All Roll Calls
Yes: 288 • No: 0
WashingtonSB 52632025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Concerning special education funding.
Sponsored By: Jamie Pedersen (Democratic)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Easier safety net help for high-cost students
Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, a student qualifies for a state safety net award when IEP costs are above 1.8× the average per‑student spending in some districts, or above 2.0× in others. The 1.8× test applies if the district has under 1,000 students, or at least 60% identified students, or at least 60% in the bilingual program. The committee must also consider high-cost students served in residential schools, juvenile corrections programs, or jail education programs.
Law depends on budget funding by June 30
The law takes effect only if the state budget includes funding that names this act by June 30, 2025. If the budget does not include that funding by that date, the entire act is null and void.
More help for birth-to-three early intervention
Beginning September 1, 2025, early intervention funding is based on the average headcount of eligible birth‑to‑three children, the statewide per‑student amount, and the special education multiplier referenced in law. Funds flow to early intervention providers and, when needed, county lead agencies. A child counts for a month if services were received that month, and the count day is the last business day. Federal Part C dollars are the payor of last resort, so other public or private coverage is billed first.
Higher state funding per special ed student
Beginning September 1, 2025, the state increases how much money districts get for students receiving special education. Most students use a 1.16 multiplier. Children ages 3–4 and 5-year-olds not yet in kindergarten use a 1.2 multiplier. The law also defines how a district’s base per-student amount is calculated so these formulas are clear.
Pilot schools get grants for inclusion
If funded, up to 20 pilot schools receive yearly grants for four years to reach a 1.5 multiplier for all students receiving special education. OSPI picks schools across the state that show strong leadership, plans for inclusion and universal design, staff training, results, and a plan to keep training going. These pilot funds are not part of the state’s basic education program.
Statewide supports and free online IEP system
The state runs statewide activities to support special education, including data reviews, technical help, and follow‑up actions. OSPI must build and maintain a free online IEP system with strong privacy, secure access, language support, family engagement tools, and accessibility. OSPI may provide training and match funds for early intervening services. Starting September 1, 2025, OSPI may set aside up to 0.6% of certain special education funds to pay for these statewide supports. OSPI reports each year on these activities and, in 2025 and 2026, on how removing the enrollment cap affected safety net needs.
Districts must dedicate 25% to special education
Districts must shift 25% of their base allocation for students receiving special education into the special education program budget. If special education costs are still above state funding and redirected revenue, districts must next use the remaining base allocation for special education before other funds. OSPI must report by January 1 of every odd‑numbered year how prorated apportionment funds were allocated to special education, by district.
Annual report on special education pilot grants
Starting December 1, 2026, OSPI must send lawmakers a yearly report on the pilot grant program. The report lists last year’s grant recipients and how much extra funding each got. It also reviews whether the grants boosted staff training and improved student outcomes. This improves oversight of special education spending.
Quarterly safety net payments for some districts
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, second‑class school districts get safety net payments every quarter. Also starting then, awards for high‑cost students placed with out‑of‑state providers are paid quarterly if the district already received an award for the same student and the placement did not change. These changes improve cash flow and do not change who qualifies or the total award amount.
Stronger oversight and simpler safety net process
OSPI must set and consult on safety net rules, streamline applications, give timely feedback, and survey districts each year. By December 1, 2025, a simpler, standard application is in place statewide, built from a 2024 survey of small districts. The oversight committee adds members and must limit reviews to documented services and spending. Awards can be reduced for unresolved audits, and districts must show they maximized other state and federal funds. Allowable indirect costs are capped at the federal restricted rate plus one percentage point, and awards adjust based on Medicaid billing rates.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jamie Pedersen
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Claire Wilson
Democratic • Senate
Deborah Krishnadasan
Democratic • Senate
Derek Stanford
Democratic • Senate
Javier Valdez
Democratic • Senate
Jesse Salomon
Democratic • Senate
Jessica Bateman
Democratic • Senate
John Braun
Republican • Senate
Manka Dhingra
Democratic • Senate
Marko Liias
Democratic • Senate
Mike Chapman
Democratic • Senate
Noel Frame
Democratic • Senate
Sharon Shewmake
Democratic • Senate
Steve Conway
Democratic • Senate
T'wina Nobles
Democratic • Senate
Member 14205
House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/25/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 48 • No: 0
House vote • 4/24/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3
House vote • 4/16/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 3/12/2025
3rd Reading & Final Passage
Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Effective date 7/27/2025*.
5/19/2025SenateChapter 368, 2025 Laws.
5/19/2025SenateGovernor signed.
5/19/2025legislatureDelivered to Governor.
4/27/2025legislatureSpeaker signed.
4/26/2025legislaturePresident signed.
4/25/2025legislaturePassed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
4/25/2025SenateSenate concurred in House amendments.
4/25/2025HouseThird reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.
4/24/2025SenateRules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
4/24/2025SenateFloor amendment(s) adopted.
4/24/2025SenateReturned to second reading for amendment.
4/24/2025SenateRules suspended.
4/24/2025SenateHouse receded from amendments.
4/24/2025HouseSenate refuses to concur in House amendments. Asks House to recede from amendments.
4/22/2025HouseThird reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
4/16/2025SenateRules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
4/16/2025SenateFloor amendment(s) adopted.
4/16/2025SenateCommittee amendment not adopted.
4/16/2025SenateRules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
4/10/2025SenateReferred to Rules 2 Review.
4/8/2025SenateAPP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
4/5/2025SenateAPP - Executive action taken by committee.
4/5/2025SenateFirst reading, referred to Appropriations.
3/14/2025SenateThird reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
3/12/2025Senate
Bill Text
Session Law
5/22/2025
Bill as Passed Legislature
4/27/2025
Engrossed Second Substitute
3/12/2025
Second Substitute
2/28/2025
Substitute Bill
1/31/2025
Original Bill
1/14/2025
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