Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5978: Guaranteed admissions prg.
Status: In committee, January 30, 2026
Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications.
What the bill says
An act Relating to making higher education more accessible by establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to making higher education more accessible by establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that engaging with high school students to prepare them for higher education and familiarize them with college admissions through guaranteed admissions increases equity, access, and credential completion in the state. The legislature intends to establish the Washington guaranteed admissions program as an appropriate and necessary step to accomplish these goals. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 RCW to read as follows: (1) The Washington guaranteed admissions program is established in collaboration with the state's public four-year institutions of higher education specified in subsection (2) of this section. (2)(a) The regional universities, the state college, and at least one campus of each state university shall participate in the Washington guaranteed admissions program beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. (b) Institutions in (a) of this subsection may opt out of the Washington guaranteed admissions program by reporting to the legislature, in accordance with RCW 43.01.036, the and (ii) A detailed overview of other initiatives for improving admissions and expanding access to the institution for resident students. (3) Beginning …
Sponsors
- Drew Hansen (D) · primary sponsor
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- Marko Liias (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
- Sharon Shewmake (D)
- Vandana Slatter (D)
Latest actions
- : Referred to Ways & Means.
- : Minority; without recommendation.
- : And refer to Ways & Means.
- : HEWD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 10:30 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.
- : Prefiled for introduction.
Votes
- Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5978 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (January 29, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Common questions
- What is SB5978?
- SB5978 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Guaranteed admissions prg.
- What does SB5978 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to making higher education more accessible by establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5978?
- In committee as of January 30, 2026. Latest action: Referred to Ways & Means. (January 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5978?
- Drew Hansen (D), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5978?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5978&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.