The 2022 legislative session took off at a breakneck speed on Monday, Jan. 10, once again in a virtual format. This short 60-day session is focused on the supplemental budgets, which usually make modest adjustments to the biennial budgets passed last session. However, due to improved revenue forecasts since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and considerable one-time federal funding available to the state, the legislature will consider a larger supplemental operating budget this year compared to normal.
This week, the House and Senate fiscal committees heard the Governor’s operating and capital budget proposals, which fully fund all the University of Washington’s legislative requests. Director of State Relations, Joe Dacca, testified in support of the Governor’s operating budget and Associate Director, Morgan Hickel, testified in support of the capital budget. In his remarks, Joe emphasized the importance of including a salary adjustment in the final operating budget for the UW’s vital faculty and staff with state support covering at least 50% of the costs. On the capital budget, Morgan highlighted the immediate need to reduce significant deferred-maintenance backlogs for facilities on the Seattle campus, including upgrades to improve seismic preparedness and for mission critical repairs made to the UW’s Power Plant.
Joe also testified in support of House Bill 1659, which expands financial aid availability through the Washington College Grant to Washington students. Several higher education stakeholders, including students and faculty, testified in support of this legislation. Two additional financial aid bills – HB 1835 and HB 1736 – were also introduced and supported by the higher education community.
Other bills the UW is supporting and monitoring include:
- HB 1751 – Preventing hazing on and off campus
- SB 5597 – Creating a statewide voter demographic database at UW
- HB 1051 – Adding a faculty member to the Board of Regents at UW and WSU
- SB 5614 – Concerning the Washington national guard postsecondary education grant
The last day for bills to pass out of the policy committee in their house of origin is Feb. 3. If bills do not move out of policy committee by that date, they are considered dead and will not become law unless they are necessary to implement the budget (NTIB). Visit leg.wa.gov to learn more about specific pieces of legislation and track the legislature’s progress.
If you have any questions about the UW’s legislative agenda or bills being introduced, please contact the Office of State Relations at staterel@uw.edu.