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WashingtonHB 20492025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Investing in the state's paramount duty to fund K-12 education and build strong and safe communities.

Sponsored By: Steve Bergquist (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Higher school levy caps affect homeowners

Washington's school enrichment levy limits apply to taxes collected in 2020 and later. Districts cannot exceed the lower of two limits: $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value or a per-student limit. Through 2030, the base per-student cap is $2,500 for districts below 40,000 students and $3,000 for larger districts. These amounts grow with inflation and are multiplied by the prior school year's full-time-equivalent enrollment. The 2026 adjustment includes an extra $500. For smaller districts, inflation gets an extra 3.33 percentage points each year from 2027 through 2030. In 2031, the cap becomes $5,035 per student, with inflation increases starting with taxes collected in 2032. Inflation uses the Seattle-area consumer price index's latest 12-month change as of September 25 before the collection year. Transportation vehicle and school construction, modernization, or remodeling levies are outside these limits. Enrichment money must stay in a separate school fund account, with spending restrictions and audits. District levy plans need approval before going to voters. Homeowners' actual taxes depend on the levy imposed and their property's assessed value; higher caps do not automatically raise taxes.

New inflation rules for school aid

Washington changes the inflation measure used to calculate state local effort assistance for schools. It now uses the previous calendar year's national price measure from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, not Seattle-area consumer prices. A district qualifies when a $1.50-per-$1,000 property levy raises less per student than the state aid threshold. The new measure adjusts that threshold and the per-student aid maximum. State-tribal education compact school aid uses the prior year's calculated per-student enrichment levy amount, subject to the inflation-adjusted maximum. Depending on how the two price measures compare, the change can increase or reduce aid adjustments. The law does not specify the resulting payment for any district or school.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Bergquist

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Chipalo Street

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Darya Farivar

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Callan

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Tomiko Santos

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Wylie

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 407 • No: 473

Senate vote • 4/26/2025

475 Fortunato Pg 4 Ln 15

Yes: 19 • No: 29

Senate vote • 4/26/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 28 • No: 20

House vote • 4/22/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 50 • No: 48

House vote • 4/21/2025

1357 Couture Pg 10 Ln 7

Yes: 44 • No: 54

House vote • 4/21/2025

1355 Abell Pg 1 Ln 5

Yes: 45 • No: 53

House vote • 4/21/2025

1356 Keaton Pg 1 Ln 5

Yes: 43 • No: 55

House vote • 4/21/2025

1354 Couture Pg 1 Ln 27

Yes: 45 • No: 53

House vote • 4/21/2025

1352 Rude Pg 1 Ln 27

Yes: 44 • No: 54

House vote • 4/21/2025

1363 Penner Pg 1 Ln 6

Yes: 43 • No: 55

House vote • 4/21/2025

1362 Caldier Pg 6 Ln 29

Yes: 46 • No: 52

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/20/2025House

  2. Chapter 404, 2025 Laws.

    5/20/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/20/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/27/2025legislature

  5. Third reading, passed; yeas, 28; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/26/2025House

  6. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/26/2025House

  7. Speaker signed.

    4/26/2025legislature

  8. President signed.

    4/26/2025legislature

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/25/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/25/2025House

  11. Minority; do not pass.

    4/25/2025House

  12. WM - Majority; do pass.

    4/25/2025House

  13. First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

    4/22/2025House

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 50; nays, 48; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/22/2025House

  15. Held on calendar.

    4/21/2025House

  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/21/2025House

  17. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    4/21/2025House

  18. Minority; do not pass.

    4/19/2025House

  19. Placed on second reading.

    4/19/2025House

  20. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/19/2025House

  21. FIN - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/19/2025House

  22. FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    4/19/2025House

  23. First reading, referred to Finance.

    3/24/2025House

  24. Introduced

    3/24/2025House

Bill Text

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