PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 17962025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning school districts' authority to contract indebtedness for school construction.

Sponsored By: Lisa Callan (Democratic)

Became Law

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

School bonds without voter approval, with guardrails

Beginning June 11, 2026, school districts can issue some bonds and other debt without a public vote. For construction, modernization, or remodeling, districts must have a voter‑approved levy that fully repays the debt, must not have been under binding conditions in the last three years, and must wait two years for state aid on that project. Before issuing more than $250,000 in nonvoted bonds, the district must publish notice once a week for two weeks and hold a public hearing where anyone can speak. The notice must list the hearing details, the bond’s purpose and amount, the type and terms, and how it will be repaid; the last notice must run at least seven days before the hearing. Refinancing or refunding old bonds does not require this notice or hearing. Bonds must be sold under state rules, and proceeds must go into the capital projects, transportation vehicle, or general fund. State law still limits how much total debt a district can take on.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My TaxesMy HealthMy BudgetMy MoneyMy Freedom
Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lisa Callan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • April Berg

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Tomiko Santos

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Wylie

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 288 • No: 49

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 95 • No: 2 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 18 • Other: 1

House vote • 1/15/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 78 • No: 19 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/10/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 85 • No: 10 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/24/2026House

  2. Chapter 170, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 95; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/11/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/11/2026House

  9. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/11/2026House

  10. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/5/2026House

  11. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2026House

  12. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    3/5/2026House

  13. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2026House

  14. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  15. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/2/2026House

  16. Minority; do not pass.

    3/2/2026House

  17. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/2/2026House

  18. Referred to Ways & Means.

    2/25/2026House

  19. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/24/2026House

  20. And refer to Ways & Means.

    2/24/2026House

  21. EDU - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026House

  22. First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.

    1/16/2026House

  23. Third reading, passed; yeas, 78; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    1/15/2026House

  24. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    1/15/2026House

  25. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on third reading.

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in