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WashingtonSB 62602025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Implementing efficiencies and programming changes in public education.

Sponsored By: Lisa Wellman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Extra pay for National Board teachers

The law gives certificated instructional staff with National Board certification an annual bonus. It is set at $5,000 for 2007–08 and rises with inflation through 2025–26. If you work in an instructional role at a qualifying high‑poverty school, you get an extra $5,000 each year. For the 2024–25 and 2025–26 school years, this also covers schools that provided meals at no charge and met the high‑poverty test in 2022–23. Bonuses are paid in one lump sum, on top of the district salary schedule, and are not counted in district average salary or salary‑limit calculations.

More state help for alternative learning

The state lowers the trigger for extra local‑effort help tied to alternative learning enrollment. If a district’s ALE students are more than 25% of its average annual FTE, the adjustment equals ALE FTE minus 25% of average FTE. This can increase state local effort assistance for those districts.

More support and new caps for Running Start

The state funds up to 10 college credits of Running Start courses each summer. OSPI sets the rules and may average September–June enrollment to align calendars. Your combined high school and college enrollment counts toward a cap. If Senate Bill 6346 is enacted by June 30, 2026, funding covers up to 1.4 FTE (1.3 FTE in 2026–27 and 2027–28). If it is not enacted by that date, funding covers up to 1.2 FTE.

Transition to Kindergarten: access and fees

The state establishes the Transition to Kindergarten program. OSPI and DCYF set statewide best practices for finding and enrolling eligible children. Funding priority goes to low‑income children (household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level) who lack licensed care, children eligible but not yet placed in ECEAP or Head Start, children in special education, English learners, and schools in extreme child care deserts. Programs may charge sliding‑scale fees, but they cannot charge children eligible but not placed in ECEAP or Head Start, or children with disabilities entitled to a free appropriate public education. Schools cannot exclude an eligible child just because the child has a disability.

Lower state payback for school buses

Beginning September 1, 2025, the state uses longer service lives to set bus depreciation payments: 120 months for category A and 180 months for categories C and D. Payments are revised at least yearly. For zero‑emission buses bought in the 2025–26 through 2027–28 school years, the reimbursement quote is cut to 33% of the quote. These changes reduce annual reimbursement payments to districts for affected buses.

Rules and funding for Transition to Kindergarten

Money for Transition to Kindergarten comes from the annual state budget. OSPI allocates it using state priorities and formulas. A child in this program is counted as a kindergarten student for funding, including special education, but is reported separately. Programs must give the WaKIDS assessment at entry and at least once more unless a parent or guardian excuses the child. Every child gets a statewide student ID, and the program is reported as its own class. Before starting or expanding, districts must do a local child care needs assessment. OSPI sets program quality guidelines, visits sites, and gives feedback.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lisa Wellman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 146

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 26 • No: 23

House vote • 3/11/2026

2637 Rude Pg 2 Ln 28

Yes: 45 • No: 52 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 50 • No: 47 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 25 • No: 24

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor signed.

    4/1/2026legislature

  2. Effective date 6/11/2026*.

    4/1/2026Senate

  3. Chapter 267, 2026 Laws.

    4/1/2026Senate

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/13/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  7. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/12/2026House

  8. Passed final passage; yeas, 26; nays, 23; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/12/2026Senate

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 50; nays, 47; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/11/2026Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/11/2026Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    3/11/2026Senate

  12. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/9/2026Senate

  13. Minority; do not pass.

    3/9/2026Senate

  14. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/9/2026Senate

  15. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/9/2026Senate

  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/9/2026Senate

  17. First reading, referred to Appropriations.

    3/4/2026Senate

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 25; nays, 24; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/3/2026Senate

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2026Senate

  20. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/3/2026Senate

  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/3/2026Senate

  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2026Senate

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/2/2026Senate

  24. Minority; do not pass.

    3/2/2026Senate

  25. WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    3/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

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