By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org 
Parents and students will descend on Olympia today to meet with their state legislators during the annual Washington State PTA Focus Day. Members also will hear from Senators and Representatives over the lunch hour and will participate in a march around the capitol grounds in support of closing K12 funding gaps.
If you weren’t able to travel to the State Capitol, you are still encouraged to meet with your legislators – either back in district for a town hall or coffee – or to arrange a virtual meeting. Legislators welcome connecting with constituents, and virtual meetings are a great way to share your thoughts with your House and Senate members.
In addition, remember that next week is Focus on Advocacy Week, when WSPTA members will have the opportunity to send a tailored email about Top 5 priorities and current issues each day, beginning Monday, January 26th. An Action Alert will arrive in your email box, and it will only take a few minutes to fill it out and hit “send.” Numbers matter, and it’s important that WSPTA members bring parent and student voice to policy and budget deliberations this session. Subscribe here.
_________________________________________
Click here for Marie’s comprehensive bill tracker and details report for Week 2 of the 2026 Legislative Session.
_________________________________________
Governor Ferguson delivers first State of the State
Governor Bob Ferguson offered his first State of the State address on Tuesday, January 13th. In his speech to a joint session of the House and Senate, he acknowledged the challenges facing the state, but declared his optimism based on Washington’s history and the heart and spirit of Washingtonians.
Governor Ferguson called for bold action during the 60-day session on investing in infrastructure, making Washington’s tax system more fair and continuing progress on addressing the housing crisis.
He also acknowledged external challenges creating division and costs to Washington: the exodus of scientific experts and shifting policy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deployed in American cities. He cited multiple bipartisan proposals before the Legislature that have his support, including a bill that prohibits law enforcement from wearing masks and requires identifying information to be clearly displayed on their uniform.
Ferguson also underscored his support for a millionaires’ tax and his intention to put a significant percentage of the revenue back in the pockets of Washingtonians.
A transcript of the full speech can be found here. You can watch the address here.
What’s happening with WSPTA’s Top 5 Priorities?
Closing the Funding Gaps
As mentioned in last week’s session preview, bills to increase the level of funding for Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOC) and a “Special Passengers” transportation safety net have been introduced.
Members of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee heard positive support for SB 5858, which would restore the $13 million a year grant program that supported excess transportation costs for students who are homeless, students in the foster care system, and students with disabilities. WSPTA Advocacy Director Megan Larkin testified in favor, stressing that the grant program was necessary to help highly mobile students maintain connections with their schools, teachers, and friends.
This week, the Senate education committee will hold a public hearing on SB 5918, a bill that would fund MSOC at $100 per student or $100,000, whichever is greater. The bill was introduced at the request of OSPI – thanks Superintendent Chris Reykdal! WSPTA President Tori Emerson and Advocacy Committee member Malorie Larson of Shoreline will be testifying in support.
TAKE ACTION: You can show your support for SB 5918 by signing in Pro by 9:30 AM on Wednesday, January 21. In the field that reads “Organization” please write “Parent Advocate.” And remember, city and zip code are required, but you can leave your street address blank. Don’t wait – do it today! Need more information? Click here to learn more.
Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
After a lackluster session last year on improving funding for student mental health, WSPTA is hoping for more action on bills this year. Last week the House Education Committee held a work session on the topic and heard the benefits of a proposed substitute to HB 1634. The new draft would direct OSPI and the nine Educational Service Districts to collaborate and coordinate with behavioral health agencies and community partners to develop and implement a technical assistance and training framework to provide school districts and public schools with assistance in supporting student behavioral health. The framework would be posted to each ESD and OSPI’s web sites by August 1, 2027. The bill is scheduled for a vote on Thursday, January 22nd.
Additional bills have been introduced, including HB 2429 which extends the good work of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and directs the governor to name an Executive Coordination Officer to facilitate coordination among various state agencies charged with the state’s system of care for children and youth.
Supporting Funding, Inclusion and Supports in Special Education
Last session the Legislature made some significant policy changes to improve funding for students with disabilities. But we aren’t done yet. It’s unlikely that new funding will be added this session, but pilot programs to improve inclusion in general education classrooms and reduce the use of isolation and restraint are showing positive results. The goal this year would be to maintain and, if possible, expand the pilot programs so more districts can participate.
HB 1795, addressing restraint and isolation of students in public schools and educational programs, had a public hearing last week in the House Education Committee and is scheduled for a vote on January 22nd at 8 AM. WSPTA testified in favor of the proposed substitute bill.
Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
On Wednesday, January 21st, the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee will hear HB 2320, regulating undetectable and untraceable firearms and firearms components through 3D printing and computer numerical control. The bill was introduced by Redmond Democrat Rep. Osman Salahuddin, and the hearing next week is expected to draw a lot of attention. Need more information? Click here to learn more. before you sign in Pro on HB 2320 by 7am on Wednesday January 21.
TAKE ACTION: WSPTA will be signing in Pro, and you are asked to sign in as Pro too. It will take less than two minutes. Use this link to register your support – no later than 7 AM Wednesday, January 21st.
Companion bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to regulate AI companion chatbots. Some of the most devasting stories hitting the news have been about children and youth who believe these chatbots are real, which can lead to real harm. HB 2225 and SB 5984 have been introduced at the request of Governor Ferguson and are grounded in recommendations from the AI Task Force convened in 2024.
Last week the House Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee heard testimony on HB 2225, including five ways to strengthen the bill offered by WSPTA Advocacy Committee member Danica Noble. SB 5984 will be heard in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee on Tuesday, January 20th at 1:30 PM.
Other bills we’re watching
The Senate Law & Justice Committee will hear a proposed substitute to SB 5906, introduced by Senator Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island. While not publicly available at the time of this report, the bill would expressly prohibit early learning facilities and public schools from allowing federal ICE agents into nonpublic areas for the purpose of immigration enforcement without a valid warrant, subpoena or court order. The hearing is at 8 AM, Tuesday, January 20th; WSPTA will testify in favor.
Rep. Shaun Scott, D-Seattle, has introduced HB 2100, enacting an excise tax on large operating companies (those that gross $7 million a year) on the amount of payroll expenses above $125,000 of the additional Medicare tax. The new revenue would be used to fund services to benefit Washingtonians and establish the Well Washington fund account. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing January 22 at 1:30 PM in the House Finance Committee.
According to information provided by Rep. Scott, the state’s budget office has already identified health care, higher education and cash assistance programs (like SNAP, a federal food assistance program) as those most at risk of huge financial cuts due to the passage of H.R. 1 in July 2025. WSPTA is reviewing the bill for alignment with the “also supported” position adopted last October at the Legislative Assembly to provide temporary backfilling for federal social safety net programs.
Finally, two bills would seek to address the levy and Local Effort Assistance (LEA) challenges created after the 2017 “McCleary fix.”
- HB 2116 gradually increases levies and LEA to reach a maximum per pupil limit of $5,035 in calendar year (CY) 2032. The bill has been introduced by Renton Democrat Steve Bergquist as a way to keep the Legislature’s promise from 2025 to put LEA increases in statute and achieve a space where enrichment funding doesn’t depend on where a student attends school. (See bill explanation).
- HB 2562 is designed to improve the amount of LEA school districts receive and would set a new funding level of $3,838.26 per student for calendar years 2027 through 2030, plus inflation and inflation enhancements. Beginning in CY 2031, the bill would cause LEA to increase to $5,035, which would then be increased for inflation beginning in CY 2032. The bill was introduced by Kristine Reeves, D-Federal Way.
As a reminder, LEA – or levy equalization – doesn’t just apply to school districts in rural parts of the state or to small schools. LEA has been a long-standing state policy used to create fairness in school funding across the state by providing state dollars to districts with low property values. Some districts have far more valuable property (e.g., commercial activity) than others, which means the same local tax rate generates vastly different revenue. In other words, in one district it may take 34 cents per $1,000 assessed value to generate $100,000 and $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value to generate $100,000 in another district. Without LEA, enrichment opportunities – for example athletics, the arts, additional programming or staff not funded by the state – will vary even more widely by zip code.
A bill is needed this session to codify the increases to LEA going forward. The $150 per student and proposed $250 per student increases to LEA were included in the 2025-27 omnibus operating budget, but do not continue into the 2027-29 operating budget. If the Legislature fails to act on an extension, the increases would subside and districts would receive less LEA in CY 2028.
Advocacy in Action
Washington State PTA President Tori Emerson testified against cuts to K-12 education as proposed by Governor Bob Ferguson in his 2026 supplemental operating budget. Specifically, Tori asked the legislature to invest in Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs this session, and to reject the proposed cuts to Transition to Kindergarten and Local Effort Assistance (LEA) and to extending the bus depreciation cycle.
- Listen to Tori’s testimony to the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, January 12, here.
- Listen to Tori’s testimony to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Tuesday, January 13, here
Also representing WSPTA on Monday, Michelle Harris, a parent in the 32nd legislative district, spoke in favor of the proposed substitute for HB 1795, limiting isolation and restraint of students. Michelle was one of the last speakers to share testimony with the House Education Committee, citing statistics about the harmful effects of isolation and restraint on students and the benefits described in the bill. Her testimony can be listened to here.
WSPTA’s Advocacy Director Megan Larkin testified Tuesday, January 14 in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee in strong support of SB 5858. The bill would restore Transportation Safety Net grant program that was eliminated in the 2025-27 operating budget last year. The small but critical grant program helped districts with unfunded transportation for students who are homeless, students in the foster care system, and students with disabilities.
Also on Tuesday, Ayanna Colman, a parent in the 25th legislative district, Region 5 Advocacy Chair and member of the WSPTA Advocacy Committee, testified in favor of proposed substitute HB 1634, coordinating comprehensive behavioral supports for students.
Ayanna shared with the House Education Committee that addressing student mental health had been a Top 5 priority on WSPTA’s platform for many years and the bill would be a positive step forward for schools to embed the structure and support needed to help address and meet the mental health challenges of our students. Listen to Ayanna’s testimony here.
On Wednesday, January 14th, Danica Noble, an active member of the WSPTA Advocacy Committee, testified in favor of HB 2225, regulating AI chatbot companions. Danica proposed five ways to strengthen the bill. House Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee Chair Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline, asked Danica to work with Rep. Brianna Thomas, D-Seattle, on getting those amendments drafted. Listen to Danica here.
The Week Ahead
Here is next week’s schedule (subject to change); all hearings can be viewed on TVW:
Higher Education & Workforce Development (Senate) – SHR 2 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg – 1/19 @ 10:30am
- SB 5963– Public Hearing – Modifying funding for the passport to careers program and eligibility for the Washington college grant. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 5978– Public Hearing – Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications. (Remote Testimony Available).
Education (House) – HHR A and Virtual JLOB – 1/19 @ 1:30pm
- HB 2246– Public Hearing – Updating policies for elementary and secondary school students with firearm violations. (Remote Testimony Available).
- HB 2360– Public Hearing – Expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools. (Remote Testimony Available).
Ways & Means (Senate) – SHR 4 and Virtual – 1/19 @ 4:00pm
- SB 5872– Public Hearing – Establishing the preK promise account. (Remote Testimony Available).
Early Learning & K-12 Education (Senate) – SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg – 1/20 @ 8:00am
- SB 6052– Public Hearing – Establishing a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 6051– Public Hearing – Providing flexibility to school districts by authorizing school district waivers. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 5907– Public Hearing – Expanding access to the early childhood education and assistance program for military families. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 5901– Exec Session – Providing school construction assistance program facilities support for on-base schools.
- SB 5574– Exec Session – Providing instruction on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history in public schools.
Law & Justice (Senate) – SHR 4 and Virtual – 1/20 @ 8:00am
- SB 5906– Public Hearing – Establishing data and personal safety protections within areas of public accommodation for all Washington residents. (Remote Testimony Available).
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans (House) – HHR C and Virtual JLOB – 1/20 @ 10:30am
- HB 2365– Public Hearing – Advancing digital opportunities for all. (Remote Testimony Available).
Early Learning & Human Services (House) – HHR D and Virtual JLOB – 1/20 @ 1:30pm
- HB 2429– Public Hearing – Supporting children and youth behavioral health. (Remote Testimony Available).
Environment, Energy & Technology (Senate) – SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg – 1/20 @ 1:30pm
- SB 5984– Public Hearing – Concerning regulation of artificial intelligence companion chatbots. (Remote Testimony Available). (Support)
Education (House) – HHR A and Virtual JLOB – 1/20 @ 4:00pm
- HB 2369– Public Hearing – Promoting the use of local foods in public schools. (Remote Testimony Available).
- HB 2432– Public Hearing – Supporting public school students by improving their access to surplus technology hardware. (Remote Testimony Available).
Civil Rights & Judiciary (House) – HHR A and Virtual JLOB – 1/21 @ 8:00am
- HB 2320– Public Hearing – Concerning the regulation of firearm manufacturing. (Remote Testimony Available).
Early Learning & K-12 Education (Senate) – SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg – 1/21 @ 10:30am
- SB 5918– Public Hearing – Providing funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC). (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 5951– Public Hearing – Expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 6042– Public Hearing – Requiring the creation and maintenance of school maps in safe school plans. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 5841– Exec Session – Concerning the completion of postsecondary financial aid applications.
- SB 5969– Exec Session – Fulfilling high school and beyond plan requirements with individualized education program transition plans.
Postsecondary Education & Workforce (House) – HHR C and Virtual JLOB – 1/21 @ 1:30pm
- HB 2286– Public Hearing – Concerning alternative routes to social worker licensure. (Remote Testimony Available).
- HB 2098– Public Hearing – Adjusting higher education funding. (Remote Testimony Available).
Appropriations (House) – HHR A and Virtual JLOB – 1/21 @ 4:00pm
- HB 2159– Public Hearing – Establishing the preK promise account. (Remote Testimony Available).
Education (House) – HHR A and Virtual JLOB – 1/22 @ 8:00am
- HB 1795– Exec Session – Addressing restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs.
- HB 1634– Exec Session – Providing school districts and public schools with assistance to coordinate comprehensive behavioral health supports for students. (Support)
Early Learning & K-12 Education (Senate) – SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg – 1/22 @ 10:30am
- SB 6089– Public Hearing – Increasing coordination and alignment throughout the P20W system. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 5859– Public Hearing – Expanding opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 6065– Public Hearing – Concerning school district transportation vehicle funds. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 5956– Exec Session – Addressing artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools.
Law & Justice (Senate) – SHR 4 and Virtual – 1/22 @ 10:30am
- SB 5906– Exec Session – Establishing data and personal safety protections within areas of public accommodation for all Washington residents.
Finance (House) – HHR A and Virtual JLOB – 1/22 @ 1:30pm
- HB 2100– Public Hearing – Enacting an excise tax on large operating companies on the amount of payroll expenses above the minimum wage threshold of the additional Medicare tax to fund services to benefit Washingtonians and establishing the Well Washington fund account. (Remote Testimony Available).
Ways & Means (Senate) – SHR 4 and Virtual – 1/22 @ 4:00pm
- SB 6162– Public Hearing – Concerning property tax reform. (Remote Testimony Available).
- SB 5857– Public Hearing – Concerning architectural and engineering fee funding assistance limits for school district construction and modernization projects. (Remote Testimony Available).
Early Learning & Human Services (House) – HHR D and Virtual JLOB – 1/23 @ 8:00am
- HB 2099– Exec Session – Expanding access to the early childhood education and assistance program for military families.
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans (House) – HHR C and Virtual JLOB – 1/23 @ 10:30am
- HB 2225– Exec Session – Concerning regulation of artificial intelligence companion chatbots.