With sine die just two days away, House and Senate budget writers are expected to release the negotiated capital budget today and the operating budget tomorrow. Look next week for a special edition of Legislative News to see how the budgets will impact community and technical colleges.

In the last week, members of the House and Senate ironed out differences on bills that passed both chambers. System-supported bills on dual credit, student support, data transfer and financial aid saw final passage. They now head to Gov. Jay Inslee for his decision.

Bill status roundup

The bills listed below have been featured in this year's Legislative News and have either passed the Legislature or still alive. This bill status is as of noon Friday.

Bill number Bill title Bill status
HB 1140/ SB 5187 Making 2023-2025 fiscal biennium operating appropriations. April 3: Referred to House Rules 2 Review.
HB 1147/ SB 5200 Concerning the capital budget. April 3: Referred to House Rules 2 Review.
HB 1232 Enhancing the college bound scholarship program. April 18: Delivered to Governor.
HB 1316 Expanding access to dual credit programs. April 19: Delivered to Governor.
HB 1390 Concerning district energy systems. April 19: Delivered to Governor.
HB 1559 Establishing the student basic needs at public postsecondary institutions act. April 20: Final passage.
SB 5048 Eliminating college in the high school fees. April 20: Delivered to Governor.
SB 5134 Concerning reentry services and supports. April 19: House receded from amendments, passed 63-35.
SB 5187/ HB 1140 Making 2023-2025 fiscal biennium operating appropriations.
  • Senate conference committee: Senators Rolfes, Robinson, Wilson, L.
  • House conference committee: Representatives Ormsby, Bergquist, Stokesbary.
SB 5200/ HB 1147 Concerning the capital budget. March 27: Read first time, rules suspended, and placed on second reading calendar.
SB 5582 Reducing barriers and expanding educational opportunities to increase the supply of nurses in Washington. April 14: Delivered to Governor
SB 5593 Improving equity in the transfer of student data between K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. April 19: Senate concurred in House amendments, passed 41-8.
SB 5702 Expanding the students experiencing homelessness and foster youth pilot program.

April 19: Senate concurred in House amendments, passed 42-7.

Senate confirmations

The Senate on Monday confirmed Frieda Takamura to the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees and Teresita Batayola to the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees.

“She is a long-time educator, and, in fact, had served in this position for many years,” Sen. Emily Randall said of Takamura. “She started off from her educational journey teaching junior high and high school in Renton as well as in Walla Walla and remains committed to the education of Washington students.”

Speaking to Batayola’s appointment, Sen. Claudia Kauffman told senators that Batayola was recognized by the Filipina Women’s Network as one the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World.

“She is recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal, Washington Women's Center, Lifetime Achievement from Northwest Asian Weekly, as well as the White House. [She is a] champion of health care and improving access to health care throughout communities,” Kauffman said.

On Thursday, the Senate confirmed Jay Reich to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and Paul Francis, the State Board’s executive director, to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board.

“While his education isn't from the great institutions in the State of Washington, he remains committed to ensuring that Washington students get the education and training they need to build strong careers and a brighter future for all of us,” Sen. Randall said of Reich, who attended Amherst College and Harvard Law School. “He is particularly interested in the Guided Pathways work that our community and technical colleges have been leading in.”

Sen. Jeff Holy listed Francis’ educational, professional and volunteer experience in support of his confirmation to the WEIAOB.

“He is well suited for this position,” Holy said.

That afternoon, the Senate confirmed Anne Hamilton to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Board of Trustees and Mike Wilson to the Community Colleges of Spokane Board of Trustees.

“Anne Hamilton earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor Native American Studies from Colgate University in 1989 and is currently employed by Microsoft as a principal program manager for Azure Services and has been since 2018,” Sen. Holy said. “She has also been a member of the Leadership Eastside Organization since 2008 and was a member of the Kirkland Rotary 2012 to 2016. I urge her confirmation.”

Speaking to Wilson’s confirmation, Sen. Andy Billig called Wilson an accomplished community leader.

“I just appreciate so much the way he approaches community and his leadership on the community college board, and we're lucky that people like Mike Wilson are willing to step up and serve,” Billig said.