SCHOOLS: COMM. DEVICES/CLASS SIZE/FUNDING
Sponsored By: Zack Fields (Democratic)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More core school and bus funding
Beginning July 1, 2025, the base student allocation is $6,660 per student, up from $5,960. This raises per‑pupil funding for every district. For school years starting July 1, 2025, the state also pays for student transportation, if funded by the legislature. The payment equals a district’s average daily membership (ADM) minus correspondence ADM times the district’s per‑student amount, for districts that transport students who live far from school.
Reading and job-skills funds tied to digital tax
These funding changes take effect only if SB 113 (or a similar law) is enacted; they begin 181 days after SB 113 takes effect. Tax money from highly digitized businesses is tracked and may be appropriated to education. The department uses that money first for reading incentive grants of at least $450 per K–6 student who meets grade‑level reading or shows improvement; if money is short, grants are prorated. Any remaining funds go to secondary vocational and technical instruction and are distributed pro rata. If triggered, the vocational funding factor rises from 1.015 to 1.023, and districts must spend the extra money from that increase on secondary vocational and technical programs.
Faster, clearer rules for charter schools
Local school boards must offer a clear application process to start a charter school. It must include an academic policy committee of parents, teachers, and staff, a contract form, and year‑round submissions for the next school year with an announced deadline. Charter contracts must include program details, goals, admissions and admin rules, budget and facility info, teacher‑student ratios, and a term up to 10 years, and follow state and federal law. Boards may use a simpler renewal process for schools in good standing. A board may end a charter only for a contract breach, a legal violation, or intentional fraud, after written notice and a chance to fix. If a denial is appealed, the state board must decide within 45 days. These rules take effect July 1, 2025, and the contract rules apply to contracts that become binding on or after that date.
K-12 class size targets and reports
Each district must set and publish target average class sizes. Pre‑K through grade 6 targets are no more than 23 students. Grades 7–12 targets are no more than 30. Districts can exclude mixed‑grade classes and courses like art, music, PE, computer science, and vocational. This policy starts July 1, 2026. Starting with school years after July 1, 2025, districts also report each year how many students and teachers are in each classroom and K–3 reading screening and progression results, following privacy laws.
Long-term tracking of graduate outcomes
The Education and Labor Departments collect data on each high school graduating class every five years for 20 years. They track careers, college, and where graduates live. The Labor Department publishes a summary report every two years. This tracking starts July 1, 2025.
Temporary task force on school funding
A six‑member legislative task force reviews school funding, open enrollment, absenteeism, and school facility costs. It starts July 1, 2025, and ends January 31, 2027. The group can request data from the education department and hire staff with approval.
School rules on student phone use
Each district must set a rule on students’ personal wireless devices during regular school hours, including lunch and passing periods. If a district bans use, the rule must allow use for medical or translation needs, emergencies, or when a teacher or administrator allows it for class. If a district has no policy, schools may not allow student device use during school hours. The law does not let schools monitor or collect information about student device use. This requirement takes effect July 1, 2025.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Zack Fields
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
(H) FN7: (S.FIN/LEG)
10/15/2025House(H) FN6: (S.FIN/LWF)
10/15/2025House(H) FN5: (S.FIN/EED)
10/15/2025House(H) FN(S) ATTACHED TO APPROP. BILL HB 53
10/15/2025House(H) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/30/25
10/15/2025House(S) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/30/25
10/3/2025Senate(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER
7/30/2025House(H) ASSIGNED CHAPTER 5 SLA 25
7/30/2025House(S) MEMBERS: TOBIN (CO-CHAIR), KIEHL, CRONK
7/30/2025Senate(H) MEMBERS: HIMSHOOT (CO-CHAIR), STORY, RUFFRIDGE
7/30/2025House(H) TO LEGAL SERVICES
5/20/2025House(H) GOVERNOR VETO OVERRIDDEN Y46 N14
5/20/2025House(H) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 5/19/25
5/19/2025House(H) MANIFEST ERROR(S)
5/2/2025House(H) 9:15 A.M. 5/1/25 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR
5/2/2025House(H) COSPONSOR(S): GALVIN, MINA
4/30/2025House(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
4/30/2025House(H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y31 N8 E1
4/30/2025House(H) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 5
4/30/2025House(H) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND TAKEN UP
4/30/2025House(S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 57(FIN) AM S(REENGROSSED)
4/30/2025Senate(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED
4/30/2025Senate(S) KIEHL, GIESSEL, CLAMAN, CRONK, STEDMAN, OLSON, BJORKMAN, MERRICK, STEVENS
4/30/2025Senate(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): TOBIN, WIELECHOWSKI, DUNBAR, KAWASAKI, YUNDT, GRAY-JACKSON,
4/30/2025Senate(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
4/30/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled HB 57
4/30/2025
SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S(reengrossed)
4/30/2025
SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S
4/28/2025
SCS CSHB 57(FIN)
4/25/2025
CSHB 57(EDC)
3/14/2025
CSHB 57(L&C)
2/10/2025
HB 57
1/22/2025
CSHB 57(EDC) am
4/11/2024