Both the House and Senate returned to work Monday, May 9, passing several bills that have been labeled NTIB or “necessary to implement the budget.”
Since Monday, the House passed bills that suspend Initiative 728 (HB 1131); Initiative 732 (2SHB 1132); and SHB 2065, alternative learning experiences.
The first two bills save the state about $1.2 billion. A fiscal note for SHB 2065 hasn’t been drafted yet, but will be less than the $53 million cut in the original house budget proposal.
HB 1131 suspends the citizen initiative that funded smaller class sizes. Some legislators have argued that rather than suspending the initiative another time, lawmakers should just eliminate it. Others are banking on better days ahead when funding could be restored.
With 2SHB 1132, teacher COLAs are suspended for the next two years, and the catch-up requirements are eliminated. In addition, the bill references that national board certified teacher bonuses will be included in the budget, and includes language that puts in place the freeze to the salary step schedule.
Read the full update.
Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
