Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2309: Postgrad degree requirements
Status: Signed into law, March 14, 2026
Reducing barriers to state employment by eliminating postgraduate degree requirements that are unnecessary.
What the bill says
An act Relating to reducing barriers to state employment by eliminating postgraduate degree requirements that are unnecessary; and reenacting and amending RCW 41.06.157.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to reducing barriers to state employment by eliminating postgraduate degree requirements that are unnecessary; and reenacting and amending RCW 41.06.157. Sec. 1. RCW 41.06.157 and 2024 c 330 s 11 and 2024 c 70 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows: (1) To promote the most effective use of the state's workforce and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of services to the citizens of the state, the director shall adopt and maintain a comprehensive classification plan for all positions in the classified service. The classification plan (b) Support state agencies in responding to changing technologies, economic and social conditions, and the needs of its citizens; (c) Value workplace diversity; (d) Facilitate the reorganization and decentralization of governmental services; (e) Enhance mobility and career advancement opportunities; (f) Consider rates in other public employment and private employment in the state; (g) Not require a two-year ((or)), four-year, or postgraduate college degree as the only way to demonstrate qualifications for the role unless that degree is required by law for an employee to perform the essential functions of a classification; and (h) Recognize that persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, including deferred action for childhood arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or …
Sponsors
- Leavitt, Mari (D) · primary sponsor
- Skyler Rude (R)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Janice Zahn (D)
- Shelley Kloba (D)
- Beth Doglio (D)
- Timm Ormsby (D)
- Cyndy Jacobsen (R)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 38, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading consent calendar.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 4, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections: Do pass (February 24, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (January 29, 2026): 97 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations: Do pass (January 20, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYEES
Common questions
- What is HB2309?
- HB2309 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Postgrad degree requirements.
- What does HB2309 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to reducing barriers to state employment by eliminating postgraduate degree requirements that are unnecessary; and reenacting and amending RCW 41.06.157.
- What is the status of HB2309?
- Signed into law as of March 14, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2309?
- Leavitt, Mari (D), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2309?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2309&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.