Washington SB5963: Passport to careers program

What the bill says

An act Relating to modifying funding for the passport to careers program, and permitting students eligible for the passport to careers program to automatically qualify as income-eligible for the purpose of receiving the Washington college grant; amending RCW 28B.76.525 and 28B.117.020; and reenacting and amending RCW 28B.92.200.

From the enrolled text:

AN ACT Relating to modifying funding for the passport to careers program, and permitting students eligible for the passport to careers program to automatically qualify as income-eligible for the purpose of receiving the Washington college grant; amending RCW 28B.76.525 and 28B.117.020; and reenacting and amending RCW 28B.92.200. Sec. 1. RCW 28B.76.525 and 2025 c 424 s 926 are each amended to read as follows: (1) The state financial aid account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. The primary purpose of the account is to ensure that all appropriations designated for financial aid through statewide student financial aid programs are made available to eligible students. The account shall be a nontreasury account. (2) The office shall deposit in the account all money received for the Washington college grant program established under chapter 28B.92 RCW, the state work-study program established under chapter 28B.12 RCW, the Washington scholars program established under RCW 28A.600.110, the Washington award for vocational excellence program established under RCW 28C.04.525, ((and)) the educational opportunity grant program established under chapter 28B.101 RCW, and the passport to careers program established under chapter 28B.117 RCW. The account shall consist of funds appropriated by the legislature for the programs listed in this subsection and private contributions to the programs. Moneys deposited in the account do not lapse at the close …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• T'wina Nobles (D) · primary sponsor
• Rebecca Saldaña (D)
• Mike Chapman (D)
• Robert Hasegawa (D)
• Sharon Shewmake (D)
• Javier Valdez (D)
• Wilson, Claire (D, 30)

Latest actions

1. March 14, 2026: Effective date 6/11/2026.
2. March 14, 2026: Chapter 44, 2026 Laws.
3. March 14, 2026: Governor signed.
4. March 9, 2026: Delivered to Governor.
5. March 5, 2026: Speaker signed.
6. March 4, 2026: President signed.
7. March 3, 2026: Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 5.
8. March 3, 2026: Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
9. March 2, 2026: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
10. February 25, 2026: Referred to Rules 2 Review.

Votes

• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 3, 2026): 92 yea, 1 nay, passed
• House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce: Do pass (February 24, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 13, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass (February 9, 2026): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development: Do pass (January 22, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB5963?

SB5963 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Passport to careers program.

What does SB5963 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to modifying funding for the passport to careers program, and permitting students eligible for the passport to careers program to automatically qualify as income-eligible for the purpose of receiving the Washington college grant; amending RCW 28B.76.525 and 28B.117.020; and reenacting and amending RCW 28B.92.200.

What is the status of SB5963?

Signed into law as of March 14, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 14, 2026).

Who sponsored SB5963?

T'wina Nobles (D), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB5963?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5963&Year=2025