 26 federal education funding. This is still not signed into law, but it is much better news than we were expecting. Here are more details shared by David Griffiths, Associate Executive Director of Policy and Advocacy from NAESP.
“The agreement includes $20 million increases each for Title I and IDEA– nominal but symbolically important increases for the twin pillars of federal aid to K-12 schools and students.
- Funding for the other main K-12 formula grant programs are maintained at current levels:
- Title I-A local grants: $18.4 billion (+$20 million)
- IDEA state grants: $14.23 billion (+$20 million)
- Title II Professional development state grants: $2.2 billionÂ
- Title III English language acquisition grants: $890 million
- Title IV-A Student support and academic enrichment state grants: $1.4 billion
- Title IV-B Afterschool activities state grants: $1.3 billion”
Discussions in our legislature about the initiative process continued this week. Two initiatives have been filed, one on parental rights and the other blocking trans athletes from girls’ sports. Senator Javier Valdez introduced SB 5973 which would do two things: ban the practice of paying signature-gatherers by the signature, and require initiative sponsors to gather 1,000 signatures before submitting a proposed measure to the state. Expect more about these initiatives over the next few months. Â
New learning for me happened this week regarding tort reform. According to The Washington Observer, “Addressing the financial bomb from lawsuits against the state is proving to be a bipartisan thing…the state’s cost to settle claims, mostly by former foster kids abused, neglected or killed in state care, has tripled since 2020 to $500 million last year.” SB 6239 would, for the first time, require all claims be put through a civil arbitration process, which could be the first or last stop in litigation. School districts are paying attention to this bill.
In House Education, HB 2246 related to student firearm violations was heard but it will not move, according to Chair Santos. Bills also discussed in this committee include HB 2142 which would change “alternative learning” to “remote and hybrid learning”, HB 2360 related to albuterol access in schools, and HB 2369 related to promoting local foods in schools. Yesterday, House Education amended and approved HB 1795 related to restraint and isolation in schools. This bill as amended would prohibit chemical, mechanical, and prone/supine physical restraint, and it would prohibit districts from building or remodeling spaces solely to be used as isolation rooms. The committee also moved HB 1634 which would provide districts with support to coordinate comprehensive student supports across the behavioral health continuum.
In Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education, legislators heard SB 5918 related to increasing MSOC funding, SB 6052 related to digital transcripts, and SB 5859 related to competency-based assessments in graduation pathways. Unfortunately, by the end of the week, we were hearing that increased “funding for MSOC has been pledged elsewhere.” It will be very difficult for districts if additional funding does not come through.
SB 5952 related to PE Waivers passed out of the Senate Education Committee but was amended to say that “If a school district decides to excuse a high school student from participating in physical education, permitted under subsection (2) of this section, and that student transfers school districts, then other school districts must recognize that decision.”
The Senate Higher Education Committee heard SB 5978 related to guaranteed admissions to our public universities. The Senate Ways and Means heard SB 6129 related to increasing the tax on tobacco products which hasn’t been done for 16 years. Some of the money collected would go to prevention efforts, and one of the rationales for raising prices is to discourage youth from purchasing these products.
And two identical bills (HB 2160/SB 5883) related to changing the two-year look-back for SEBB eligibility to a one-year look-back were heard in both the House and Senate fiscal committees. Our contract lobbyist for healthcare and retirement issues, Fred Yancey, weighed in “con” on our behalf as we are concerned, along with our district partners, about the increased costs that would fall to local districts. Fred reports that these bills are being reworked, and a substitute bill is yet to be released. Legislators are awaiting the fiscal note from OSPI, so movement is temporarily stalled.
View a complete list of bills that I’m tracking. The first significant cutoff date is February 4th, when bills must pass out of committees, so this list will be much shorter then.
Bills Heard This 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.
Bills Being Heard Next Week
Monday, 1/26
HB 2440 Addressing records maintained by the office of the education ombuds.
HB 2551 Maintaining the financial solvency of school districts.
HB 2593 Addressing school district accounting, budgeting, and reporting requirements.
Tuesday, 1/27
HB 2594 Ensuring that unhoused children have equal access to free, appropriate public education.
HB 2557 Providing parental access to special education evaluation reports.
HB 2534 Promoting educational stability for children of military families.
SB 6130 Celebrating national voter registration day.
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 6278 Concerning the ongoing review of approved teacher and principal preparation programs.
Wednesday, 1/28
SB 6222 Supporting public school students by improving their access to surplus technology hardware.
SB 6263 Updating school district public bid limits.
SB 6118 Requiring cardiac emergency response plans in schools.
SB 6261 Requiring signed declarations of intent of school enrollment or home-based instruction.
Thursday, 1/29
HB 2007 Expanding opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options.
SB 6192 Concerning instruction and intervention in reading and mathematics.
SB 6206 Establishing a pilot program that incentivizes child care providers to care for children of first responders.
SB 6125 Providing enrollment stabilization funding.
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. 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.
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
