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SB 5235

Concerning accessory dwelling units.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Noel Frame and 5 co-sponsors

Reorganizes the school code: repeals outdated statutes and expands PASS funds to cover developing and updating High School and Beyond Plans.

Senate Rules "X" file.
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Bill Summary · SB 5235

Summary — SB 5235 (2025): Repealing and reorganizing outdated statutes concerning public schools

Status: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading (last acted 2025-04-27)
Introduced: 01/14/2025
Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Harris, Nobles, Saldaña, C. Wilson

Overview / Purpose

SB 5235 is a housekeeping and reorganization bill for the school code. Its primary goals are to:
- Repeal or recodify a set of outdated, superseded, or redundant statutory provisions related to public schools; and
- Amend and clarify current statutes — notably expanding permissible uses of PASS (Performance Awards for Student Success) program awards to explicitly include developing and updating students’ high school and beyond plans (HSBPs).

The bill also makes related technical and internal-reference corrections across the School Code.

Key provisions

  • PASS awards (RCW 28A.175.145)

    • Clarifies award eligibility, distribution (90% to receiving high school; 10% to the district), and prioritization when funds are limited.
    • Explicitly allows PASS funds to be used for developing and updating High School and Beyond Plans under RCW 28A.230.212 (formerly listed under comprehensive guidance programs).
    • Lists allowable uses for PASS funds (examples: graduation coaches, internships, reengagement programs, tutoring, mentoring, early warning systems, counseling, parent engagement, early learning, pre-apprenticeship).
    • Authorizes OSPI to withhold awards if a school/district is found to have manipulated dropout prevention indicators.

  • State Board of Education (RCW 28A.305.130)

    • The bill amends duties and purpose language of the State Board of Education (text partially shown in amendment language) — intended as part of reorganizing statutory responsibilities (technical/conforming changes).

  • Repeals and recodification

    • Recodifies RCW 28A.623.030.
    • Repeals numerous statutes across chapters (examples listed in bill): RCW 28A.335.300; 28A.415.315; 28A.415.330; 28A.415.380; 28A.600.045; 28A.605.040; 28A.623.005–.020; 28A.625.100–.150; 28A.630.198; 28A.630.810; 28A.655.071; 28A.655.130; 28A.655.280; 28A.690.010–.030, among others. The House and bill reports identify many of these as older items (e.g., optional employee programs, playground matting considerations, past staff training provisions, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, and some meal program language).

  • Amendments during floor/committee consideration

    • Committee/House amendments replaced strike-everything language and inserted updated RCW text (H-2066.1).
    • Two subsequent amendments (Marshall; Rude) restored statutory provisions allowing districts to operate employee suggestion programs and commendable employee recognition award programs (i.e., those provisions were not repealed).

Who is affected

  • School districts and high schools (flexibility in use of PASS funds; some statutory authorities removed or recodified).
  • Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) — implementation, award distribution, oversight.
  • State Board of Education — conforming changes to duties/language.
  • Educators and classified staff (some optional/older programs are repealed or retained depending on amendments).
  • Community-based organizations and partners that contract with schools for dropout prevention and reengagement services.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Hearings: Public hearings in Senate (01/28/25) and House Education (03/17/25).
  • Senate floor: Passed third reading 03/06/25 (yeas 48; nays 1).
  • House: Executive action in House Education 03/27/25 (majority do pass as amended).
  • Rules: Referred to Rules 2 Review and Rules Committee; placed on second reading; on 04/27/25 returned to Senate Rules Committee by resolution for third reading.

Potential impact / considerations

  • Streamlines and modernizes the School Code by removing outdated provisions; reduces confusion from overlapping or obsolete statutes.
  • Provides clearer, explicit statutory authorization to use PASS funds for HSBP development and updates — potentially supporting student planning and reengagement strategies.
  • Some repeals may eliminate statutory language authorizing or encouraging programs that are now implemented via rules, policy, or other statutes; the restoration amendments preserved common employee recognition/suggestion authorities.
  • Fiscal impacts depend on appropriations (PASS awards remain subject to available funds).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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