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WashingtonHB 17962025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

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

Sponsored By: Lisa Callan (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More school borrowing, but delayed state aid

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington school districts have broader power to borrow without a vote on the debt. This covers school construction, modernization, remodeling, and other listed purposes, including buying property or property rights for authorized district duties. Borrowing remains subject to legal debt limits. For construction, modernization, or remodeling, voters must approve a levy whose proceeds fully repay the debt. The district must not have been under binding financial conditions during the three years before the debt contract. It must also agree to delay eligible state aid for the project by two years. Before issuing bonds above $250,000 without a vote, districts must publish notice and hold a public hearing. The notice must state the hearing's date, time, and place, plus the bonds' purpose, amount, type, terms, repayment method, and repayment sources. Notice must appear weekly for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper serving the district, or the county if none serves the district. The last notice must appear at least seven days before the hearing. After public comment, the school board may approve the bonds by resolution. These notice and hearing rules do not apply to refinancing or refunding existing bonds, whether voter-approved or not. Debt must be issued and sold under state financing law. Proceeds go into the capital projects, transportation vehicle, or general fund, as applicable.

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

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