The 2024 legislative session is officially past the half-way point!

The 2024 legislative session began on January 8^th, this 60-day session is scheduled to run through March 7^th. We have recently passed the first policy and fiscal cutoffs of the legislative session, as legislators on the floor voting to pass bills through their chamber of origin, they are also working on the details of their impending budget proposals.

Western continues to closely track higher education policy bills that are up for consideration, bills of note cover various topics including financial aid, increased student support services, and access to higher education.

Higher Education Policy Bills:

Senate Bill 5999 – Expanding financial aid eligibility.

• Adjusts the median family income (MFI) calculation to increase Washington College Grant award amounts.
• Update: This bill did not move past fiscal cutoff, legislators could decide to adjust the MFI calculation and grant award amounts in the budget.

Senate Bill 5904 – Extending the terms of eligibility for financial aid programs.

• Aligns Washington College Grant eligibility with federal PELL grant eligibility.
• Update: This bill is still moving and needs to be voted off the Senate floor by 2/13 to remain viable.

House Bill 2214 – Automatic qualification for the Washington College Grant.

• Works toward allowing automatic qualification for the Washington College Grant for beneficiaries of other public assistance programs.
• Update: This bill is still moving and needs to be voted off the Senate floor by 2/13 to remain viable.

House Bill 2112 – Concerning opioid and fentanyl education.

• Directs resources and training to higher education campuses.
• Update: This bill is still moving and needs to be voted off the House floor by 2/13 to remain viable.

House Bill 2242 – Supporting sexual assault survivors

• Increases support services available on higher education campuses.
• Update: This bill did not move past fiscal cutoff, the bill sponsor is likely to continue this conversation in interim and into the 2025-27 biennium.

House Bill 2077 – Concerning participation in the Washington guaranteed admissions program

• Codifies the existence of the Washington Guaranteed Admission program which automatically admits Washington high school students to institutions of higher education. 
• Update: This bill did not move past fiscal cutoff, the bill sponsor is likely to continue this conversation in interim and into the 2025-27 biennium.

House Bill 1950 – Concerning the public service loan forgiveness program

• Directs public employers to notify employees about certification renewals and to certify employment through the public service loan forgiveness program at the time of separation.
• Update: This bill is still moving and needs to be voted off the House floor by 2/13 to remain viable.

Other updates:

• The next cutoff is House of Origin cutoff which will occur at 5pm on Tuesday, February 15^th.
• House and Senate budget proposals are expected to be released in the next two weeks.
• The 2024 legislative session is set to adjourn on March 7^th, 2024.