Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2636: Public education reviews
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Requiring reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state’s public education system.
What the bill says
An act Relating to requiring independent, balanced, and objective reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state's public education system; adding a new section to chapter 28A.655 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to requiring independent, balanced, and objective reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state's public education system; adding a new section to chapter 28A.655 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that Washington's system of public education is foundational to the state's economic vitality, civic health, and long-term prosperity. Over time, the legislature has enacted numerous policy requirements affecting public schools and school districts, many of which have imposed operational, administrative, and instructional obligations. (2) The legislature further finds that not all policy requirements have been accompanied by sufficient or sustainable funding, and that cumulative mandates, particularly those enacted without full fiscal consideration, divert resources away from core educational priorities and student learning. (3) The legislature, therefore, intends to require independent, balanced, and objective reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state's K-12 public education system. The purpose of the reviews is to evaluate whether existing statutory requirements are achieving their intended outcomes, are improving student success, remain relevant and effective, and represent an efficient use of public resources. (4) The legislature also intends that the reviews required by this act inform future legislative decision making by identifying requirements that should be maintained, modified, consolidated, or eliminated, and by highlighting instances where obligations imposed on schools …
Sponsors
- Skyler Rude (R) · primary sponsor
- Gerry Pollet (D)
- Matt Marshall (R)
- Sharon Santos (D)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 2:30 PM.
- : Referred to Ways & Means.
- : Minority; without recommendation.
- : And refer to Ways & Means.
- : EDU - Majority; do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.
Votes
- Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education: Do pass (February 25, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 17, 2026): 97 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Education (February 9, 2026): 29 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Education: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 3, 2026): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Common questions
- What is HB2636?
- HB2636 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Public education reviews.
- What does HB2636 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to requiring independent, balanced, and objective reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state's public education system; adding a new section to chapter 28A.655 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2636?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2636?
- Skyler Rude (R), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2636?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2636&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.