WashingtonState agencies would receive supplemental operating funds for 2025-2027
This measure would adjust Washington's 2025-2027 operating budget and direct state agencies to spend money on specified public services and programs.
What it does
State agencies would receive supplemental operating funds for the 2025-2027 budget period, with many amounts limited to named programs and purposes.
Health and human-services agencies would direct budget funds to medical care, behavioral health, housing, child welfare, energy help, and other assistance, subject to eligibility and funding limits.
Schools, colleges, and financial-aid programs would receive operating funds for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years, subject to program rules and available money.
Argument forFunding could help agencies maintain services such as health care, housing support, education, and emergency response during the two-year budget period.
Argument againstBecause many amounts are restricted or tied to other approvals, agencies may have less flexibility to respond when needs or costs change.
More detail
The state would provide supplemental operating funds to agencies and programs listed in the act. The appropriations cover general government, human services, natural resources, transportation, education, higher education, and other state operations. Funds may be spent only for the programs, purposes, and amounts listed in the act. Appropriations are maximum spending limits. Some amounts depend on separate legislation being enacted by June 30, 2026, or they lapse. The funding applies during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, and the act states that it would take effect immediately.
State health and human-services agencies would use appropriated funds for specified assistance, treatment, housing, child welfare, behavioral health, and public health activities. Covered programs include services for low-income households, people with behavioral health needs, children and families, immigrants, people with disabilities, and people needing medical care. Agencies must stay within the amounts provided and follow the program rules and limits in the act. Some assistance depends on eligibility rules, available funds, federal approval, or a separate contract or grant. The text does not make every listed service an entitlement. Listed funds cover fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with some programs beginning July 1 or October 1, 2026, and others continuing through December 31, 2027.
State education agencies and colleges would distribute or use appropriated funds for schools, students, educators, and higher-education programs. The provisions cover K-12 schools, special education, child care and early learning, community and technical colleges, public universities, and state financial-aid programs. Funds must be used for the named education programs and may be subject to enrollment, eligibility, reporting, or matching requirements. Funding for some programs depends on other legislation, federal approval, or available appropriations. School and college allocations do not automatically guarantee a specific payment or service to an individual. Most education funding applies to the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years or fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 1Effective date 4/1/2026.Latest
- Apr 1Chapter 268, 2026 Laws PV.Major
- Apr 1Governor Bob Ferguson partially vetoed.Minor
- Mar 13Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 12Speaker signed.Passed House
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Recommended by the Conference Committee (#16). Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Recommended by Conference Committee (#17). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 12Passed final passage as recommended by conference committee; yeas, 28; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- Mar 12Conference committee report adopted.
- Mar 12Passed final passage as recommended by conference committee; yeas, 54; nays, 43; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- Mar 12Conference committee report adopted.
- Mar 11Conference committee report; received 11:20 AM 3/11/2026.
- Mar 11Conference committee report; received 10:57 AM 3/11/2026.
- Mar 9Conference committee appointed. Representatives Ormsby, Gregerson, Couture.
- Mar 9Conference committee request granted.
- Mar 3Conference committee appointed. Senators Robinson, Stanford, Gildon.
- Mar 3Senate refuses to concur in House amendments. Asks House for conference thereon.
- Feb 28Third reading, passed; yeas, 52; nays, 41; absent, 0; excused, 5.Minor
- Vote recorded 2102 Griffey Pg 12 Ln 4 (#10). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2112 Walsh Pg 37 Ln 10 (#11). Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 2109 Rude Pg 400 Ln 31 (#21). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2111 Marshall Pg 137 Ln 21 (#14). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2107 Burnett Pg 168 Ln 8 (#16). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2089 Marshall Pg 245 Ln 10 (#17). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2106 McEntire Pg 387 Ln 9 (#19). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2114 Rude Pg 400 Ln 33 (#22). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2110 Connors Pg 383 Ln 9 (#18). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2103 Keaton Pg 479 Ln 36 (#23). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2116 Couture Pg 88 Ln 7 (#13). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#24). Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 2115 Connors Pg 88 Ln 7 (#12). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2105 Penner Pg 7 Ln 26 (#9). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2104 Valdez Pg 156 Ln 18 (#15). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded 2108 Volz Pg 387 Ln 9 (#20). Result: fail.Lower
- Feb 28Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 28Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 27Read first time, rules suspended, and placed on second reading calendar.Minor
- Vote recorded 773 Gildon Pg 81 Ln 7 (#2). Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded 787 Torres Pg 281 Ln 21 (#4). Result: fail.Upper
- Feb 27Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Feb 27Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 27Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 271st substitute bill substituted (WM 26).Major
- Feb 26Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 25Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 25Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 25WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 23Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 13Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Jan 6Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
Taxes & BudgetHealthcareEducation