Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1796: School construction debt
Status: Signed into law, March 24, 2026
Concerning school districts' authority to contract indebtedness for school construction.
What the bill says
An act Relating to school districts' authority to contract indebtedness for school construction; and amending RCW 28A.530.080.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to school districts' authority to contract indebtedness for school construction; and amending RCW 28A.530.080. Sec. 1. RCW 28A.530.080 and 2010 c 241 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: (1)(a) In addition to the authority granted under RCW 28A.530.010, a school district may contract indebtedness for any purpose specified in RCW 28A.530.010 (2)((, (4), and))through (5) or for the purpose of purchasing any real or personal property, or property rights, in connection with the exercise of any powers or duties which it is now or hereafter authorized to exercise, and issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness therefor without a vote of the qualified electors of the district, subject to the limitations on indebtedness set forth in RCW 39.36.020(3) and this subsection. (b) To exercise the authority in (a) of this subsection for any purpose specified in RCW 28A.530.010(3) a school district (ii) Not have been on binding conditions pursuant to RCW 28A.505.110 in the three years preceding the date of the contract; and (iii) Agree to delay for two years the receipt of state financial assistance for the project that the school district is eligible for under RCW 28A.525.162 through 28A.525.180. (2) Before issuing nonvoted bonds in excess of ((two hundred fifty thousand dollars))$250,000, a school district shall publish notice of intent to …
Sponsors
- Lisa Callan (D) · primary sponsor
- April Berg (D)
- Sharon Santos (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Alex Ramel (D)
- Sharon Wylie (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Timm Ormsby (D)
- Natasha Hill (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 170, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 95; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : House concurred in Senate amendments.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 1.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 11, 2026): 95 yea, 2 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 5, 2026): 30 yea, 18 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass as amended (March 2, 2026): 13 yea, 10 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (January 15, 2026): 78 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass as amended by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (April 8, 2025): 13 yea, 11 nay, passed
Subjects: SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Common questions
- What is HB1796?
- HB1796 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): School construction debt.
- What does HB1796 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to school districts' authority to contract indebtedness for school construction; and amending RCW 28A.530.080.
- What is the status of HB1796?
- Signed into law as of March 24, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1796?
- Lisa Callan (D), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1796?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1796&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.