The Legislature adjourned sine die Thursday afternoon after passing the 2024 supplemental operating budget earlier in the day and the supplemental capital budget on Wednesday. This week also saw final passage of the bill that extends eligibility for the Washington College Grant, College Bound Scholarship and Passport to Careers Program from five years to six years, aligning eligibility with federal financial aid standards. The bill that would allow students in prisons to apply and use federal and state financial aid for their educational programs also saw final passage.

Computer science programs, climate solutions curriculum funded in operating budget

The Legislature on Thursday passed the 2024 supplemental operating budget, including nearly $2.4 billion in funding for the community and technical college system for the remainder of the 2024 fiscal year, which ends June 30, and the 2025 fiscal year. Notably, the budget funds:

  • $1.14 million to support college Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programs.
  • $475,000 to support continuing Integrated Climate Solutions curriculum development.
  • $1.05 million in 2024 to support expanding College in the High School.
  • $1 million for refugee education.

The budget also provides funding for legislatively-established programs:

  • $425,000 to expand the financial aid outreach and completion pilot program to ESD 113, which covers Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties, under SSHB 1835 which passed in 2022.
  • $819,000 to support incarcerated students under SSB 5953.
  • $553,000 to fill a funding gap related to the Student Basic Needs Benefits Navigator under 2SHB 1559.
  • $412,000 to support opioid and fentanyl prevention and education on college campuses under 2SHB 2112.
  • $12,000 for the Retail Industry Work Group under ESB 6296.
  • $11,000 for construction apprenticeships in prisons under SHB 2084.

Also included are proviso funding for a low-income housing study ($275,000), manufacturing apprenticeship related supplemental instruction ($200,000), a Hospitality Center of Excellence at Columbia Basin College ($257,000), and program support at Edmonds College, Olympic College, Renton Technical College and Tacoma Community College.

Bellingham Tech building repair, statewide projects funded in capital budget

The 2024 supplemental capital budget passed the Legislature Wednesday with over $30 million for community and technical college system projects. The budget fully funds repairs to the Bellingham Technical College Campus Center building and funding to help college buildings in complying with the State Energy Performance Standard — including utility submeters, decarbonization planning and energy efficiency program. It also gives Renton Technical College local financing authorization for its Building J Renovation.

Trustees confirmed by Senate

The Senate this week confirmed 15 trustees to the boards of their colleges and the State Board: