OLYMPIA — A bill to address long-standing structural challenges in how Washington funds public higher education was heard Thursday in the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee.
Senate Bill 6325, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would restore the state’s responsibility for funding increases in employee compensation and central service costs at public colleges and universities, rather than requiring institutions to rely on tuition revenue to cover those expenses. The bill establishes a phased-in approach to fully fund these costs with state dollars over time.
SB 6325 also directs the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to conduct a comprehensive study defining essential student services and instructional supports shown to improve degree completion and workforce credential attainment. The study would examine areas such as academic advising, tutoring, mental health services, basic needs support, instructional quality, and career readiness, and inform future budget decisions by identifying the true cost of providing these services.
“Our higher education system cannot continue to operate under funding assumptions that shift costs onto students and campuses,” Nobles said. “This bill is about restoring stability, strengthening student support, and making sure our investments are aligned with student success and workforce needs.”
By addressing both the funding structure and the student services students rely on, SB 6325 aims to improve institutional stability, protect educational quality, and support Washington’s long-term economic competitiveness.
Follow the bill’s progress here.