wa-law.org > bill > 2023-24 > HB 1140 > Original Bill
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this act.
"ARPA" means the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.
"CRRSA" means the coronavirus response and relief supplemental appropriations act, P.L. 116-260, division M.
"CRRSA/ESSER" means the elementary and secondary school emergency relief fund, as modified by the coronavirus response and relief supplemental appropriations act, P.L. 116-260, division M.
"Fiscal year 2024" or "FY 2024" means the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
"Fiscal year 2025" or "FY 2025" means the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
"FTE" means full time equivalent.
"Lapse" or "revert" means the amount shall return to an unappropriated status.
"Provided solely" means the specified amount may be spent only for the specified purpose. Unless otherwise specifically authorized in this act, any portion of an amount provided solely for a specified purpose which is not expended subject to the specified conditions and limitations to fulfill the specified purpose shall lapse.
Whenever the terms in subsection (2)(a) through (c) of this section are used in the context of a general fund—federal appropriation, the term is used to attribute the funding to that federal act.
FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FOR THE SENATE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: $260,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $270,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the payment of membership dues to the council of state governments, the national conference of state legislatures, the pacific northwest economic region, the pacific fisheries legislative task force, and the western legislative forestry task force.
FOR THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE AUDIT AND REVIEW COMMITTEE
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM COMMITTEE
FOR THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE SYSTEMS COMMITTEE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: Within the amounts provided in this section, the joint legislative systems committee shall provide information technology support, including but not limited to internet service, for the district offices of members of the house of representatives and the senate.
FOR THE OFFICE OF STATE LEGISLATIVE LABOR RELATIONS
FOR THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ACTUARY
FOR THE STATUTE LAW COMMITTEE
FOR THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
LEGISLATIVE AGENCIES
In order to achieve operating efficiencies within the financial resources available to the legislative branch, the executive rules committee of the house of representatives and the facilities and operations committee of the senate by joint action may transfer funds among the house of representatives, senate, joint legislative audit and review committee, legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, joint transportation committee, office of the state actuary, joint legislative systems committee, statute law committee, redistricting commission, office of state legislative labor relations, and office of legislative support services.
FOR THE SUPREME COURT
FOR THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT
FOR THE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE COURTS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$11,785,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $11,785,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for deposit into the judicial information systems account and are provided solely to manage information technology support provided by the administrative office of the courts in addition to projects approved by the judicial information systems committee.
$2,400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for deposit into the Washington auto theft prevention account and are provided solely for activities relating to motor vehicle theft, including education, prevention, law enforcement, investigation, prosecution, and confinement as described in RCW 46.66.080.
FOR THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENSE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$900,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $900,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the purpose of improving the quality of trial court public defense services as authorized by chapter 10.101 RCW. The office of public defense must allocate these amounts so that $450,000 per fiscal year is distributed to counties, and $450,000 per fiscal year is distributed to cities, for grants under chapter 10.101 RCW.
$5,972,600 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,972,600 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for deposit into the judicial stabilization trust account and are provided solely to administer the office of public defense's Blake defense response to meet the public defense needs of people eligible for relief under State v. Blake, 197 Wn.2d.170 (2021).
$11,945,200 of the judicial stabilization trust account—state appropriation is provided solely to assist counties with public defense services related to vacating the convictions of defendants and/or resentencing for defendants whose convictions or sentences are affected by the State v. Blake decision. Of the amounts provided in this subsection:
$1,745,200 of the judicial stabilization trust account—state appropriation is provided solely for the office of public defense to provide statewide attorney training, technical assistance, data analysis and reporting, and quality oversight, to administer financial assistance for public defense costs related to State v. Blake impacts, and to maintain a triage team to provide statewide support to the management and flow of hearings for individuals impacted by the State v. Blake decision.
$10,200,000 of the judicial stabilization trust account—state appropriation is provided solely to assist counties in providing counsel for defendants seeking to vacate a conviction and/or be resentenced under State v. Blake. Assistance shall be allocated to all counties based upon a formula established by the office of public defense. Counties may receive assistance by: (i) Applying for grant funding; and/or (ii) designating the office of public defense to contract directly with counsel.
FOR THE OFFICE OF CIVIL LEGAL AID
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$144,197 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,242,961 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to support effective implementation of the appointed counsel program for children and youth in dependency cases under RCW 13.34.212(3) in accordance with revised practice, caseload, and training standards adopted by the supreme court commission on children in foster care.
$697,435 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,018,285 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for compensation adjustments for contractors appointed to represent children in dependency cases pursuant to RCW 13.34.212.
$2,408,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,579,200 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the provision of civil legal information, advice, and representation for tenants at risk of eviction but not yet eligible for appointed counsel services under RCW 59.18.640.
$2,526,443 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,102,658 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to maintain effective operations of the appointed counsel program for tenants in unlawful detainer cases established in RCW 59.18.640.
$4,773,600 of the judicial stabilization trust account—state appropriation is provided solely to continue legal information, advice, assistance, and representation for individuals eligible for civil relief under the supreme court's ruling in State v. Blake.
FOR THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,146,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,146,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the education ombuds.
$21,776,000 of the governor's office central services—state appropriation is provided solely for the office of equity.
$480,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for the governor to invite federally recognized tribes, local governments, agricultural producers, commercial and recreational fisher organizations, business organizations, salmon recovery organizations, forestry and agricultural organizations, and environmental organizations to participate in a process facilitated by an independent entity to develop recommendations on proposed changes in policy and spending priorities to improve riparian habitat to ensure salmon and steelhead recovery.
The independent entity must develop recommendations on furthering riparian funding and policy, including but not limited to, strategies that can attract private investment in improving riparian habitat, and developing a regulatory or compensation strategy if voluntary programs do not achieve concrete targets.
Preliminary recommendations shall be submitted to the legislature and governor by May 1, 2024, with a final report by June 30, 2024.
The office of the governor may contract for an independent facilitator. The contract is exempt from the competitive procurement requirements in chapter 39.26 RCW.
FOR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
FOR THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COMMISSION
FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$2,498,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $12,196,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to reimburse counties for the state's share of primary and general election costs and the costs of conducting mandatory recounts on state measures. Counties shall be reimbursed only for those costs that the secretary of state validates as eligible for reimbursement.
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$3,051,500 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,051,500 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for contracting with a nonprofit organization to produce gavel-to-gavel television coverage of state government deliberations and other events of statewide significance during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. The funding level for each year of the contract shall be based on the amount provided in this subsection. The nonprofit organization shall be required to raise contributions or commitments to make contributions, in cash or in kind, in an amount equal to forty percent of the state contribution. The office of the secretary of state may make full or partial payment once all criteria in this subsection have been satisfactorily documented.
The legislature finds that the commitment of on-going funding is necessary to ensure continuous, autonomous, and independent coverage of public affairs. For that purpose, the secretary of state shall enter into a contract with the nonprofit organization to provide public affairs coverage.
The nonprofit organization shall prepare an annual independent audit, an annual financial statement, and an annual report, including benchmarks that measure the success of the nonprofit organization in meeting the intent of the program.
No portion of any amounts disbursed pursuant to this subsection may be used, directly or indirectly, for any of the following purposes:
Attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by the legislature of the state of Washington, by any county, city, town, or other political subdivision of the state of Washington, or by the congress, or the adoption or rejection of any rule, standard, rate, or other legislative enactment of any state agency;
Making contributions reportable under chapter 42.17 RCW; or
Providing any: (A) Gift; (B) honoraria; or (C) travel, lodging, meals, or entertainment to a public officer or employee.
Any reductions to funding for the Washington talking book and Braille library may not exceed in proportion any reductions taken to the funding for the library as a whole.
$75,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $75,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for humanities Washington speaker's bureau community conversations.
$114,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $114,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for election reconciliation reporting. Funding provides for one staff to compile county reconciliation reports, analyze the data, and to complete an annual statewide election reconciliation report for every state primary and general election. The report must be submitted annually on July 31, to legislative policy and fiscal committees. The annual report must include statewide analysis and by county analysis on the reasons for ballot rejection and an analysis of the ways ballots are received, counted, rejected and cure data that can be used by policymakers to better understand election administration.
$1,245,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,195,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for staff dedicated to the maintenance and operations of the voter registration and election management system. These staff will manage database upgrades, database maintenance, system training and support to counties, and the triage and customer service to system users.
$8,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $8,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for:
Funding the security operations center, including identified needs for expanded operations, systems, technology tools, training resources;
Additional staff dedicated to the cyber and physical security of election operations at the office and county election offices;
Expanding security assessments, threat monitoring, enhanced security training; and
Providing grants to county partners to address identified threats and expand existing grants and contracts with other public and private organizations such as the Washington military department, national guard, private companies providing cyber security, and county election offices.
FOR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The office shall assist the department of enterprise services on providing the government-to-government training sessions for federal, state, local, and tribal government employees. The training sessions shall cover tribal historical perspectives, legal issues, tribal sovereignty, and tribal governments. Costs of the training sessions shall be recouped through a fee charged to the participants of each session. The department of enterprise services shall be responsible for all of the administrative aspects of the training, including the billing and collection of the fees for the training.
FOR THE COMMISSION ON ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN AFFAIRS
FOR THE STATE TREASURER
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 207, Laws of 2021 (tax increment financing).
$350,000 of the state treasurer's service account—state appropriation provides expenditure authority for one FTE for ongoing policy and program analysis of the Washington future fund program.
FOR THE STATE AUDITOR
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,585,000 of the performance audit of government account—state appropriation is provided solely for staff and related costs to verify the accuracy of reported school district data submitted for state funding purposes; conduct school district program audits of state-funded public school programs; establish the specific amount of state funding adjustments whenever audit exceptions occur and the amount is not firmly established in the course of regular public school audits; and to assist the state special education safety net committee when requested.
Within existing resources of the performance audits of government account, the state auditor's office shall conduct a performance audit or accountability audit of Washington charter public schools to satisfy the requirement to contract for an independent performance audit pursuant to RCW 28A.710.030(2).
$825,000 of the auditing services revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for accountability and risk based audits.
FOR THE CITIZENS' COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The attorney general shall report each fiscal year on actual legal services expenditures and actual attorney staffing levels for each agency receiving legal services. The report shall be submitted to the office of financial management and the fiscal committees of the senate and house of representatives no later than ninety days after the end of each fiscal year. As part of its by agency report to the legislative fiscal committees and the office of financial management, the office of the attorney general shall include information detailing the agency's expenditures for its agency-wide overhead and a breakdown by division of division administration expenses.
Prior to entering into any negotiated settlement of a claim against the state that exceeds five million dollars, the attorney general shall notify the director of the office of financial management and the chairs and ranking members of the senate committee on ways and means and the house of representatives committee on appropriations.
The attorney general shall annually report to the fiscal committees of the legislature all new cy pres awards and settlements and all new accounts, disclosing their intended uses, balances, the nature of the claim or account, proposals, and intended timeframes for the expenditure of each amount. The report shall be distributed electronically and posted on the attorney general's web site. The report shall not be printed on paper or distributed physically.
$1,217,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,217,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for multi-year arbitrations of the state's diligent enforcement of its obligations to receive amounts withheld from tobacco master settlement agreement payments.
$3,047,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,047,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 326, Laws of 2021 (law enforcement data).
$958,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $958,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of a program for receiving and responding to tips from the public regarding risks or potential risks to the safety or well-being of youth, called the YES tip line program. Risks to safety or well-being may include, but are not limited to, harm or threats of harm to self or others, sexual abuse, assault, rape, bullying or cyberbullying, substance use, and criminal acts. Any person contacting the YES tip line, whether for themselves or for another person, must receive timely assistance and not be turned away. The program must operate within the guidelines of this subsection.
During the development and implementation of the YES tip line program the attorney general shall convene an advisory committee consisting of representatives from the Washington state patrol, the department of health, the health care authority, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the Washington student achievement council, the Washington association of educational service districts, and other participants the attorney general appoints.
The attorney general shall develop and implement policies and processes for:
Assessing tips based on the level of severity, urgency, and assistance needed using best triage practices including the YES tip line;
Risk assessment for referral of persons contacting the YES tip line to service providers;
Threat assessment that identifies circumstances requiring the YES tip line to alert law enforcement, mental health services, or other first responders immediately when immediate emergency response to a tip is warranted;
Referral and follow-up on tips to schools or postsecondary institution teams, local crisis services, law enforcement, and other entities;
YES tip line information data retention and reporting requirements;
Ensuring the confidentiality of persons submitting a tip and to allow for disclosure when necessary to respond to a specific emergency threat to life; and
Systematic review, analysis, and reporting by the YES tip line program of YES tip line data including, but not limited to, reporting program utilization and evaluating whether the YES tip line is being implemented equitably across the state.
The YES tip line shall be operated by a vendor selected by the attorney general through a competitive contracting process. The attorney general shall ensure that the YES tip line program vendor and its personnel are properly trained and resourced. The contract must require the vendor to be bound confidentiality policies developed by the office. The contract must also provide that the state of Washington owns the data and information produced from the YES tip line and that vendor must comply with the state's data retention, use, and security requirements.
The YES tip line program must develop and maintain a reference and best practices tool kit for law enforcement and mental health officials that identifies statewide and community mental health resources, services, and contacts, and provides best practices and strategies for investigators to use in investigating cases and assisting youths and their parents and guardians.
The YES tip line program must promote and market the program and YES tip line to youth, families, community members, schools, and others statewide to build awareness of the program's resources and the YES tip line. Youth perspectives must be included and consulted in tip line development and implementation including creating marketing campaigns and materials required for the YES tip line program. The insights of youth representing marginalized and minority communities must be prioritized for their invaluable insight. The attorney general may determine the criteria for honorariums and award youth who participate in the tip line development and implementation an honorarium of up to $200 per day.
In addition to honorarium amounts, youth are eligible for reasonable allowances for reimbursement, lodging, and travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
Nothing in this subsection creates an employment relationship, or any membership or qualification in any state or other publicly supported retirement system, due to the payment of an honorarium or lodging and travel expenses provided under this subsection where such a relationship, membership, or qualification did not already exist.
$464,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $464,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the attorney general to support the Washington state missing and murdered indigenous women and people task force created in section 943, chapter 297, Laws of 2022.
$9,188,000 of the legal services revolving fund—state appropriation is provided solely for additional legal services to address additional legal services necessary for dependency actions where the state and federal Indian child welfare act apply. The office must report to the fiscal committees of the legislature within 90 days of the close of the fiscal year the following information for new cases initiated in the previous fiscal year to measure quantity and use of this funding:
The number and proportion of cases where the state and federal Indian child welfare act (ICWA) applies as compared to non-ICWA new cases;
The amount of time spent advising on, preparing for court, and litigating issues and elements related to ICWA's requirements as compared to the amount of time advising on, preparing for court, and litigating issues and elements that are not related to ICWA's requirements;
The length of state and federal Indian child welfare act cases as compared to non-ICWA cases measured by time or number of court hearings; and
Any other information or metric the office determines is appropriate to measure the quantity and use of the funding in this subsection.
The attorney general must deposit the state's portion of any proceeds received during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium from the settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler families into the state general fund to be appropriated for opioid abatement programs and services.
FOR THE CASELOAD FORECAST COUNCIL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$331,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to forecast the caseload for the Washington college grant program.
Within existing resources, and beginning with the November 2021 forecast, the caseload forecast council shall produce an unofficial forecast of the long-term caseload for juvenile rehabilitation as a courtesy.
$198,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $198,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to establish a new forecast for the working families tax credit program as required in House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0178.1/23) (adding a new caseload for the official caseload forecast).
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Repayments of outstanding mortgage and rental assistance program loans administered by the department under RCW 43.63A.640 shall be remitted to the department, including any current revolving account balances. The department shall collect payments on outstanding loans, and deposit them into the state general fund. Repayments of funds owed under the program shall be remitted to the department according to the terms included in the original loan agreements.
$7,096,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $7,096,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a grant to resolution Washington to build statewide capacity for alternative dispute resolution centers and dispute resolution programs that guarantee that citizens have access to low-cost resolution as an alternative to litigation.
$375,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $375,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a grant to the retired senior volunteer program.
The department shall administer its growth management act technical assistance and pass-through grants so that smaller cities and counties receive proportionately more assistance than larger cities or counties.
$375,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $375,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely as pass-through funding to Walla Walla Community College for its water and environmental center.
$4,304,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,304,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for associate development organizations. During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, the department shall consider an associate development organization's total resources when making contracting and fund allocation decisions, in addition to the schedule provided in RCW 43.330.086. The department must distribute the funding as follows:
For associate development organizations serving urban counties, which are counties other than rural counties as defined in RCW 82.14.370, a locally matched allocation of up to $1.00 per capita, totaling no more than $300,000 per organization; and
For associate development organizations in rural counties, as defined in RCW 82.14.370, a $1.00 per capita allocation with a base allocation of $75,000.
$6,827,000 of the liquor revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to contract with the municipal research and services center of Washington.
The department is authorized to require an applicant to pay an application fee to cover the cost of reviewing the project and preparing an advisory opinion on whether a proposed electric generation project or conservation resource qualifies to meet mandatory conservation targets.
Within existing resources, the department shall provide administrative and other indirect support to the developmental disabilities council.
$300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the northwest agriculture business center.
$150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the regulatory roadmap program for the construction industry and to identify and coordinate with businesses in key industry sectors to develop additional regulatory roadmap tools.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington new Americans program. The department may require a cash match or in-kind contributions to be eligible for state funding.
$643,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $643,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to contract with a private, nonprofit organization to provide developmental disability ombuds services.
$1,000,000 of the home security fund—state appropriation, $2,000,000 of the Washington housing trust account—state appropriation, and $1,000,000 of the affordable housing for all account—state appropriation are provided solely for the department of commerce for services to homeless families and youth through the Washington youth and families fund.
$2,000,000 of the home security fund—state appropriation is provided solely for the administration of the grant program required in chapter 43.185C RCW, linking homeless students and their families with stable housing.
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$1,980,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,980,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for community beds for individuals with a history of mental illness. Currently, there is little to no housing specific to populations with these co-occurring disorders; therefore, the department must consider how best to develop new bed capacity in combination with individualized support services, such as intensive case management and care coordination, clinical supervision, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and vocational and employment services. Case-management and care coordination services must be provided. Increased case-managed housing will help to reduce the use of jails and emergency services and will help to reduce admissions to the state psychiatric hospitals. The department must coordinate with the health care authority and the department of social and health services in establishing conditions for the awarding of these funds. The department must contract with local entities to provide a mix of (i) shared permanent supportive housing; (ii) independent permanent supportive housing; and (iii) low and no-barrier housing beds for people with a criminal history, substance abuse disorder, and/or mental illness.
Priority for permanent supportive housing must be given to individuals on the discharge list at the state psychiatric hospitals or in community psychiatric inpatient beds whose conditions present significant barriers to timely discharge.
$557,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $557,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to design and administer the achieving a better life experience program.
The department is authorized to suspend issuing any nonstatutorily required grants or contracts of an amount less than $1,000,000 per year.
$1,070,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,070,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the small business export assistance program. The department must ensure that at least one employee is located outside the city of Seattle for purposes of assisting rural businesses with export strategies.
$60,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $60,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to submit the necessary Washington state membership dues for the Pacific Northwest economic region.
$2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to contract with organizations and attorneys to provide either legal representation or referral services for legal representation, or both, to indigent persons who are in need of legal services for matters related to their immigration status. Persons eligible for assistance under any contract entered into pursuant to this subsection must be determined to be indigent under standards developed under chapter 10.101 RCW.
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$7,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $7,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $37,000,000 of the affordable housing for all account—state appropriation are provided solely for grants to support the building operation, maintenance, and service costs of permanent supportive housing projects or units within housing projects that have or will receive funding from the housing trust fund—state account or other public capital funding that:
Is dedicated as permanent supportive housing units;
Is occupied by low-income households with incomes at or below thirty percent of the area median income; and
Requires a supplement to rent income to cover ongoing property operating, maintenance, and service expenses.
Permanent supportive housing projects receiving federal operating subsidies that do not fully cover the operation, maintenance, and service costs of the projects are eligible to receive grants as described in this subsection.
The department may use a reasonable amount of funding provided in this subsection to administer the grants.
$7,000,000 of the home security fund—state appropriation is provided solely for the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs to:
Expand outreach, services, and housing for homeless youth and young adults including but not limited to secure crisis residential centers, crisis residential centers, and HOPE beds, so that resources are equitably distributed across the state;
Contract with other public agency partners to test innovative program models that prevent youth from exiting public systems into homelessness; and
Support the development of an integrated services model, increase performance outcomes, and enable providers to have the necessary skills and expertise to effectively operate youth programs.
$4,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of homeless youth to build infrastructure and services to support a continuum of interventions, including but not limited to prevention, crisis response, and long-term housing, to reduce youth homelessness in communities identified as part of the anchor community initiative.
$2,125,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,125,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of homeless youth to contract with one or more nonprofit organizations to provide youth services and young adult housing on a multi-acre youth campus located in the city of Tacoma. Youth services include, but are not limited to, HOPE beds and crisis residential centers to provide temporary shelter and permanency planning for youth under the age of 18. Young adult housing includes, but is not limited to, rental assistance and case management for young adults ages 18 to 24. The department shall submit an annual report to the legislature on the use of the funds. The report is due annually on June 30th. The report shall include but is not limited to:
A breakdown of expenditures by program and expense type, including the cost per bed;
The number of youth and young adults helped by each program;
The number of youth and young adults on the waiting list for programs, if any; and
Any other metric or measure the department deems appropriate to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the funds.
$59,570,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $59,570,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the essential needs and housing support program and related services. The department may use a portion of the funds provided in this subsection to continue the pilot program established in section 127(106) of chapter 357, Laws of 2020.
$1,808,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,808,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to identify and invest in strategic growth areas, support key sectors, and align existing economic development programs and priorities. The department must consider Washington's position as the most trade-dependent state when identifying priority investments. The department must engage states and provinces in the northwest as well as associate development organizations, small business development centers, chambers of commerce, ports, and other partners to leverage the funds provided. Sector leads established by the department must include the industries of: (a) Aerospace; (b) clean technology and renewable and nonrenewable energy; (c) wood products and other natural resource industries; (d) information and communication technology; (e) life sciences and global health; (f) maritime; (g) military and defense; and (h) creative industries. The department may establish these sector leads by hiring new staff, expanding the duties of current staff, or working with partner organizations and or other agencies to serve in the role of sector lead.
The department must develop a model ordinance for cities and counties to utilize for siting community based behavioral health facilities.
$198,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $198,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to retain a behavioral health facilities siting administrator within the department to coordinate development of effective behavioral health housing options and provide technical assistance in siting of behavioral health treatment facilities statewide to aide in the governor's plan to discharge individuals from the state psychiatric hospitals into community settings. This position must work closely with the local government legislative authorities, planning departments, behavioral health providers, health care authority, department of social and health services, and other entities to facilitate linkages among disparate behavioral health community bed capacity-building efforts. This position must work to integrate building behavioral health treatment and infrastructure capacity in addition to ongoing supportive housing benefits.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to contract with an entity located in the Beacon hill/Chinatown international district area of Seattle to provide low income housing, low income housing support services, or both. To the extent practicable, the chosen location must be colocated with other programs supporting the needs of children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.
$4,740,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $4,740,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $4,500,000 of the home security fund—state appropriation are provided solely for the consolidated homeless grant program.
Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $4,500,000 of the home security fund—state appropriation is provided solely for permanent supportive housing targeted at those families who are chronically homeless and where at least one member of the family has a disability. The department will also connect these families to medicaid supportive services.
Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for diversion services for those families and individuals who are at substantial risk of losing stable housing or who have recently become homeless and are determined to have a high probability of returning to stable housing.
Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $3,240,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,240,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for up to nine months of rental assistance for individuals enrolled in the foundational community supports initiative who are transitioning off of benefits under RCW 74.04.805 due to increased income or other changes in eligibility. The health care authority, department of social and health services, and department of commerce shall collaborate on this effort.
$20,684,000 of the Andy Hill cancer research endowment fund match transfer account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Andy Hill cancer research endowment program. Amounts provided in this subsection may be used for grants and administration costs.
$1,366,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,114,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the operations of the long-term care ombudsman program.
$100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to produce the biennial report identifying a list of projects to address incompatible developments near military installations as provided in RCW 43.330.520.
$1,007,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,007,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to administer a transitional housing program for nondependent homeless youth.
$300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to establish representation in key international markets that will provide the greatest opportunities for increased trade and investment for small businesses in the state of Washington. Prior to entering into any contract for representation, the department must consult with associate development organizations and other organizations and associations that represent small business, rural industries, and disadvantaged business enterprises.
$80,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $80,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to establish an identification assistance and support program to assist homeless persons in collecting documentation and procuring an identicard issued by the department of licensing. This program may be operated through a contract for services. The program shall operate in one county west of the crest of the Cascade mountain range with a population of one million or more and one county east of the crest of the Cascade mountain range with a population of 500,000 or more.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs to create a centralized diversion fund to serve homeless or at-risk youth and young adults, including those who are unsheltered, exiting inpatient programs, or in school. Funding provided in this subsection may be used for short-term rental assistance, offsetting costs for first and last month's rent and security deposits, transportation costs to go to work, and assistance in obtaining photo identification or birth certificates.
$100,000 of the model toxics control stormwater account—state appropriation is provided solely for planning work related to stormwater runoff at the aurora bridge and I-5 ship canal bridge. Planning work may include, but is not limited to, coordination with project partners, community engagement, conducting engineering studies, and staff support.
$100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a grant to assist people with limited incomes in urban areas of the state start and sustain small businesses. The grant recipient must be a nonprofit organization involving a network of microenterprise organizations and professionals to support micro entrepreneurship and access to economic development resources.
$1,500,000 of the community preservation and development authority account—state/operating appropriation is provided solely for the operations of the Pioneer Square-International District community preservation and development authority established in RCW 43.167.060.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants and associated technical assistance and administrative costs to foster collaborative partnerships that expand child care capacity in communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, school districts, educational service districts, and local governments. These funds may be expended only after the approval of the director of the department of commerce and must be used to support planning and activities that help communities address the shortage of child care, prioritizing partnerships serving in whole or in part areas identified as child care access deserts.
$607,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $607,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to assist homeowners at risk of foreclosure pursuant to chapter 61.24 RCW. Funding provided in this section may be used for activities to prevent mortgage or tax lien foreclosure, housing counselors, a foreclosure prevention hotline, legal services for low-income individuals, mediation, and other activities that promote homeownership. The department may contract with other foreclosure fairness program state partners to carry out this work.
$100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to contract with a nonprofit entity located in Seattle that focuses on poverty reduction and racial equity to convene and staff a poverty reduction workgroup steering committee comprised of individuals that have lived experience with poverty. Funding provided in this section may be used to reimburse steering committee members for travel, child care, and other costs associated with participation in the steering committee.
$1,147,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,629,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the statewide broadband office established in RCW 43.330.532.
$400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for capacity-building grants through the Latino community fund for emergency response services, educational programs, and human services support for children and families in rural and underserved communities.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of homeless youth to administer a competitive grant process to award funding to licensed youth shelters, HOPE centers, and crisis residential centers to provide behavioral health support services for youth in crisis, and to increase funding for current grantees.
$3,700,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,700,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to provide grants, capacity building, and technical assistance support to a network of microenterprise development organizations. The microenterprise development organizations will support rural and urban Black, indigenous and people of color owned businesses, veteran owned businesses, and limited resourced and other hard to serve businesses with five or fewer employees throughout the state with business training, technical assistance, and microloans.
$9,864,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $9,864,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for long-term rental subsidies for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders. This funding may be used for individuals enrolled in the foundational community support program while waiting for a longer term resource for rental support or for individuals transitioning from behavioral health treatment facilities or local jails. Individuals who would otherwise be eligible for the foundational community support program but are not eligible because of their citizenship status may also be served.
$9,575,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $9,575,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to continue the Washington state office of firearm safety and violence prevention, including the creation of a state and federal grant funding plan to direct resources to cities that are most impacted by community violence. Of the amounts provided in this subsection:
$600,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $600,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for community-based violence prevention and intervention services to individuals identified through the King county shots fired social network analysis. The department must complete an evaluation of the program and provide a report to the governor and the appropriate legislative committees by June 30, 2023.
$5,318,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,318,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to support existing programs and capacity building for new programs providing evidence-based violence prevention and intervention services to individuals at high risk to perpetrate or be victims of firearm violence and who reside in areas with high rates of firearm violence as provided in RCW 43.330A.050.
Priority shall be given to programs that partner with the University of Washington, school of medicine, department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences for training and support to deliver culturally relevant family integrated transition services through use of credible messenger advocates.
The office may enter into agreement with the University of Washington or another independent entity with expertise in evaluating community-based grant-funded programs to evaluate the grant program's effectiveness.
The office shall enter into agreement to provide funding to the University of Washington, school of medicine, department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences to directly deliver trainings and support to programs providing culturally relevant family integrated transition services through use of credible messenger and to train a third-party organization to similarly support those programs.
$2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided to further support firearm violence prevention and intervention programs and initiatives consistent with the duties of the office as set forth in RCW 43.330A.020.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided to support safe storage programs and suicide prevention outreach and education efforts across the state.
$2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to administer grants to diaper banks for the purchase of diapers, wipes, and other essential baby products, for distribution to families in need. The department must give priority to providers serving or located in marginalized, low-income communities or communities of color; and providers that help support racial equity.
$10,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $10,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department for grants for updating and implementing comprehensive plans and development regulations in order to implement the requirements of the growth management act.
In allocating grant funding to local jurisdictions, awards must be based on a formula, determined by the department, to ensure that grants are distributed equitably among cities and counties. Grants will be used primarily to fund the review and update requirements for counties and cities required by RCW 36.70A.130. Funding provided on this formula basis shall cover additional county and city costs, if applicable, to implement chapter 254, Laws of 2021 (Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1220).
Within the amounts not utilized under (a) of this subsection, the department shall establish a competitive grant program to implement requirements of the growth management act.
Up to $500,000 per biennium may be allocated toward growth management policy research and development or to assess the ongoing effectiveness of existing growth management policy.
The department must develop a process for consulting with local governments, affected stakeholders, and the appropriate committees of the legislature to establish emphasis areas for competitive grant distribution and for research priorities.
$1,100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to contract with the municipal research and services center, in coordination with the Washington procurement technical assistance center, to provide training and technical assistance to local governments and contractors on public works contracting. Training topics may include utilization of supplemental bidding criteria, utilization of alternate public works, contracting, cost estimating, obtaining performance and payment bonds, and increasing participation of women-owned and minority-owned businesses.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2023 is provided solely for a grant to a nonprofit organization in the city of Tacoma that provides on-water marine science and maritime programs, as well as mentoring and community service opportunities, for youth and young adults. Grant funding must be used to expand program participation of youth and young adults from underserved and underrepresented communities.
$5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to counties to stabilize newly arriving refugees from the 2022 Ukraine-Russia conflict.
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$50,000,000 of the electric vehicle incentive account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to implement programs and incentives that promote the purchase of or conversion to alternative fuel vehicles. The department must work with the interagency electric vehicle coordinating council to develop and implement alternative fuel vehicle programs and incentives.
In developing and implementing programs and incentives under this subsection, the department must prioritize programs and incentives that:
Will serve individuals living in an overburdened community, as defined in RCW 70A.02.010;
Will serve individuals who are in greatest need of this assistance in order to reduce the carbon emissions and other environmental impacts of their current mode of transportation in the overburdened community in which they live; and
Will serve low-income communities, communities with the greatest health disparities, and communities of color that are most likely to receive the greatest health benefits from the programs through a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants that will result in improved groundwater and stormwater quality, improved air quality, and reductions in noise pollution.
$120,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $120,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a grant to a nonprofit resource center in King county that provides sexual assault advocacy services, therapy services, and prevention and outreach to begin a three-year, multigrade sexual violence prevention program in the Renton school district.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a grant to a business center that provides confidential, no-cost, one-on-one, client-centered assistance to small businesses to expand outreach in underserved communities, especially Black, indigenous, and people of color-owned businesses, providing targeted assistance where needed. Funding may also be used to collaborate the department, the Washington economic development association, and others to develop a more effective and efficient service delivery system for Washington's women and minority-owned small businesses.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs to colead a prevention work group with the department of children, youth, and families. The work group must focus on preventing youth and young adult homelessness and other related negative outcomes. The work group shall consist of members representing the department of social and health services, the employment security department, the health care authority, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the Washington student achievement council, the interagency work group on homelessness, community-based organizations, and young people and families with lived experience of housing instability, child welfare involvement, justice system involvement, or inpatient behavioral health involvement.
The work group shall help guide implementation of:
The state's strategic plan on prevention of youth homelessness;
Chapter 157, Laws of 2018 (SSB 6560);
Chapter 312, Laws of 2019 (E2SSB 5290);
Efforts to reform family reconciliation services; and
Other state initiatives addressing the prevention of youth homelessness.
The office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs must use the amounts provided in this subsection to contract with a community-based organization to support the involvement with the work group of young people and families with lived experience of housing instability, child welfare involvement, justice system involvement, or inpatient behavioral health involvement. The community-based organization must serve and be substantially governed by marginalized populations. The amounts provided in this subsection must supplement private funding to support the work group.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to strengthen capacity of the keep Washington working act work group established in RCW 43.330.510.
$3,183,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,183,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to increase existing grantee contracts providing rental or housing subsidy and services for eligible tenants in housing and homeless programs. The department will work with stakeholders and grantees to increase current contracts and distribute funds to account for increases in housing and services costs across the state.
$69,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $69,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the development of community electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Funding provided in this section must be used for projects that provide a benefit to the public through development, demonstration, and deployment of clean energy technologies that save energy and reduce energy costs, reduce harmful air emissions, or increase energy independence for the state.
Projects that receive funding under this section must be implemented by, or include partners from, one or more of the following: Local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, or public and private electrical utilities that serve retail customers in the state.
Grant funding must be used for level 2 or higher charging infrastructure and related costs including but not limited to construction and site improvements. Projects may include a robust public and private outreach plan that includes engaging with affected parties in conjunction with the new electric vehicle infrastructure.
The department must prioritize funding for projects in the following order:
Multifamily housing;
Publicly available charging at any location;
Schools and school districts;
State and local government buildings and office buildings;
All other eligible projects.
The department must coordinate with other electrification programs, including projects developed by the department of transportation, to determine the most effective distribution of the systems. The department must also collaborate with the interagency electric vehicle coordinating council established in RCW 43.392.030 to implement this subsection and must work to meet benchmarks established in chapter 182, Laws of 2022.
$37,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $37,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to increase solar deployment and installation of battery storage in community buildings to enhance grid resiliency and provide backup power for critical needs, such as plug load and refrigeration for medication, during outages or to provide incentives to support electric utility demand response programs that include customer-sited solar and battery storage systems. Eligible uses of the amounts provided in this subsection include, but are not limited to, planning and predevelopment work with vulnerable, highly impacted, and rural communities. For the purposes of this subsection "community buildings" means K-12 schools, 29 community colleges, community centers, recreation centers, libraries, tribal buildings, state and local government buildings, and other publicly owned infrastructure.
$20,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $20,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a grant program to provide solar and battery storage community solar projects for public assistance organizations serving low-income communities. Eligible uses of the amounts provided in this subsection include, but are not limited to, planning and predevelopment work with vulnerable, highly impacted, and rural communities.
Grants are not to exceed 100 percent of the cost of the project, taking into account any federal tax credits or other federal or nonfederal grants or incentives that the project is benefiting from.
Priority must be given to projects sited on "preferred sites" such as rooftops, structures, existing impervious surfaces, landfills, brownfields, previously developed sites, irrigation canals and ponds, storm water collection ponds, industrial areas, dual-use solar projects that ensure ongoing agricultural operations, and other sites that do not displace critical habitat or productive farmland.
For the purposes of this subsection "low-income" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 19.405.020 and "community solar project" means a solar energy system that: Has a direct current nameplate capacity that is greater than 12 kilowatts but no greater than 1,000 kilowatts; and has, at minimum, either two subscribers or one low-income service provider subscriber.
$10,000,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for grants to support port districts, counties, cities, towns, special purpose districts, and any other municipal corporations or quasi-municipal corporations to support siting and permitting of clean energy projects in the state. Eligible uses of grant funding provided in this section include supporting predevelopment work for sites intended for clean energy projects, land use studies, conducting or engaging in planning efforts such as planned actions and programmatic environmental impact statements, and staff to improve permit timeliness and certainty.
$50,000,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided for the department to administer grant funding through the existing network of federal low-income home energy assistance program grantees to provide low-income households with energy utility bill assistance. Under the grant program, each household accessing energy bill assistance must be connected with an energy assessment that includes determining the household's need for clean cooling and heating system upgrades that improve safety and efficiency while meeting Washington's climate goals. If beneficial, households may be offered grant funding to cover the replacement of inefficient, outdated, or unsafe home heating and cooling systems with more energy efficient electric heating and cooling technologies, such as heat pumps. The department may utilize a portion of the funding provided within this subsection to create an electronic application system. Within the amounts provided, no more than 60 percent of the funding may be utilized by the department to target services to multifamily residential buildings across the state that experience high energy use, where a majority of the residents within the building are below 80 percent of the area median income and the community experiences high environmental health disparities. The department will incorporate this data in future energy assistance reports and may publish information on its website on the number of furnace or heating and cooling system replacements, including replacements within multifamily housing units.
$76,000,000 of the coronavirus state fiscal recovery account—federal appropriation and $76,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for the department to continue grant funding for emergency housing and shelter capacity and associated supports such as street outreach, diversion services, short-term rental assistance, hotel and motel vouchers, housing search and placement, and housing stability case management. Entities eligible for grant funding include local governments and nonprofit entities. The department may use existing programs, such as the consolidated homelessness grant program, to award funding under this subsection. Grants provided under this subsection must be used to maintain or increase current emergency housing capacity, funded by the shelter program grant and other programs, as practicable due to increased costs of goods, services, and wages. Emergency housing includes transitional housing, congregate or noncongregate shelter, sanctioned encampments, or short-term hotel or motel stays.
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$2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for the department, in consultation with other agencies as necessary, to conduct an analysis of new electricity generation, transmission, ancillary services, efficiency and storage sufficient to offset those presently provided by the lower Snake river dams. The analysis should identify a detailed plan for a replacement portfolio that maintains the reliability and adequacy of the electric power system, is consistent with the state's statutory and regulatory requirements for clean electricity generation, and is supplementary to the resources that will be required to replace fossil fuels in the transportation, industry, and buildings sectors. The assessment will include quantitative analysis based on available data as well as qualitative input gathered from tribal and other governments, the Northwest power and conservation council, utilities, and other key stakeholders. The analysis must include the following:
Expected trends for demand, generation, and cost through 2050, as well as the most recent analysis of future resource adequacy;
A resource portfolio approach in which a combination of generating resources, energy efficiency and demand response programs, transmission resources, and other programs and resources would be developed to replace the services otherwise provided by the lower Snake river dams;
Identification of generation and transmission siting options consistent with the overall replacement resource portfolio, in coordination with other state processes and requirements supporting the planning of clean energy and transmission siting;
An evaluation of alternatives for the ownership and operation of the replacement resource portfolio;
Incorporation of any impacts and opportunities that might result from the renewal of the Columbia river treaty, revisions of the Bonneville power administration preference contracts, implementation of the western resource adequacy program (WRAP), and other changes in operation and governance of the regional electric power system;
Identification of revenue and payment structures sufficient to maintain reliable and affordable electricity supplies for ratepayers; and
Cost estimates for development and implementation of identified generation and transmission needs and options including planning, permitting, design, and construction, including relevant federal authorities.
The department shall, to the extent determined practicable, support related analyses undertaken by the federal government as part of the Columbia river system operation stay of litigation agreed to in National Wildlife Federation et al. v. National Marine Fisheries Service et al. in October 2021.
The department shall provide a status update to the energy and environment committees of the legislature and governor's office by December 31, 2024.
$7,881,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $7,865,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to administer grants and provide technical assistance to cities or counties for actions relating to adopting ordinances that plan for and accommodate housing. Grants may be used for the following activities:
Analyzing comprehensive plan policies and development regulations to determine the extent of amendments required to meet the goal of authorizing middle housing types on at least 30 percent of lots currently zoned as single family residential within the city, or for counties inside the unincorporated urban growth area. For the purposes of this subsection, "middle housing types" means buildings that are compatible in scale, form, and character with single family houses, and contain two or more attached, stacked, or clustered homes. This includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes, sixplexes, townhouses, courtyard apartments, and cottage housing;
Planning work to facilitate transit-oriented development, including costs associated with the preparation of state environmental policy act environmental impact statements, planned action ordinances, and subarea plans, costs associated with the use of other tools under the state environmental policy act, and the costs of local code adoption and implementation of such efforts; and
Planning for and accommodating housing that is affordable for individuals and families earning less than 50 percent of the area median income, including:
Land use and regulatory solutions to address homelessness and low-income housing; and
Bridging homeless service planning with land use planning.
Within the amounts provided in this section, the department must publish on its website housing data needed to complete housing needs assessments required by RCW 36.70A.070(2)(a). The data shall include:
Housing profiles for each county and city in the state, including cost burden, vacancy, and income;
Data to assess racially disparate impacts, exclusion, and displacement;
A dashboard to display data in an easily accessible format; and
An affordable housing auditing program to monitor ongoing affordability of income-restricted units constructed with affordable housing incentives, including the multi-family tax exemption.
$6,300,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to administer a pilot grant program to replace drayage trucks serving the ports of Tacoma and Seattle with battery electric class-8 trucks, including charging infrastructure. These grants shall be provided to benefit vulnerable populations in overburdened communities as defined in RCW 70A.65.010, the climate commitment act.
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$75,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $75,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a targeted grant program to transition persons residing in encampments to safer housing opportunities, with an emphasis on permanent housing solutions. No less than $120,000,000 of the amount provided must be used for housing services to persons residing on state-owned rights-of-way. Eligible grant recipients include local governments and nonprofit organizations operating to provide housing or services. The department may provide funding to state agencies to ensure individuals accessing housing services are also able to access other wrap-around services that enable them to obtain housing such as food, personal identification, and other related services. Local government and nonprofit grant recipients may use grant funding to provide outreach, housing, transportation, site monitoring, and other services needed to assist individuals residing on encampments and public rights-of-way with moving into housing.
Grant criteria must include, but are not limited to:
Whether a site where the grantee will conduct outreach and engagement has been identified as a location where individuals residing in encampments or on the public right-of-way are in specific circumstances or physical locations that expose them to especially or imminently unsafe conditions;
Local government readiness and capacity to enter into and fulfill the grant requirements as applicable; and
Other criteria as identified by the department.
When awarding grants under (a) of this subsection, the department must prioritize applicants that focus on permanent housing solutions.
Grant recipients under (a) of this subsection must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the department, and other state agencies if applicable, as a condition of receiving funds. Memoranda of understanding must specify the responsibilities of the grant recipients and the state agencies, and must include specific measurable outcomes for each entity signing the memorandum. The department must publish all signed memoranda on the department's website and must publish updates on outcomes for each memorandum at least every 90 days. At a minimum, outcomes must include:
The number of people living in the encampment with whom the parties engage;
The demographics of those engaged;
The type and duration of engagement with individuals living within encampments;
The types of housing options that were offered;
The number of individuals who accepted offered housing;
The types of assistance provided to move individuals into offered housing;
Any services and benefits in which an individual was successfully enrolled; and
The housing outcomes of individuals who were placed into housing six months and one year after placement.
Grant recipients under (a) of this subsection may not transition individuals from encampments unless they in good faith offer individuals a housing option that is safer than their current living situation. The department must establish criteria regarding the safety, accessibility, and habitability of housing options to be offered by grant recipients to ensure that such options are a meaningful improvement over an individual's current living situation and that grant recipients provide options that are well-matched to an individual's assessed needs.
Funding granted to eligible recipients under (a) of this subsection may not be used to supplant or replace existing funding provided for housing services.
FOR THE ECONOMIC AND REVENUE FORECAST COUNCIL
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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The student achievement council and all institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.92.030 and eligible for state financial aid programs under chapters 28B.92 and 28B.118 RCW shall ensure that data needed to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of state financial aid programs are promptly transmitted to the education data center so that it is available and easily accessible. The data to be reported must include but not be limited to:
The number of Washington college grant and college bound recipients;
Persistence and completion rates of Washington college grant recipients and college bound recipients, disaggregated by institution of higher education;
Washington college grant recipients grade point averages; and
Washington college grant and college bound scholarship program costs.
The student achievement council shall submit student unit record data for state financial aid program applicants and recipients to the education data center.
$100,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to the office of financial management to implement career connected learning.
$168,850,000 of the information technology system development revolving account—state appropriation, $352,000 of the personnel services account—state appropriation, and $352,000 of the office of financial management central services account—state appropriation are provided solely for the one Washington enterprise resource planning statewide program and is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
$250,000 of the office of financial management central services account—state appropriation is provided solely for a dedicated information technology budget staff for the work associated with statewide information technology projects that are under the oversight of the office of the chief information officer. The staff will be responsible for providing a monthly financial report after each fiscal month close to fiscal staff of the senate ways and means and house appropriations committees to reflect at least:
Fund balance of the information technology pool account after each fiscal month close;
Amount by information technology project, differentiated if in the technology pool or the agency budget, of what funding has been approved to date and for the last fiscal month;
Amount by agency of what funding has been approved to date and for the last fiscal month;
Total amount approved to date, differentiated if in the technology pool or the agency budget, and for the last fiscal month;
A projection for the information technology pool account by fiscal month through the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium close, and a calculation spent to date as a percentage of the total appropriation;
A projection of each information technology project spending compared to budget spending plan by fiscal month through the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, and a calculation of amount spent to date as a percentage of total project cost; and
A list of agencies and projects that have not yet applied for nor been approved for funding by the office of financial management.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for implementation of chapter 245, Laws of 2022 (state boards, etc./stipends).
$137,000 of the climate investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the office of financial management to complete an analysis of laws regulating greenhouse gas emissions as required by RCW 70A.65.200(10).
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$4,320,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation and $5,962,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation are provided for serve Washington to develop and administer the Washington climate service corps, as created in House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0226/23) (climate service corps), to promote and enable climate action among young adults and veterans of Washington state and to help meet local and statewide needs related to climate change, clean energy, and environmental justice.
A minimum of 60 percent of climate service corps positions shall be provided to members of vulnerable populations in overburdened communities as defined in RCW 70A.65.010, the climate commitment act.
FOR THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE LOTTERY
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: No portion of this appropriation may be used for acquisition of gaming system capabilities that violate state law.
FOR THE COMMISSION ON HISPANIC AFFAIRS
FOR THE COMMISSION ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN AFFAIRS
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF RETIREMENT SYSTEMS—OPERATIONS
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: $31,491,000 of the department of retirement systems expense account—state appropriation is provided solely for pension system modernization, and is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$3,952,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,621,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of chapter 196, Laws of 2021 (capital gains tax).
$271,199,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $264,924,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 195, Laws of 2021 (working families tax exempt.). Of the total amounts provided in this subsection:
$14,199,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $9,924,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for IT implementation and administration of the working families tax exemption program; and
$257,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $255,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for remittances under the working families tax exemption program.
FOR THE BOARD OF TAX APPEALS
FOR THE OFFICE OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The office of minority and women's business enterprises shall consult with the Washington state office of equity on the Washington state toolkit for equity in public spending.
FOR THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
FOR THE STATE INVESTMENT BOARD
FOR THE LIQUOR AND CANNABIS BOARD
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The liquor and cannabis board may require electronic payment of the cannabis excise tax levied by RCW 69.50.535. The liquor and cannabis board may allow a waiver to the electronic payment requirement for good cause as provided by rule.
Of the liquor revolving account—state appropriation, $35,278,000 is provided solely for the modernization of regulatory systems and are subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
FOR THE UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: Up to $800,000 of the public service revolving account—state appropriation in this section is for the utilities and transportation commission to supplement funds committed by a telecommunications company to expand rural broadband service on behalf of an eligible governmental entity. The amount in this subsection represents payments collected by the utilities and transportation commission pursuant to the Qwest performance assurance plan.
FOR THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The military department shall submit a report to the office of financial management and the legislative fiscal committees by February 1st and October 31st of each year detailing information on the disaster response account, including: (a) The amount and type of deposits into the account; (b) the current available fund balance as of the reporting date; and (c) the projected fund balance at the end of the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium based on current revenue and expenditure patterns.
$40,000,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is provided solely for homeland security, subject to the following conditions: Any communications equipment purchased by local jurisdictions or state agencies shall be consistent with standards set by the Washington state interoperability executive committee.
$11,000,000 of the enhanced 911 account—state appropriation is provided solely for financial assistance to counties.
$784,000 of the disaster response account—state appropriation is provided solely for fire suppression training, equipment, and supporting costs to national guard soldiers and airmen.
FOR THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION
FOR THE BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY
FOR THE BOARD FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: $1,128,000 of the volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' administrative account—state appropriation is provided solely for a benefits management system, and is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
FOR THE FORENSIC INVESTIGATION COUNCIL
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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$250,000 of the death investigations account—state appropriation is provided solely for providing financial assistance to local jurisdictions in multiple death investigations. The forensic investigation council shall develop criteria for awarding these funds for multiple death investigations involving an unanticipated, extraordinary, and catastrophic event or those involving multiple jurisdictions.
Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $30,000 of the death investigations account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Adams county crime lab to investigate a double homicide that occurred in fiscal year 2021.
$210,000 of the death investigations account—state appropriation is provided solely for providing financial assistance to local jurisdictions in identifying human remains.
Within the amount appropriated in this section, the forensic investigation council may enter into an interagency agreement with the department of enterprise services for the department to provide services related to public records requests, to include responding to, or assisting the council in responding to, public disclosure requests received by the council.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE SERVICES
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$7,254,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $7,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the payment of facilities and services charges to include campus rent, parking, security, contracts, public and historic facilities, financial cost recovery, and capital projects surcharges allocable to the senate, house of representatives, statute law committee, legislative support services, and joint legislative systems committee. The department shall allocate charges attributable to these agencies among the affected revolving funds. The department shall maintain an interagency agreement with these agencies to establish performance standards, prioritization of preservation and capital improvement projects, and quality assurance provisions for the delivery of services under this subsection. The legislative agencies named in this subsection shall continue to have all of the same rights of occupancy and space use on the capitol campus as historically established.
Before any agency may purchase a passenger motor vehicle as defined in RCW 43.19.560, the agency must have approval from the director of the department of enterprise services. Agencies that are exempted from the requirement are the Washington state patrol, Washington state department of transportation, and the department of natural resources.
From the fee charged to master contract vendors, the department shall transfer to the office of minority and women's business enterprises in equal monthly installments $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $1,300,000 in fiscal year 2025.
Within existing resources, the department, in collaboration with consolidated technology services, must provide a report to the governor and fiscal committees of the legislative by October 31 of each calendar year that reflects information technology contract information based on a contract snapshot from June 30 of that same calendar year, and must also include any contract that was active since July 1 of the previous calendar year. The department will coordinate to receive contract information for all contracts to include those where the department has delegated authority so that the report includes statewide contract information. The report must contain a list of all information technology contracts to include the agency name, contract number, vendor name, contract term start and end dates, contract dollar amount in total, and contract dollar amounts by state fiscal year. The report must also include, by contract, the contract spending projections by state fiscal year for each ensuing state fiscal year through the contract term, and note the type of service delivered. The list of contracts must be provided electronically in Excel and be sortable by all field requirements. The report must also include trend analytics on information technology contracts, and recommendations for reducing costs where possible.
$654,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $654,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department, in collaboration with the state efficiency and environmental performance program, to implement the zero emission vehicle strategy.
$2,671,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $2,671,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $17,900,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation are provided solely for zero emission electric vehicle supply equipment infrastructure at facilities to accommodate charging station installation. The electric vehicle charging equipment must allow for the collection of usage data and must be coordinated with the state efficiency and environmental performance program. The department must prioritize locations based on state efficiency and environmental performance location priorities, and at least where zero emission fleet vehicles are or are scheduled to be purchased. The department must report when and where the equipment was installed, usage data at each charging station, and the state agencies and facilities that benefit from the installation of the charging station to the fiscal committees of the legislature by June 30. The department shall collaborate with the interagency electric vehicle coordinating council to implement this subsection and must work to meet benchmarks established in chapter 182, Laws of 2022 (transportation resources).
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$103,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $103,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for archaeological determinations and excavations of inadvertently discovered skeletal human remains, and removal and reinterment of such remains when necessary.
$350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington main street program.
FOR THE CONSOLIDATED TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AGENCY
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$12,642,000 of the consolidated technology services revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for the office of the chief information officer. Of this amount:
$2,000,000 of the consolidated technology services revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for experienced information technology project managers to provide critical support to agency IT projects that are under oversight from the office of the chief information officer. The staff or vendors will:
Provide master level project management guidance to agency IT stakeholders;
Consider statewide best practices from the public and private sectors, independent review and analysis, vendor management, budget and timing quality assurance and other support of current or past IT projects in at least Washington state and share these with agency IT stakeholders and legislative fiscal staff at least twice annually and post these to the statewide IT dashboard; and
Provide independent recommendations to legislative fiscal committees by December of each calendar year on oversight of IT projects to include opportunities for accountability and performance metrics.
$2,960,000 of the consolidated technology services revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for the office of privacy and data protection.
$16,925,000 of the consolidated technology services revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for the office of cyber security.
The consolidated technology services agency shall work with customer agencies using the Washington state electronic records vault (WASERV) to identify opportunities to:
Reduce storage volumes and costs associated with vault records stored beyond the agencies' record retention schedules; and
Assess a customized service charge as defined in chapter 304, Laws of 2017 for costs of using WASERV to prepare data compilations in response to public records requests.
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In conjunction with the office of the chief information officer's prioritization of proposed information technology expenditures, agency budget requests for proposed information technology expenditures must include the following:
The agency's priority ranking of each information technology request;
The estimated cost by fiscal year and by fund for the current biennium;
The estimated cost by fiscal year and by fund for the ensuing biennium;
The estimated total cost for the current and ensuing biennium;
The total cost by fiscal year, by fund, and in total, of the information technology project since it began;
The estimated cost by fiscal year and by fund over all biennia through implementation and close out and into maintenance and operations;
The estimated cost by fiscal year and by fund for service level agreements once the project is implemented;
The estimated cost by fiscal year and by fund for agency staffing for maintenance and operations once the project is implemented; and
ix. The expected fiscal year when the agency expects to complete the request.
The consolidated technology services agency must not increase fees charged for existing services without prior approval by the office of financial management. The agency may develop fees to recover the actual cost of new infrastructure to support increased use of cloud technologies.
Within existing resources, the agency must provide oversight of state procurement and contracting for information technology goods and services by the department of enterprise services.
Within existing resources, the agency must host, administer, and support the state employee directory in an online format to provide public employee contact information.
The health care authority, the health benefit exchange, the department of social and health services, the department of health, and the department of children, youth, and families shall work together within existing resources to establish the health and human services enterprise coalition (the coalition). The coalition, led by the health care authority, must be a multi-organization collaborative that provides strategic direction and federal funding guidance for projects that have cross-organizational or enterprise impact, including information technology projects that affect organizations within the coalition. The office of the chief information officer shall maintain a statewide perspective when collaborating with the coalition to ensure that the development of projects identified in this report are planned for in a manner that ensures the efficient use of state resources and maximizes federal financial participation. The work of the coalition and any project identified as a coalition project is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
$4,526,000 of the consolidated technology services revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for the creation and ongoing delivery of information technology services tailored to the needs of small agencies. The scope of services must include, at a minimum, full-service desktop support, service assistance, security, and consultation.
$75,935,000 of the consolidated technology services revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for the procurement and distribution of Microsoft 365 licenses which must include advanced security features and cloud-based private branch exchange capabilities for state agencies. The office must report annually to fiscal committees of the legislature each December 31, on the count and type of licenses distributed by consolidated technology services to each state agency. The report must also separately report on the count and type of Microsoft 365 licenses that state agencies have in addition to those that are distributed by consolidated technology services so that the total count, type of license, and cost is known for statewide Microsoft 365 licenses.
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The statewide information technology dashboard elements must include, at a minimum, the:
Start date of the project;
End date of the project, when the project will close out and implementation will commence;
Term of the project in state fiscal years across all biennia to reflect the start of the project through the end of the project;
Total project cost from start date through the end date of the project in total dollars, and a subtotal of near general fund outlook;
Near general fund outlook budget and actual spending in total dollars and by fiscal month for central service agencies that bill out project costs;
Start date of maintenance and operations;
Estimated annual state fiscal year cost of maintenance and operations after implementation and close out;
Actual spending by state fiscal year and in total for state fiscal years that have closed;
ix. Date a feasibility study was completed; and
A list of funding received by fiscal year by enacted session law, and how much was received citing chapter law as a list of funding provided by fiscal year.
The office of the chief information officer may recommend additional elements to include but must have agreement with legislative fiscal committees and the office of financial management prior to including additional elements.
The agency must ensure timely posting of project data on the statewide information technology dashboard for at least each project funded in the budget and under oversight to include, at a minimum, posting on the dashboard:
The budget funded level by project for each project under oversight within 30 calendar days of the budget being signed into law;
The project historical expenditures through completed fiscal years by December 31; and
Whether each project has completed a feasibility study.
Within existing resources, consolidated technology services must collaborate with the department of enterprise services on the annual contract report that provides information technology contract information. Consolidated technology services will:
Provide data to the department of enterprise services annually by September 1 of each year; and
Provide analysis on contract information for all agencies comparing spending across state fiscal years by, at least, the contract spending towers.
$8,666,000 of the consolidated technology services revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of the enterprise cloud computing program as outlined in the December 2020 Washington state cloud readiness report. Funding provided includes, but is not limited to, cloud service broker resources, cloud center of excellence, cloud management tools, a network assessment, cybersecurity governance, and a cloud security roadmap.
$3,498,000 of the consolidated technology services revolving account—state appropriation is provided solely for the implementation of the recommendations of the cloud transition task force report to include:
A cloud readiness program to help agencies plan and prepare for transitioning to cloud computing;
A cloud retraining program to provide a coordinated approach to skills development and retraining; and
Staffing to define career pathways and core competencies for the state's information technology workforce.
$5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for innovative technology solutions and modernization of legacy systems within state government. This funding is to be used for projects at other state agencies to improve the health of the state's overall information technology portfolio. Submitted projects are subject to review and approval by the technology services board as established in RCW 43.105.285. The agency must report to the office of financial management and the fiscal committees of the legislature within 90 days of the close of fiscal year 2024 with the following information to measure the quantity of projects considered for this purpose and use of this funding:
The agency name, project name, estimated time duration, estimated cost, and technology service board recommendation result of each project submitted for funding;
The actual length of time and cost of the projects approved by the technology services board, from start to completion; and
Any other information or metric the agency determines is appropriate to measure the quantity and use of the funding in this subsection.
$20,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $30,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the electronic health records project. Of these amounts:
$5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for the office to develop a statewide electronic health records plan, in coordination with the department of social and health services, department of corrections, and health care authority. Each agency must provide staff support for developing the statewide electronic health records plan and staff support may be paid for with these funds. The purpose of the plan is to implement a common technology solution to leverage shared business processes and data across the state in support of client services.
The statewide electronic health records plan must include, but is not limited to, the following elements:
A proposed governance model for the electronic health records solution;
An implementation plan for the technology solution;
Estimated budget and resources needed to implement the electronic health records solution across the state, including fund sources;
A licensing plan and procurement approach, in consultation with the department of enterprise services;
A recommended program structure for implementing a statewide electronic health records solution;
A list of individual state agency projects that will need to be executed within the electronic health records program in order to implement a statewide electronic health records solution;
The process for agencies to request funding from the consolidated technology services for their electronic health records projects; and
The approval criteria for agencies to receive funds for their electronic health records project.
The plan must be approved by the office of financial management and the technology services board established in RCW 43.105.285. The plan must be submitted to the office of financial management and the technology services board by December 31, 2023.
$15,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $30,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for agency electronic health record projects in accordance with the approved statewide electronic health record plan. Agencies must submit their proposed electronic health records projects to consolidated technology services for approval. When an agency project is approved, consolidated technology services will transfer the funds to the agency to execute their electronic health records project.
FOR THE BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE LEADERSHIP BOARD
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$187,000 of the Washington state leadership board account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter 96, Laws of 2022 (WA state leadership board).
$1,800,000 of the Washington state leadership board account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementing programming in RCW 43.15.030, and specifically the Washington world fellows program, sports mentoring program/boundless Washington, compassion scholars, and the Washington state leadership awards.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
The appropriations to the department of social and health services in this act shall be expended for the programs and in the amounts specified in this act. Appropriations made in this act to the department of social and health services shall initially be allotted as required by this act. Subsequent allotment modifications shall not include transfers of moneys between sections of this act except as expressly provided in this act, nor shall allotment modifications permit moneys that are provided solely for a specified purpose to be used for other than that purpose.
The department of social and health services shall not initiate any services that require expenditure of state general fund moneys unless expressly authorized in this act or other law. The department may seek, receive, and spend, under RCW 43.79.260 through 43.79.282, federal moneys not anticipated in this act as long as the federal funding does not require expenditure of state moneys for the program in excess of amounts anticipated in this act. If the department receives unanticipated unrestricted federal moneys, those moneys shall be spent for services authorized in this act or in any other legislation providing appropriation authority, and an equal amount of appropriated state general fund moneys shall lapse. Upon the lapsing of any moneys under this subsection, the office of financial management shall notify the legislative fiscal committees. As used in this subsection, "unrestricted federal moneys" includes block grants and other funds that federal law does not require to be spent on specifically defined projects or matched on a formula basis by state funds.
The legislature finds that medicaid payment rates, as calculated by the department pursuant to the appropriations in this act, bear a reasonable relationship to the costs incurred by efficiently and economically operated facilities for providing quality services and will be sufficient to enlist enough providers so that care and services are available to the extent that such care and services are available to the general population in the geographic area. The legislature finds that cost reports, payment data from the federal government, historical utilization, economic data, and clinical input constitute reliable data upon which to determine the payment rates.
The department shall to the maximum extent practicable use the same system for delivery of spoken-language interpreter services for social services appointments as the one established for medical appointments in the health care authority. When contracting directly with an individual to deliver spoken language interpreter services, the department shall only contract with language access providers who are working at a location in the state and who are state-certified or state-authorized, except that when such a provider is not available, the department may use a language access provider who meets other certifications or standards deemed to meet state standards, including interpreters in other states.
Information technology projects or investments and proposed projects or investments impacting time capture, payroll and payment processes and systems, eligibility, case management, and authorization systems within the department of social and health services are subject to technical oversight by the office of the chief information officer.
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The department shall facilitate enrollment under the medicaid expansion for clients applying for or receiving state funded services from the department and its contractors. Prior to open enrollment, the department shall coordinate with the health care authority to provide referrals to the Washington health benefit exchange for clients that will be ineligible for medicaid.
To facilitate a single point of entry across public and medical assistance programs, and to maximize the use of federal funding, the health care authority, the department of social and health services, and the health benefit exchange will coordinate efforts to expand HealthPlanfinder access to public assistance and medical eligibility staff. The department shall complete medicaid applications in the HealthPlanfinder for households receiving or applying for public assistance benefits.
The health care authority, the health benefit exchange, the department of social and health services, the department of health, and the department of children, youth, and families shall work together within existing resources to establish the health and human services enterprise coalition (the coalition). The coalition, led by the health care authority, must be a multi-organization collaborative that provides strategic direction and federal funding guidance for projects that have cross-organizational or enterprise impact, including information technology projects that affect organizations within the coalition. The office of the chief information officer shall maintain a statewide perspective when collaborating with the coalition to ensure that projects are planned for in a manner that ensures the efficient use of state resources, support the adoption of a cohesive technology and data architecture, and maximize federal financial participation. The work of the coalition is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES—MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The state psychiatric hospitals may use funds appropriated in this subsection to purchase goods, services, and supplies through hospital group purchasing organizations when it is cost-effective to do so.
$311,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $310,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a community partnership between western state hospital and the city of Lakewood to support community policing efforts in the Lakewood community surrounding western state hospital. The amounts provided in this subsection are for the salaries, benefits, supplies, and equipment for one full-time investigator, one full-time police officer, and one full-time community service officer at the city of Lakewood. The department must collect data from the city of Lakewood on the use of the funds and the number of calls responded to by the community policing program and submit a report with this information to the office of financial management and the appropriate fiscal committees of the legislature each December of the fiscal biennium.
$45,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $45,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for payment to the city of Lakewood for police services provided by the city at western state hospital and adjacent areas.
$19,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $19,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for payment to the city of Medical Lake for police services provided by the city at eastern state hospital and adjacent areas.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department, in collaboration with the health care authority, to develop and implement a predictive modeling tool which identifies clients who are at high risk of future involvement with the criminal justice system and for developing a model to estimate demand for civil and forensic state hospital bed needs pursuant to the following requirements.
By the first day of each December during the fiscal biennium, the department, in coordination with the health care authority, must submit a report to the office of financial management and the appropriate committees of the legislature that summarizes how the predictive modeling tool has been implemented and includes the following: (i) The number of individuals identified by the tool as having a high risk of future criminal justice involvement; (ii) the method and frequency for which the department is providing lists of high-risk clients to contracted managed care organizations and behavioral health administrative services organizations; (iii) a summary of how the managed care organizations and behavioral health administrative services organizations are utilizing the data to improve the coordination of care for the identified individuals; and (iv) a summary of the administrative data to identify whether implementation of the tool is resulting in increased access and service levels and lower recidivism rates for high-risk clients at the state and regional level.
The department must provide staff support for the forensic and long-term civil commitment bed forecast which must be conducted under the direction of the office of financial management. The forecast methodology, updates, and methodology changes must be conducted in coordination with staff from the department, the health care authority, the office of financial management, and the appropriate fiscal committees of the state legislature. The model shall incorporate factors for capacity in state hospitals as well as contracted facilities, which provide similar levels of care, referral patterns, wait lists, lengths of stay, and other factors identified as appropriate for estimating the number of beds needed to meet the demand for civil and forensic state hospital services. Factors should include identification of need for the services and analysis of the effect of community investments in behavioral health services and other types of beds that may reduce the need for long-term civil commitment needs. The forecast must be updated each February, June, and November during the fiscal biennium and the department must submit a report to the legislature and the appropriate committees of the legislature summarizing the updated forecast based on the caseload forecast council's schedule for entitlement program forecasts.
$9,119,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $9,145,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the phase-in of the settlement agreement under Trueblood, et al. v. Department of Social and Health Services, et al., United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Cause No. 14-cv-01178-MJP. The department, in collaboration with the health care authority and the criminal justice training commission, must implement the provisions of the settlement agreement pursuant to the timeline and implementation plan provided for under the settlement agreement. This includes implementing provisions related to competency evaluations, competency restoration, forensic navigators, crisis diversion and supports, education and training, and workforce development.
$7,147,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $7,147,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to maintain implementation of efforts to improve the timeliness of competency evaluation services for individuals who are in local jails pursuant to chapter 5, Laws of 2015 (timeliness of competency treatment and evaluation services). This funding must be used solely to maintain increases in the number of competency evaluators that began in fiscal year 2016 pursuant to the settlement agreement under Trueblood, et al. v. Department of Social and Health Services, et al., United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Cause No. 14-cv-01178-MJP.
$71,690,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $77,825,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of efforts to improve the timeliness of competency restoration services pursuant to chapter 5, Laws of 2015 (timeliness of competency treatment and evaluation services) and the settlement agreement under Trueblood, et al. v. Department of Social and Health Services, et al., United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Cause No. 14-cv-01178-MJP. These amounts must be used to maintain increases that were implemented between fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2021, and further increase the number of forensic beds at western state hospital during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. Pursuant to chapter 7, Laws of 2015 1st sp. sess. (timeliness of competency treatment and evaluation services), the department may contract some of these amounts for services at alternative locations if the secretary determines that there is a need.
$84,483,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $77,343,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to continue to implement an acuity based staffing tool at western state hospital and eastern state hospital in collaboration with the hospital staffing committees. The staffing tool must be used to identify, on a daily basis, the clinical acuity on each patient ward and determine the minimum level of direct care staff by profession to be deployed to meet the needs of the patients on each ward. The department must evaluate interrater reliability of the tool within each hospital and between the two hospitals. The department must also continue to update, in collaboration with the office of financial management's labor relations office, the staffing committees, and state labor unions, an overall state hospital staffing plan that looks at all positions and functions of the facilities.
Within the amounts provided in this section, the department must establish, monitor, track, and report monthly staffing and expenditures at the state hospitals, including overtime and use of locums, to the functional categories identified in the recommended staffing plan. The allotments and tracking of staffing and expenditures must include all areas of the state hospitals, must be done at the ward level, and must include contracted facilities providing forensic restoration services as well as the office of forensic mental health services.
By December 1, 2023, and December 1, 2024, the department must submit reports to the office of financial management and the appropriate committees of the legislature that provide a comparison of monthly spending, staffing levels, overtime, and use of locums for the prior year compared to allotments and to the recommended state hospital staffing model. The format for these reports must be developed in consultation with staff from the office of financial management and the appropriate committees of the legislature. The reports must include a summary of the results of the evaluation of the interrater reliability in use of the staffing acuity tool and an update from the hospital staffing committees.
Monthly staffing levels and related expenditures at the state hospitals must not exceed official allotments without prior written approval from the director of the office of financial management. In the event the director of the office of financial management approves an increase in monthly staffing levels and expenditures beyond what is budgeted, notice must be provided to the appropriate committees of the legislature within 30 days of such approval. The notice must identify the reason for the authorization to exceed budgeted staffing levels and the time frame for the authorization. Extensions of authorizations under this subsection must also be submitted to the director of the office of financial management for written approval in advance of the expiration of an authorization. The office of financial management must notify the appropriate committees of the legislature of any extensions of authorizations granted under this subsection within 30 days of granting such authorizations and identify the reason and time frame for the extension.
$10,561,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $9,760,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to implement strategies to improve patient and staff safety at eastern and western state hospitals. A report must be submitted by December 1, 2023, and December 1, 2024, which includes a description of the violence reduction or safety strategy, a profile of the types of patients being served, the staffing model being used, and outcomes associated with each strategy. The outcomes section should include tracking data on facility-wide metrics related to patient and staff safety as well as individual outcomes related to the patients served.
$2,593,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,593,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to increase services to patients found not guilty by reason of insanity under the Ross v. Lashway settlement agreement.
Within the amounts provided in this subsection, the department must develop and submit an annual state hospital performance report for eastern and western state hospitals. Each measure included in the performance report must include baseline performance data, agency performance targets, and performance for the most recent fiscal year. The performance report must include a one page dashboard as well as charts for each fiscal year and quality of care measure broken out by hospital and including but not limited to: (a) Monthly FTE expenditures compared to allotments; (b) monthly dollar expenditures compared to allotments; (c) monthly FTE expenditures per thousand patient bed days; (d) monthly dollar expenditures per thousand patient bed days; (e) percentage of FTE expenditures for overtime; (f) average length of stay by category of patient; (g) average monthly civil wait list; (h) average monthly forensic wait list; (i) rate of staff assaults per thousand patient bed days; (j) rate of patient assaults per thousand patient bed days; (k) average number of days to release after a patient has been determined to be clinically ready for discharge; and (l) average monthly vacancy rates for key clinical positions. The department must submit the state hospital performance report to the office of financial management and the appropriate committees of the legislature by the first day of each December of the biennium.
$546,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $566,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for design and planning activities for the new forensic hospital being constructed on the grounds of western state hospital.
$1,412,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,412,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for relocation, storage, and other costs associated with building demolition on the western state hospital campus.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES—DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PROGRAM
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
a. Individuals receiving services as supplemental security income (SSI) state supplemental payments may not become eligible for medical assistance under RCW 74.09.510 due solely to the receipt of SSI state supplemental payments.
b. In accordance with RCW 18.51.050, 18.20.050, 70.128.060, and 43.135.055, the department is authorized to increase nursing facility, assisted living facility, and adult family home fees as necessary to fully support the actual costs of conducting the licensure, inspection, and regulatory programs. The license fees may not exceed the department's annual licensing and oversight activity costs and shall include the department's cost of paying providers for the amount of the license fee attributed to medicaid clients.
i. The current annual renewal license fee for adult family homes is $225 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2024 and $225 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2025. A processing fee of $2,750 must be charged to each adult family home when the home is initially licensed. This fee is nonrefundable. A processing fee of $700 must be charged when adult family home providers file a change of ownership application.
ii. The current annual renewal license fee for assisted living facilities is $116 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2024 and $116 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2025.
iii. The current annual renewal license fee for nursing facilities is $359 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2024 and $359 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2025.
c. $34,685,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $54,231,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $113,163,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the rate increase for the new consumer-directed employer contracted individual providers as set by the consumer-directed employer rate setting board in accordance with RCW 74.39A.530.
d. $5,213,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $7,299,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $15,924,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the homecare agency parity consistent with the rate set by the consumer-directed employer rate setting board in accordance with RCW 74.39A.530.
e. $335,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $444,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $991,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for administrative costs as set by the consumer-directed employer rate setting board in accordance with RCW 74.39A.530.
f. $9,585,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $10,798,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $25,053,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the implementation of an agreement reached between the governor and the adult family home council under the provisions of chapter 41.56 RCW for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, as provided in section 907 of this act.
g. The department may authorize a one-time waiver of all or any portion of the licensing and processing fees required under RCW 70.128.060 in any case in which the department determines that an adult family home is being relicensed because of exceptional circumstances, such as death or incapacity of a provider, and that to require the full payment of the licensing and processing fees would present a hardship to the applicant. In these situations the department is also granted the authority to waive the required residential administrator training for a period of 120 days if necessary to ensure continuity of care during the relicensing process.
h. Community residential cost reports that are submitted by or on behalf of contracted agency providers are required to include information about agency staffing including health insurance, wages, number of positions, and turnover.
i. Sufficient appropriations are provided to continue community alternative placement beds that prioritize the transition of clients who are ready for discharge from the state psychiatric hospitals, but who have additional long-term care or developmental disability needs.
i. Community alternative placement beds include enhanced service facility beds, adult family home beds, skilled nursing facility beds, shared supportive housing beds, state operated living alternative beds, and assisted living facility beds.
ii. Each client must receive an individualized assessment prior to leaving one of the state psychiatric hospitals. The individualized assessment must identify and authorize personal care, nursing care, behavioral health stabilization, physical therapy, or other necessary services to meet the unique needs of each client. It is the expectation that, in most cases, staffing ratios in all community alternative placement options described in (h)(i) of this subsection will need to increase to meet the needs of clients leaving the state psychiatric hospitals. If specialized training is necessary to meet the needs of a client before he or she enters a community placement, then the person centered service plan must also identify and authorize this training.
iii. When reviewing placement options, the department must consider the safety of other residents, as well as the safety of staff, in a facility. An initial evaluation of each placement, including any documented safety concerns, must occur within thirty days of a client leaving one of the state psychiatric hospitals and entering one of the community placement options described in (h)(i) of this subsection. At a minimum, the department must perform two additional evaluations of each placement during the first year that a client has lived in the facility.
iv. In developing bed capacity, the department shall consider the complex needs of individuals waiting for discharge from the state psychiatric hospitals.
j. Sufficient appropriations are provided for discharge case managers stationed at the state psychiatric hospitals. Discharge case managers will transition clients ready for hospital discharge into less restrictive alternative community placements. The transition of clients ready for discharge will free up bed capacity at the state psychiatric hospitals.
k. $478,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $240,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $476,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely to increase the residential personal needs allowance. If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0034.1/23) (relating to the residential personal needs allowance increase) is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
l. The annual certification renewal fee for community residential service businesses is $859 per client in fiscal year 2024 and $859 per client in fiscal year 2025. The annual certification renewal fee may not exceed the department's annual licensing and oversight activity costs.
m. The department must provide the legislature with a respite utilization report in January of each year that provides information about the number of children who have used enhanced respite in the preceding year, as well as the location and number of days per month that each respite bed was occupied.
n. The department must provide the legislature with a respite utilization report by January of each year that provides information about the number of individuals who have used community respite in the preceding year, as well as the location and number of days per month that each respite bed was occupied.
o. $144,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 and $181,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for funding the unfair labor practice settlement in the case of Adult Family Home Council v Office of Financial Management, PERC case no. 135737-U-22. If the settlement agreement is not reached by June 30, 2024, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
p. $504,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $504,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $1,256,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for a rate adjustment for assisted living providers.
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
a. Individuals receiving services as supplemental security income (SSI) state supplemental payments may not become eligible for medical assistance under RCW 74.09.510 due solely to the receipt of SSI state supplemental payments.
b. $495,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $495,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are for the department to fulfill its contracts with the school districts under chapter 28A.190 RCW to provide transportation, building space, and other support services as are reasonably necessary to support the educational programs of students living in residential habilitation centers.
c. The residential habilitation centers may use funds appropriated in this subsection to purchase goods, services, and supplies through hospital group purchasing organizations when it is cost-effective to do so.
d. $127,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $122,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the residential personal needs allowance. If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0034.1/23) (relating to the residential personal needs allowance increase) is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
SPECIAL PROJECTS
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES—AGING AND ADULT SERVICES PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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For purposes of implementing chapter 74.46 RCW, the weighted average nursing facility payment rate may not exceed $343.95 for fiscal year 2024 and may not exceed $368.12 for fiscal year 2025.
The department shall provide a medicaid rate add-on to reimburse the medicaid share of the skilled nursing facility safety net assessment as a medicaid allowable cost. The nursing facility safety net rate add-on may not be included in the calculation of the annual statewide weighted average nursing facility payment rate.
In accordance with RCW 18.51.050, 18.20.050, 70.128.060, and 43.135.055, the department is authorized to increase nursing facility, assisted living facility, and adult family home fees as necessary to fully support the actual costs of conducting the licensure, inspection, and regulatory programs. The license fees may not exceed the department's annual licensing and oversight activity costs and shall include the department's cost of paying providers for the amount of the license fee attributed to medicaid clients.
The current annual renewal license fee for adult family homes is $225 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2024 and $225 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2025. A processing fee of $2,750 must be charged to each adult family home when the home is initially licensed. This fee is nonrefundable. A processing fee of $700 shall be charged when adult family home providers file a change of ownership application.
The current annual renewal license fee for assisted living facilities is $116 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2024 and $116 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2025.
The current annual renewal license fee for nursing facilities is $359 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2024 and $359 per bed beginning in fiscal year 2025.
The department is authorized to place long-term care clients residing in nursing homes and paid for with state-only funds into less restrictive community care settings while continuing to meet the client's care needs.
$75,212,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $118,861,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $247,010,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the rate increase for the new consumer-directed employer contracted individual providers as set by the consumer-directed rate setting board in accordance with RCW 74.39A.530.
$19,488,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $30,439,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $63,542,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the homecare agency parity consistent with the rate set by the consumer-directed employer rate setting board in accordance with RCW 74.39A.530.
$2,606,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $3,447,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $7,703,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for administrative costs as set by the consumer-directed employer rate setting board in accordance with RCW 74.39A.530.
$1,954,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 and $1,632,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for funding the unfair labor practice settlement in the case of Adult Family Home Council v Office of Financial Management, PERC case no. 135737-U-22. If the settlement agreement is not reached by June 30, 2024, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
The department may authorize a one-time waiver of all or any portion of the licensing and processing fees required under RCW 70.128.060 in any case in which the department determines that an adult family home is being relicensed because of exceptional circumstances, such as death or incapacity of a provider, and that to require the full payment of the licensing and processing fees would present a hardship to the applicant. In these situations the department is also granted the authority to waive the required residential administrator training for a period of 120 days if necessary to ensure continuity of care during the relicensing process.
In accordance with RCW 18.390.030, the biennial registration fee for continuing care retirement communities shall be $900 for each facility.
Within amounts appropriated in this subsection, the department shall assist the legislature to continue the work of the joint legislative executive committee on planning for aging and disability issues.
A joint legislative executive committee on aging and disability is continued, with members as provided in this subsection.
Four members of the senate, with the leaders of the two largest caucuses each appointing two members, and four members of the house of representatives, with the leaders of the two largest caucuses each appointing two members;
A member from the office of the governor, appointed by the governor;
The secretary of the department of social and health services or his or her designee;
The director of the health care authority or his or her designee;
A member from disability rights Washington and a member from the office of long-term care ombuds;
The insurance commissioner or his or her designee, who shall serve as an ex officio member; and
Other agency directors or designees as necessary.
The committee must make recommendations and continue to identify key strategic actions to prepare for the aging of the population in Washington and to serve people with disabilities, including state budget and policy options, and may conduct, but are not limited to, the following tasks:
Identify strategies to better serve the health care needs of an aging population and people with disabilities to promote healthy living and palliative care planning;
Identify strategies and policy options to create financing mechanisms for long-term service and supports that allow individuals and families to meet their needs for service;
Identify policies to promote financial security in retirement, support people who wish to stay in the workplace longer, and expand the availability of workplace retirement savings plans;
Identify ways to promote advance planning and advance care directives and implementation strategies for the Bree collaborative palliative care and related guidelines;
Identify ways to meet the needs of the aging demographic impacted by reduced federal support;
Identify ways to protect the rights of vulnerable adults through assisted decision-making and guardianship and other relevant vulnerable adult protections;
Identify options for promoting client safety through residential care services and consider methods of protecting older people and people with disabilities from physical abuse and financial exploitation; and
Identify other policy options and recommendations to help communities adapt to the aging demographic in planning for housing, land use, and transportation.
Staff support for the committee shall be provided by the office of program research, senate committee services, the office of financial management, and the department of social and health services.
Within existing appropriations, the cost of meetings must be paid jointly by the senate, house of representatives, and the office of financial management. Joint committee expenditures and meetings are subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee and the house of representatives executive rules committee, or their successor committees. Meetings of the task force must be scheduled and conducted in accordance with the rules of both the senate and the house of representatives. The joint committee members may be reimbursed for travel expenses as authorized under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060, and chapter 44.04 RCW as appropriate. Advisory committee members may not receive compensation or reimbursement for travel and expenses.
Appropriations in this section are sufficient to fund discharge case managers stationed at the state psychiatric hospitals. Discharge case managers will transition clients ready for hospital discharge into less restrictive alternative community placements. The transition of clients ready for discharge will free up bed capacity at the state psychiatric hospitals.
Appropriations in this section are sufficient to fund financial service specialists stationed at the state psychiatric hospitals. Financial service specialists will help to transition clients ready for hospital discharge into alternative community placements. The transition of clients ready for discharge will free up bed capacity at the state hospitals.
The department shall continue to administer tailored support for older adults and medicaid alternative care as described in initiative 2 of the 1115 demonstration waiver. This initiative will be funded by the health care authority through the medicaid quality improvement program. The secretary in collaboration with the director of the health care authority shall report to the office of financial management all expenditures of this subsection and shall provide such fiscal data in the time, manner, and form requested. The department shall not increase general fund—state expenditures on this initiative.
$62,590,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $70,352,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $160,579,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the implementation of an agreement reached between the governor and the adult family home council under the provisions of chapter 41.56 RCW for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, as provided in section 907 of this act.
$1,761,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,761,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $4,162,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for case managers at the area agencies on aging to coordinate care for medicaid clients with mental illness who are living in their own homes. Work shall be accomplished within existing standards for case management and no requirements will be added or modified unless by mutual agreement between the department of social and health services and area agencies on aging.
Appropriations provided in this section are sufficient for the department to contract with an organization to provide educational materials, legal services, and attorney training to support persons with dementia. The funding provided in this subsection must be used for:
An advance care and legal planning toolkit for persons and families living with dementia, designed and made available online and in print. The toolkit should include educational topics including, but not limited to:
The importance of early advance care, legal, and financial planning;
The purpose and application of various advance care, legal, and financial documents;
Dementia and capacity;
Long-term care financing considerations;
Elder and vulnerable adult abuse and exploitation;
Checklists such as "legal tips for caregivers," "meeting with an attorney," and "life and death planning;"
Standardized forms such as general durable power of attorney forms and advance health care directives; and
A selected list of additional resources.
Webinars about the dementia legal and advance care planning toolkit and related issues and topics with subject area experts. The subject area expert presenters must provide their services in-kind, on a volunteer basis.
Continuing legal education programs for attorneys to advise and assist persons with dementia. The continuing education programs must be offered at no cost to attorneys who make a commitment to participate in the pro bono program.
Administrative support costs to develop intake forms and protocols, perform client intake, match participating attorneys with eligible clients statewide, maintain records and data, and produce reports as needed.
Appropriations provided in this section are sufficient to continue community alternative placement beds that prioritize the transition of clients who are ready for discharge from the state psychiatric hospitals, but who have additional long-term care or developmental disability needs.
Community alternative placement beds include enhanced service facility beds, adult family home beds, skilled nursing facility beds, shared supportive housing beds, state operated living alternative beds, assisted living facility beds, adult residential care beds, and specialized dementia beds.
Each client must receive an individualized assessment prior to leaving one of the state psychiatric hospitals. The individualized assessment must identify and authorize personal care, nursing care, behavioral health stabilization, physical therapy, or other necessary services to meet the unique needs of each client. It is the expectation that, in most cases, staffing ratios in all community alternative placement options described in (a) of this subsection will need to increase to meet the needs of clients leaving the state psychiatric hospitals. If specialized training is necessary to meet the needs of a client before he or she enters a community placement, then the person centered service plan must also identify and authorize this training.
When reviewing placement options, the department must consider the safety of other residents, as well as the safety of staff, in a facility. An initial evaluation of each placement, including any documented safety concerns, must occur within thirty days of a client leaving one of the state psychiatric hospitals and entering one of the community placement options described in (a) of this subsection. At a minimum, the department must perform two additional evaluations of each placement during the first year that a client has lived in the facility.
In developing bed capacity, the department shall consider the complex needs of individuals waiting for discharge from the state psychiatric hospitals.
The annual certification renewal fee for community residential service businesses is $859 per client in fiscal year 2024 and $859 per client in fiscal year 2025. The annual certification renewal fee may not exceed the department's annual licensing and oversight activity costs.
The department of social and health services must claim the enhanced federal medical assistance participation rate for home and community-based services offered under section 9817 of the American rescue plan act of 2021 (ARPA). Appropriations made that constitute supplementation of home and community-based services as defined in section 9817 of ARPA are listed in LEAP omnibus document HCBS-2021.
$5,094,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,094,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for services and support to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.
$43,658,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $11,722,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $55,382,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for a rate adjustment for skilled nursing facilities.
$34,582,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $34,582,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $76,822,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for a rate adjustment for assisted living providers.
$196,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $329,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to create a process to petition for removal from the abuse registry. If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0032.2/23) (relating to the vulnerable adult abuse registry) is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
Within the amounts provided in this section, the department of social and health services must develop a statewide agency emergency preparedness plan with which to respond to future public health emergencies.
Within available funds, the aging and long term support administration must maintain a unit within adult protective services that specializes in the investigation of financial abuse allegations and self-neglect allegations.
$4,504,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $9,072,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $452,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for behavioral health personal care services for individuals with exceptional care needs due to their psychiatric diagnosis as determined through the department's CARE assessment and for three full-time positions to coordinate with the health care authority and medicaid managed care organizations for the care of these individuals. Future caseload and per capita changes for behavioral health personal care services will be incorporated into the department's medicaid forecast. The department shall coordinate with the authority for purposes of developing and submitting to the centers for medicare and medicaid, a 1915(i) state plan.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES—ECONOMIC SERVICES PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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$162,163,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $151,350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $855,092,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for all components of the WorkFirst program. Within the amounts provided for the WorkFirst program, the department may provide assistance using state-only funds for families eligible for temporary assistance for needy families. The department must create a WorkFirst budget structure that allows for transparent tracking of budget units and subunits of expenditures where these units and subunits are mutually exclusive from other department budget units. The budget structure must include budget units for the following: Cash assistance, child care, WorkFirst activities, and administration of the program. Within these budget units, the department must develop program index codes for specific activities and develop allotments and track expenditures using these codes. The department shall report to the office of financial management and the relevant fiscal and policy committees of the legislature prior to adopting a structure change.
$435,361,000 of the amounts in (a) of this subsection is for assistance to clients, including grants, diversion cash assistance, and additional diversion emergency assistance including but not limited to assistance authorized under RCW 74.08A.210. The department may use state funds to provide support to working families that are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families but otherwise not receiving cash assistance. Of the amounts provided in this subsection (1)(b):
$23,712,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is provided solely for the department to provide cash assistance to households who have exceeded the 60 month time limit in the temporary assistance for needy families program, pursuant to RCW 74.08A.010(5), through June 30, 2025.
$13,966,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is provided solely to increase the temporary assistance for needy families and state family assistance cash grants by $80 per month for households with a child under the age of three, effective November 1, 2023. The funding is intended to assist families with the cost of diapers as described in chapter 100, Laws of 2022.
$164,919,000 of the amounts in (a) of this subsection is for WorkFirst job search, education and training activities, barrier removal services, limited English proficiency services, and tribal assistance under RCW 74.08A.040. The department must allocate this funding based on client outcomes and cost effectiveness measures. Within amounts provided in this subsection (1)(c), the department shall implement the working family support program.
$1,113,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation of the amounts in (a) of this subsection are provided solely for the WorkFirst services costs associated with the extension of the 60 month time limit in the temporary assistance for needy families program for households described in RCW 74.08A.010(5), through June 30, 2025.
$2,474,000 of the amounts provided in this subsection (1)(c) is for enhanced transportation assistance. The department must prioritize the use of these funds for the recipients most in need of financial assistance to facilitate their return to work. The department must not utilize these funds to supplant repayment arrangements that are currently in place to facilitate the reinstatement of drivers' licenses.
Of the amounts in (a) of this subsection, $353,402,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is for the working connections child care program under RCW 43.216.020 within the department of children, youth, and families. The department is the lead agency for and recipient of the federal temporary assistance for needy families grant. A portion of this grant must be used to fund child care subsidies expenditures at the department of children, youth, and families.
The department of social and health services shall work in collaboration with the department of children, youth, and families to determine the appropriate amount of state expenditures for the working connections child care program to claim towards the state's maintenance of effort for the temporary assistance for needy families program. The departments will also collaborate to track the average monthly child care subsidy caseload and expenditures by fund type, including child care development fund, general fund—state appropriation, and temporary assistance for needy families for the purpose of estimating the annual temporary assistance for needy families reimbursement from the department of social and health services to the department of children, youth, and families.
Effective December 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department of children, youth, and families must report to the governor and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the legislature the total state contribution for the working connections child care program claimed the previous fiscal year towards the state's maintenance of effort for the temporary assistance for needy families program and the total temporary assistance for needy families reimbursement from the department of social and health services for the previous fiscal year.
Of the amounts in (a) of this subsection, $68,496,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is for child welfare services within the department of children, youth, and families.
Of the amounts in (a) of this subsection, $146,441,000 is for WorkFirst administration and overhead. Of the amounts provided in this subsection (1)(f): $507,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation of the amounts in (a) of this subsection are provided solely for administrative and overhead costs associated with the expansion of the 60 month time limit through June 30, 2025, in the temporary assistance for needy families program for households described in RCW 74.08A.010(5).
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The department shall submit quarterly expenditure reports to the governor, the fiscal committees of the legislature, and the legislative WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force under RCW 74.08A.341. In addition to these requirements, the department must detail any fund transfers across budget units identified in (a) through (e) of this subsection. The department shall not initiate any services that require expenditure of state general fund moneys that are not consistent with policies established by the legislature.
The department may transfer up to ten percent of funding between budget units identified in (b) through (f) of this subsection. The department shall provide notification prior to any transfer to the office of financial management and to the appropriate legislative committees and the legislative-executive WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force. The approval of the director of financial management is required prior to any transfer under this subsection.
On January 2nd and July 1st of each year, the department shall provide a maintenance of effort and participation rate tracking report for temporary assistance for needy families to the office of financial management, the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature, and the legislative-executive WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force. The report must detail the following information for temporary assistance for needy families:
An overview of federal rules related to maintenance of effort, excess maintenance of effort, participation rates for temporary assistance for needy families, and the child care development fund as it pertains to maintenance of effort and participation rates;
Countable maintenance of effort and excess maintenance of effort, by source, provided for the previous federal fiscal year;
Countable maintenance of effort and excess maintenance of effort, by source, for the current fiscal year, including changes in countable maintenance of effort from the previous year;
The status of reportable federal participation rate requirements, including any impact of excess maintenance of effort on participation targets;
Potential new sources of maintenance of effort and progress to obtain additional maintenance of effort;
A two-year projection for meeting federal block grant and contingency fund maintenance of effort, participation targets, and future reportable federal participation rate requirements; and
Proposed and enacted federal law changes affecting maintenance of effort or the participation rate, what impact these changes have on Washington's temporary assistance for needy families program, and the department's plan to comply with these changes.
i. In the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, it is the intent of the legislature to provide appropriations from the state general fund for the purposes of (a) of this subsection if the department does not receive additional federal temporary assistance for needy families contingency funds in each fiscal year as assumed in the budget outlook.
$2,545,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,546,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for naturalization services.
$2,366,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for employment services for refugees and immigrants, of which $1,774,000 is provided solely for the department to pass through to statewide refugee and immigrant assistance organizations for limited English proficiency pathway services; and $2,366,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for employment services for refugees and immigrants, of which $1,774,000 is provided solely for the department to pass through to statewide refugee and immigrant assistance organizations for limited English proficiency pathway services.
On January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, the department must report to the governor and the legislature on all sources of funding available for both refugee and immigrant services and naturalization services during the current fiscal year and the amounts expended to date by service type and funding source. The report must also include the number of clients served and outcome data for the clients.
To ensure expenditures remain within available funds appropriated in this section, the legislature establishes the benefit under the state food assistance program, pursuant to RCW 74.08A.120, to be one hundred percent of the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit amount.
The department shall review clients receiving services through the aged, blind, or disabled assistance program, to determine whether they would benefit from assistance in becoming naturalized citizens, and thus be eligible to receive federal supplemental security income benefits. Those cases shall be given high priority for naturalization funding through the department.
The department shall continue the interagency agreement with the department of veterans' affairs to establish a process for referral of veterans who may be eligible for veterans' services. This agreement must include out-stationing department of veterans' affairs staff in selected community service office locations in King and Pierce counties to facilitate applications for veterans' services.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for operational support of the Washington information network 211 organization.
$5,244,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $3,805,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $21,115,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the integrated eligibility and enrollment modernization project to create a comprehensive application and benefit status tracker for multiple programs and to establish a foundational platform. Funding is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
$3,307,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $257,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $8,318,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the integrated eligibility and enrollment modernization project for the discovery, innovation, and customer experience phase. Funding is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
$1,067,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,067,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $4,981,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the integrated eligibility and enrollment modernization project office.
$224,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $953,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the expansion of the ongoing additional requirements program, effective April 1, 2024. Of the amount in this subsection, the maximum amount that can be expended on new items added to the ongoing additional requirements program is $53,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $710,000 in fiscal year 2025.
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$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for sponsorship stabilization funds for eligible unaccompanied children and their sponsors and a study to assess needs and develop recommendations for ongoing supports for this population.
Of the amounts provided in (a) of this subsection (13), $350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for sponsorship stabilization funds for eligible unaccompanied children and their sponsors in order to address financial hardship and support household well-being. Stabilization funds can be used to support the sponsorship household with costs of housing, childcare, transportation, internet and data services, household goods, and other unmet needs. The funds may be provided on behalf of an unaccompanied child when the following eligibility criteria are met:
The unaccompanied child is between the ages of 0-17, has been placed in Washington under the care of a nonparental sponsor following release from the United States office of refugee resettlement custody, and has not been reunified with a parent; and
The sponsorship household demonstrates financial need and has an income below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. A sponsorship household receiving stabilization funds on behalf of a child who turns 18 may continue to receive funds for an additional 60 days after the child reaches 18 years of age.
The department may work with community-based organizations to administer sponsorship stabilization supports. Up to 10 percent of the amounts provided in (b) of this subsection (13) may be used by the community-based organizations to cover administrative expenses associated with the distribution of these supports.
Of the amounts provided in (a) of this subsection (13), $150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to cover the administrative resources necessary for the department to administer the sponsorship stabilization program and to convene a work group with the department of children, youth, and families, department of commerce's office of homeless youth prevention and programs, stakeholders, and community-based organization who have pertinent information regarding sponsorship households. The work group shall identify and analyze the resource and service needs for unaccompanied children and their sponsors, including the types and levels of financial supports and related services that will promote stability of sponsorship placements for this population.
The department must produce a report that includes an overview of the number of impacted children and sponsors, existing services and supports that are available, any gaps in services, and potential changes to federal programs and policies that could impact unaccompanied children. The report shall include recommendations for how state agencies and community organizations can partner with the federal government to support sponsorship households, proposed services and supports that the state could provide to promote the ongoing stability of sponsorship households, and a recommended service delivery model.
The department shall submit the report required by (d)(i) of this subsection (13) to the governor and appropriate legislative committees no later than June 30, 2025.
$17,522,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $21,997,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0044/23) (accelerating stability for people with a work-limiting disability or incapacity). If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES—VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES—SPECIAL COMMITMENT PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The special commitment center may use funds appropriated in this subsection to purchase goods and supplies through hospital group purchasing organizations when it is cost-effective to do so.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES—ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORTING SERVICES PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Within amounts appropriated in this section, the department shall provide to the department of health, where available, the following data for all nutrition assistance programs funded by the United States department of agriculture and administered by the department. The department must provide the report for the preceding federal fiscal year by February 1, 2024, and February 1, 2025. The report must provide:
The number of people in Washington who are eligible for the program;
The number of people in Washington who participated in the program;
The average annual participation rate in the program;
Participation rates by geographic distribution; and
The annual federal funding of the program in Washington.
$5,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $22,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $14,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the implementation of an agreement reached between the governor and the Washington federation of state employees for the language access providers under the provisions of chapter 41.56 RCW for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium as provided in section 907 of this act.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES—PAYMENTS TO OTHER AGENCIES PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: Within the amounts appropriated in this section, the department must extend master property insurance to all buildings owned by the department valued over $250,000 and to all locations leased by the department with contents valued over $250,000.
FOR THE STATE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
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During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, the health care authority shall provide support and data as required by the office of the state actuary in providing the legislature with health care actuarial analysis, including providing any information in the possession of the health care authority or available to the health care authority through contracts with providers, plans, insurers, consultants, or any other entities contracting with the health care authority.
Information technology projects or investments and proposed projects or investments impacting time capture, payroll and payment processes and systems, eligibility, case management, and authorization systems within the health care authority are subject to technical oversight by the office of the chief information officer.
The health care authority shall not initiate any services that require expenditure of state general fund moneys unless expressly authorized in this act or other law. The health care authority may seek, receive, and spend, under RCW 43.79.260 through 43.79.282, federal moneys not anticipated in this act as long as the federal funding does not require expenditure of state moneys for the program in excess of amounts anticipated in this act. If the health care authority receives unanticipated unrestricted federal moneys, those moneys shall be spent for services authorized in this act or in any other legislation providing appropriation authority, and an equal amount of appropriated state general fund moneys shall lapse. Upon the lapsing of any moneys under this subsection, the office of financial management shall notify the legislative fiscal committees. As used in this subsection, "unrestricted federal moneys" includes block grants and other funds that federal law does not require to be spent on specifically defined projects or matched on a formula basis by state funds.
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The health care authority, the health benefit exchange, the department of social and health services, the department of health, and the department of children, youth, and families shall work together within existing resources to establish the health and human services enterprise coalition (the coalition). The coalition, led by the health care authority, must be a multi-organization collaborative that provides strategic direction and federal funding guidance for projects that have cross-organizational or enterprise impact, including information technology projects that affect organizations within the coalition. The office of the chief information officer shall maintain a statewide perspective when collaborating with the coalition to ensure that projects are planned for in a manner that ensures the efficient use of state resources, supports the adoption of a cohesive technology and data architecture, and maximizes federal financial participation. The work of the coalition and any project identified as a coalition project is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
The health care authority must submit a report on November 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, to the fiscal committees of the legislature. The report must include, at a minimum:
A list of active coalition projects as of July 1st of the fiscal year. This must include all current and ongoing coalition projects, which coalition agencies are involved in these projects, and the funding being expended on each project, including in-kind funding. For each project, the report must include which federal requirements each coalition project is working to satisfy, and when each project is anticipated to satisfy those requirements; and
A list of coalition projects that are planned in the current and following fiscal year. This must include which coalition agencies are involved in these projects, including the anticipated in-kind funding by agency, and if a budget request will be submitted for funding. This must reflect all funding required by fiscal year and by fund source and include the budget outlook period.
FOR THE STATE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY—MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The authority shall submit an application to the centers for medicare and medicaid services to renew the 1115 demonstration waiver for an additional five years. The authority may not accept or expend any federal funds received under an 1115 demonstration waiver except as described in this section unless the legislature has appropriated the federal funding. To ensure compliance with legislative requirements and terms and conditions of the waiver, the authority shall implement the renewal of the 1115 demonstration waiver and reporting requirements with oversight from the office of financial management. The legislature finds that appropriate management of the renewal of the 1115 demonstration waiver as set forth in subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section requires sound, consistent, timely, and transparent oversight and analytic review in addition to lack of redundancy with other established measures. The patient must be considered first and foremost in the implementation and execution of the demonstration waiver. To accomplish these goals, the authority shall develop consistent performance measures that focus on population health and health outcomes. The authority shall limit the number of projects that accountable communities of health may participate in under initiative 1 to a maximum of six and shall seek to develop common performance measures when possible. The joint select committee on health care oversight will evaluate the measures chosen: (a) For effectiveness and appropriateness; and (b) to provide patients and health care providers with significant input into the implementation of the demonstration waiver to promote improved population health and patient health outcomes. In cooperation with the department of social and health services, the authority shall consult with and provide notification of work on applications for federal waivers, including details on waiver duration, financial implications, and potential future impacts on the state budget to the joint select committee on health care oversight prior to submitting these waivers for federal approval. Prior to final approval or acceptance of funds by the authority, the authority shall submit the special terms and conditions as submitted to the centers for medicare and medicaid services and the anticipated budget for the duration of the renewed waiver to the governor, the joint select committee on health care, and the fiscal committees of the legislature. By federal standard any programs created or funded by this waiver do not create an entitlement. The demonstration period for the waiver as described in subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section begins January 1, 2023.
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$150,219,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation and $150,219,000 of the general fund—local appropriation are provided solely for accountable communities of health described in initiative 1 of the 1115 demonstration waiver and this is the maximum amount that may be expended for this purpose. In renewing this initiative, the authority shall consider local input regarding community needs and shall limit total local projects to no more than six. To provide transparency to the appropriate fiscal committees of the legislature, the authority shall provide fiscal staff of the legislature query ability into any database of the fiscal intermediary that authority staff would be authorized to access. The authority shall not supplement the amounts provided in this subsection with any general fund—state moneys appropriated in this section or any moneys that may be transferred pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The director shall report to the fiscal committees of the legislature all expenditures under this subsection and provide such fiscal data in the time, manner, and form requested by the legislative fiscal committees.
$438,515,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation and $179,111,000 of the general fund—private/local appropriation are provided solely for the medicaid quality improvement program and this is the maximum amount that may be expended for this purpose. Medicaid quality improvement program payments do not count against the 1115 demonstration waiver spending limits and are excluded from the waiver's budget neutrality calculation. The authority may provide medicaid quality improvement program payments to apple health managed care organizations and their partnering providers as they meet designated milestones. Partnering providers and apple health managed care organizations must work together to achieve medicaid quality improvement program goals according to the performance period timelines and reporting deadlines as set forth by the authority. The authority may only use the medicaid quality improvement program to support initiatives 1, 2, and 3 as described in the 1115 demonstration waiver and may not pursue its use for other purposes. Any programs created or funded by the medicaid quality improvement program do not constitute an entitlement for clients or providers. The authority shall not supplement the amounts provided in this subsection with any general fund—state, general fund—federal, or general fund—local moneys appropriated in this section or any moneys that may be transferred pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The director shall report to the joint select committee on health care oversight not less than quarterly on financial and health outcomes. The director shall report to the fiscal committees of the legislature all expenditures under this subsection and shall provide such fiscal data in the time, manner, and form requested by the legislative fiscal committees.
In collaboration with the accountable communities of health, the authority will submit a report to the governor and the joint select committee on health care oversight describing how each of the accountable community of health's work aligns with the community needs assessment no later than December 1, 2023.
Performance measures and payments for accountable communities of health shall reflect accountability measures that demonstrate progress toward transparent, measurable, and meaningful goals that have an impact on improved population health and improved health outcomes, including a path to financial sustainability. While these goals may have variation to account for unique community demographics, measures should be standardized when possible.
$115,713,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation and $115,725,000 of the general fund—local appropriation are provided solely for long-term support services as described in initiative 2 of the 1115 demonstration waiver as well as administrative expenses for initiative 3 and this is the maximum amount that may be expended for this purpose. The authority shall contract with and provide funding to the department of social and health services to administer initiative 2. The director in cooperation with the secretary of the department of social and health services shall report to the office of financial management all of the expenditures of this section and shall provide such fiscal data in the time, manner, and form requested. The authority shall not supplement the amounts provided in this subsection with any general fund—state moneys appropriated in this section or any moneys that may be transferred pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
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$54,912,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation and $30,162,000 of the general fund—local appropriation are provided solely for supported housing and employment services described in initiative 3a and 3b of the 1115 demonstration waiver and this is the maximum amount that may be expended for this purpose. Under this initiative, the authority and the department of social and health services shall ensure that allowable and necessary services are provided to eligible clients as identified by the department or its third-party administrator. The authority and the department, in consultation with the medicaid forecast work group, shall ensure that reasonable reimbursements are established for services deemed necessary within an identified limit per individual. The authority shall not supplement the amounts provided in this subsection with any general fund—state moneys appropriated in this section or any moneys that may be transferred pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The director shall report to the joint select committee on health care oversight no less than quarterly on financial and health outcomes. The director shall also report to the fiscal committees of the legislature all of the expenditures of this subsection and shall provide such fiscal data in the time, manner, and form requested by the legislative fiscal committees.
The authority and the department shall seek additional flexibilities for housing supports through the centers for medicare and medicaid services and shall coordinate with the office of financial management and the department of commerce to ensure that services are not duplicated.
The director shall report to the joint select committee on health care oversight no less than quarterly on utilization and caseload statistics for both supportive housing and employment services and its progress toward increasing uptake and availability for these services.
$1,432,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,008,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for supported employment services and $1,478,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,162,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for supported housing services, similar to the services described in initiatives 3a and 3b of the 1115 demonstration waiver to individuals who are ineligible for medicaid. Under these initiatives, the authority and the department of social and health services shall ensure that allowable and necessary services are provided to eligible clients as identified by the authority or its third-party administrator. Before authorizing services, eligibility for initiative 3a or 3b of the 1115 demonstration waiver must first be determined.
Sufficient amounts are appropriated in this subsection to implement the medicaid expansion as defined in the social security act, section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII).
The legislature finds that medicaid payment rates, as calculated by the health care authority pursuant to the appropriations in this act, bear a reasonable relationship to the costs incurred by efficiently and economically operated facilities for providing quality services and will be sufficient to enlist enough providers so that care and services are available to the extent that such care and services are available to the general population in the geographic area. The legislature finds that the cost reports, payment data from the federal government, historical utilization, economic data, and clinical input constitute reliable data upon which to determine the payment rates.
Based on quarterly expenditure reports and caseload forecasts, if the health care authority estimates that expenditures for the medical assistance program will exceed the appropriations, the health care authority shall take steps including but not limited to reduction of rates or elimination of optional services to reduce expenditures so that total program costs do not exceed the annual appropriation authority.
In determining financial eligibility for medicaid-funded services, the health care authority is authorized to disregard recoveries by Holocaust survivors of insurance proceeds or other assets, as defined in RCW 48.104.030.
The legislature affirms that it is in the state's interest for Harborview medical center to remain an economically viable component of the state's health care system.
When a person is ineligible for medicaid solely by reason of residence in an institution for mental diseases, the health care authority shall provide the person with the same benefits as he or she would receive if eligible for medicaid, using state-only funds to the extent necessary.
$4,261,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $4,261,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $8,522,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for low-income disproportionate share hospital payments.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, the health care authority shall provide disproportionate share hospital payments to hospitals that provide services to children in the children's health program who are not eligible for services under Title XIX or XXI of the federal social security act due to their citizenship status.
$7,000,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is provided solely for supplemental payments to nursing homes operated by public hospital districts. The public hospital district shall be responsible for providing the required nonfederal match for the supplemental payment, and the payments shall not exceed the maximum allowable under federal rules. It is the legislature's intent that the payments shall be supplemental to and shall not in any way offset or reduce the payments calculated and provided in accordance with part E of chapter 74.46 RCW. It is the legislature's further intent that costs otherwise allowable for rate-setting and settlement against payments under chapter 74.46 RCW shall not be disallowed solely because such costs have been paid by revenues retained by the nursing home from these supplemental payments. The supplemental payments are subject to retrospective interim and final cost settlements based on the nursing homes' as-filed and final medicare cost reports. The timing of the interim and final cost settlements shall be at the health care authority's discretion. During either the interim cost settlement or the final cost settlement, the health care authority shall recoup from the public hospital districts the supplemental payments that exceed the medicaid cost limit and/or the medicare upper payment limit. The health care authority shall apply federal rules for identifying the eligible incurred medicaid costs and the medicare upper payment limit.
The health care authority shall continue the inpatient hospital certified public expenditures program for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. The program shall apply to all public hospitals, including those owned or operated by the state, except those classified as critical access hospitals or state psychiatric institutions. The health care authority shall submit reports to the governor and legislature by November 1, 2023, and by November 1, 2024, that evaluate whether savings continue to exceed costs for this program. If the certified public expenditures (CPE) program in its current form is no longer cost-effective to maintain, the health care authority shall submit a report to the governor and legislature detailing cost-effective alternative uses of local, state, and federal resources as a replacement for this program. During fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025, hospitals in the program shall be paid and shall retain one hundred percent of the federal portion of the allowable hospital cost for each medicaid inpatient fee-for-service claim payable by medical assistance and one hundred percent of the federal portion of the maximum disproportionate share hospital payment allowable under federal regulations. For the purpose of determining the amount of any state grant under this subsection, payments will include the federal portion of medicaid program supplemental payments received by the hospitals. Inpatient medicaid payments shall be established using an allowable methodology that approximates the cost of claims submitted by the hospitals. Payments made to each hospital in the program in each fiscal year of the biennium shall be compared to a baseline amount. The baseline amount will be determined by the total of (a) the inpatient claim payment amounts that would have been paid during the fiscal year had the hospital not been in the CPE program based on the reimbursement rates developed, implemented, and consistent with policies approved in the 2023-2025 biennial operating appropriations act and in effect on July 1, 2015, (b) one-half of the indigent assistance disproportionate share hospital payment amounts paid to and retained by each hospital during fiscal year 2005, and (c) all of the other disproportionate share hospital payment amounts paid to and retained by each hospital during fiscal year 2005 to the extent the same disproportionate share hospital programs exist in the 2019-2021 fiscal biennium. If payments during the fiscal year exceed the hospital's baseline amount, no additional payments will be made to the hospital except the federal portion of allowable disproportionate share hospital payments for which the hospital can certify allowable match. If payments during the fiscal year are less than the baseline amount, the hospital will be paid a state grant equal to the difference between payments during the fiscal year and the applicable baseline amount. Payment of the state grant shall be made in the applicable fiscal year and distributed in monthly payments. The grants will be recalculated and redistributed as the baseline is updated during the fiscal year. The grant payments are subject to an interim settlement within eleven months after the end of the fiscal year. A final settlement shall be performed. To the extent that either settlement determines that a hospital has received funds in excess of what it would have received as described in this subsection, the hospital must repay the excess amounts to the state when requested. $234,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $218,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for state grants for the participating hospitals.
The health care authority shall target funding for maternity support services towards pregnant women with factors that lead to higher rates of poor birth outcomes, including hypertension, a preterm or low birth weight birth in the most recent previous birth, a cognitive deficit or developmental disability, substance abuse, severe mental illness, unhealthy weight or failure to gain weight, tobacco use, or African American or Native American race. The health care authority shall prioritize evidence-based practices for delivery of maternity support services. To the extent practicable, the health care authority shall develop a mechanism to increase federal funding for maternity support services by leveraging local public funding for those services.
The authority shall submit reports to the governor and the legislature by September 15, 2023, and no later than September 15, 2024, that delineate the number of individuals in medicaid managed care, by carrier, age, gender, and eligibility category, receiving preventative services and vaccinations. The reports should include baseline and benchmark information from the previous two fiscal years and should be inclusive of, but not limited to, services recommended under the United States preventative services task force, advisory committee on immunization practices, early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment (EPSDT) guidelines, and other relevant preventative and vaccination medicaid guidelines and requirements.
Managed care contracts must incorporate accountability measures that monitor patient health and improved health outcomes, and shall include an expectation that each patient receive a wellness examination that documents the baseline health status and allows for monitoring of health improvements and outcome measures.
Sufficient amounts are appropriated in this section for the authority to provide an adult dental benefit.
The health care authority shall coordinate with the department of social and health services to provide referrals to the Washington health benefit exchange for clients that will be ineligible for medicaid.
To facilitate a single point of entry across public and medical assistance programs, and to maximize the use of federal funding, the health care authority, the department of social and health services, and the health benefit exchange will coordinate efforts to expand HealthPlanfinder access to public assistance and medical eligibility staff. The health care authority shall complete medicaid applications in the HealthPlanfinder for households receiving or applying for medical assistance benefits.
Sufficient amounts are appropriated in this section to continue operation by a nonprofit organization of a toll-free hotline that assists families to learn about and enroll in the apple health for kids program.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, the authority shall reimburse for primary care services provided by naturopathic physicians.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, the authority shall continue to provide coverage for pregnant teens that qualify under existing pregnancy medical programs, but whose eligibility for pregnancy related services would otherwise end due to the application of the new modified adjusted gross income eligibility standard.
Sufficient amounts are appropriated in this section to remove the mental health visit limit and to provide the shingles vaccine and screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment benefits that are available in the medicaid alternative benefit plan in the classic medicaid benefit plan.
The authority shall use revenue appropriated from the dedicated cannabis fund for contracts with community health centers under RCW 69.50.540 in lieu of general fund—state payments to community health centers for services provided to medical assistance clients, and it is the intent of the legislature that this policy will be continued in subsequent fiscal biennia.
Beginning no later than July 1, 2024, for any service eligible under the medicaid state plan for encounter payments, managed care organizations at the request of a rural health clinic shall pay the full published encounter rate directly to the clinic. At no time will a managed care organization be at risk for or have any right to the supplemental portion of the claim. Payments will be reconciled on at least an annual basis between the managed care organization and the authority, with final review and approval by the authority.
Sufficient amounts are appropriated in this section for the authority to provide a medicaid equivalent adult dental benefit to clients enrolled in the medical care service program.
During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, sufficient amounts are provided in this section for the authority to provide services identical to those services covered by the Washington state family planning waiver program as of August 2018 to individuals who:
Are over nineteen years of age;
Are at or below two hundred and sixty percent of the federal poverty level as established in WAC 182-505-0100;
Are not covered by other public or private insurance; and
Need family planning services and are not currently covered by or eligible for another medical assistance program for family planning.
Sufficient amounts are appropriated within this section for the authority to incorporate the expected outcomes and criteria to measure the performance of managed care organizations that provide services to clients under chapter 74.09 RCW. The authority must:
Contract with an external quality improvement organization to annually analyze the performance of managed care organizations providing services to clients based on performance measures selected by the authority. The analysis required under this subsection must measure managed care performance, including measures identified for active improvement within the value-based purchasing quality strategy. Active quality improvement measures must:
Include at least one measure weighted toward having the potential to impact managed care costs;
Include at least one measure weighted toward population health management;
Be selected with priority from the statewide common measure set;
Be selected with consideration of impact to health equity;
Be substantive and clinically meaningful in promoting health status; and
By September 15, 2023, and annually thereafter, the authority shall notify each managed care organization of the performance measures for the organization for the subsequent plan year.
For each plan year, withhold two percent of the total plan year funding that would otherwise be provided to each managed care organization. At least 75 percent of the withhold shall be held contingent on each managed care organization's performance on the performance measures identified in this section. The 75 percent of the withhold shall be further divided as follows, in percentages that the authority shall determine:
75 percent or more of the 75 percent of the withhold must be held to account for a managed care organization's performance on between seven and 10 measures identified by the authority for active quality improvement; and
No more than 25 percent of the withhold may be identified for the purpose of sustaining quality improvement. The authority may select sustained quality measures to support continued quality when measures have met criteria, including:
(A) If statistically significant improvement has been achieved statewide or the top national medicaid quartile has been achieved statewide; and
(B) The measure was identified as an active or sustained quality measure in a prior year.
iii. No more than 10 percent of the withhold may be identified to account for a managed care organization's performance on no more than two quality compliance measures identified by the authority for active quality improvement. Quality compliance measures must support the authority's requirements according to 42 C.F.R. Sec. 438.358, such as complete and accurate encounter data to help ensure proper rate setting, or federal requirements in order to maintain substance abuse and mental health block grant funding. The authority shall assess and consider recommended changes to implement such measures, including ways to improve behavioral health reporting, through its quality strategy process.
d. The authority must provide that each managed care organization may earn back all or a portion of the 75 percent of the annual withhold if the external quality improvement organization determines that the managed care organization made an improvement in the performance measures as compared to the preceding plan year. The amount of withhold annually paid to each managed care organization shall be proportional to findings of improvement by a managed care organization as defined in this section.
e. The authority must prioritize use of measures where national quartile performance data is available for a given topic. The authority may use an alternate methodology where national quartile performance data is unavailable.
f. For the purposes of this subsection, "external quality improvement organization" means an organization that meets the competence and independence requirements under 42 C.F.R. Sec. 438.354, as it existed on the effective date of this section.
g. Sufficient amounts are appropriated within this section for the authority to contract with the external quality improvement organization to develop a health equity measurement approach within value-based purchasing to measure the performance of managed care organizations that provide services to clients under chapter 74.09 RCW. The authority must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2023, on implementation of health equity quality measurement, use of value-based purchasing to support improvement of equity in populations experiencing health care disparities, and evaluation of withhold as defined in this section.
The authority shall ensure that appropriate resources are dedicated to implementing the recommendations of the centers for medicare and medicaid services center for program integrity as provided to the authority in the January 2019 Washington focused program integrity review final report. Additionally, the authority shall:
Work to ensure the efficient operations of the managed care plans, including but not limited to, a deconflicting process for audits with and among the managed care plans and the medicaid fraud division at the attorney general's office, to ensure the authority staff perform central audits of cases that appear across multiple managed care plans, versus the audits performed by the individual managed care plans or the fraud division; and
Remain accountable for operating in an effective and efficient manner, including performing program integrity activities that ensure high value in the medical assistance program in general and in medicaid managed care specifically;
Work with its contracted actuary and the medicaid forecast work group to develop methods and metrics related to managed care program integrity activity that shall be incorporated into annual rate setting; and
Work with the medicaid forecast work group to ensure the results of program integrity activity are incorporated into the rate setting process in a transparent, timely, measurable, quantifiable manner.
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The authority shall not enter into any future value-based arrangements with federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics prior to receiving approval from the office of financial management and the appropriate committees of the legislature.
The authority shall not modify the reconciliation process or the APM4 program with federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics without notification to and the opportunity to comment from the office of financial management.
The authority shall require all managed care organizations to provide information to the authority to account for all payments to federally qualified health centers to include how payments are made, including any additional payments and whether there is a sub-capitation arrangement or value-based purchasing arrangement.
Beginning with fiscal year 2024 and for each subsequent year thereafter, the authority shall reconcile on an annual basis with federally qualified health centers contracting under APM4.
Beginning with fiscal year 2024 and for each subsequent year thereafter, the authority shall properly accrue for any anticipated reconciliations with federally qualified health centers contracting under APM4 during the fiscal year close process following generally accepted accounting practices.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, the authority is to include allergen control bed and pillow covers as part of the durable medical equipment benefit for children with an asthma diagnosis enrolled in medical assistance programs.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, the authority shall reimburse for maternity services provided by doulas.
The authority shall collaborate with the Washington state LGBTQ commission, the department of health, advocates for people living with HIV in Washington, consumers, and medical professionals with expertise in serving the medicaid population living with HIV, to consider and develop recommendations regarding:
Access to HIV antiretroviral drugs on the medicaid drug formulary, including short- and long-term fiscal implications of eliminating current prior authorization and fail-first requirements;
Impact of drug access on public health and the statewide goal of reducing HIV transmissions; and
Maximizing pharmaceutical drug rebates for HIV antiretroviral drugs.
Sufficient funds are provided to continue reimbursing dental health aid therapists for services performed in tribal facilities for medicaid clients. The authority must leverage any federal funding that may become available as a result of appeal decisions from the centers for medicare and medicaid services or the United States court of appeals for the ninth circuit.
Within the amount appropriated within this section, the authority shall implement the requirements of chapter 90, Laws of 2021 (postpartum period/medicaid) and the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2, in extending health care coverage during the postpartum period. The authority shall make every effort to expedite and complete eligibility determinations for individuals who are likely eligible to receive health care coverage under Title XIX or Title XXI of the federal social security act to ensure the state is receiving maximum federal match. This includes, but is not limited to, working with managed care organizations to provide continuous outreach in various modalities until the individual's eligibility determination is completed. Beginning September 30, 2023, the authority must submit quarterly reports to the caseload forecast work group on the number of individuals who are likely eligible to receive health care coverage under Title XIX or Title XXI of the federal social security act but are waiting for the authority to complete eligibility determination, the number of individuals who were likely eligible but are now receiving health care coverage with the maximum federal match under Title XIX or Title XXI of the federal social security act, and outreach activities including the work with managed care organizations.
Sufficient amounts are appropriated in this section to maintain the perinatal support warm line to provide peer support, resources, and referrals to new and expectant parents and people in the emotional transition to parenthood experiencing, or at risk of, postpartum depression or other mental health issues.
Sufficient funding is provided to remove the asset test from the medicare savings program review process.
Sufficient funding is provided to eliminate the mid-certification review process for the aged, blind, or disabled and housing and essential needs referral programs.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, the authority shall develop a state plan amendment, rules, and payment policies; complete necessary system changes related to payment processing and provider enrollment; and update managed care contracts and provider communications in anticipation of providing an adult acupuncture benefit starting January 1, 2024.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, the authority shall develop a state plan amendment, rules, and payment policies; complete necessary system changes related to payment processing and provider enrollment; and update managed care contracts and provider communications in anticipation of providing an adult chiropractic benefit starting January 1, 2024.
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Community health workers funded under this subsection may provide outreach, informal counseling, and social supports for health-related social needs. The authority shall seek a state plan amendment or federal demonstration waiver should they determine these services are eligible for federal matching funds. Within the amounts provided within this subsection, the authority will provide an initial report to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2024, and a final report by January 1, 2025. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the quantitative impacts of the grant program, how many community health workers are participating in the grant program, how many clinics these community health workers represent, how many clients are being served, and evaluation of any measurable health outcomes identified in the planning period prior to January 2023.
In collaboration with key stakeholders including pediatric primary care clinics and medicaid managed care organizations, the authority shall explore longer term, sustainable reimbursement options for the integration of community health workers in primary care to address the health-related social needs of families, including approaches to incorporate federal funding.
$2,017,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,458,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $2,550,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for a technology solution for an authoritative client identifier, or master person index, for state programs within the health and human services coalition to uniformly identify clients across multiple service delivery systems. The coalition will clearly identify all state programs impacted by and all fund sources used in development and implementation of this project. This subsection is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
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Sufficient amounts are appropriated in this section for the authority to maintain providing coverage for all federal food and drug administration-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization.
By December 1, 2023, and December 1, 2024, the authority must submit to the fiscal committees of the legislature the projected and actual expenditures and percentage of medicaid clients who switch to a new drug class without prior authorization as described in (a) of this subsection.
The authority shall consider evidence-based recommendations from the Oregon health evidence review commission when making coverage decisions for the treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.
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$2,113,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $13,684,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority, beginning January 1, 2024, to implement a program within biennial budget period and coverage comparable to the scope of care provided in the categorically needy medicaid program for adult individuals who:
Have an immigration status making them ineligible for federal medicaid, except for individuals who are lawfully present and have not yet met the five-year-bar;
Are age 19 and older, including over age 65, and have countable income of up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level; and
Are not eligible for another federally funded medical assistance program.
The authority in collaboration with the health benefit exchange, department of social and health services, and stakeholders and community organizations will partner on a culturally appropriate health information campaign.
The authority will establish an advocacy outreach committee that includes representatives from the health benefit exchange and department of social and health services and a community-based engagement board to provide feedback and community input in the development of outreach and education activities.
The authority shall contract with an entity to provide caseload projections for the initial enrollment year, and support cost development for this program. The authority shall report on program costs to the office of financial management and legislative fiscal committees no later than June 30, 2025.
$21,606,000 of the statewide 988 behavioral health crisis response line account—state appropriation and $2,946,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the 988 technology platform implementation project. These amounts are subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
FOR THE STATE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY—PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS BOARD AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROGRAM
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Any savings from reduced claims costs must be reserved for funding employee benefits during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium and may not be used for administrative expenses. The health care authority shall deposit any moneys received on behalf of the uniform medical plan resulting from rebates on prescription drugs, audits of hospitals, subrogation payments, or any other moneys received as a result of prior uniform medical plan claims payments, in the public employees' and retirees' insurance account to be used for insurance benefits.
Any changes to benefits must be approved by the public employees' benefits board. The board shall not make any changes to benefits without considering a comprehensive analysis of the cost of those changes, and shall not increase benefits unless offsetting cost reductions from other benefit revisions are sufficient to fund the changes. The board shall not make any change in retiree eligibility criteria that reestablishes eligibility for enrollment in PEBB benefits. However, the funding provided anticipates that the public employees' benefits board may increase the virtual access to behavioral health resources and interventions and case management.
Except as may be provided in a health care bargaining agreement, to provide benefits within the level of funding provided in part IX of this bill, the public employees' benefits board shall require or make any or all of the following: Employee premium copayments, increases increase in point-of-service cost sharing, the implementation of managed competition, or make other changes to benefits consistent with RCW 41.05.065.
The board shall collect a surcharge payment of not less than twenty-five dollars per month from members who use tobacco products, and a surcharge payment of not less than fifty dollars per month from members who cover a spouse or domestic partner where the spouse or domestic partner has chosen not to enroll in another employer-based group health insurance that has benefits and premiums with an actuarial value of not less than ninety-five percent of the actuarial value of the public employees' benefits board plan with the largest enrollment. The surcharge payments shall be collected in addition to the member premium payment.
FOR THE STATE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY—SCHOOL EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS BOARD
FOR THE STATE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY—HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The receipt and use of medicaid funds provided to the health benefit exchange from the health care authority are subject to compliance with state and federal regulations and policies governing the Washington apple health programs, including timely and proper application, eligibility, and enrollment procedures.
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By July 15th and January 15th of each year, the authority shall make a payment of one-half the general fund—state appropriation, one-half the health benefit exchange account—state appropriation, and one-half the health care affordability account—state appropriation to the exchange.
The exchange shall monitor actual to projected revenues and make necessary adjustments in expenditures or carrier assessments to ensure expenditures do not exceed actual revenues.
Payments made from general fund—state appropriation and health benefit exchange account—state appropriation shall be available for expenditure for no longer than the period of the appropriation from which it was made. When the actual cost of materials and services have been fully determined, and in no event later than the lapsing of the appropriation, any unexpended balance of the payment shall be returned to the authority for credit to the fund or account from which it was made, and under no condition shall expenditures exceed actual revenue.
$1,939,000 of the health benefit exchange account—state appropriation and $6,189,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the modernizing healthplanfinder project. These amounts are subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
Sufficient amounts are appropriated in this section for the exchange to administer a premium assistance program, beginning for plan year 2023, as established in chapter 246, Laws of 2021 (standardized health plans). An individual is eligible for the premium assistance provided if the individual: (a) Has income up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level; and (b) meets other eligibility criteria as established in RCW 43.71.110(4)(a).
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Within amounts appropriated in this section, the exchange, in close consultation with the authority and the office of the insurance commissioner, shall explore opportunities to facilitate enrollment of Washington residents who do not qualify for non-emergency medicaid or federal affordability programs in a state-funded program no later than plan year 2024.
If an opportunity to apply to the secretary of health and human services under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 18052 for a waiver is identified or other federal flexibilities are available, the exchange, in collaboration with the office of the insurance commissioner and the authority may develop an application to be submitted by the authority. If an application is submitted, the authority must notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature.
Any application submitted under this subsection must meet all federal public notice and comment requirements under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 18052(a)(4)(B), including public hearings to ensure a meaningful level of public input.
$5,000,000 of the state health care affordability account—state appropriation is provided solely to provide premium assistance for customers ineligible for federal premium tax credits who meet the eligibility criteria established in subsection (4)(a) of this section, and is contingent upon approval of the applicable waiver described in subsection (5)(b) of this section.
$102,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $865,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation, and $123,000 of the health benefit exchange account—state appropriation are provided solely for a technology solution for an authoritative client identifier, or master person index, for state programs within the health and human services coalition to uniformly identify clients across multiple service delivery systems. The coalition will clearly identify all state programs impacted by and all fund sources used in development and implementation of this project. This subsection is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
FOR THE STATE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY—COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
For the purposes of this section, "behavioral health entities" means managed care organizations and behavioral health administrative services organizations that reimburse providers for behavioral health services.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, funding is provided for implementation of the settlement agreement under Trueblood, et al. v. Department of Social and Health Services, et al., United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Cause No. 14-cv-01178-MJP. In addition to amounts provided solely for implementation of the settlement agreement, class members must have access to supports and services funded throughout this section for which they meet eligibility and medical necessity requirements. The authority must include language in contracts that requires regional behavioral health entities to develop and implement plans for improving access to timely and appropriate treatment for individuals with behavioral health needs and current or prior criminal justice involvement who are eligible for services under these contracts.
$34,142,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $48,922,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $11,503,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely to continue the phase-in of the settlement agreement under Trueblood, et al. v. Department of Social and Health Services, et al., United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Cause No. 14-cv-01178-MJP. The authority, in collaboration with the department of social and health services and the criminal justice training commission, must implement the provisions of the settlement agreement pursuant to the timeline and implementation plan provided for under the settlement agreement. This includes implementing provisions related to competency evaluations, competency restoration, crisis diversion and supports, education and training, and workforce development.
$128,769,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $136,206,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for persons and services not covered by the medicaid program. To the extent possible, levels of behavioral health entity spending must be maintained in the following priority order: Crisis and commitment services; community inpatient services; and residential care services, including personal care and emergency housing assistance. These amounts must be distributed to behavioral health entities as follows:
$99,711,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $103,148,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority to contract with behavioral health administrative service organizations for behavioral health treatment services not covered under the medicaid program.
$29,058,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $33,058,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority to contract with medicaid managed care organizations for wraparound services to medicaid enrolled individuals that are not covered under the medicaid program and for the state share of costs for exceptional medicaid behavioral health personal care services. Within the amounts provided in this subsection, the authority shall assure that managed care organizations reimburse the department of social and health services aging and long term support administration for the general fund—state cost of exceptional behavioral health personal care services for medicaid enrolled individuals who require these because of a psychiatric disability. Funding for the federal share of these services is separately appropriated to the department of social and health services. Expenditure of the amounts provided in this subsection for organizations within an exclusive bargaining unit is contingent upon execution of an appropriate memorandum of understanding between the office of financial management and the exclusive bargaining representative.
The authority shall coordinate with the department of social and health services to develop and submit to the centers for medicare and medicaid services an application to provide a 1915(i) state plan home and community-based services benefit. The application shall be developed to allow for the delivery of wraparound supportive behavioral health services for individuals with mental illnesses who also have a personal care need. The waiver shall be developed to standardize coverage and administration, improve the current benefit design, and clarify roles in administration of the behavioral health personal care services benefit.
The authority is authorized to continue to contract directly, rather than through contracts with behavioral health entities for children's long-term inpatient facility services.
Behavioral health entities may use local funds to earn additional federal medicaid match, provided the locally matched rate does not exceed the upper-bound of their federally allowable rate range, and provided that the enhanced funding is used only to provide medicaid state plan or waiver services to medicaid clients. Additionally, behavioral health entities may use a portion of the state funds allocated in accordance with subsection (4) of this section to earn additional medicaid match, but only to the extent that the application of such funds to medicaid services does not diminish the level of crisis and commitment, community inpatient, residential care, and outpatient services presently available to persons not eligible for medicaid.
$2,291,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,291,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for mental health services for mentally ill offenders while confined in a county or city jail and for facilitating access to programs that offer mental health services upon release from confinement.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, funding is provided for the authority to develop and phase in intensive mental health services for high needs youth consistent with the settlement agreement in T.R. v. Dreyfus and Porter.
Within the amounts provided in this section, behavioral health entities must provide outpatient chemical dependency treatment for offenders enrolled in the medicaid program who are supervised by the department of corrections pursuant to a term of community supervision. Contracts with behavioral health entities must require that behavioral health entities include in their provider network specialized expertise in the provision of manualized, evidence-based chemical dependency treatment services for offenders. The department of corrections and the authority must develop a memorandum of understanding for department of corrections offenders on active supervision who are medicaid eligible and meet medical necessity for outpatient substance use disorder treatment. The agreement will ensure that treatment services provided are coordinated, do not result in duplication of services, and maintain access and quality of care for the individuals being served. The authority must provide all necessary data, access, and reports to the department of corrections for all department of corrections offenders that receive medicaid paid services.
The criminal justice treatment account—state appropriation is provided solely for treatment and treatment support services for offenders with a substance use disorder pursuant to RCW 71.24.580. The authority must offer counties the option to administer their share of the distributions provided for under RCW 71.24.580(5)(a). If a county is not interested in administering the funds, the authority shall contract with behavioral health entities to administer these funds consistent with the plans approved by local panels pursuant to RCW 71.24.580(5)(b). Funding from the criminal justice treatment account may be used to provide treatment and support services through the conclusion of an individual's treatment plan to individuals participating in a drug court program as of February 24, 2021, if that individual wishes to continue treatment following dismissal of charges they were facing under RCW 69.50.4013(1). Such participation is voluntary and contingent upon substantial compliance with drug court program requirements.
$6,858,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $40,528,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $35,472,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for crisis triage or stabilization centers. Services in these facilities may include crisis stabilization and intervention, individual counseling, peer support, medication management, education, and referral assistance. The authority shall monitor each center's effectiveness at lowering the rate of state psychiatric hospital admissions.
$1,401,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,401,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $3,210,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the implementation of intensive behavioral health treatment facilities within the community behavioral health service system pursuant to chapter 324, Laws of 2019 (concerning community facilities needed to ensure a continuum of care for behavioral health patients).
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$12,878,000 of the dedicated cannabis account—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $12,878,000 of the dedicated cannabis account—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for:
A memorandum of understanding with the department of children, youth, and families to provide substance abuse treatment programs;
A contract with the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct a cost-benefit evaluation of the implementations of chapter 3, Laws of 2013 (Initiative Measure No. 502);
Designing and administering the Washington state healthy youth survey and the Washington state young adult behavioral health survey;
Maintaining increased services to pregnant and parenting women provided through the parent child assistance program;
Grants to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for life skills training to children and youth;
Maintaining increased prevention and treatment service provided by tribes and federally recognized American Indian organization to children and youth;
Maintaining increased residential treatment services for children and youth;
Training and technical assistance for the implementation of evidence-based, research based, and promising programs which prevent or reduce substance use disorder;
ix. Expenditures into the home visiting services account; and
Grants to community-based programs that provide prevention services or activities to youth.
The authority must allocate the amounts provided in (a) of this subsection amongst the specific activities proportionate to the fiscal year 2021 allocation.
$3,396,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $3,396,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $16,200,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for support of and to continue to increase clubhouse programs across the state. The authority shall work with the centers for medicare and medicaid services to review opportunities to include clubhouse services as an optional "in lieu of" service in managed care organization contracts in order to maximize federal participation.
$708,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $708,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $1,598,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for implementing mental health peer respite centers and a pilot project to implement a mental health drop-in center in accordance with chapter 324, Laws of 2019 (concerning community facilities needed to ensure a continuum of care for behavioral health patients).
$446,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $446,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $178,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the University of Washington's evidence-based practice institute which supports the identification, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based or promising practices. The institute must work with the authority to develop a plan to seek private, federal, or other grant funding in order to reduce the need for state general funds. The authority must collect information from the institute on the use of these funds and submit a report to the office of financial management and the appropriate fiscal committees of the legislature by December 1st of each year of the biennium.
As an element of contractual network adequacy requirements and reporting, the authority shall direct managed care organizations to make all reasonable efforts to develop or maintain contracts with provider networks that leverage local, federal, or philanthropic funding to enhance effectiveness of medicaid-funded integrated care services. These networks must promote medicaid clients' access to a system of services that addresses additional social support services and social determinants of health as defined in RCW 43.20.025 in a manner that is integrated with the delivery of behavioral health and medical treatment services.
$9,000,000 of the criminal justice treatment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the authority to maintain funding for new therapeutic courts created or expanded during fiscal year 2021, or to maintain the fiscal year 2021 expansion of services being provided to an already existing therapeutic court that engages in evidence-based practices, to include medication assisted treatment in jail settings pursuant to RCW 71.24.580. Funding provided under this subsection shall not supplant existing funds utilized for this purpose.
In establishing, re-basing, enhancing, or otherwise updating medicaid rates for behavioral health services, the authority and contracted actuaries shall use a transparent process that provides an opportunity for medicaid managed care organizations, behavioral health administrative service organizations, and behavioral health provider agencies, and their representatives, to review and provide data and feedback on proposed rate changes within their region or regions of service operation. The authority and contracted actuaries shall transparently incorporate the information gained from this process and make adjustments allowable under federal law when appropriate.
The authority shall seek input from representatives of the managed care organizations, licensed community behavioral health agencies, and behavioral health administrative service organizations to develop specific metrics related to behavioral health outcomes under integrated managed care. These metrics must include, but are not limited to: (a) Revenues and expenditures for community behavioral health programs, including medicaid and nonmedicaid funding; (b) access to services, service denials, and utilization by state plan modality; (c) claims denials and record of timely payment to providers; (d) client demographics; and (e) social and recovery measures and managed care organization performance measures. The authority must work with managed care organizations and behavioral health administrative service organizations to integrate these metrics into an annual reporting structure designed to evaluate the performance of the behavioral health system in the state over time. The authority shall submit a report for the preceding calendar year to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature on or before December 30th of each year detailing the implemented metrics and relevant performance outcomes for the prior calendar year.
$8,027,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $8,027,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority to continue three pilot programs for intensive outpatient services and partial hospitalization services for certain children and adolescents.
The authority must establish minimum standards, eligibility criteria, authorization and utilization review processes, and payment methodologies for the pilot programs in contract.
Eligibility for the pilot sites is limited pursuant to the following:
Children and adolescents discharged from an inpatient hospital treatment program who require the level of services offered by the pilot programs in lieu of continued inpatient treatment;
Children and adolescents who require the level of services offered by the pilot programs in order to avoid inpatient hospitalization; and
Services may not be offered if there are less costly alternative community based services that can effectively meet the needs of an individual referred to the program.
The authority must collect data on the pilot sites and work with the actuaries responsible for establishing managed care rates for medicaid enrollees to develop and submit a report to the office of financial management and the appropriate committees of the legislature. A report must be submitted annually by December 1 of each year. The reports must include the following information:
A narrative description of the services provided at each pilot site and identification of any specific gaps the sites were able to fill in the current continuum of care;
Clinical outcomes and estimated reductions in psychiatric inpatient costs associated with each of the pilot sites;
Recommendations for whether the pilot models should be expanded statewide; whether modifications should be made to the models to better address gaps in the continuum identified through the pilot sites, whether the models could be expanded to community behavioral health providers, and whether statewide implementation should be achieved through a state plan amendment or some other mechanism for leveraging federal medicaid match; and
Actuarial projections on the statewide need for services related to the pilot sites and estimated costs of adding each of the services to the medicaid behavioral health benefit for children and adolescents and adults.
$1,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority to contract with the King county behavioral health administrative services organization to maintain children's crisis outreach response system services that were previously funded through the department of children, youth, and families.
$3,467,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $3,467,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $6,934,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely to increase rates for community children's long-term inpatient program providers. The rates are increased by 31 percent effective July 1, 2023.
$15,374,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $15,474,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $14,312,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for local behavioral health mobile crisis response team capacity and ensuring each region has at least one adult and one children and youth mobile crisis team that is able to respond to calls coming into the 988 crisis hotline. Of these amounts, $3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $2,024,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely to increase capacity for mobile crisis services in King county. These amounts must supplement and not supplant funding to the county previously allocated by the authority under this subsection.
$60,775,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $60,775,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $100,169,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the authority to contract with community hospitals or freestanding evaluation and treatment centers to provide long-term inpatient care beds as defined in RCW 71.24.025. Within these amounts, the authority must meet the requirements for reimbursing counties for the judicial services for patients being served in these settings in accordance with RCW 71.05.730. Of the amounts in this subsection, sufficient amounts are provided in fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025 for the authority to reimburse community hospitals and nonhospital residential treatment centers serving clients in long-term inpatient care beds as defined in RCW 71.24.025 as follows:
For a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW that requires a hospital specific medicaid inpatient psychiatric per diem payment rate for long-term civil commitment patients because the hospital has completed a medicare cost report, the authority shall analyze the most recent medicare cost report of the hospital after a minimum of 200 medicaid inpatient psychiatric days. The authority shall establish the inpatient psychiatric per diem payment rate for long-term civil commitment patients for the hospital at 100 percent of the allowable cost of care, based on the most recent medicare cost report of the hospital. The authority may pilot a supplemental rate enhancement, not to exceed amounts appropriated in this subsection, for the treatment and supervision of individuals with high needs. The authority may pilot rate enhancements, not to exceed amounts provided in this subsection, that are determined necessary to fund any potential costs necessary for the treatment of high needs clients above the established per diem rate in this subsection.
For a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW that has not completed a medicare cost report with more than 200 medicaid inpatient psychiatric days, the authority shall establish the medicaid inpatient psychiatric per diem payment rate for long-term civil commitment patients for the hospital at the higher of the hospital's current medicaid inpatient psychiatric rate; or the annually updated statewide average of the medicaid inpatient psychiatric per diem payment rate of all acute care hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW providing long-term civil commitment services. The authority may pilot a supplemental rate enhancement, not to exceed amounts appropriated in this subsection, for the treatment and supervision of individuals with high needs. The authority may pilot rate enhancements, not to exceed amounts provided in this subsection, that are determined necessary to fund any potential costs necessary for the treatment of high needs clients above the established per diem rate in this subsection.
For a hospital licensed under chapter 71.12 RCW and currently providing long-term civil commitment services, the authority shall establish the medicaid inpatient psychiatric per diem payment rate at $940 plus adjustments that may be needed to capture costs associated with long-term psychiatric patients that are not allowable on the medicare cost report or reimbursed separately, plus any rate enhancements necessary to facilitate treatment of high needs clients above the established per diem rate in this subsection. The hospital may provide the authority with supplemental data to be considered and used to make appropriate adjustments to the medicaid inpatient psychiatric per diem payment rate of the hospital. Adjustment of costs may include:
Costs associated with professional services and fees not accounted for in the hospital's medicare cost report or reimbursed separately;
Costs associated with the hospital providing the long-term psychiatric patient access to involuntary treatment court services that are not reimbursed separately; and
Other costs associated with caring for long-term psychiatric patients that are not reimbursed separately.
For a hospital licensed under chapter 71.12 RCW that requires an initial medicaid inpatient psychiatric per diem payment rate for long-term civil commitment services because it has not yet completed a medicare cost report, the authority shall establish the medicaid inpatient psychiatric per diem payment rate, plus any rate enhancements necessary to facilitate treatment of high needs clients above the established per diem rate in this subsection, at the higher of:
The hospital's current medicaid inpatient psychiatric rate; or
The annually updated statewide average of the medicaid long-term inpatient psychiatric per diem payment rate of all freestanding psychiatric hospitals licensed under chapter 71.12 RCW providing long-term civil commitment services.
For nonhospital residential treatment centers certified to provide long-term inpatient care beds as defined in RCW 71.24.025, the authority shall increase the fiscal year 2021 rate by three percent each year of the biennium.
Provider payments for vacant bed days shall not exceed six percent of their annual contracted bed days.
The authority, in coordination with the department of social and health services, the office of the governor, the office of financial management, and representatives from medicaid managed care organizations, behavioral health administrative service organizations, and community providers, must develop and implement a plan to continue the expansion of civil community long-term inpatient capacity. The plan shall identify gaps and barriers in the current array of community long-term inpatient beds in serving higher need individuals including those committed to a state hospital pursuant to the dismissal of criminal charges and a civil evaluation ordered under RCW 10.77.086 or 10.77.088. The plan shall identify strategies to overcome these barriers including, but not limited to, potential rate enhancements for high needs clients.
To facilitate the continued expansion of civil community long-term inpatient capacity, the authority shall have the flexibility to pilot, within appropriated amounts in this subsection, enhanced rates above the base rates noted in this subsection. The pilots shall focus on identifying and reimbursing sufficient amounts to cover the treatment of high needs clients above the established per diem rate in this subsection.
$2,184,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation and $2,184,000 of the general fund—local appropriation are provided solely for supported housing and employment services described in initiative 3a and 3b of the 1115 demonstration waiver and this is the maximum amount that may be expended for this purpose. Under this initiative, the authority and the department of social and health services shall ensure that allowable and necessary services are provided to eligible clients as identified by the authority or its providers or third party administrator. The department and the authority in consultation with the medicaid forecast work group, shall ensure that reasonable reimbursements are established for services deemed necessary within an identified limit per individual. The authority shall not increase general fund—state expenditures above appropriated levels for this specific purpose. The secretary in collaboration with the director of the authority shall report to the joint select committee on health care oversight no less than quarterly on financial and health outcomes. The secretary in cooperation with the director shall also report to the fiscal committees of the legislature the expenditures of this subsection and shall provide such fiscal data in the time, manner, and form requested by the legislative fiscal committees.
Within the amounts provided in this section, sufficient funding is provided for the authority to maintain and increase the capabilities of a tool to track medication assisted treatment provider capacity.
$38,230,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $18,188,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for claims for services rendered to medicaid eligible clients admitted to institutions of mental disease that were determined to be unallowable for federal reimbursement due to medicaid's institutions for mental disease exclusion rules. Of these amounts, $20,042,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for belated claims for services that were rendered prior to fiscal year 2024.
$6,010,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $6,010,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $1,980,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the authority, in coordination with the department of health, to deploy an opioid awareness campaign and to contract with syringe service programs and other service settings assisting people with substance use disorders to: Prevent and respond to overdoses; provide other harm reduction services and supplies, including but not limited to distributing naloxone, fentanyl, and other drug testing supplies; and for expanding contingency management services. The authority is encouraged to use these funds to leverage federal funding for this purpose to expand buying power. The authority should prioritize funds for naloxone distribution for programs or settings that are least likely to be able to bill medicaid. Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority to deploy an opioid awareness campaign targeted at youth to increase the awareness of the dangers of fentanyl.
$998,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $998,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $618,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the authority to contract for three regional behavioral health mobile crisis response teams focused on supported housing to prevent individuals with behavioral health conditions at high risk of losing housing from becoming homeless, identify and prioritize serving the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness, and increase alternative housing options to include short-term alternatives which may temporarily deescalate situations where there is high risk of a household from becoming homeless.
The authority shall continue to incorporate community behavioral health service data elements into the monthly executive management information system reports on a phased-in basis, allowing for elements which are readily available to be incorporated in the initial phase, and elements which require further definition and data collection changes to be incorporated in a later phase. The authority must collaborate with the research and data analysis division to ensure data elements are clearly defined and must include requirements in medicaid managed care organization and behavioral health administrative services organization contracts to provide the data in a consistent and timely manner for inclusion into the system. The community behavioral health executive management system information data elements must include, but are not limited to: Psychiatric inpatient bed days; evaluation and treatment center bed days; long-term involuntary community psychiatric inpatient bed days; children's long-term inpatient bed days; substance use disorder inpatient, residential, withdrawal evaluation and management, and secure withdrawal evaluation and management bed days; crisis triage and stabilization services bed days; mental health residential bed days; mental health and substance use disorder outpatient treatment services; opioid substitution and medication assisted treatment services; program of assertive treatment team services; wraparound with intensive services; mobile outreach crisis services; recovery navigator team services; foundational community supports housing and employment services; projects for assistance in transition from homelessness services; housing and recovery through peer services; other housing services administered by the authority; mental health and substance use disorder peer services; designated crisis responder investigations and outcomes; involuntary commitment hearings and outcomes; pregnant and parenting women case management services; and single bed certifications and no available bed reports. Wherever possible and practical, the data must include historical monthly counts and shall be broken out to distinguish services to medicaid and nonmedicaid individuals and children and adults. The authority and the research and data analysis division must consult with the office of financial management and staff from the fiscal committees of the legislature on the development and implementation of the community behavioral health data elements.
$2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority to increase contracts for recovery navigator services established in chapter 311, Laws of 2021 (ESB 5476). These amounts must be allocated to increase funding for recovery navigator services in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. These amounts must supplement and not supplant funding allocated, pursuant to section 22(1), chapter 311, Laws of 2021, to the regional behavioral health administrative services organizations serving those counties.
$2,587,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,587,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority to support efforts by counties and cities to implement local response teams. Of these amounts:
$2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority to provide a grant to the association of Washington cities to assist cities with the costs of implementing alternative response teams. This funding must be used to reimburse cities for documented costs associated with creating co-responder teams within different alternative diversion models including law enforcement assisted diversion programs, community assistance referral and education programs, and as part of mobile crisis teams. Cities are encouraged to partner with each other to create a regional response model. In awarding these funds, the association must prioritize applicants with demonstrated capacity for facility-based crisis triage and stabilization services. The association and authority must collect and report information regarding the number of facility-based crisis stabilization and triage beds available in the locations receiving funding through this subsection and submit a report to the office of financial management and the appropriate committees of the legislature with this information by December 1 of each year.
$587,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $587,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for operating expenses for an alternative response base station in Whatcom county, including personnel, maintenance, and utility expenses.
$1,135,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,135,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $1,196,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely to develop and operate a 16-bed substance use disorder inpatient facility in Grays Harbor county that specializes in treating pregnant and parenting women using a family preservation model. The authority must contract for these services through behavioral health entities in a manner that allows leveraging of federal medicaid funds to pay for a portion of the costs. The authority must consult with the department of children, youth, and families in the implementation of this funding. The facility must allow families to reside together while a parent is receiving treatment.
$2,621,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $2,808,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $1,206,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the authority to contract for youth inpatient navigator services. The services must be provided through clinical response teams that receive referrals for children and youth inpatient services and manage a process to coordinate placements and alternative community treatment plans.
Sufficient funding is provided for the authority to extend continuous eligibility for apple health to children ages zero to six with income at or below 215 percent of the federal poverty level. The centers for medicare and medicaid services must approve the 1115 medicaid waiver prior to the implementation of this policy.
$229,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $457,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $1,728,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the authority to increase fee for service rates for mental health and substance use disorder treatment paid on behalf of tribal members not electing enrollment in managed care plans. This rate increase shall be effective July 1, 2024, and the rate schedule must offer the greater of either the existing fee schedule as of the effective date of this section or the maximum rate paid by managed care plans for a service in each region. It is the intent of the legislature that these rates be adjusted on an annual basis effective July 1st of each year and that adjustments be reflected in the authority's annual adjustments for caseload and rates.
$46,951,000 of the distributor opioid settlement account—state appropriation is provided solely for opioid and overdose response activities. If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0186.1/23) (relating to improving the fiscal process by updating accounts administered by the office of financial management, creating new accounts including one for the opioid litigation settlement, and one for the receipt of federal funds, and reenacting accounts created in the supplemental budget bill) is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse. Within these amounts, $12,362,000 of the distributor opioid settlement account—state appropriation is provided solely for the authority to pass through to tribes and urban Indian health programs for opioid and overdose response activities.
$17,414,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $34,827,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $97,997,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely to implement a seven percent increase to medicaid reimbursement for community behavioral health providers contracted through managed care organizations to be effective January 1, 2024. The authority must employ mechanisms such as directed payment or other options allowable under federal medicaid law to assure the funding is used by the managed care organizations for a seven percent provider rate increase as intended and verify this pursuant to the process established in chapter 285, Laws of 2020 (establishing rates for behavioral health services). The rate increase shall be implemented to all behavioral health inpatient, residential, and outpatient providers contracted through the medicaid managed care organizations. Provider services receiving rate increases under other subsections of this section must be excluded from the rate increase directed in this subsection.
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$412,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,667,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the authority, beginning January 1, 2024, to implement a program within biennial budget period and coverage comparable to the scope of care provided in the categorically needy medicaid program for adult individuals who:
Have an immigration status making them ineligible for federal medicaid, except for individuals who are lawfully present and have not yet met the five-year-bar;
Are age 19 and older, including over age 65, and have countable income of up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level; and
Are not eligible for another federally funded medical assistance program.
The authority in collaboration with the health benefit exchange, department of social and health services, and stakeholder and community organizations will partner on a culturally appropriate health information campaign.
The authority will establish an advocacy outreach committee that includes representatives from the health benefit exchange and department of social and health services and a community-based engagement board to provide feedback and community input in the development of outreach and education activities.
The authority shall contract with an entity to provide caseload projections for the initial enrollment year and support cost development for this program. The authority shall report on program costs to the office of financial management and legislative fiscal committees no later than June 30, 2025.
$2,005,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,933,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for forensic diversion. If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-. . ./23) (forensic mental health care) is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
FOR THE BOARD OF INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE APPEALS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: $650,000 of the accident account—state appropriation and $650,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation are provided solely for the board of appeals information system modernization project.
FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING COMMISSION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs solely to verify the address and residency of registered sex offenders and kidnapping offenders under RCW 9A.44.130.
Funding in this section is sufficient for 75 percent of the costs of providing 23 statewide basic law enforcement trainings in each fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025. The criminal justice training commission must schedule its funded classes to minimize wait times throughout each fiscal year and meet statutory wait time requirements. The criminal justice training commission must track and report the average wait time for students at the beginning of each class and provide the findings in an annual report to the legislature due in December of each year. At least three classes must be held in Spokane each year.
The criminal justice training commission may not run a basic law enforcement academy class of fewer than 30 students.
$2,270,000 of the Washington internet crimes against children account—state appropriation is provided solely for the implementation of chapter 84, Laws of 2015.
$4,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the mental health field response team program administered by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs. The association must distribute $7,000,000 in grants to the phase one and phase two regions as outlined in the settlement agreement under Trueblood, et. al. v. Department of Social and Health Services, et. al., U.S. District Court-Western District, Cause No. 14-cv-01178-MJP. The association must submit an annual report to the Governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by September 1st of each year of the biennium. The report shall include best practice recommendations on law enforcement and behavioral health field response and include outcome measures on all grants awarded.
$899,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $899,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for crisis intervention training for the phase one regions as outlined in the settlement agreement under Trueblood, et. al. v. Department of Social and Health Services, et. al., U.S. District Court-Western District, Cause No. 14-cv-01178-MJP.
$1,598,000 of the death investigations account—state appropriation is provided solely for the commission to provide 240 hours of medicolegal forensic investigation training to coroners and medical examiners to meet the recommendations of the national commission on forensic science for certification and accreditation.
$296,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for implementation of chapter 321, Laws of 2021 (officer duty to intervene).
$30,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $30,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for additional grants to local jurisdictions to investigate instances where a purchase or transfer of a firearm was attempted by an individual who is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm.
$2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the criminal justice training commission to provide grant funding to local law enforcement agencies to support law enforcement wellness programs. Of the amount provided in this subsection:
$1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the commission to provide grants to local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of establishing officer wellness programs. Grants provided under this subsection may be used for, but not limited to building resilience, injury prevention, peer support programs, physical fitness, proper nutrition, stress management, suicide prevention, and physical or behavioral health services. The commission must consult with a representative from the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs and a representative of the Washington state fraternal order of police and the Washington council of police and sheriffs in the development of the grant program.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs to establish and coordinate an online or mobile-based application for any Washington law enforcement officer; 911 operator or dispatcher; and any other current or retired employee of a Washington law enforcement agency, and their families, to anonymously access on-demand wellness techniques, suicide prevention, resilience, physical fitness, nutrition, and other behavioral health and wellness supports.
$290,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $290,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for academy training for limited authority Washington peace officers employed by the Washington state gambling commission, Washington state liquor and cannabis board, Washington state parks and recreation commission, department of natural resources, and the office of the insurance commissioner.
Up to 30 officers must be admitted to attend the basic law enforcement academy and up to 30 officers must be admitted to attend basic law enforcement equivalency academy.
Allocation of the training slots amongst the agencies must be based on the earliest application date to the commission. Training does not need to commence within six months of employment.
The state agencies must reimburse the commission for the actual cost of training.
$4,458,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,112,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to establish and provide basic law enforcement academy classes at two new regional training academies, one in Pasco and one in another location with demonstrated demand. Funding in this subsection is sufficient for 75 percent of the costs of providing four classes per year beginning in fiscal year 2024.
$150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for the criminal justice training commission to develop plans for increasing training capacity. The planning process should include engagement with limited law enforcement agencies, tribal law enforcement representatives, and local law enforcement agencies and representatives. The criminal justice training commission will provide recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature in a preliminary report due November 15, 2023, and in a final report due September 30, 2024. The reports should include the following:
Identifying the demand for additional basic law enforcement academy courses to support law enforcement agencies and develop a proposal to meet any identified training needs, including basic law enforcement academy and advanced training needs;
A plan for how to provide basic law enforcement academy training to limited law enforcement officers and tribal law enforcement officers, including providing additional capacity for training classes. The plan should also consider alternatives for distribution of the costs of the training course; and
A plan for providing at least two basic law enforcement training academy classes per year to candidates who are not yet employed with a law enforcement agency. The plan should, at a minimum, include the following:
A recruitment strategy that emphasizes recruitment of diverse candidates from different geographic areas of the state; diverse race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation; and candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences including nontraditional educational programs or work experience;
Pathways from training to employment with a law enforcement agency; and
Plans to address capacity for and delivery of training.
$3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the criminal justice training commission to develop a grant program to provide law enforcement agencies with funding toward the 25 percent local share of the cost of basic law enforcement academy training. The agency shall develop an application process and criteria for evaluation with priority given to local law enforcement agencies that have fewer resources to pay their portion of the training.
FOR THE OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$4,714,000 of the accident account—state appropriation and $4,711,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation are provided solely for the labor and industries workers' compensation information system replacement project. This subsection is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act. The department must:
Submit quarterly data within 30 calendar days of the end of each quarter, effective July 1, 2023, on:
(A) Business readiness;
(B) Change readiness;
(C) Commercial off the shelf procurement;
(D) Customer access;
(E) Program foundations;
(F) Independent assessment; and
(G) In total by fiscal year;
ii. All of the quantifiable deliverables accomplished by subprojects identified in (a)(i)(A) through (F) of this subsection and in total and the associated expenditures by each deliverable by fiscal month;
iii. The contract full time equivalent charged by subprojects identified in (a)(i)(A) through (F) of this subsection, and in total, compared to the budget spending plan by month for each contracted vendor and what the ensuing contract equivalent budget spending plan by subprojects identified in (a)(i)(A) through (F) of this subsection, and in total, assumes by fiscal month;
iv. The performance metrics by subprojects identified in (a)(i)(A) through (F) of this subsection, and in total, that are currently used, including monthly performance data; and
v. The risks identified independently by at least the quality assurance vendor and the office of the chief information officer, and how the project:
(A) Has mitigated each risk; and
(B) Is working to mitigate each risk, and when it will be mitigated;
b. Submit the report in (a) of this subsection to fiscal and policy committees of the legislature; and
c. Receive an additional gated project sign off by the office of financial management, effective September 1, 2023. Prior to spending any project funding in this subsection each quarter, there is an additional gate of approval required for this project. The director of financial management must agree that the project shows accountability, effective and appropriate use of the funding, and that risks are being mitigated to the spending and sign off on the spending for the ensuing quarter.
$250,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation and $250,000 of the accident account—state appropriation are provided solely for the department of labor and industries safety and health assessment and research for prevention program to conduct research to address the high injury rates of the janitorial workforce. The research must quantify the physical demands of common janitorial work tasks and assess the safety and health needs of janitorial workers. The research must also identify potential risk factors associated with increased risk of injury in the janitorial workforce and measure workload based on the strain janitorial work tasks place on janitors' bodies. The department must conduct interviews with janitors and their employers to collect information on risk factors, identify the tools, technologies, and methodologies used to complete work, and understand the safety culture and climate of the industry. The department must produce annual progress reports through the year 2025 or until the tools are fully developed and deployed. The annual progress report must be submitted to the governor and legislature by December 1st of each year such report is due.
$258,000 of the accident account—state appropriation and $258,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation are provided solely for the department of labor and industries safety and health assessment research for prevention program to conduct research to prevent the types of work-related injuries that require immediate hospitalization. The department will develop and maintain a tracking system to identify and respond to all immediate in-patient hospitalizations and will examine incidents in defined high-priority areas, as determined from historical data and public priorities. The research must identify and characterize hazardous situations and contributing factors using epidemiological, safety-engineering, and human factors/ergonomics methods. The research must also identify common factors in certain types of workplace injuries that lead to hospitalization. The department must submit a report to the governor and appropriate legislative committees by August 30, 2023, and annually thereafter, summarizing work-related immediate hospitalizations and prevention opportunities, actions that employers and workers can take to make workplaces safer, and ways to avoid severe injuries.
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$2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to promote workforce development in aerospace and aerospace related supply chain industries by: Expanding the number of registered apprenticeships, preapprenticeships, and aerospace-related programs; and providing support for registered apprenticeships or programs in aerospace and aerospace-related supply chain industries.
Grants awarded under this section may be used for:
Equipment upgrades or new equipment purchases for training purposes;
New training space and lab locations to support capacity needs and expansion of training to veterans and veteran spouses, and underserved populations;
Curriculum development and instructor training for industry experts;
Tuition assistance for degrees in engineering and high-demand degrees that support the aerospace industry; and
Funding to increase capacity and availability of child care options for shift work schedules.
An entity is eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if it is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, or institution of higher education that provides training opportunities, including apprenticeships, preapprenticeships, preemployment training, aerospace-related degree programs, or incumbent worker training to prepare workers for the aerospace and aerospace-related supply chain industries.
The department may use up to 5 percent of these funds for administration of these grants.
$1,065,000 of the construction registration inspection account—state appropriation, $57,000 of the accident account—state appropriation, and $12,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation are provided solely for the conveyance management system replacement project and are subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
$125,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $125,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to analyze patients who are maintained on chronic opioids. The department must submit an annual report of its findings to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than October 1st of each year of the fiscal biennium. The report shall include analysis of patient data, describing the characteristics of patients who are maintained on chronic opioids and their clinical needs, and a preliminary evaluation of potential interventions to improve care and reduce harms in this population.
$1,363,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation is provided solely to improve access to medical and vocational providers of the workers' compensation program by expanding the use of navigators to recruit and assist providers in underserved communities and by ensuring access to high quality and reliable interpreter services.
$1,360,000 of the accident account—state appropriation and $240,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation are provided solely for the department of labor and industries, in coordination with the Washington state apprenticeship training council, to establish behavioral health apprenticeship programs. The behavioral health apprenticeship programs shall be administered by the Washington state apprenticeship training council. The amounts provided in this subsection must be used to compensate behavioral health providers for the incurred operating costs associated with the apprenticeship program, including apprentice compensation, staff support and supervision of apprentices, development of on-the-job training catalogs for apprentices, and provider incentives for implementing a behavioral health apprenticeship program. In awarding this funding, special preference must be given to small or rural behavioral health providers and those that serve higher percentages of individuals from black, indigenous, and people of color communities.
$1,249,000 of the accident account—state appropriation and $507,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation are provided solely for the creation of the center for work equity research. The center will study and systematically address employer and employment factors that place historically marginalized workers at increased risk for work-related injuries and illnesses and social and economic hardship.
$2,908,000 of the public works administration account—state appropriation is provided solely for system improvements to the prevailing wage program information technology system. This project is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
$205,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $205,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to continue conducting a four-year retention study of state registered apprentices as provided in chapter 156, Laws of 2022 (apprenticeship programs). The study shall include the collection of data from all apprentices three months into their apprenticeship to understand challenges and barriers they face towards program participation. The aggregate data by trade must be displayed on a publicly available dashboard. Study data must be provided with apprenticeship coordinators to implement an early response to connect apprentices with needed supports. The department shall submit an annual report to the governor and appropriate legislative committees on June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
$2,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation and $2,500,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation are provided solely to administer a grant program intended to provide wraparound support services to mitigate barriers to beginning or participating in apprenticeship programs as described in chapter 156, Laws of 2022. The climate commitment act funding must only be used for supports for apprenticeships within the clean technology industry and at least 40 percent of the funds must benefit overburdened communities. Up to five percent of the total funding provided in this subsection may be used to cover administrative expenses.
$1,963,000 of the accident account—state appropriation and $797,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation are provided solely to expand access to worker rights and safety information for workers with limited English proficiency (LEP) through outreach and translation of safety-related information, training, and other materials. $1,000,000 of the amount provided in this subsection is provided solely for grants to community-based organizations to provide workplace rights and safety outreach to underserved workers.
$857,000 of the accident account—state appropriation and $855,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation are provided solely for enhancements to the workers' compensation training modules to include strategies on reducing long-term disability among claimants.
$250,000 of the accident account—state appropriation and $278,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0011.4/23) (defining attending provider and clarifying other provider functions for workers' compensation claims, and adding psychologists as attending providers for mental health only claims). If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
$560,000 of the public works administration account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0010.4/23) (adding references to contractor registration and licensing laws in workers' compensation, public works, and prevailing wage statutes.) If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amount provided in this subsection shall lapse.
$84,000 of the accident account—state appropriation and $84,000 of the medical aid account—state appropriation are provided solely for implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0013.2/23) (creating a separate fund for the purposes of self-insured pensions and assessments). If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The department of veterans affairs shall not initiate any services that will require expenditure of state general fund moneys unless expressly authorized in this act or other law. The department may seek, receive, and spend, under RCW 43.79.260 through 43.79.282, federal moneys that are unrelated to the coronavirus response and not anticipated in this act as long as the federal funding does not require expenditure of state moneys for the program in excess of amounts anticipated in this act. If the department receives unanticipated unrestricted federal moneys that are unrelated to the coronavirus response, those moneys must be spent for services authorized in this act or in any other legislation that provides appropriation authority, and an equal amount of appropriated state moneys shall lapse. Upon the lapsing of any moneys under this subsection, the office of financial management shall notify the legislative fiscal committees. As used in this subsection, "unrestricted federal moneys" includes block grants and other funds that federal law does not require to be spent on specifically defined projects or matched on a formula basis by state funds.
Each year, there is fluctuation in the revenue collected to support the operation of the state veteran homes. When the department has foreknowledge that revenue will decrease, such as from a loss of census or from the elimination of a program, the legislature expects the department to make reasonable efforts to reduce expenditures in a commensurate manner and to demonstrate that it has made such efforts. In response to any request by the department for general fund—state appropriation to backfill a loss of revenue, the legislature shall consider the department's efforts in reducing its expenditures in light of known or anticipated decreases to revenues.
HEADQUARTERS
FIELD SERVICES
STATE VETERANS HOMES PROGRAM
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations: If the department receives additional unanticipated federal resources that are unrelated to the coronavirus response at any point during the remainder of the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, an equal amount of general fund—state must be placed in unallotted status so as not to exceed the total appropriation level specified in this subsection. The department may submit as part of the policy level budget submittal documentation required by RCW 43.88.030 a request to maintain the general fund—state resources that were unallotted as required by this subsection.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The department of health shall not initiate any services that will require expenditure of state general fund moneys unless expressly authorized in this act or other law. The department of health and the state board of health shall not implement any new or amended rules pertaining to primary and secondary school facilities until the rules and a final cost estimate have been presented to the legislature, and the legislature has formally funded implementation of the rules through the omnibus appropriations act or by statute. The department may seek, receive, and spend, under RCW 43.79.260 through 43.79.282, federal moneys not anticipated in this act as long as the federal funding does not require expenditure of state moneys for the program in excess of amounts anticipated in this act. If the department receives unanticipated unrestricted federal moneys, those moneys shall be spent for services authorized in this act or in any other legislation that provides appropriation authority, and an equal amount of appropriated state moneys shall lapse. Upon the lapsing of any moneys under this subsection, the office of financial management shall notify the legislative fiscal committees. As used in this subsection, "unrestricted federal moneys" includes block grants and other funds that federal law does not require to be spent on specifically defined projects or matched on a formula basis by state funds.
During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, each person subject to RCW 43.70.110(3)(c) is required to pay only one surcharge of up to twenty-five dollars annually for the purposes of RCW 43.70.112, regardless of how many professional licenses the person holds.
In accordance with RCW 43.70.110 and 71.24.037, the department is authorized to adopt license and certification fees in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to support the costs of the regulatory program. The department's fee schedule shall have differential rates for providers with proof of accreditation from organizations that the department has determined to have substantially equivalent standards to those of the department, including but not limited to the joint commission on accreditation of health care organizations, the commission on accreditation of rehabilitation facilities, and the council on accreditation. To reflect the reduced costs associated with regulation of accredited programs, the department's fees for organizations with such proof of accreditation must reflect the lower costs of licensing for these programs than for other organizations which are not accredited.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, and in accordance with RCW 70.41.100, the department shall set fees to include the full costs of the performance of inspections pursuant to RCW 70.41.080.
In accordance with RCW 43.70.110 and 71.24.037, the department is authorized to adopt fees for the review and approval of mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 as necessary to support the costs of the regulatory program. The department's fee schedule must have differential rates for providers with proof of accreditation from organizations that the department has determined to have substantially equivalent standards to those of the department, including but not limited to the joint commission on accreditation of health care organizations, the commission on accreditation of rehabilitation facilities, and the council on accreditation. To reflect the reduced costs associated with regulation of accredited programs, the department's fees for organizations with such proof of accreditation must reflect the lower cost of licensing for these programs than for other organizations which are not accredited.
The health care authority, the health benefit exchange, the department of social and health services, the department of health, and the department of children, youth, and families shall work together within existing resources to establish the health and human services enterprise coalition (the coalition). The coalition, led by the health care authority, must be a multi-organization collaborative that provides strategic direction and federal funding guidance for projects that have cross-organizational or enterprise impact, including information technology projects that affect organizations within the coalition. The office of the chief information officer shall maintain a statewide perspective when collaborating with the coalition to ensure that projects are planned for in a manner that ensures the efficient use of state resources, supports the adoption of a cohesive technology and data architecture, and maximizes federal financial participation. The work of the coalition and any project identified as a coalition project is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section, and in accordance with RCW 43.70.110 and 71.12.470, the department shall set fees to include the full costs of the performance of inspections pursuant to RCW 71.12.485.
$25,130,000 of the general fund—local appropriation is provided solely for the department to provide core medical services, case management, and support services for individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus.
$492,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $492,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to coordinate with local health jurisdictions to establish and maintain comprehensive group B programs to ensure safe drinking water. These funds shall be used to support the costs of the development and adoption of rules, policies, and procedures, and for technical assistance, training, and other program-related costs.
$96,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $92,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for community outreach to prepare culturally and linguistically appropriate hepatitis B information in a digital format to be distributed to ethnic and cultural leaders and organizations to share with foreign-born and limited or non-English speaking community networks.
Within amounts appropriated in this section, the Washington nursing commission must hire sufficient staff to process applications for nursing licenses so that the time required for processing does not exceed seven days.
$725,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $725,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for the Washington poison center. This funding is provided in addition to funding pursuant to RCW 69.50.540.
$2,122,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,122,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the ongoing operations and maintenance of the prescription monitoring program maintained by the department.
$2,265,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,625,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for:
Staffing by the department, the department of veterans affairs, and the department of corrections to expand statewide suicide prevention efforts, which efforts include suicide prevention efforts for military service members and veterans and incarcerated persons;
A suicide prevention public awareness campaign to provide education regarding the signs of suicide, interventions, and resources for support;
Staffing for call centers to support the increased volume of calls to suicide hotlines;
Training for first responders to identify and respond to individuals experiencing suicidal ideation;
Support for tribal suicide prevention efforts;
Strengthening behavioral health and suicide prevention efforts in the agricultural sector;
Support for the three priority areas of the governor's challenge regarding identifying suicide risk among service members and their families, increasing the awareness of resources available to service members and their families, and lethal means safety planning;
Training for community health workers to include culturally informed training for suicide prevention;
Coordination with the office of the superintendent of public instruction; and
Support for the suicide prevention initiative housed in the University of Washington.
$1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the fruit and vegetable incentive program.
$627,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $627,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to implement the recommendations from the community health workers task force to provide statewide leadership, training, and integration of community health workers with insurers, health care providers, and public health systems.
$3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington nursing commission to manage a grant process to incentivize nurses to supervise nursing students in health care settings. The goal of the grant program is to create more clinical placements for nursing students to complete required clinical hours to earn their nursing degree and related licensure.
$1,522,000 of the health professional services account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Washington nursing commission to continue to implement virtual nursing assistant training and testing modalities, create an apprenticeship pathway into nursing for nursing assistants, implement rule changes to support a career path for nursing assistants, and collaborate with the workforce training and educational coordinating board on a pilot project to transform the culture and practice in long term care settings. The goal of these activities is to expand the nursing workforce for long term care settings.
$223,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $186,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to test for lead in child care facilities to prevent child lead exposure and to research, identify, and connect facilities to financial resources available for remediation costs.
$814,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $814,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to provide grants to establish new school-based health centers and to add behavioral health capacity to existing school-based health centers.
$1,300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to coordinate and lead a multi-agency approach to youth suicide prevention and intervention.
$486,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $85,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department, in collaboration with an organization that represents pediatric care needs in Washington state, to establish a curriculum and provide training for community health workers in primary care clinics whose patients are significantly comprised of pediatric patients enrolled in medical assistance under chapter 74.09 RCW, in support of the health care authority's two-year grant program. The department will coordinate ongoing curriculum development meetings with the relational health training work group.
$1,390,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,378,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the child profile health promotion notification system.
$50,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely to participate in the development of a comprehensive climate plan. If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0195.1/23) (relating to improving the state's climate response through updates to the state's planning framework) is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
$72,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely to plan for climate resiliency in collaboration with local governments and the department of commerce. If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0195.1/23) (relating to improving the state's climate response through updates to the state's planning framework) is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
$14,536,000 of the distributor opioid settlement account—state appropriation is provided solely for opioid and overdose response activities. If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0186.1/23) (relating to improving the fiscal process by updating accounts administered by the office of financial management, creating new accounts including one for the opioid litigation settlement, and one for the receipt of federal funds, and reenacting accounts created in the supplemental budget bill) is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
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$10,000,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely to support and administer a workplace health and safety program for workers who are affected by climate impacts, including but not limited to, extreme heat and cold, wildfire smoke, drought and flooding. This program will focus on workplace health and safety, including but not limited to, farmworkers, construction workers, and other workers who face the most risk from climate-related impacts. This amount shall be spent solely to support vulnerable populations in overburdened communities under the climate commitment act as defined in RCW 70A.65.010. Funding shall be provided for:
Pass through grants to community-based organizations, tribal governments, and tribal organizations to support workplace health and safety for workers who are burdened by the intersection of their work and climate impacts; and
Procurement and distribution of equipment and resources for workers who are burdened by the intersection of their work and climate impacts directly by the department of health, or through pass-through grants to community-based organizations, tribal governments, and tribal organizations. Equipment and resources may include but are not limited to: Personal protective equipment, other protective or safety clothing for cold and heat, air purifiers for the workplace or worker housing, protection from ticks and mosquitoes, and heating and cooling devices.
The department of health, in consultation with the environmental justice council, community groups, and labor and industries, shall evaluate mechanisms to provide workers with financial assistance to cover lost wages or other financial hardships caused by extreme weather events and climate threats;
A portion of this funding may be used to administer this grant program.
$2,373,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $2,395,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $4,389,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation are provided solely for the department to implement the healthy environment for all act under chapter 70A.02 RCW, to provide additional staff and support for the environmental justice council including community participation grants, and to maintain and update the environmental health disparities map.
$17,952,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely to sustain information technology infrastructure, tools, and solutions developed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The department shall submit a plan to the office of financial management by September 15, 2023, that identifies a new funding strategy to maintain these information technology investments within the department's existing state, local, and federal funding. Of this amount, sufficient funding is provided for the department to create an implementation plan for real-time bed capacity and tracking for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, excluding behavioral health hospitals and facilities. The department will provide the implementation plan and estimated cost for an information technology system and implementation costs to the office of financial management by September 15, 2023, for the bed capacity and tracking tool.
$20,000,000 of the coronavirus state fiscal recovery fund—federal appropriation is provided solely to support COVID-19 public health and response activities. The department must continue to distribute COVID-19 testing supplies to agricultural workers and tribal governments. The department must submit a spending plan to the office of financial management for approval. These funds may only be allocated and expended after approval of the spending plan.
$7,407,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $7,603,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely to provide reimbursement for abortion services to providers of abortion care, to provide funding for travel costs for abortion care, including but not limited to childcare and meals, and to provide grants to public four-year higher education institutions that offer advanced degree programs in nursing, medicine, and pharmacy to develop and offer abortion care training.
$58,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $318,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, $220,000 of the health professions account—state appropriation, and $17,000 of the medical test site account—state appropriation are provided solely to create a uniform enforcement framework for medical facilities. If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0084.5) (relating to uniform facilities enforcement framework) is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amounts provided in this subsection shall lapse.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations: $785,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $58,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to acquire and implement a sentencing calculation module for the offender management network information system and is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act. This project must use one discrete organizational index across all department of corrections programs. Implementation of this sentencing calculation module must result in a reduction of tolling staff within six months of the project implementation date and the department must report this result. In addition, the report must include the budgeted and actual tolling staffing levels by fiscal month beginning with fiscal year 2023 and the count of tolling staff reduced by fiscal month from date of implementation through six months post implementation. The report must be submitted to the senate ways and means and house appropriations committees within 30 calendar days after six months post implementation.
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
a. The department may contract for local jail beds statewide to the extent that it is at no net cost to the department. The department shall calculate and report the average cost per offender per day, inclusive of all services, on an annual basis for a facility that is representative of average medium or lower offender costs. The department shall not pay a rate greater than $85 per day per offender excluding the costs of department of corrections provided services, including evidence-based substance abuse programming, dedicated department of corrections classification staff on-site for individualized case management, transportation of offenders to and from department of corrections facilities, and gender responsive training for jail staff. The capacity provided at local correctional facilities must be for offenders whom the department of corrections defines as close medium or lower security offenders. Programming provided for offenders held in local jurisdictions is included in the rate, and details regarding the type and amount of programming, and any conditions regarding transferring offenders must be negotiated with the department as part of any contract. Local jurisdictions must provide health care to offenders that meets standards set by the department. The local jail must provide all medical care including unexpected emergent care. The department must utilize a screening process to ensure that offenders with existing extraordinary medical/mental health needs are not transferred to local jail facilities. If extraordinary medical conditions develop for an inmate while at a jail facility, the jail may transfer the offender back to the department, subject to terms of the negotiated agreement. Health care costs incurred prior to transfer are the responsibility of the jail.
b. $574,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $671,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to maintain the facility, property, and assets at the institution formerly known as the maple lane school in Rochester.
c. $1,963,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $146,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to acquire and implement a sentencing calculation module for the offender management network information system and is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act. This project must use one discrete organizational index across all department of corrections programs. Implementation of this sentencing calculation module must result in a reduction of tolling staff within six months of the project implementation date and the department must report this result. In addition, the report must include the budgeted and actual tolling staffing levels by fiscal month beginning with fiscal year 2023 and the count of tolling staff reduced by fiscal month from date of implementation through six months post implementation. The report must be submitted to the senate ways and means and house appropriations committees within 30 calendar days after six months post implementation.
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
a. The department of corrections shall contract with local and tribal governments for jail capacity to house offenders who violate the terms of their community supervision. A contract rate increase may not exceed five percent each year. The department may negotiate to include medical care of offenders in the contract rate if medical payments conform to the department's offender health plan and pharmacy formulary, and all off-site medical expenses are preapproved by department utilization management staff. If medical care of offender is included in the contract rate, the contract rate may exceed five percent to include the cost of that service.
b. The department shall engage in ongoing mitigation strategies to reduce the costs associated with community supervision violators, including improvements in data collection and reporting and alternatives to short-term confinement for low-level violators.
c. $542,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,388,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for increased costs associated with the relocation of leased facilities. The department shall engage in ongoing strategies to reduce the need for relocating facilities and when necessary contract only with lessors with rates that align with comparable market rates in the area.
d. $1,178,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $88,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to acquire and implement a sentencing calculation module for the offender management network information system and is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act. This project must use one discrete organizational index across all department of corrections programs. Implementation of this sentencing calculation module must result in a reduction of tolling staff within six months of the project implementation date and the department must report this result. In addition, the report must include the budgeted and actual tolling staffing levels by fiscal month beginning with fiscal year 2023 and the count of tolling staff reduced by fiscal month from date of implementation through six months post implementation. The report must be submitted to the senate ways and means and house appropriations committees within 30 calendar days after six months post implementation.
CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES
INTERAGENCY PAYMENTS
OFFENDER CHANGE
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
a. The department of corrections shall use funds appropriated in this subsection (6) for programming for incarcerated individuals. The department shall develop and implement a written comprehensive plan for programming for incarcerated individuals that prioritizes programs which follow the risk-needs-responsivity model, are evidence-based, and have measurable outcomes. The department is authorized to discontinue ineffective programs and to repurpose underspent funds according to the priorities in the written plan.
b. The department of corrections shall collaborate with the state health care authority to explore ways to utilize federal medicaid funds as a match to fund residential substance use disorder treatment-based alternative beds under RCW 9.94A.664 under the drug offender sentencing alternative program and residential substance use disorder treatment beds that serve individuals on community custody.
c. Within existing resources, the department of corrections may provide reentry support items such as disposable cell phones, prepaid phone cards, hygiene kits, housing vouchers, and release medications associated with individuals resentenced or ordered released from confinement as a result of policies or court decisions including, but not limited to, the State v. Blake decision.
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The state prison medical facilities may use funds appropriated in this subsection to purchase goods, supplies, and services through hospital or other group purchasing organizations when it is cost effective to do so.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$201,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $201,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the continuation of statewide services for blind or low vision youth under the age of 14.
$184,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $367,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the independent living program.
FOR THE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT
The appropriations in this subsection are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The department is directed to maximize the use of federal funds. The department must update its budget annually to align expenditures with anticipated changes in projected revenues.
$15,399,000 of the long-term services and supports trust account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of the long-term services and support trust program information technology project and is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
Within existing resources, the department must reassess its ongoing staffing and funding needs for the paid family medical leave program and submit documentation of the updated need to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by September 1, 2023, and annually thereafter.
Within existing resources, the department shall coordinate outreach and education to paid family and medical leave benefit recipients with a statewide family resource, referral, and linkage system that connects families with children prenatal through age five and residing in Washington state to appropriate services and community resources. This coordination shall include but is not limited to placing information about the statewide family resource, referral, and linkage system on the paid family and medical leave program web site and in printed materials, and conducting joint events.
Within existing resources, the department shall report the following to the legislature and the governor by October 15, 2023, and each year thereafter:
An inventory of the department's programs, services, and activities, identifying federal, state, and other funding sources for each;
Federal grants received by the department, segregated by line of business or activity, for the most recent five fiscal years, and the applicable rules;
State funding available to the department, segregated by line of business or activity, for the most recent five fiscal years;
A history of staffing levels by line of business or activity, identifying sources of state or federal funding, for the most recent five fiscal years;
A projected spending plan for the employment services administrative account and the administrative contingency account. The spending plan must include forecasted revenues and estimated expenditures under various economic scenarios.
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$12,435,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation are provided solely for career connected learning grants as provided in RCW 28C.30.050, including sector intermediary grants and administrative expenses associated with grant administration.
Within existing resources, the department will collaborate with the Washington state student achievement council to develop a recommendation on whether the administration of the career connected learning grant program and other career connected learning funds should transfer from the department to the office of career connect Washington, as established in House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0132.2/23) (establishing the office of career connect Washington).
$2,000,000 of the unemployment compensation administration account—federal appropriation is provided solely for the department to continue implementing the federal United States department of labor equity grant. This grant includes improving the translation of notices sent to claimants as part of their unemployment insurance claims into any of the 10 languages most frequently spoken in the state and other language, demographic, and geographic equity initiatives approved by the grantor. The department must also ensure that letters, alerts, and notices produced manually or by the department's unemployment insurance technology system are written in plainly understood language and evaluated for ease of claimant comprehension before they are approved for use.
$3,136,000 of the unemployment compensation administration account—federal appropriation is provided solely for a continuous improvement team to make customer, employer, and equity enhancements to the unemployment insurance program. If the department does not receive adequate funding from the United States department of labor to cover these costs, the department may use funding made available to the state through section 903 (d), (f), and (g) of the social security act (Reed act) in an amount not to exceed the amount provided in this subsection.
$326,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for participation on the clean energy technology work force advisory committee and collaboration on the associated report established in House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0226/23) (climate service corps). If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amount provided in this subsection shall lapse.
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$9,323,000 of the employment service administrative account—state appropriation is provided solely for the replacement of the WorkSource integrated technology platform. The replacement system must support the workforce administration statewide to ensure adoption of the United States department of labor's integrated service delivery model and program performance requirements for the state's workforce innovation and opportunity act and other federal grants. This subsection is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 of this act.
$2,290,000 of the employment services administrative account—state appropriation is provided solely for the maintenance and operation of the WorkSource integrated technology platform.
$6,208,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $6,208,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the continuation of the economic security for all program. The department must collect quarterly data on the number of participants that participate in the program, the costs associated with career, training, and other support services provided by category, including but not limited to, child care, housing, transportation, and car repair, and progress made towards self-sufficiency. The department must provide a report to the governor and the legislature on December 1 and June 1 of each year that includes an analysis of the program, a detailed summary of the quarterly data collected, and associated recommendations for program delivery.
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$2,646,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,646,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided to expand the economic security for all program to residents of Washington state that are over 200 percent of the federal poverty level but who demonstrate financial need for support services or assistance with training costs to either maintain or secure employment. Supports to each participant must not exceed $5,000 per year.
The department must collect quarterly data on the number of participants that participate in the program, the costs associated with career, training, and other support services provided by category, including but not limited to, child care, housing, transportation, and car repair, and progress made towards self-sufficiency. The department must provide a report to the governor and the legislature on December 1 and June 1 of each year that includes an analysis of the program, a detailed summary of the quarterly data collected, and associated recommendations for program delivery.
Of the amounts in (a) of this subsection, the department may use $146,000 each year to cover program administrative expenses.
$1,655,000 of the administrative contingency account—state appropriation is provided to increase the department's information security team to proactively address critical security vulnerabilities, audit findings, and process gaps.
$600,000 of the performance audits of government account—state appropriation is provided for two project managers to assist with the coordination of state audits.
$1,448,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,448,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for business navigators at the local workforce development boards to increase employer engagement in an effort to support industry recovery and growth. Of the amounts in this subsection, the department may use $148,000 per year to cover associated administrative expenses.
$7,500,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is provided solely for the implementation of the quality jobs, equity strategy, and training (QUEST) grant to enhance the workforce system's ongoing efforts to support employment equity and employment recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are for partnership development, community outreach, business engagement, and comprehensive career and training services.
$3,389,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,540,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to increase the stipend for Washington service corps members to $26,758 per year and for one staff member to assist with program outreach. The stipend increase is for members that enter into a service year with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
$1,615,000 of the family and medical leave account—state appropriation and $1,513,000 of the long-term services and supports trust account—state appropriation are provided solely for the paid family and medical leave and long-term services and supports programs to increase outreach to underserved communities, perform program evaluation and data management, perform necessary fiscal functions, and make customer experience enhancements.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES—GENERAL
The health care authority, the health benefit exchange, the department of social and health services, the department of health, and the department of children, youth, and families shall work together within existing resources to establish the health and human services enterprise coalition (the coalition). The coalition, led by the health care authority, must be a multi-organization collaborative that provides strategic direction and federal funding guidance for projects that have cross-organizational or enterprise impact, including information technology projects that affect organizations within the coalition. The office of the chief information officer shall maintain a statewide perspective when collaborating with the coalition to ensure that projects are planned for in a manner that ensures the efficient use of state resources, supports the adoption of a cohesive technology and data architecture, and maximizes federal financial participation.
Information technology projects or investments and proposed projects or investments impacting time capture, payroll and payment processes and systems, eligibility, case management, and authorization systems within the department are subject to technical oversight by the office of the chief information officer.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES—CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$748,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $748,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to contract for the operation of one pediatric interim care center. The center shall provide residential care for up to 13 children through two years of age. Seventy-five percent of the children served by the center must be in need of special care as a result of substance abuse by their mothers. The center shall also provide on-site training to biological, adoptive, or foster parents. The center shall provide at least three months of consultation and support to the parents accepting placement of children from the center. The center may recruit new and current foster and adoptive parents for infants served by the center. The department shall not require case management as a condition of the contract.
$453,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $722,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the costs of hub home foster and kinship families that provide a foster care delivery model that includes a hub home. Use of the hub home model is intended to support foster parent retention, provide support to biological families, improve child outcomes, and encourage the least restrictive community placements for children in out-of-home care.
$579,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $579,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $110,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for a receiving care center east of the Cascade mountains.
$1,245,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,245,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for services provided through children's advocacy centers.
$94,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $94,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a contract with a child advocacy center in Spokane to provide continuum of care services for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and their families.
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$539,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, $656,000 of the general fund—private/local appropriation, and $252,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for a contract with an educational advocacy provider with expertise in foster care educational outreach. The amounts in this subsection are provided solely for contracted education coordinators to assist foster children in succeeding in K-12 and higher education systems and to assure a focus on education during the department's transition to performance-based contracts. Funding must be prioritized to regions with high numbers of foster care youth, regions where backlogs of youth that have formerly requested educational outreach services exist, or youth with high educational needs. The department is encouraged to use private matching funds to maintain educational advocacy services.
The department shall contract with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, which in turn shall contract with a nongovernmental entity or entities to provide educational advocacy services pursuant to RCW 28A.300.590.
For purposes of meeting the state's maintenance of effort for the state supplemental payment program, the department of children, youth, and families shall track and report to the department of social and health services the monthly state supplemental payment amounts attributable to foster care children who meet eligibility requirements specified in the state supplemental payment state plan. Such expenditures must equal at least $3,100,000 annually and may not be claimed toward any other federal maintenance of effort requirement. Annual state supplemental payment expenditure targets must continue to be established by the department of social and health services. Attributable amounts must be communicated by the department of children, youth, and families to the department of social and health services on a monthly basis.
$197,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $197,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to conduct biennial inspections and certifications of facilities, both overnight and day shelters, that serve those who are under 18 years old and are homeless.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementing the supportive visitation model that utilizes trained visit navigators to provide a structured and positive visitation experience for children and their parents.
$600,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $600,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for enhanced adoption placement services for legally free children in state custody, through a partnership with a national nonprofit organization with private matching funds. These funds must supplement, but not supplant, the work of the department to secure permanent adoptive homes for children with high needs.
The department of children, youth, and families shall make foster care maintenance payments to programs where children are placed with a parent in a residential program for substance abuse treatment. These maintenance payments are considered foster care maintenance payments for purposes of forecasting and budgeting at maintenance level as required by RCW 43.88.058.
$2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to contract with one or more nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations to purchase and deliver concrete goods to low-income families.
$2,400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of performance-based contracts for family support and related services pursuant to RCW 74.13B.020.
$499,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $499,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $310,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0148/23) (implementing the family connections program), which will support the family connections program in areas of the state in which the program is already established. To operate the program, the department must contract with a community-based organization that has experience working with the foster care population and administering the family connections program.
The department will only refer child welfare cases to the department of social and health services division of child support enforcement when the court has found a child to have been abandoned by their parent or guardian as defined in RCW 13.34.030.
$100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and 100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the provision of SafeCare, an evidence-based parenting program, for families in Grays Harbor county.
$9,522,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $13,577,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $6,529,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the phase-in of the settlement agreement under D.S. et al. v. Department of Children, Youth and Families et al., United States district court for the western district of Washington, cause no. 2:21-cv-00113-BJR. The department must implement the provisions of the settlement agreement pursuant to the timeline and implementation plan provided for under the settlement agreement. This includes implementing provisions related to the emerging adulthood housing program, professional therapeutic foster care, statewide hub home model, revised licensing standards, family group planning, referrals and transition, qualified residential treatment program, and monitoring and implementation.
$3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and 3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a program designed to improve high school graduation rates among middle school students experiencing foster care. The program will target middle school students experiencing foster care with a middle to high school transition strategy and foster developmentally appropriate career exploration to build student engagement. To operate the program, the department must contract with a community organization that has experience administering programs aimed at improving the high school graduation rates of youth in foster care.
$798,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,092,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0088/23) (supporting guardianships and voluntary placement with kin).
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES—JUVENILE REHABILITATION PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$2,841,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,841,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to county juvenile courts for the programs identified by the Washington state institute for public policy in its report: "Inventory of Evidence-based, Research-based, and Promising Practices for Prevention and Intervention Services for Children and Juveniles in the Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Mental Health Systems." Additional funding for this purpose is provided through an interagency agreement with the health care authority. County juvenile courts shall apply to the department of children, youth, and families for funding for program-specific participation and the department shall provide grants to the courts consistent with the per-participant treatment costs identified by the institute.
$1,537,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,537,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for expansion of the juvenile justice treatments and therapies in department of children, youth, and families programs identified by the Washington state institute for public policy in its report: "Inventory of Evidence-based, Research-based, and Promising Practices for Prevention and Intervention Services for Children and Juveniles in the Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Mental Health Systems." The department may concentrate delivery of these treatments and therapies at a limited number of programs to deliver the treatments in a cost-effective manner.
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$6,198,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $6,198,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to implement evidence- and research-based programs through community juvenile accountability grants, administration of the grants, and evaluations of programs funded by the grants. In addition to funding provided in this subsection, funding to implement alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs for locally committed offenders is provided through an interagency agreement with the health care authority.
The department of children, youth, and families shall administer a block grant to county juvenile courts for the purpose of serving youth as defined in RCW 13.40.510(4)(a) in the county juvenile justice system. Funds dedicated to the block grant include: Consolidated juvenile service funds, community juvenile accountability act grants, chemical dependency/mental health disposition alternative, and suspended disposition alternative. The department of children, youth, and families shall follow the following formula and must prioritize evidence-based programs and disposition alternatives and take into account juvenile courts program-eligible youth in conjunction with the number of youth served in each approved evidence-based program or disposition alternative: (i) Thirty-seven and one-half percent for the at-risk population of youth ten to seventeen years old; (ii) fifteen percent for the assessment of low, moderate, and high-risk youth; (iii) twenty-five percent for evidence-based program participation; (iv) seventeen and one-half percent for minority populations; (v) three percent for the chemical dependency and mental health disposition alternative; and (vi) two percent for the suspended dispositional alternatives. Funding for the special sex offender disposition alternative shall not be included in the block grant, but allocated on the average daily population in juvenile courts. Funding for the evidence-based expansion grants shall be excluded from the block grant formula. Funds may be used for promising practices when approved by the department of children, youth, and families and juvenile courts, through the community juvenile accountability act committee, based on the criteria established in consultation with Washington state institute for public policy and the juvenile courts.
The department of children, youth, and families and the juvenile courts shall establish a block grant funding formula oversight committee with equal representation from the department of children, youth, and families and the juvenile courts. The purpose of this committee is to assess the ongoing implementation of the block grant funding formula, utilizing data-driven decision making and the most current available information. The committee will be co-chaired by the department of children, youth, and families and the juvenile courts, who will also have the ability to change members of the committee as needed to achieve its purpose. The committee may make changes to the formula categories in (d)(ii) of this subsection if it determines the changes will increase statewide service delivery or effectiveness of evidence-based program or disposition alternative resulting in increased cost/benefit savings to the state, including long-term cost/benefit savings. The committee must also consider these outcomes in determining when evidence-based expansion or special sex offender disposition alternative funds should be included in the block grant or left separate.
The juvenile courts and administrative office of the courts must collect and distribute information and provide access to the data systems to the department of children, youth, and families and the Washington state institute for public policy related to program and outcome data. The department of children, youth, and families and the juvenile courts must work collaboratively to develop program outcomes that reinforce the greatest cost/benefit to the state in the implementation of evidence-based practices and disposition alternatives.
$645,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $645,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for funding of the teamchild project.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a grant program focused on criminal street gang prevention and intervention. The department of children, youth, and families may award grants under this subsection. The department of children, youth, and families shall give priority to applicants who have demonstrated the greatest problems with criminal street gangs. Applicants composed of, at a minimum, one or more local governmental entities and one or more nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that have a documented history of creating and administering effective criminal street gang prevention and intervention programs may apply for funding under this subsection. Each entity receiving funds must report to the department of children, youth, and families on the number and types of youth served, the services provided, and the impact of those services on the youth and the community.
The juvenile rehabilitation institutions may use funding appropriated in this subsection to purchase goods, supplies, and services through hospital group purchasing organizations when it is cost-effective to do so.
$50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to county juvenile courts to establish alternative detention facilities similar to the proctor house model in Jefferson county, Washington, that will provide less restrictive confinement alternatives to youth in their local communities. County juvenile courts shall apply to the department of children, youth, and families for funding and each entity receiving funds must report to the department on the number and types of youth serviced, the services provided, and the impact of those services on the youth and the community.
$432,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $432,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to provide housing services to clients releasing from incarceration into the community.
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$878,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $879,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 206, Laws of 2021 (concerning juvenile rehabilitation community transition services).
Of the amounts provided in (a) of this subsection, $105,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $105,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for housing vouchers.
$123,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $123,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 265, Laws of 2021 (supporting successful reentry).
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES—EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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$120,786,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $214,479,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, $91,810,000 of the education legacy trust account—state appropriation, $80,000,000 of the opportunity pathways account—state appropriation, and $41,848,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation (CRRSA/GEER) are provided solely for the early childhood education and assistance program. These amounts shall support at least 18,278 slots in fiscal year 2024 and 20,278 slots in fiscal year 2025. Of the total slots in each fiscal year, 100 slots must be reserved for foster children to receive school-year-round enrollment.
Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $5,320,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $59,858,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $41,848,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation (CRRSA/GEER) are for a slot rate increase of 40 percent beginning July 1, 2023.
The department of children, youth, and families must develop a methodology to identify, at the school district level, the geographic locations of where early childhood education and assistance program slots are needed to meet the entitlement specified in RCW 43.216.556. This methodology must be linked to the caseload forecast produced by the caseload forecast council and must include estimates of the number of slots needed at each school district and the corresponding facility needs required to meet the entitlement in accordance with RCW 43.216.556. This methodology must be included as part of the budget submittal documentation required by RCW 43.88.030.
The department is the lead agency for and recipient of the federal child care and development fund grant. Amounts within this grant shall be used to fund child care licensing, quality initiatives, agency administration, and other costs associated with child care subsidies.
The department of children, youth, and families shall work in collaboration with the department of social and health services to determine the appropriate amount of state expenditures for the working connections child care program to claim towards the state's maintenance of effort for the temporary assistance for needy families program. The departments will also collaborate to track the average monthly child care subsidy caseload and expenditures by fund type, including child care development fund, general fund—state appropriation, and temporary assistance for needy families for the purpose of estimating the annual temporary assistance for needy families reimbursement from the department of social and health services to the department of children, youth, and families. Effective December 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department of children, youth, and families must report to the governor and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the legislature the total state contribution for the working connections child care program claimed the previous fiscal year towards the state's maintenance of effort for the temporary assistance for needy families program and the total temporary assistance for needy families reimbursement from the department of social and health services for the previous fiscal year.
$353,402,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is reimbursed by the department of social and health services to the department of children, youth, and families for qualifying expenditures of the working connections child care program under RCW 43.216.135.
$65,006,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $68,107,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to increase subsidy base rates to the 85th percentile of market based on the 2021 market rate survey for child care centers.
$114,017,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $117,148,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to implement the 2023-2025 collective bargaining agreement covering family child care providers as provided in section 907 of this act. Of the amounts provided in this subsection:
$8,263,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $9,793,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are for an 85 cent per hour per child rate increase for family, friends, and neighbor providers (FFNs) beginning July 1, 2023, and a 15 cent per hour per child rate increase beginning July 1, 2024.
$60,023,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $61,625,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided to increase subsidy base rates to the 85th percentile of market based on the 2021 market rate survey.
$370,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $370,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for the department to pay the background check application and fingerprint processing fees.
$45,360,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $45,360,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are for a cost of care rate enhancement.
On July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, the department, in collaboration with the department of social and health services, must report to the governor and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the legislature on the status of overpayments in the working connections child care program. The report must include the following information for the previous fiscal year:
i. A summary of the number of overpayments that occurred;
ii. The reason for each overpayment;
iii. The total cost of overpayments;
iv. A comparison to overpayments that occurred in the past two preceding fiscal years; and
Within available amounts, the department in consultation with the office of financial management shall report enrollments and active caseload for the working connections child care program to the governor and the legislative fiscal committees and the legislative-executive WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force on an agreed upon schedule. The report shall also identify the number of cases participating in both temporary assistance for needy families and working connections child care. The department must also report on the number of children served through contracted slots.
$871,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $871,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department of children, youth, and families to contract with a countywide nonprofit organization with early childhood expertise in Pierce county for a project to prevent child abuse and neglect using nationally recognized models.
The nonprofit organization must continue to implement a countywide resource and referral linkage system for families of children who are prenatal through age five.
The nonprofit organization must offer a voluntary brief newborn home visiting program. The program must meet the diverse needs of Pierce county residents and, therefore, it must be flexible, culturally appropriate, and culturally responsive. The department, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization, must examine the feasibility of leveraging federal and other fund sources, including federal Title IV-E and medicaid funds, for home visiting provided through the pilot. The department must report its findings to the governor and appropriate legislative committees by September 1, 2023.
$5,899,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $8,382,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the early childhood intervention prevention services (ECLIPSE) program. The department shall contract for ECLIPSE services to provide therapeutic child care and other specialized treatment services to abused, neglected, at-risk, and/or drug-affected children. The department shall pursue opportunities to leverage other funding to continue and expand ECLIPSE services. Priority for services shall be given to children referred from the department.
The department shall place a ten percent administrative overhead cap on any contract entered into with the University of Washington. In a bi-annual report to the governor and the legislature, the department shall report the total amount of funds spent on the quality rating and improvements system and the total amount of funds spent on degree incentives, scholarships, and tuition reimbursements.
$300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a contract with a nonprofit entity experienced in the provision of promoting early literacy for children through pediatric office visits.
$4,000,000 of the education legacy trust account—state appropriation is provided solely for early intervention assessment and services.
The department shall work with state and local law enforcement, federally recognized tribal governments, and tribal law enforcement to develop a process for expediting fingerprinting and data collection necessary to conduct background checks for tribal early learning and child care providers.
Within existing resources, the department shall implement chapter 409, Laws of 2019 (early learning access).
$265,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $265,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a statewide family resource and referral linkage system, with coordinated access point of resource navigators who will connect families with children prenatal through age five with services, programs, and community resources through a facilitated referral and linkage process.
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$114,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $173,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, $6,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation, and $31,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation (ARPA) are provided solely for the department to complete its pilot project to determine the feasibility of a child care license category for multi-site programs operating under one owner or one entity and to complete one year of transition activities. The department shall adopt rules to implement the pilot project and may waive or adapt licensing requirements when necessary to allow for the operation of a new license category. Pilot participants must include, at least:
One governmental agency;
One nonprofit organization; and
One for-profit private business.
New or existing license child care providers may participate in the pilot. When selecting and approving pilot project locations, the department shall aim to select a mix of rural, urban, and suburban locations. By July 1, 2024, the department shall submit to the governor and relevant committees of the legislature a plan for permanent implementation of this license category, including any necessary changes to law.
$10,800,000 of the home visiting account—state appropriation is provided for the home visiting program. Of the amounts in this subsection:
$9,300,000 of the home visiting account—state appropriation is provided for a funding increase, including to increase funding for contracts to support wage and cost increases and create more equity in contracting among the home visiting workforce.
$1,500,000 of the home visiting account—state appropriation is provided to expand home visiting services.
Within the amounts provided in this section, funding is provided for the department to make permanent the two language access coordinators with specialties in Spanish and Somali as funded in chapter 334, Laws of 2021.
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The department must provide to the education research and data center, housed at the office of financial management, data on all state-funded early childhood programs. These programs include the early support for infants and toddlers, early childhood education and assistance program (ECEAP), and the working connections and seasonal subsidized childcare programs including license-exempt facilities or family, friend, and neighbor care. The data provided by the department to the education research data center must include information on children who participate in these programs, including their name and date of birth, and dates the child received services at a particular facility.
ECEAP early learning professionals must enter any new qualifications into the department's professional development registry starting in the 2015-16 school year, and every school year thereafter. By October 2017, and every October thereafter, the department must provide updated ECEAP early learning professional data to the education research data center.
The department must request federally funded head start programs to voluntarily provide data to the department and the education research data center that is equivalent to what is being provided for state-funded programs.
The education research and data center must provide an updated report on early childhood program participation and K-12 outcomes to the house of representatives appropriations committee and the senate ways and means committee using available data every March for the previous school year.
The department, in consultation with the department of social and health services, must withhold payment for services to early childhood programs that do not report on the name, date of birth, and the dates a child received services at a particular facility.
$897,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for the department to pay the application and fingerprint processing fees on behalf of child care providers to reduce the time involved to complete background checks.
$5,143,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,136,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for tribal early learning grants to be distributed to providers with tribal children enrolled in early childhood education and assistance program, early ECEAP, childcare, head start, early head start and home visiting programs. Grants will be administered by the department of children, youth and families office of tribal relations and may be awarded for purposes including but not limited to culturally appropriate mental health supports for addressing historical trauma, incorporating indigenous foods, culturally-responsive books and materials, staff professional development, curriculum adaptations and supplements, tribal language education, elders and storytelling in classrooms, traditional music and arts instruction, and transportation to facilitate tribal child participation in early childhood education.
$7,698,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $7,698,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to increase complex needs grant funds for child care.
$4,806,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $6,278,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to increase complex needs grant funds for the early childhood education and assistance program.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES—PROGRAM SUPPORT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a Washington state mentoring organization to continue its public-private partnerships providing technical assistance and training to mentoring programs that serve at-risk youth.
$2,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $6,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $2,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the implementation of an agreement reached between the governor and the Washington federation of state employees for the language access providers under the provisions of chapter 41.56 RCW for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, as provided in section 907 of this act.
$100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a full-time employee to coordinate policies and programs to support pregnant and parenting individuals receiving chemical dependency or substance use disorder treatment.
$754,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,131,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and 1,015,000 of the general fund—private/local appropriation are provided solely for the department to contract with one or more community organizations with expertise in the LifeSet case management model to serve youth and adults currently being served in or exiting the foster care, juvenile justice, and mental health systems to successfully transition to adulthood.
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$2,719,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $2,632,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $174,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the phase-in of the settlement agreement under D.S. et al. v. Department of Children, Youth and Families et al., United States district court for the western district of Washington, cause no. 2:21-cv-00113-BJR. The department must implement the provisions of the settlement agreement pursuant to the timeline and implementation plan provided for under the settlement agreement. This includes implementing provisions related to the emerging adulthood housing program, professional therapeutic foster care, statewide hub home model, revised licensing standards, family group planning, referrals and transition, qualified residential treatment program, and monitoring and implementation.
Within the amounts provided in this section, funding is provided for the department to make the emerging adulthood housing program available statewide. The program will serve hard-to-place foster youth who are at least 16 years old with housing and intensive case management.
$118,000 of the general fund—state for fiscal year 2024 and $162,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to work on a long-term plan to discontinue the practice of using any benefits, payments, funds, or accrual paid to or on behalf of a child or youth to reimburse itself for cost of care, including to develop an implementation plan to conserve funds for the future needs of the child in a manner in which the funds will not count against eligibility for federal or state means tested programs. The plan must include a strategy for developing the financial literacy and capability of youth and young adults exiting foster care and juvenile rehabilitation. The department will develop the plan in consultation with stakeholders, including but not limited to:
Individuals with disabilities and organizations representing the interests of or serving individuals with disabilities;
Youth in foster care and juvenile rehabilitation and their parents; and
The social security administration.
$4,223,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $4,223,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $24,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided for implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0149/23) (implementing the child welfare housing assistance program).
$1,813,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,188,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $393,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the department to implement a language access plan, which will include but is not limited to:
Translation of department materials;
Hiring staff to form a centralized language access team to provide language access supports and coordination across all department divisions;
Outreach to community organizations serving multilingual children and families regarding department programs;
Webinars and other technical assistance provided in multiple languages for department programs;
Training for department staff on language access resources; and
Other means of increasing language access and equity for providers and caregivers in health and safety, licensing and regulations, and public funding opportunities for programs offered by the department.
FOR THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE COMMISSION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$105,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $109,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a land use planner to provide land use planning services dedicated to Klickitat county. Because the activities of the land use planner are solely for the benefit of Washington state, Oregon is not required to provide matching funds for this activity.
$553,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $352,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $905,000 of the general fund—private/local appropriation are provided solely for the access database replacement project.
$69,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $69,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $138,000 of the general fund—private/local appropriation are provided solely for staff to lead implementation of the agency's climate change action plan and to support implementation of the vital sign indicators monitoring program.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$455,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $455,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to grant to the northwest straits commission to provide funding, technical assistance, and/or coordination support equally to the seven Puget Sound marine resources committees.
$170,000 of the oil spill prevention account—state appropriation is provided solely for a contract with the University of Washington's sea grant program to continue an educational program targeted to small spills from commercial fishing vessels, ferries, cruise ships, ports, and marinas.
$102,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $102,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of Executive Order No. 12-07, Washington's response to ocean acidification.
$24,000,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to provide grants to local governments for the purpose of supporting local solid waste and financial assistance programs.
$150,000 of the aquatic lands enhancement account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of the state marine management plan and ongoing costs of the Washington coastal marine advisory council to serve as a forum and provide recommendations on coastal management issues.
$2,000,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to convene a stakeholder group, including representatives from overburdened communities, to assist with developing a water quality implementation plan for polychlorinated biphenyls and to address other emerging contaminants in the Spokane river. The department must also consult with the Spokane tribe of Indians and other interested tribes when developing and implementing actions to address water quality in the Spokane river.
$4,002,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely to address flood prevention in the Nooksack basin and Sumas prairie. Of this amount:
$2,000,000 is provided solely to expand and sustain Whatcom county's floodplain integrated planning (FLIP) team planning process, including supporting communication, community participation, coordination, technical studies and analysis, and development of local solutions.
$900,000 is provided solely for the department to support transboundary coordination, including facilitation and technical support to develop and evaluate alternatives for managing transboundary flooding in Whatcom county and British Columbia.
$1,102,000 is provided solely to support dedicated local and department capacity for floodplain planning and technical support. Of this amount in subsection (c), $738,000 is solely for a grant to Whatcom county. The remaining amount is for the department to provide ongoing staff technical assistance and support to flood prevention efforts in this area.
$16,472,000 of the climate investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for capacity grants to federally recognized tribes for: (a) Consultation on spending decisions on grants in accordance with RCW 70A.65.305; and (b) consultation on clean energy siting projects. In order to meet the requirements of RCW 70A.65.230(1)(b), tribal applicants are encouraged to include a tribal resolution supporting their request with their grant application.
$1,363,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,375,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for preparation and filing of adjudications of state water rights in water resource inventory area 1 (Nooksack).
$573,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $963,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for preparation and filing of adjudications of state water rights in lake Roosevelt and its immediate tributaries.
$2,479,000 of the climate investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for addressing air quality in overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution under RCW 70A.65.020.
$177,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $177,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to validate a proposed standardized channel migration zone mapping methodology, develop a statewide channel migration zone mapping implementation plan, and provide technical assistance to local and tribal governments looking to use the new standard.
$6,308,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department for additional staff to improve permitting and environmental review of clean energy projects. Support for the clean energy transition would include guiding applicants through permit processes, expedited agency review of permits, leading and supporting environmental reviews, and providing technical expertise and customer support for clean energy projects and planning.
$997,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to implement House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0119.2/23) (climate resilience strategy). This includes funding for staff, facilitation, community engagement, and contracts with the University of Washington climate impacts group.
$296,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely for technical assistance, compliance assurance, and a study to identify equity challenges associated with the ban of certain hydrofluorocarbon-related products.
$2,500,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to conduct a statewide compost emissions study, which will provide essential data needed to improve the quality of air permitting decisions, improve compost facility operations, and support state goals to reduce organic waste in landfills reducing climate change impacts.
$2,256,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to provide technical assistance to landowners and local governments to promote voluntary compliance, implement best management practices, and support implementation of water quality clean-up plans in shellfish growing areas, agricultural areas, forestlands, and other types of land uses, including technical assistance focused on protection and restoration of critical riparian management areas important for salmon recovery.
$2,000,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to develop a programmatic environmental impact statement focused on green hydrogen projects to identify potential impacts and mitigation. The work would include a public process and engagement with agencies, industry, tribes, local government, ports, and overburdened communities.
$996,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to develop a programmatic environmental impact statement for potential impacts and mitigation focused on solar energy projects in the Columbia plateau to follow on from the Washington State University least-conflict solar siting project. The work would include a public process and engagement with agencies, industry, tribes, local government, and overburdened communities.
$2,702,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to develop a 6PPD action plan and complete a safer alternatives assessment of the 6PPD compound used in tires, including obtaining any data necessary to complete the alternatives assessment. The action plan should identify, characterize, and evaluate uses and releases of 6PPD and related chemicals, and recommend actions to protect human health and the environment. The department shall provide a progress report on the action plan and alternatives assessment to the governor's office, office of financial management, and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 31, 2024.
$5,195,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely to establish a program to monitor 6PPD compounds in water and sediment, identify effective best management practices to treat 6PPD in stormwater runoff, produce guidance on how and when to use best management practices for toxicity reduction to protect salmon and other aquatic life, and incorporate the guidance into stormwater management manuals.
$1,604,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided to the department, in coordination with the department of natural resources, solely to develop a natural and working lands carbon sequestration strategy for Washington state. The strategy will include clear, measurable deliverables to ensure carbon sequestration efforts, investments, and programs are designed to help achieve the state's greenhouse gas emissions limits under RCW 70A.45.020. Specific recommendations are to be developed for state-owned lands. The department of ecology and the department of natural resources will coordinate with other state agencies including the department of fish and wildlife, the recreation and conservation office, the department of agriculture, and the state conservation commission. The report shall be submitted to the governor and the appropriate legislative committees by June 30, 2025.
FOR THE WASHINGTON POLLUTION LIABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: $8,340,000 of the pollution liability insurance program trust account—state appropriation is provided solely for the agency to implement House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0108/23) (state financial assurance program), to establish a state financial assurance program for underground storage tank owners and operators in Washington. If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amount provided in this subsection shall lapse.
FOR THE STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$5,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $5,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $142,000 of the parks renewal and stewardship account—state appropriation are provided solely for operating budget impacts from capital budget projects funded in the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium.
$127,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $128,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $750,000 of the parks renewal and stewardship account—state appropriation are provided solely to monitor known cultural resource sites, perform needed evaluations for historic properties, manage historic preservation capital projects, and support native American grave protection and repatriation act compliance.
$374,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $599,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $2,107,000 of the parks renewal and stewardship account—state appropriation are provided solely for additional staff and technical support for scoping and scheduling to proactively address tribal and community concerns and increase the quality of capital project requests.
$2,000,000 of the climate emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely to replace agency vehicles and equipment with electric alternatives.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to complete a park master plan and an environmental impact statement for Miller peninsula park.
$1,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the maintenance of state parks, including maintaining grounds and facilities, trails, restrooms, water access areas, and similar activities.
$412,000 of the climate emissions reduction account—state appropriation, $542,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation, and $350,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation are provided solely to identify and reduce the state park system's carbon emissions and assess areas of vulnerability for climate change.
$999,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $593,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to create a statewide data management system with the department of natural resources and the department of fish and wildlife to make informed management decisions that meet conservation goals for public lands. The agencies will also collaborate with tribal governments to ensure cultural resources and cultural practices are considered and incorporated into management plans.
$788,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $526,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the collection and maintenance of data for in-park trails including making available to the public updated terrain, surfacing, and slope information.
$129,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $129,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a grant for the operation of the Northwest weather and avalanche center.
FOR THE RECREATION AND CONSERVATION OFFICE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$37,000 of the firearms range account—state appropriation is provided solely to the recreation and conservation funding board for administration of the firearms range grant program as described in RCW 79A.25.210.
$5,208,000 of the recreation resources account—state appropriation is provided solely to the recreation and conservation funding board for administrative and coordinating costs of the recreation and conservation office and the board as described in RCW 79A.25.080(1).
$1,575,000 of the NOVA program account—state appropriation is provided solely to the recreation and conservation funding board for administration of the nonhighway and off-road vehicle activities program as described in chapter 46.09 RCW.
$139,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $139,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the governor's salmon recovery office to implement the governor's salmon recovery strategy update by convening the natural resources subcabinet on a regular basis and developing biennial statewide work priorities with a recommended budget for salmon recovery pursuant to RCW 77.85.030(4)(e) that align with tribal priorities and regional salmon recovery plans. The office shall submit the biennial implementation plan to the governor's office and the office of financial management no later than October 31, 2024.
$2,186,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,286,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for operational and administrative support of lead entities and salmon recovery regions.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for the agency to complete the required community engagement plan as outlined in RCW 70A.65.030, the climate commitment act.
$188,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $184,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to update recreation and conservation data collection methods to maintain up-to-date data sets and make the data publicly available.
$1,464,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation and $50,000 of the aquatic lands enhancement account—state appropriation are provided solely to support removal efforts for flowering rush in the Columbia river basin and Whatcom county.
$398,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely to establish a riparian coordinator position within the governor's salmon recovery office to work with state agencies to improve project coordination, develop common metrics across programs, and consolidate data platforms.
$3,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a grant to a nonprofit organization with a mission for salmon and steelhead restoration to install near-term solutions to prevent steelhead mortality at the Hood canal bridge.
FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND LAND USE HEARINGS OFFICE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: $218,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $505,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $1,198,000 of the climate investment account—state appropriation are provided solely for the agency to hire staff to respond to increased caseloads, including appeals as a result of the climate commitment act, chapter 316, Laws of 2021.
FOR THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for the agency to complete the required community engagement plan as outlined in RCW 70A.65.030, the climate commitment act.
$5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to increase technical assistance and operational capacity of conservation districts.
$1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to support the outreach, identification, and implementation of salmon riparian habitat restoration projects.
$5,000,000 of the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account—state appropriation is provided solely to the commission to work with conservation districts to address unhealthy forests and build greater community resiliency to wildfire.
$550,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $700,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to connect scientists, practitioners, and researchers and coordinate efforts to monitor and quantify benefits of best management practices on agricultural lands, and better understand values and motivations of landowners to implement voluntary incentive programs.
$300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to support the continued development of the disaster assistance program established in RCW 89.08.645, to provide short-term financial support for farmers and ranchers during disasters.
$1,420,000 of the public works assistance account—state appropriation is provided solely to support monitoring and reporting efforts necessary to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of voluntary stewardship program work plans.
$394,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,606,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to develop and implement an educational communication plan to the general public and landowners in urban, suburban, rural, agricultural, and forested areas regarding the importance of riparian buffers and the actions they can take to protect and enhance these critical areas.
$8,545,000 of the public works assistance account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of the voluntary stewardship program. This amount may not be used to fund agency indirect and administrative expenses.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,777,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,777,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to grant to the northwest Indian fisheries commission for hatchery operations that are prioritized to increase prey abundance for southern resident orcas, including $200,000 per fiscal year for tagging and marking costs, and the remainder to grant to tribes in the following amounts per fiscal year: $150,000 for the Quinault Indian Nation, $199,000 for the Tulalip Tribes, $268,000 for the Quileute Tribe, $186,000 for the Puyallup Tribe, $122,000 for the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, $25,000 for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, $207,000 for the Squaxin Island Tribe, $142,000 for the Skokomish Indian Tribe, and $278,000 for the Lummi Nation.
$330,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $330,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to provide to the Yakama Nation for hatchery operations that are prioritized to increase prey abundance for southern resident orcas.
$175,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $175,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to grant to public utility districts for additional hatchery production that is prioritized to increase prey abundance for southern resident orcas.
$467,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $467,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to pay for emergency fire suppression costs. These amounts may not be used to fund agency indirect and administrative expenses.
$400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a state match to support the Puget Sound nearshore partnership between the department and the United States army corps of engineers.
$6,082,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $6,082,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to implement eradication and control measures on European green crabs through coordination and grants with partner organizations. The department must provide quarterly progress reports on the success and challenges of the measures to the appropriate committees of the legislature.
$477,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $477,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to respond to livestock depredations, coordinate nonlethal deterrents with ranchers, such as contracting with range riders, and provide technical assistance and support.
$852,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $852,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to provide additional capacity to the attorney general's office to prosecute environmental crimes. The department must provide an annual report by December 1st of each year, to the appropriate committees of the legislature, on the progress made in prosecuting environmental crimes.
$753,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $753,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for expanded management of pinniped populations on the lower Columbia river and its tributaries with the goal of increasing chinook salmon abundance and prey availability for southern resident orcas.
$470,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $470,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to expand efforts to survey the diets of seals and sea lions in the Salish sea and identify nonlethal management actions to deter them from preying on salmon and steelhead.
$518,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $519,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to continue to provide policy and scientific support to the department of ecology regarding surface and groundwater management issues as part of implementing chapter 90.94 RCW streamflow restoration.
$4,816,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely to analyze salmon contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), including substances such as 6PPD-quinone and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in already collected tissue samples. This research will accelerate recovery and protection by identifying the location and sources of CEC exposure.
$130,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $130,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for an external facilitator to seek solutions through a collaborative process using the department's wolf advisory group.
$194,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $194,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to update and maintain rule making related to chapter 77.57 RCW, fishways, flow, and screening.
$822,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $822,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to monitor recreational steelhead spawning and harvest in freshwater streams and rivers in Puget Sound.
$2,714,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for additional law enforcement officers for marine and freshwater fisheries compliance and a patrol vessel dedicated to coastal operations.
$509,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $305,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to monitor recreational shellfish harvests, monitor intertidal and crustacean fisheries, address emerging environmental issues, maintain a new data management infrastructure, and develop a disease and pest management program to protect shellfish fisheries in the Puget Sound.
$360,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $224,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to complete and maintain a statewide prioritization of fish passage barriers in collaboration with regional salmon recovery organizations.
$997,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $997,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to continue the assessment of riparian ecosystems. The assessment must include identifying common statewide definitions of terms for riparian usage, recommendations to improve data sharing, and identifying any gaps in vegetated cover relative to a science-based standard for a fully functioning riparian ecosystem and comparing the status and gaps to water temperature impairments, known fish passage barriers, and status of salmonid stocks.
$900,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for the Lummi Nation to make infrastructure updates at the Skookum hatchery.
$285,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $285,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to manage electronic tracked crab fishery gear to avoid whale entanglements during their migration as the agency develops a conservation plan to submit for an endangered species act incidental take permit.
$817,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $772,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to equip officers with body worn cameras to advance public safety.
$876,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $895,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to increase the baseline maintenance budget for critical state-owned infrastructure including hatchery water supply and equipment, general facility sustainment, asphalt and concreate sealant capacity, and electrical system upgrades.
$1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for pass-through to tribes of the upper Columbia river to support reintroduction of Chinook salmon above Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams.
$741,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $741,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for operation and maintenance capacity and technical assistance for state fish passage facilities.
$948,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $948,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to continue operations of the Toutle and Skamania hatcheries.
$432,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $878,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to create a statewide data management system with the department of natural resources and the state parks and recreation commission to make informed management decisions that meet conservation goals for public lands. The agencies will also collaborate with tribal governments to ensure cultural resources and cultural practices are considered and incorporated into management plans.
$770,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $770,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to increase wildlife conflict specialists to address crop damage, dangerous wildlife interactions, and conflict preventative education and outreach.
$4,446,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely to increase capacity in four aspects of the department's mission most vulnerable to climate change including species recovery planning, harvest and recreation management, providing technical assistance, permitting, and planning support, and managing agency lands and infrastructure.
$132,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation and $1,620,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation are provided solely for the first phase of the department's sustainability plan to start transitioning the vehicle fleet to electricity and alternative fuels, advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, creating a commute trip reduction program, and supporting foundational research and capacity-building.
$6,000,000 of the forest resiliency account—state appropriation is provided solely to reduce severe wildfire risk and increase forest resiliency through fuels reduction, thinning, fuel break creation, and prescribed burning on agency lands.
$114,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely to work with the department of commerce and assist local governments with new climate change and resiliency goals implementation of the growth management act, including providing technical assistance and guidance materials as required.
$184,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely to assist with the implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0119.2/23) (climate resilience strategy).
$468,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely to increase the speed of clean energy project permitting, by providing staff capacity dedicated to providing industry and local government technical guidance for wind power and pumped hydro storage.
FOR THE PUGET SOUND PARTNERSHIP
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: By October 15, 2024, the Puget Sound partnership shall provide the governor and appropriate legislative fiscal committees a single, prioritized list of state agency 2025-2027 capital and operating budget requests related to Puget Sound recovery and restoration.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$2,691,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,296,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to carry out the forest practices adaptive management program pursuant to RCW 76.09.370 and the May 24, 2012, settlement agreement entered into by the department and the department of ecology. Scientific research must be carried out according to the master project schedule and work plan of cooperative monitoring, evaluation, and research priorities adopted by the forest practices board.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the small forest landowner office, in order to restore staffing capacity reduced during the great recession and to support small forest landowners, including assistance related to forest and fish act regulations.
$1,583,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,515,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for deposit into the agricultural college trust management account and are provided solely to manage approximately 70,700 acres of Washington State University's agricultural college trust lands.
$60,883,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $60,883,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $16,050,000 of the disaster response account—state appropriation are provided solely for emergency response, including fire suppression. The department shall provide a monthly report to the office of financial management and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the legislature with an update of fire suppression costs incurred and the number and type of wildfires suppressed.
$5,405,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $8,228,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $330,000 of the disaster response account—state appropriation are provided solely for indirect and administrative expenses related to fire suppression.
$5,500,000 of the forest and fish support account—state appropriation is provided solely for outcome-based performance contracts with tribes to participate in the implementation of the forest practices program. Contracts awarded may only contain indirect costs set at or below the rate in the contracting tribe's indirect cost agreement with the federal government. Of the amount provided in this subsection, $500,000 is contingent upon receipts under RCW 82.04.261 exceeding $8,000,000 per biennium. If receipts under RCW 82.04.261 are more than $8,000,000 but less than $8,500,000 for the biennium, an amount equivalent to the difference between actual receipts and $8,500,000 shall lapse.
Consistent with the recommendations of the Wildfire Suppression Funding and Costs (18-02) report of the joint legislative audit and review committee, the department shall submit a report to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2023, and December 1, 2024, describing the previous fire season. At a minimum, the report shall provide information for each wildfire in the state, including its location, impact by type of land ownership, the extent it involved timber or range lands, cause, size, costs, and cost-share with federal agencies and nonstate partners. The report must also be posted on the agency's website.
$4,206,000 of the aquatic land enhancement account—state appropriation is provided solely for the removal of creosote pilings and debris from the marine environment and to continue monitoring zooplankton and eelgrass beds on state-owned aquatic lands managed by the department. Actions will address recommendations to recover the southern resident orca population and to monitor ocean acidification as well as help implement the Puget Sound action agenda.
$279,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $286,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for compensation to the trust beneficiaries and department for lost revenue from leases to amateur radio operators who use space on the department managed radio towers for their equipment. The department is authorized to lease sites at the rate of up to one hundred dollars per year, per site, per lessee. The legislature makes this appropriation to fulfill the remaining costs of the leases at market rate per RCW 79.13.510.
$270,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $125,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, $154,000 of the forest development account—state appropriation, $108,000 of the aquatic lands enhancement account—state appropriation, $318,000 of the resource management cost account—state appropriation, $12,000 of the surface mining reclamation account—state appropriation, $62,000 of the forest fire protection assessment nonappropriated account—state appropriation, $26,000 of the state forest nursery revolving nonappropriated account—state appropriation, $80,000 of the access road revolving nonappropriated account—state appropriation, $90,000 of the forest health revolving nonappropriated account—state appropriation, and $6,000 of the natural resources federal lands revolving nonappropriated account—state appropriation are provided solely for the department to replace the NaturE revenue and leasing administration system and integrate with the new One Washington financial system. Funding is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
$1,918,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $528,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to replace the statewide forest practices permit database system. Funding is subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
$3,878,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,878,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the department to collect and refresh statewide lidar data.
$1,200,000 of the resource management cost account—state appropriation is provided solely for the agency to pursue opportunities to provide workforce housing on state trust lands.
$400,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided to the department, in coordination with the department of ecology, solely to develop a natural and working lands carbon sequestration strategy for Washington state. The strategy will include clear, measurable deliverables to ensure carbon sequestration efforts, investments, and programs are designed to help achieve the state's greenhouse gas emissions limits under RCW 70A.45.020. Specific recommendations are to be developed for state-owned lands. The department of natural resources and department of ecology will coordinate with other state agencies including the department of fish and wildlife, the recreation and conservation office, the department of agriculture, and the state conservation commission. The report shall be submitted to the governor and appropriate legislative committees by June 30, 2025.
$1,000,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to assist with the implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0119.2/23) (ecology agency request legislation concerning climate resilience strategy) to update the statewide strategy for climate resilience, if adopted by the legislature.
$3,166,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely for silvicultural treatments on forested trust lands in western Washington to support maintenance of healthy, resilient forests as a critical component of climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
$4,371,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,409,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for increased law enforcement capacity on agency managed lands, to develop a statewide recreation plan, and to jointly create a statewide data management system with the Washington department of fish and wildlife and the state parks and recreation commission to make informed management decisions that meet conservation goals for public lands. The agencies will also collaborate with tribal governments to ensure cultural resources and cultural practices are considered and incorporated into management plans.
$2,066,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely for the agency to develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle barriers to reforestation, including through expanding seed collection, increasing the capacity of the state's public nursery, and addressing workforce needs.
$2,864,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely for the agency to implement aspects of their watershed resilience action plan for the Snohomish watershed, including activities to support kelp and eelgrass stewardship, a large woody debris program, aquatic restoration grants, and culvert removal.
$5,991,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely for investment in urban forestry to support reduction of negative environmental conditions such as heat, flooding, and pollution and helping communities become greener, cleaner, healthier, and more resilient.
$7,791,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation and $2,200,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation are provided solely for the agency to analyze current infrastructure and build a plan for the department to achieve its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets through a net zero fleet and energy efficient building operations. The agency will purchase and test agency uses of electric pickup trucks, and implement building energy reduction improvements.
$2,365,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to make investments in education and training to bolster a statewide natural resources workforce to support the health and resilience of Washington's forests. Of this amount, $800,000 is provided solely to provide wildland fire management training to tribal communities and members.
$3,356,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely to increase the agency's capacity to provide active management of department of natural resources natural areas and to create a statewide map of essential conservation areas and areas of high forest conversion risk to determine and mitigate the impacts of climate change and support long-term conservation goals.
$2,286,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,693,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for full-time and seasonal crews from the Washington conservation corps and other corps programs to conduct work benefiting the management of state managed lands, including natural areas restoration and conservation, trail work, and forest resiliency activities as well as other recreation and habitat projects with agency partners.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$25,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 and $51,499,000 of the coronavirus state fiscal recovery fund—federal appropriation are provided solely to continue the we feed Washington program, a state alternative to the United States department of agriculture farmers to families food box program, and provide resources for hunger relief organizations.
$2,212,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,212,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for local food system infrastructure and market access grants.
$3,655,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,655,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementing a Japanese beetle monitoring and eradication program in central Washington.
$15,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 and $15,000,000 of the coronavirus state fiscal recovery fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for implementing the emergency food assistance program as defined in RCW 43.23.290.
$246,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $246,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $1,550,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for implementing a Vespa mandarinia eradication program.
$912,000 of the northeast Washington wolf-livestock management nonappropriated account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to fund the northeast Washington wolf-livestock management grant program as provided in RCW 16.76.020, maintain the contract with the northeast Washington wolf-cattle collaborative, and provide $80,000 per fiscal year to the sheriff's offices of Ferry and Stevens counties for providing a local wildlife specialist to aid the department of fish and wildlife in the management of wolves in northeast Washington.
$2,212,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,212,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants and technical assistance to producers for meat and poultry processing.
$842,000 of the dedicated cannabis account—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $822,000 of the dedicated cannabis account—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 135, Laws of 2022, which requires the department to establish cannabis testing lab quality standards by rule.
$3,038,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely to implement organic materials legislation passed in the 2022 legislative session.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to contract with Washington State University's IMPACT Center to conduct an analysis of the threats, barriers, and challenges facing the state's agricultural producers.
$179,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $179,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to create a branding and promotion program, with an assessment of best practices in food and agricultural branding and promotion program design, program guidelines, and stakeholder engagement submitted to the legislature by June 30, 2023.
$581,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely to implement a science-based, voluntary software program called saving tomorrow's agricultural resources (STAR) which provide producers tools to track soil health improvements and the ability to generate market-based incentives.
$1,492,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely to increase capacity and support work to reduce nitrate pollution in groundwater from irrigated agriculture in the lower Yakima valley.
$88,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $88,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $702,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely to match federal funding for eradication treatments and follow-up monitoring of invasive moths.
$120,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $120,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to continue the early detection program and the associated invasive Ailanthus altissima, known colloquially as tree-of-heaven, survey and control programs.
FOR THE ENERGY FACILITY SITE EVALUATION COUNCIL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$200,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the council to engage a consultant and staff to determine next steps to achieve principles outlined in the 2022 transmission corridor work group final report. The energy facility site evaluation council will consult with transmission corridor work group participants, as well as additional interested parties, to determine next steps and best practices for siting transmission projects to meet needs of the future and ensure a carbon neutral electrical grid and carbon free energy production is achieved by 2045.
$2,352,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely to support agency operations and to hire additional environmental siting and compliance positions needed to support an anticipated workload increase from new clean energy projects.
$200,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided for grants to tribes to review green energy project applications.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$142,000 of the concealed pistol license renewal notification account—state appropriation and $74,000 of the firearms range account—state appropriation are provided solely to implement chapter 74, Laws of 2017 (concealed pistol license).
$6,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $9,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, $8,000 of the architects' license account—state appropriation, $74,000 of the real estate commission account—state appropriation, $14,000 of the uniform commercial code account—state appropriation, $10,000 of the real estate appraiser commission account—state appropriation, and $139,000 of the business and professions account—state appropriation are provided solely for the department to redesign and improve its online services and website, and are subject to the conditions, limitations, and review requirements of section 701 of this act.
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE PATROL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$8,000,000 of the disaster response account—state appropriation is provided solely for Washington state fire service resource mobilization costs incurred in response to an emergency or disaster authorized under RCW 43.43.960 through 43.43.964. The state patrol shall submit a report quarterly to the office of financial management and the legislative fiscal committees detailing information on current and planned expenditures from this account. This work shall be done in coordination with the military department.
$2,423,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,423,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington state patrol to partner with multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to detect, deter, and dismantle criminal organizations involved in criminal activity including diversion of cannabis from the legalized market and the illicit production and distribution of cannabis and cannabis-related products in Washington state.
$4,232,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,818,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for resources to implement requiring background checks for firearm purchases.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
BASE OPERATIONS AND EXPENSES OF THE OFFICE
$20,509,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $20,662,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the operation and expenses of the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
The superintendent shall recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of four students who have demonstrated a strong understanding of the civics essential learning requirements to receive the Daniel J. Evans civic education award.
Districts shall report to the office of the superintendent of public instruction daily student unexcused absence data by school, using a uniform definition of unexcused absence as established by the superintendent.
By October 31st of each year, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall produce an annual status report on implementation of the budget provisos in section 501, chapter 415, Laws of 2019 and sections 515 and 522, chapter 334, Laws of 2021. The status report of each proviso shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: Purpose and objective, number of state staff funded by the proviso, number of contractors, status of proviso implementation, number of beneficiaries by year, list of beneficiaries, a comparison of budgeted funding and actual expenditures, other sources and amounts of funding, and proviso outcomes and achievements.
The superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the secretary of state, shall update the program prepared and distributed under RCW 28A.230.150 for the observation of temperance and good citizenship day to include providing an opportunity for eligible students to register to vote at school.
Districts shall annually report to the office of the superintendent of public instruction on: (A) The annual number of graduating high school seniors within the district earning the Washington state seal of biliteracy provided in RCW 28A.300.575; and (B) the number of high school students earning competency-based high school credits for world languages by demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide a summary report to the office of the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1st of each year.
The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide statewide oversight and coordination to the regional nursing corps program supported through the educational service districts.
Within the amounts provided in this subsection (1)(a), $318,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $310,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are for 2.0 FTE to support multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) data management and implementation activities.
Within amounts provided in this subsection (1)(a), $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a climate science curriculum staff position within the office of the superintendent of public instruction and to integrate climate change content into the Washington state learning standards across subject areas and grade levels. The office shall develop materials and resources that accompany the updated learning standards that encourage school districts to develop interdisciplinary units focused on climate change that include authentic learning experiences, that integrate a range of perspectives, and that are action oriented.
ix. Within the amounts provided in this subsection (1)(a), sufficient funding is provided for the office to implement chapter 111, Laws of 2022 (school meals/electronic info).
$1,217,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,217,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for maintenance of the apportionment system, including technical staff and the data governance working group.
$494,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $494,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of chapter 240, Laws of 2010, including staffing the office of equity and civil rights.
$61,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $61,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the ongoing work of the education opportunity gap oversight and accountability committee.
$96,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $96,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of chapter 380, Laws of 2009 (enacting the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children).
$286,000 of the Washington opportunity pathways account—state appropriation is provided solely for activities related to public schools other than common schools authorized under chapter 28A.710 RCW.
Within amounts appropriated in this section, the office of the superintendent of public instruction and the state board of education shall adopt a rule that the minimum number of students to be used for public reporting and federal accountability purposes is ten.
$123,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $123,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 163, Laws of 2012 (foster care outcomes). The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall annually report each December on the implementation of the state's plan of cross-system collaboration to promote educational stability and improve education outcomes of foster youth.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 178, Laws of 2012 (open K-12 education resources).
$14,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $14,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 242, Laws of 2013 (state-tribal education compacts).
$131,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $131,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $213,000 of the performance audits of government account—state appropriation are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to perform on-going program reviews of alternative learning experience programs, dropout reengagement programs, and other high risk programs. Findings from the program reviews will be used to support and prioritize the office of the superintendent of public instruction outreach and education efforts that assist school districts in implementing the programs in accordance with statute and legislative intent, as well as to support financial and performance audit work conducted by the office of the state auditor.
$117,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $117,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 3, Laws of 2015 1st sp. sess. (computer science).
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 237, Laws of 2017 (paraeducators).
$385,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $385,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of native education to increase services to tribes, including but not limited to, providing assistance to tribes and school districts to implement Since Time Immemorial, applying to become tribal compact schools, convening the Washington state native American education advisory committee, and extending professional learning opportunities to provide instruction in tribal history, culture, and government. The professional development must be done in collaboration with school district administrators and school directors. Funding in this subsection is sufficient for the office, the Washington state school directors' association government-to-government task force, and the association of educational service districts to collaborate with the tribal leaders congress on education to develop a tribal consultation training and schedule.
$1,205,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,205,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to promote the financial literacy of students. The effort will be coordinated through the financial literacy public-private partnership. The amounts provided in this subsection are sufficient for implementation of chapter 238, Laws of 2022 (student financial literacy).
$75,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $75,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for staff at the office of the superintendent of public instruction to coordinate and promote efforts to develop integrated math, science, technology, and engineering programs in schools and districts across the state.
$481,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $481,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for additional full-time equivalent staff to support the work of the safety net committee and to provide training and support to districts applying for safety net awards.
Districts shall report to the office the results of each collective bargaining agreement for certificated staff within their district using a uniform template as required by the superintendent, within thirty days of finalizing contracts. The data must include but is not limited to: Minimum and maximum base salaries, supplemental salary information, and average percent increase for all certificated instructional staff. Within existing resources by December 1st of each year, the office shall produce a report for the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee summarizing the district level collective bargaining agreement data.
$2,631,000 of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account—federal appropriation from funds attributable to subsection 2001(f)(4), the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2 is provided solely for administrative costs related to the management of federal funds provided for COVID-19 response and other emergency needs.
DATA SYSTEMS
$1,802,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,802,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementing a comprehensive data system to include financial, student, and educator data, including development and maintenance of the comprehensive education data and research system (CEDARS).
$281,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $281,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for K-20 telecommunications network technical support in the K-12 sector to prevent system failures and avoid interruptions in school utilization of the data processing and video-conferencing capabilities of the network. These funds may be used to purchase engineering and advanced technical support for the network.
$450,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $450,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for the superintendent of public instruction to develop and implement a statewide accountability system to address absenteeism and to improve student graduation rates. The system must use data to engage schools and districts in identifying successful strategies and systems that are based on federal and state accountability measures. Funding may also support the effort to provide assistance about successful strategies and systems to districts and schools that are underperforming in the targeted student subgroups.
WORK GROUPS
$335,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $335,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 206, Laws of 2018 (career and college readiness).
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to meet statutory obligations related to the provision of medically and scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, and inclusive sexual health education as authorized by chapter 206, Laws of 1988 (AIDS omnibus act) and chapter 265, Laws of 2007 (healthy youth act).
$118,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $118,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 75, Laws of 2018 (dyslexia).
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 386, Laws of 2019 (social emotional learning).
$107,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $107,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office to support the children and youth behavioral health work group created in chapter 130, Laws of 2020 (child. mental health wk. grp).
STATEWIDE PROGRAMS
$2,590,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,590,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington kindergarten inventory of developing skills. State funding shall support statewide administration and district implementation of the inventory under RCW 28A.655.080.
$703,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $703,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 72, Laws of 2016 (educational opportunity gap).
$950,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $950,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington reading corps. The superintendent shall allocate reading corps members to schools identified for comprehensive or targeted support and school districts that are implementing comprehensive, proven, research-based reading programs. Two or more schools may combine their Washington reading corps programs.
$10,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $10,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for chapter 102, Laws of 2014 (biliteracy seal).
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$50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for school bullying and harassment prevention activities.
$15,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $15,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 240, Laws of 2016 (school safety).
$570,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $570,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide statewide support and coordination for the regional network of behavioral health, school safety, and threat assessment established in chapter 333, Laws of 2019 (school safety and well-being).
$196,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $196,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the school safety center within the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
(A) Within the amounts provided in this subsection (4)(e)(iv), $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a school safety program to provide school safety training for all school administrators and school safety personnel. The school safety center advisory committee shall develop and revise the training program, using the best practices in school safety.
(B) Within the amounts provided in this subsection (4)(e)(iv), $96,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $96,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for administration of the school safety center. The safety center shall act as an information dissemination and resource center when an incident occurs in a school district in Washington or in another state, coordinate activities relating to school safety, review and approve manuals and curricula used for school safety models and training, and maintain a school safety information web site.
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i. $162,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $162,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for youth suicide prevention activities.
ii. $76,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $76,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 64, Laws of 2018 (sexual abuse of students).
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i. $280,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $280,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $1,070,000 of the dedicated cannabis account—state appropriation are provided solely for dropout prevention, intervention, and reengagement programs, including the jobs for America's graduates (JAG) program, dropout prevention programs that provide student mentoring, and the building bridges statewide program. Students in the foster care system or who are homeless shall be given priority by districts offering the jobs for America's graduates program. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall convene staff representatives from high schools to meet and share best practices for dropout prevention. Of these amounts, $542,000 of the dedicated cannabis account—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, and $562,000 of the dedicated cannabis account—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the building bridges statewide program.
ii. $293,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $293,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to support district implementation of comprehensive guidance and planning programs in support of high-quality high school and beyond plans consistent with RCW 28A.230.090.
iii. $178,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $178,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 291, Laws of 2017 (truancy reduction efforts).
h. Sufficient amounts are appropriated in this section for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to create a process and provide assistance to school districts in planning for future implementation of the summer knowledge improvement program grants.
i. $358,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $358,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of chapter 221, Laws of 2019 (CTE course equivalencies).
j. $196,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $196,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of chapter 252, Laws of 2019 (high school graduation reqs.).
k. $60,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $60,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $680,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the implementation of chapter 295, Laws of 2019 (educator workforce supply). Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $680,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is provided solely for title II SEA state-level activities to implement section 103, chapter 295, Laws of 2019 relating to the regional recruiters program.
l. $150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a tribal liaison at the office of the superintendent of public instruction to facilitate access to and support enrollment in career connected learning opportunities for tribal students, including career awareness and exploration, career preparation, and career launch programs, as defined in RCW 28C.30.020, so that tribal students may receive high school or college credit to the maximum extent possible.
m. $57,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $57,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 288, Laws of 2020 (school meals at no cost).
n. $269,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $142,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 353, Laws of 2020 (innovative learning pilot).
o. $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide statewide coordination towards multicultural, culturally responsive, and anti-racist education to support academically, socially, and culturally literate learners. The office must engage community members and key interested parties to:
i. Develop a clear definition and framework for African American studies to guide instruction in grades seven through twelve;
ii. Develop a plan for aligning African American studies across all content areas; and
iii. Identify professional development opportunities for educators and administrators to build capacity in creating high-quality learning environments centered in belonging and racial equity, anti-racist approaches, and asset-based methodologies that pull from all students' cultural funds of knowledge.
p. $49,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $49,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 38, Laws of 2021 (K-12 safety & security serv.).
q. $135,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $135,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 111, Laws of 2021 (learning assistance program).
r. $1,226,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,226,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 164, Laws of 2021 (institutional ed./release).
s. $553,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $553,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to develop and implement a mathematics pathways pilot to modernize algebra II. The office should use research and engage stakeholders to develop a revised and expanded course.
t. $3,348,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,348,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 107, Laws of 2022 (language access in schools).
u. $294,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $294,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 provided solely for implementation of chapter 9, Laws of 2022 (school consultation/tribes).
CAREER CONNECTED LEARNING
$852,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for expanding career connected learning as provided in RCW 28C.30.020.
$960,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for increasing the funding per full-time equivalent for career launch programs as described in RCW 28A.700.130. In the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, for career launch enrollment exceeding the funding provided in this subsection, funding is provided in section 504 of this act.
$3,600,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to administer grants to skill centers for nursing programs to purchase or upgrade simulation laboratory equipment.
FOR THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,748,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,770,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are for the operation and expenses of the state board of education.
$3,309,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $6,942,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to the state board of education for implementation of mastery-based learning in school district demonstration sites. The state board of education shall require grant recipients to report on impacts and participate in a collaborative to share best practices. The funds must be used for grants to school districts, charter schools, or state tribal education compact schools established under chapter 28A.715 RCW; professional development of educators; development of a resource suite for school districts statewide; evaluation of the demonstration project; implementation and policy support provided by the state board of education and other partners; and a report outlining findings and recommendations to the governor and education committees of the legislature by December 31, 2025. Grants for mastery-based learning may be made in partnership with private matching funds.
Within funding provided within subsection (1) of this section, $23,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $23,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for the state board of education to be a member in the education commission of the states.
FOR THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR STANDARDS BOARD
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,950,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,977,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are for the operation and expenses of the Washington professional educator standards board including implementation of chapter 172, Laws of 2017 (educator prep. data/PESB).
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$600,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $600,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to improve preservice teacher training and funding of alternate routes to certification programs administered by the professional educator standards board.
Within the amounts provided in this subsection (2), up to $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and up to $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for grants to public or private colleges of education in Washington state to develop models and share best practices for increasing the classroom teaching experience of preservice training programs.
$1,005,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,001,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for the recruiting Washington teachers program with priority given to programs that support bilingual teachers, teachers from populations that are underrepresented, and English language learners. Of the amounts provided in this subsection (3), $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation and expansion of the bilingual educator initiative pilot project established under RCW 28A.180.120.
$150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of chapter 295, Laws of 2019 (educator workforce supply).
$17,535,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $17,535,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 237, Laws of 2017 (paraeducators). Of the amounts provided in this subsection: $16,873,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $16,873,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to districts to provide two days of training per school year in the paraeducator certificate program to all paraeducators. Funds in this subsection are provided solely for reimbursement to school districts that provide paraeducators with two days of training in the paraeducator certificate program in each of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Funding provided in this subsection is sufficient for new paraeducators to receive four days of training in the paraeducator certificate program during their first year.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR GENERAL APPORTIONMENT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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Each general fund fiscal year appropriation includes such funds as are necessary to complete the school year ending in the fiscal year and for prior fiscal year adjustments.
For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, the superintendent shall allocate general apportionment funding to school districts as provided in the funding formulas and salary allocations in sections 504 and 505 of this act, excluding (c) of this subsection.
From July 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023, the superintendent shall allocate general apportionment funding to school districts programs as provided in sections 503 and 504, chapter 357, Laws of 2020, as amended.
The enrollment of any district shall be the annual average number of full-time equivalent students and part-time students as provided in RCW 28A.150.350, enrolled on the fourth day of school in September and on the first school day of each month October through June, including students who are in attendance pursuant to RCW 28A.335.160 and 28A.225.250 who do not reside within the servicing school district. Any school district concluding its basic education program in May must report the enrollment of the last school day held in May in lieu of a June enrollment.
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Funding provided in part V of this act is sufficient to provide each full-time equivalent student with the minimum hours of instruction required under RCW 28A.150.220.
The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall align the agency rules defining a full-time equivalent student with the increase in the minimum instructional hours under RCW 28A.150.220, as amended by the legislature in 2014.
The superintendent shall adopt rules requiring school districts to report full-time equivalent student enrollment as provided in RCW 28A.655.210.
For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, school districts must report to the office of the superintendent of public instruction the monthly actual average district-wide class size across each grade level of kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third grade classes. The superintendent of public instruction shall report this information to the education and fiscal committees of the house of representatives and the senate by September 30th of each year.
CERTIFICATED INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF ALLOCATIONS
Allocations for certificated instructional staff salaries for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years are determined using formula-generated staff units calculated pursuant to this subsection.
a. Certificated instructional staff units, as defined in RCW 28A.150.410, shall be allocated to reflect the minimum class size allocations, requirements, and school prototypes assumptions as provided in RCW 28A.150.260. The superintendent shall make allocations to school districts based on the district's annual average full-time equivalent student enrollment in each grade.
b. Additional certificated instructional staff units provided in this subsection (2) that exceed the minimum requirements in RCW 28A.150.260 are enhancements outside the program of basic education, except as otherwise provided in this section.
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i. The superintendent shall base allocations for each level of prototypical school, including those at which more than fifty percent of the students were eligible for free and reduced-price meals in the prior school year, on the following regular education average class size of full-time equivalent students per teacher, except as provided in (c)(ii) of this subsection:
General education class size:
Grade
RCW 28A.150.260
2023-24
School Year
2024-25
School Year
Grade K
17.00
17.00
Grade 1
17.00
17.00
Grade 2
17.00
17.00
Grade 3
17.00
17.00
Grade 4
27.00
27.00
Grades 5-6
27.00
27.00
Grades 7-8
28.53
28.53
Grades 9-12
28.74
28.74
The superintendent shall base allocations for: Laboratory science average class size as provided in RCW 28A.150.260; career and technical education (CTE) class size of 23.0; and skill center program class size of 19. Certificated instructional staff units provided for skills centers that exceed the minimum requirements of RCW 28A.150.260 achieve class size reductions under RCW 28A.400.007 and are part of the state's program of basic education.
ii. Pursuant to RCW 28A.150.260(4)(a), the assumed teacher planning period, expressed as a percentage of a teacher work day, is 13.42 percent in grades K-6, and 16.67 percent in grades 7-12; and
iii. Advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses are funded at the same class size assumptions as general education schools in the same grade; and
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i. Funding for teacher librarians, school nurses, social workers, school psychologists, and guidance counselors is allocated based on the school prototypes as provided in RCW 28A.150.260, as amended by Second Substitute House Bill No. 1664 (schools/support funding), and is considered certificated instructional staff, except as provided in (d)(ii) of this subsection.
ii.(A) For the 20 schools with the lowest overall school score for all students in the 2022-23 school year, as determined by the Washington school improvement framework among elementary schools, middle schools, and other schools not serving students up to twelfth grade, having enrollments greater than 150 students, in addition to the allocation under (d)(i) of this subsection the superintendent shall allocate additional funding for guidance counselors for each level of prototypical school in the 2023-24 school year as follows:
Elementary
Middle
Guidance counselors
0.307
0.512
To receive additional allocations under this subsection (2)(d)(ii)(A), a school eligible to receive the allocation must have demonstrated actual staffing for guidance counselors for its prototypical school level that meets or exceeds the staffing for guidance counselors in (d)(i) of this subsection and this subsection (2)(d)(ii)(A) for its prototypical school level. School districts must distribute the additional guidance counselors allocation in this subsection to the schools that generate the allocation. The enhancement within this subsection is not part of the state's program of basic education.
(B) Students in approved career and technical education and skill center programs generate certificated instructional staff units to provide for the services of teacher librarians, school nurses, social workers, school psychologists, and guidance counselors at the following combined rate per 1000 student full-time equivalent enrollment:
2023-24
School Year
2024-25
School Year
Career and Technical Education
3.65
3.91
Skill Center
3.98
4.25
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ALLOCATIONS
Prototypical School Building:
Elementary School
1.253
Middle School
1.353
High School
1.880
b. Students in approved career and technical education and skill center programs generate certificated school building-level administrator staff units at per student rates that are a multiple of the general education rate in (a) of this subsection by the following factors:
Career and Technical Education students1.025
Skill Center students1.198
Allocations for classified staff units providing school building-level and district-wide support services for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years are determined using the formula-generated staff units provided in RCW 28A.150.260 and pursuant to this subsection, and adjusted based on each district's annual average full-time equivalent student enrollment in each grade.
In addition to classified and administrative staff units allocated in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, classified and administrative staff units are provided for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years for the central office administrative costs of operating a school district, at the following rates:
a. The total central office staff units provided in this subsection (5) are calculated by first multiplying the total number of eligible certificated instructional, certificated administrative, and classified staff units providing school-based or district-wide support services, as identified in RCW 28A.150.260(6)(b) and the increased allocations provided pursuant to subsections (2) and (4) of this section, by 5.3 percent.
b. Of the central office staff units calculated in (a) of this subsection, 74.53 percent are allocated as classified staff units, as generated in subsection (4) of this section, and 25.48 percent shall be allocated as administrative staff units, as generated in subsection (3) of this section.
c. Staff units generated as enhancements outside the program of basic education to the minimum requirements of RCW 28A.150.260, and staff units generated by skill center and career-technical students, are excluded from the total central office staff units calculation in (a) of this subsection.
d. For students in approved career-technical and skill center programs, central office classified units are allocated at the same staff unit per student rate as those generated for general education students of the same grade in this subsection (5), and central office administrative staff units are allocated at staff unit per student rates that exceed the general education rate established for students in the same grade in this subsection (5) by 12.27 percent in the 2023-24 school year and 12.43 percent in the 2024-25 school year for career and technical education students, and 17.59 percent in the 2023-24 school year and 17.76 percent in the 2024-25 school year for skill center students.
Fringe benefit allocations shall be calculated at a rate of 23.21 percent in the 2023-24 school year and 17.46 percent in the 2024-25 school year for certificated salary allocations provided under subsections (2), (3), and (5) of this section, and a rate of 23.06 percent in the 2023-24 school year and 23.06 percent in the 2024-25 school year for classified salary allocations provided under subsections (4) and (5) of this section.
Insurance benefit allocations shall be calculated at the rates specified in section 506 of this act, based on the number of benefit units determined as follows: Except for nonrepresented employees of educational service districts, the number of calculated benefit units determined below. Calculated benefit units are staff units multiplied by the benefit allocation factors established in the collective bargaining agreement referenced in section 910 of this act. These factors are intended to adjust allocations so that, for the purpose of distributing insurance benefits, full-time equivalent employees may be calculated on the basis of 630 hours of work per year, with no individual employee counted as more than one full-time equivalent. The number of benefit units is determined as follows:
a. The number of certificated staff units determined in subsections (2), (3), and (5) of this section multiplied by 1.02; and
b. The number of classified staff units determined in subsections (4) and (5) of this section multiplied by 1.43.
Funding is allocated per annual average full-time equivalent student for the materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) incurred by school districts, consistent with the requirements of RCW 28A.150.260.
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i. MSOC funding for general education students are allocated at the following per student rates:
MSOC RATES/STUDENT FTE
MSOC Component
2023-24
School Year
2024-25
School Year
Technology
$181.53
$185.17
Utilities and Insurance
$422.21
$430.65
Curriculum and Textbooks
$166.83
$170.17
Other Supplies
$331.21
$337.83
Library Materials
$22.98
$23.44
Instructional Professional Development for Certificated
and Classified Staff
$25.80
$26.32
Facilities Maintenance
$209.16
$213.34
Security and Central Office
$144.91
$147.80
TOTAL MSOC/STUDENT FTE
$1,504.63
$1,534.72
ii. For the 2023-24 school year and 2024-25 school year, as part of the budget development, hearing, and review process required by chapter 28A.505 RCW, each school district must disclose: (A) The amount of state funding to be received by the district under (a) and (d) of this subsection (8); (B) the amount the district proposes to spend for materials, supplies, and operating costs; (C) the difference between these two amounts; and (D) if (A) of this subsection (8)(a)(ii) exceeds (B) of this subsection (8)(a)(ii), any proposed use of this difference and how this use will improve student achievement.
iii. Within the amount provided in (a)(i) of this subsection (8), allocations for MSOC technology in excess of RCW 28A.150.260 are not part of the state's basic education.
b. Students in approved skill center programs generate per student FTE MSOC allocations of $1,716.25 for the 2023-24 school year and $1,750.58 for the 2024-25 school year.
c. Students in approved exploratory and preparatory career and technical education programs generate per student FTE MSOC allocations of $1,716.25 for the 2023-24 school year and $1,750.58 for the 2024-25 school year.
d. Students in grades 9-12 generate per student FTE MSOC allocations in addition to the allocations provided in (a) through (c) of this subsection at the following rate:
MSOC Component
2023-24
School Year
2024-25
School Year
Technology
$43.84
$44.72
Curriculum and Textbooks
$47.82
$48.78
Other Supplies
$93.50
$95.38
Library Materials
$6.13
$6.25
Instructional Professional Development for Certified
and Classified Staff
$7.97
$8.13
TOTAL GRADE 9-12 BASIC EDUCATION MSOC/STUDENT FTE
$199.26
$203.25
For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, funding for substitute costs for classroom teachers is based on four (4) funded substitute days per classroom teacher unit generated under subsection (2) of this section, at a daily substitute rate of $151.86.
ALTERNATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE PROGRAM FUNDING
Amounts provided in this section from July 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023, are adjusted to reflect provisions of chapter 357, Laws of 2020, as amended (allocation of funding for students enrolled in alternative learning experiences).
The superintendent of public instruction shall require all districts receiving general apportionment funding for alternative learning experience (ALE) programs as defined in WAC 392-121-182 to provide separate financial accounting of expenditures for the ALE programs offered in district or with a provider, including but not limited to private companies and multidistrict cooperatives, as well as accurate, monthly headcount and FTE enrollment claimed for basic education, including separate counts of resident and nonresident students.
DROPOUT REENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
The superintendent shall adopt rules to require students claimed for general apportionment funding based on enrollment in dropout reengagement programs authorized under RCW 28A.175.100 through 28A.175.115 to meet requirements for at least weekly minimum instructional contact, academic counseling, career counseling, or case management contact. Districts must also provide separate financial accounting of expenditures for the programs offered by the district or under contract with a provider, as well as accurate monthly headcount and full-time equivalent enrollment claimed for basic education, including separate enrollment counts of resident and nonresident students.
Funding in this section is sufficient to fund all day kindergarten programs in all schools in the 2023-24 school year and 2024-25 school year, pursuant to RCW 28A.150.220 and 28A.150.315.
For small school districts and remote and necessary school plants within any district which have been judged to be remote and necessary by the superintendent of public instruction, additional staff units are provided to ensure a minimum level of staffing support. Additional administrative and certificated instructional staff units provided to districts in this subsection shall be reduced by the general education staff units, excluding career and technical education and skills center enhancement units, otherwise provided in subsections (2) through (5) of this section on a per district basis.
a. For districts enrolling not more than twenty-five average annual full-time equivalent students in grades K-8, and for small school plants within any school district which have been judged to be remote and necessary by the superintendent of public instruction and enroll not more than twenty-five average annual full-time equivalent students in grades K-8:
i. For those enrolling no students in grades 7 and 8, 1.76 certificated instructional staff units and 0.24 certificated administrative staff units for enrollment of not more than five students, plus one-twentieth of a certificated instructional staff unit for each additional student enrolled; and
ii. For those enrolling students in grades 7 or 8, 1.68 certificated instructional staff units and 0.32 certificated administrative staff units for enrollment of not more than five students, plus one-tenth of a certificated instructional staff unit for each additional student enrolled;
b. For specified enrollments in districts enrolling more than twenty-five but not more than one hundred average annual full-time equivalent students in grades K-8, and for small school plants within any school district which enroll more than twenty-five average annual full-time equivalent students in grades K-8 and have been judged to be remote and necessary by the superintendent of public instruction:
i. For enrollment of up to sixty annual average full-time equivalent students in grades K-6, 2.76 certificated instructional staff units and 0.24 certificated administrative staff units; and
ii. For enrollment of up to twenty annual average full-time equivalent students in grades 7 and 8, 0.92 certificated instructional staff units and 0.08 certificated administrative staff units;
c. For districts operating no more than two high schools with enrollments of less than three hundred average annual full-time equivalent students, for enrollment in grades 9-12 in each such school, other than alternative schools, except as noted in this subsection:
i. For remote and necessary schools enrolling students in any grades 9-12 but no more than twenty-five average annual full-time equivalent students in grades K-12, four and one-half certificated instructional staff units and one-quarter of a certificated administrative staff unit;
ii. For all other small high schools under this subsection, nine certificated instructional staff units and one-half of a certificated administrative staff unit for the first sixty average annual full-time equivalent students, and additional staff units based on a ratio of 0.8732 certificated instructional staff units and 0.1268 certificated administrative staff units per each additional forty-three and one-half average annual full-time equivalent students;
iii. Districts receiving staff units under this subsection shall add students enrolled in a district alternative high school and any grades nine through twelve alternative learning experience programs with the small high school enrollment for calculations under this subsection;
d. For each nonhigh school district having an enrollment of more than seventy annual average full-time equivalent students and less than one hundred eighty students, operating a grades K-8 program or a grades 1-8 program, an additional one-half of a certificated instructional staff unit;
e. For each nonhigh school district having an enrollment of more than fifty annual average full-time equivalent students and less than one hundred eighty students, operating a grades K-6 program or a grades 1-6 program, an additional one-half of a certificated instructional staff unit;
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i. For enrollments generating certificated staff unit allocations under (a) through (e) of this subsection, one classified staff unit for each 2.94 certificated staff units allocated under such subsections;
ii. For each nonhigh school district with an enrollment of more than fifty annual average full-time equivalent students and less than one hundred eighty students, an additional one-half of a classified staff unit; and
g. School districts receiving additional staff units to support small student enrollments and remote and necessary plants under this subsection (13) shall generate additional MSOC allocations consistent with the nonemployee related costs (NERC) allocation formula in place for the 2010-11 school year as provided section 502, chapter 37, Laws of 2010 1st sp. sess. (2010 supplemental budget), adjusted annually for inflation.
Any school district board of directors may petition the superintendent of public instruction by submission of a resolution adopted in a public meeting to reduce or delay any portion of its basic education allocation for any school year. The superintendent of public instruction shall approve such reduction or delay if it does not impair the district's financial condition. Any delay shall not be for more than two school years. Any reduction or delay shall have no impact on levy authority pursuant to RCW 84.52.0531 and local effort assistance pursuant to chapter 28A.500 RCW.
The superintendent may distribute funding for the following programs outside the basic education formula during fiscal years 2024 and 2025 as follows:
$650,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $650,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for fire protection for school districts located in a fire protection district as now or hereafter established pursuant to chapter 52.04 RCW.
$436,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $436,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for programs providing skills training for secondary students who are enrolled in extended day school-to-work programs, as approved by the superintendent of public instruction. The funds shall be allocated at a rate not to exceed $500 per full-time equivalent student enrolled in those programs.
Funding in this section is sufficient to fund a maximum of 1.6 FTE enrollment for skills center students pursuant to chapter 463, Laws of 2007.
Funding in this section is sufficient to fund a maximum of 1.2 FTE enrollment for career launch students pursuant to RCW 28A.700.130. Expenditures for this purpose must come first from the appropriations provided in section 501(5) of this act; funding for career launch enrollment exceeding those appropriations is provided in this section. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide a summary report to the office of the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2023. The report must include the total FTE enrollment for career launch students, the FTE enrollment for career launch students that exceeded the appropriations provided in section 501(5) of this act, and the amount expended from this section for those students.
Students participating in running start programs may be funded up to a combined maximum enrollment of 1.2 FTE including school district and institution of higher education enrollment consistent with the running start course requirements provided in chapter 202, Laws of 2015 (dual credit education opportunities). In calculating the combined 1.2 FTE, the office of the superintendent of public instruction may average the participating student's September through June enrollment to account for differences in the start and end dates for courses provided by the high school and higher education institution. Additionally, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the state board for community and technical colleges, the student achievement council, and the education data center, shall annually track and report to the fiscal committees of the legislature on the combined FTE experience of students participating in the running start program, including course load analyses at both the high school and community and technical college system. The office of the superintendent of public instruction must adopt rules to fund the participating student's enrollment in running start courses during the summer term.
If two or more school districts consolidate and each district was receiving additional basic education formula staff units pursuant to subsection (13) of this section, the following apply:
For three school years following consolidation, the number of basic education formula staff units shall not be less than the number of basic education formula staff units received by the districts in the school year prior to the consolidation; and
For the fourth through eighth school years following consolidation, the difference between the basic education formula staff units received by the districts for the school year prior to consolidation and the basic education formula staff units after consolidation pursuant to subsection (13) of this section shall be reduced in increments of twenty percent per year.
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Indirect cost charges by a school district to approved career and technical education middle and secondary programs shall not exceed the lesser of five percent or the cap established in federal law of the combined basic education and career and technical education program enhancement allocations of state funds. Middle and secondary career and technical education programs are considered separate programs for funding and financial reporting purposes under this section.
Career and technical education program full-time equivalent enrollment shall be reported on the same monthly basis as the enrollment for students eligible for basic support, and payments shall be adjusted for reported career and technical education program enrollments on the same monthly basis as those adjustments for enrollment for students eligible for basic support.
Funding in this section is sufficient to provide full general apportionment payments to school districts eligible for federal forest revenues as provided in RCW 28A.520.020. For the 2023-2025 biennium, general apportionment payments are not reduced for school districts receiving federal forest revenues.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—BASIC EDUCATION EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
Statewide Minimum Salary Allocation
Staff Type
2023-24
School Year
2024-25
School Year
Certificated Instructional
$76,001
$77,521
Certificated Administrative
$112,814
$115,070
Classified
$54,521
$55,611
For the purposes of this section, "LEAP Document 3" means the school district regionalization factors for certificated instructional, certificated administrative, and classified staff, as developed by the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee on February 1, 2024, at 7:51 hours.
Incremental fringe benefit factors are applied to salary adjustments at a rate of 22.57 percent for school year 2023-24 and 16.82 percent for school year 2024-25 for certificated instructional and certificated administrative staff and 19.56 percent for school year 2023-24 and 19.56 percent for the 2024-25 school year for classified staff.
The salary allocations established in this section are for allocation purposes only except as provided in this subsection, and do not entitle an individual staff position to a particular paid salary except as provided in RCW 28A.400.200, as amended by chapter 13, Laws of 2017 3rd sp. sess. (fully funding the program of basic education).
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The salary increases provided in this section are 4.5 percent for the 2023-24 school year, and 2.0 percent for the 2024-25 school year, the annual inflationary adjustments pursuant to RCW 28A.400.205.
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In addition to salary allocations, the appropriations in this section include funding for professional learning as defined in RCW 28A.415.430, 28A.415.432, and 28A.415.434. Funding for this purpose is calculated as the equivalent of three days of salary and benefits for each of the funded full-time equivalent certificated instructional staff units. Nothing in this section entitles an individual certificated instructional staff to any particular number of professional learning days.
Of the funding provided for professional learning in this section, the equivalent of one day of salary and benefits for each of the funded full-time equivalent certificated instructional staff units in the 2023-24 school year must be used to train school district staff on cultural competency, diversity, equity, or inclusion, as required in chapter 197, Laws of 2021.
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The appropriations in this section include associated incremental fringe benefit allocations at 22.57 percent for the 2023-24 school year and 16.82 percent for the 2024-25 school year for certificated instructional and certificated administrative staff and 19.56 percent for the 2023-24 school year and 19.56 percent for the 2024-25 school year for classified staff.
The appropriations in this section include the increased or decreased portion of salaries and incremental fringe benefits for all relevant state-funded school programs in part V of this act. Changes for general apportionment (basic education) are based on the salary allocations and methodology in sections 504 and 505 of this act. Changes for special education result from changes in each district's basic education allocation per student. Changes for educational service districts and institutional education programs are determined by the superintendent of public instruction using the methodology for general apportionment salaries and benefits in sections 504 and 505 of this act. Changes for pupil transportation are determined by the superintendent of public instruction pursuant to RCW 28A.160.192, and impact compensation factors in sections 504, 505, and 506 of this act.
The appropriations in this section include no salary adjustments for substitute teachers.
The appropriations in this section are sufficient to fund the collective bargaining agreement referenced in section 910 of this act and reflect the incremental change in cost of allocating rates as follows: For the 2023-24 school year, $1,105 per month and for the 2024-25 school year, $1,176 per month.
When bargaining for funding for school employees health benefits for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, any proposal agreed upon must assume the imposition of a twenty-five dollar per month surcharge payment from members who use tobacco products and a surcharge payment of not less than fifty dollars per month from members who cover a spouse or domestic partner where the spouse or domestic partner has chosen not to enroll in another employer-based group health insurance that has benefits and premiums with an actuarial value of not less than ninety-five percent of the actuarial value of the public employees' benefits board plan with the largest enrollment. The surcharge payments shall be collected in addition to the member premium payment.
The rates specified in this section are subject to revision each year by the legislature.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR PUPIL TRANSPORTATION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Each general fund fiscal year appropriation includes such funds as are necessary to complete the school year ending in the fiscal year and for prior fiscal year adjustments.
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For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school district programs for the transportation of eligible students as provided in RCW 28A.160.192. Funding in this section constitutes full implementation of RCW 28A.160.192, which enhancement is within the program of basic education. Students are considered eligible only if meeting the definitions provided in RCW 28A.160.160.
From July 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school districts programs for the transportation of students as provided in section 506, chapter 357, Laws of 2020, as amended.
Within amounts appropriated in this section, up to $10,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and up to $10,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are for a transportation alternate funding grant program based on the alternate funding process established in RCW 28A.160.191. The superintendent of public instruction must include a review of school district efficiency rating, key performance indicators and local school district characteristics such as unique geographic constraints in the grant award process.
A maximum of $939,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and a maximum of $939,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 may be expended for regional transportation coordinators and related activities. The transportation coordinators shall ensure that data submitted by school districts for state transportation funding shall, to the greatest extent practical, reflect the actual transportation activity of each district.
Subject to available funds under this section, school districts may provide student transportation for summer skills center programs.
The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide reimbursement funding to a school district for school bus purchases only after the superintendent of public instruction determines that the school bus was purchased from the list established pursuant to RCW 28A.160.195(2) or a comparable competitive bid process based on the lowest price quote based on similar bus categories to those used to establish the list pursuant to RCW 28A.160.195.
The superintendent of public instruction shall base depreciation payments for school district buses on the presales tax five-year average of lowest bids in the appropriate category of bus. In the final year on the depreciation schedule, the depreciation payment shall be based on the lowest bid in the appropriate bus category for that school year.
Funding levels in this section reflect waivers granted by the state board of education for four-day school weeks as allowed under RCW 28A.305.141.
The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall annually disburse payments for bus depreciation in August.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—SCHOOL FOOD SERVICES
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$11,548,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $11,548,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for state matching money for federal child nutrition programs, and may support the meals for kids program through the following allowable uses:
Elimination of breakfast copays for eligible public school students and lunch copays for eligible public school students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades who are eligible for reduced-price lunch as required in chapter 74, Laws of 2021 (reduced-price lunch copays);
Assistance to school districts and authorized public and private nonprofit organizations for supporting summer food service programs, and initiating new summer food service programs in low-income areas;
Reimbursements to school districts for school breakfasts served to students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, pursuant to chapter 287, Laws of 2005; and
Assistance to school districts in initiating and expanding school breakfast programs.
The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall report annually to the fiscal committees of the legislature on annual expenditures in subsection (1)(a) through (c) of this section.
The superintendent of public instruction shall provide the department of health with the following data, where available, for all nutrition assistance programs that are funded by the United States department of agriculture and administered by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The superintendent must provide the report for the preceding federal fiscal year by February 1, 2024, and February 1, 2025. The report must provide:
The number of people in Washington who are eligible for the program;
The number of people in Washington who participated in the program;
The average annual participation rate in the program;
Participation rates by geographic distribution; and
The annual federal funding of the program in Washington.
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$50,167,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $52,167,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for reimbursements to school districts for schools and groups of schools required to participate in the federal community eligibility program under section 1, chapter 7, Laws of 2022 (schools/comm. eligibility) for meals not reimbursed at the federal free meal rate.
$119,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $119,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 271, Laws of 2018 (school meal payment) to increase the number of schools participating in the federal community eligibility program and to support breakfast after the bell programs authorized by the legislature that have adopted the community eligibility provision, and for staff at the office of the superintendent of public instruction to implement section 1, chapter 7, Laws of 2022 (schools/comm. eligibility).
$14,200,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation (CRRSA) is provided solely for emergency costs for child nutrition programs provided under section 722 of P.L. 116-260, the consolidated appropriations act, 2021, title VII, chapter 3 to school food programs.
$18,223,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is provided solely for reimbursement of local education agencies expenditures for the acquisition of unprocessed or minimally processed domestic food products from the United States department of agriculture supply chain assistance funds authorized by the commodity credit corporation charter act of 2021.
$3,645,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is provided solely for food assistance purchases of domestic local foods for distribution to schools from the United States department of agriculture local food for schools cooperative agreement program authorized by the commodity credit corporation charter act of 2021.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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Funding for special education programs is provided on an excess cost basis, pursuant to RCW 28A.150.390. School districts shall ensure that special education students as a class receive their full share of the general apportionment allocation accruing through sections 504 and 506 of this act. To the extent a school district cannot provide an appropriate education for special education students under chapter 28A.155 RCW through the general apportionment allocation, it shall provide services through the special education excess cost allocation funded in this section.
Funding provided within this section is sufficient for districts to provide school principals and lead special education teachers annual professional development on the best-practices for special education instruction and strategies for implementation. Districts shall annually provide a summary of professional development activities to the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
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The superintendent of public instruction shall ensure that:
Special education students are basic education students first;
As a class, special education students are entitled to the full basic education allocation; and
Special education students are basic education students for the entire school day.
The superintendent of public instruction shall continue to implement the full cost method of excess cost accounting, as designed by the committee and recommended by the superintendent, pursuant to section 501(1)(k), chapter 372, Laws of 2006.
Each fiscal year appropriation includes such funds as are necessary to complete the school year ending in the fiscal year and for prior fiscal year adjustments.
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For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school district programs for special education students as provided in RCW 28A.150.390, except that the calculation of the base allocation also includes allocations provided under section 504 (2) and (4) of this act and RCW 28A.150.415, which enhancement is within the program of basic education.
From July 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school district programs for special education students as provided in section 507, chapter 357, Laws of 2020, as amended.
The following applies throughout this section: The definitions for enrollment and enrollment percent are as specified in RCW 28A.150.390(3). Each district's general fund—state funded special education enrollment shall be the lesser of the district's actual enrollment percent or 15 percent.
At the request of any interdistrict cooperative of at least 15 districts in which all excess cost services for special education students of the districts are provided by the cooperative, the maximum enrollment percent shall be calculated in accordance with RCW 28A.150.390(3) (c) and (d), and shall be calculated in the aggregate rather than individual district units. For purposes of this subsection, the average basic education allocation per full-time equivalent student shall be calculated in the aggregate rather than individual district units.
$106,931,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $106,931,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for safety net awards for districts with demonstrated needs for special education funding beyond the amounts provided in subsection (4) of this section. If the federal safety net awards based on the federal eligibility threshold exceed the federal appropriation in this subsection (7) in any fiscal year, the superintendent shall expend all available federal discretionary funds necessary to meet this need. At the conclusion of each school year, the superintendent shall recover safety net funds that were distributed prospectively but for which districts were not subsequently eligible.
For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, safety net funds shall be awarded by the state safety net oversight committee as provided in section 109(1) chapter 548, Laws of 2009 (education).
The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall make award determinations for state safety net funding in August of each school year, except that the superintendent of public instruction shall make award determinations for state safety net funding in July of each school year for the Washington state school for the blind and for the center for childhood deafness and hearing loss. Determinations on school district eligibility for state safety net awards shall be based on analysis of actual expenditure data from the current school year.
A maximum of $1,250,000 may be expended from the general fund—state appropriations to fund teachers and aides at Seattle children's hospital. This amount is in lieu of money provided through the home and hospital allocation and the special education program.
The superintendent shall maintain the percentage of federal flow-through to school districts at 85 percent. In addition to other purposes, school districts may use increased federal funds for high-cost students, for purchasing regional special education services from educational service districts, and for staff development activities particularly relating to inclusion issues.
A school district may carry over from one year to the next year up to 10 percent of the general fund—state funds allocated under this program; however, carryover funds shall be expended in the special education program.
$87,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $87,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $214,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for a special education family liaison position within the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
$5,000,000 of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account—federal appropriation is provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide an allocation to school districts for extension of transition services for students with disabilities who turned age 21 during the 2013-24 or 2024-25 school years, did not graduate with a regular diploma, and require recovery services on or after July 1, 2021, as determined by the student's individualized education plan team. The extension of these services does not reduce or supplant any other services for which the individual would be eligible. Allocations for this purpose may not exceed the amounts provided in this subsection. The office of the superintendent of public instruction may adopt formulas and procedures to define a per-student amount to be provided to students that meet the criteria, so that allocations do not exceed amounts provided in this subsection. Amounts provided in this subsection are outside the state's program of basic education.
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$2,635,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation (ARPA) is provided solely for allocations from federal funding as authorized in section 2014, the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.
$221,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation (ARPA) is provided solely for providing preschool services to qualifying special education students under section 619 of the federal individuals with disabilities education act, pursuant to section 2002, the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.
$5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to support professional development in inclusionary practices for classroom teachers. The primary form of support to public school classroom teachers must be for mentors who are experts in best practices for inclusive education, differentiated instruction, and individualized instruction. Funding for mentors must be prioritized to the public schools with the highest percentage of students with individualized education programs aged three through 21 who spend the least amount of time in general education classrooms.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DISTRICTS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The educational service districts shall continue to furnish financial services required by the superintendent of public instruction and RCW 28A.310.190 (3) and (4).
Funding within this section is provided for regional professional development related to mathematics and science curriculum and instructional strategies aligned with common core state standards and next generation science standards. Funding shall be distributed among the educational service districts in the same proportion as distributions in the 2007-2009 biennium. Each educational service district shall use this funding solely for salary and benefits for a certificated instructional staff with expertise in the appropriate subject matter and in professional development delivery, and for travel, materials, and other expenditures related to providing regional professional development support.
Funding in this section is provided for regional professional development related to English language arts curriculum and instructional strategies aligned with common core state standards. Each educational service district shall use this funding solely for salary and benefits for certificated instructional staff with expertise in the appropriate subject matter and in professional development delivery, and for travel, materials, and other expenditures related to providing regional professional development support.
Funding in this section is provided for regional technical support for the K-20 telecommunications network to prevent system failures and avoid interruptions in school utilization of the data processing and video-conferencing capabilities of the network. These funds may be used to purchase engineering and advanced technical support for the network.
Funding in this section is provided for a corps of nurses located at the educational service districts, to be dispatched in coordination with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, to provide direct care to students, health education, and training for school staff. In fiscal years 2024 and 2025, allocations for the corps of nurses is sufficient to provide one day per week of nursing services for all second-class school districts.
Funding in this section is provided for staff and support at the nine educational service districts to provide a network of support for school districts to develop and implement comprehensive suicide prevention and behavioral health supports for students.
Funding in this section is provided for staff and support at the nine educational service districts to provide assistance to school districts with comprehensive safe schools planning, conducting needs assessments, school safety and security trainings, coordinating appropriate crisis and emergency response and recovery, and developing threat assessment and crisis intervention teams. In fiscal years 2024 and 2025, allocations for staff and support for regional safety centers are increased to 3 full-time equivalent certificated instructional staff for each regional safety center.
Funding in this section is provided for regional English language arts coordinators to provide professional development of teachers and principals around the new early screening for dyslexia requirements.
The educational service districts, at the request of the state board of education pursuant to RCW 28A.310.010 and 28A.305.130, may receive and screen applications for school accreditation, conduct school accreditation site visits pursuant to state board of education rules, and submit to the state board of education post-site visit recommendations for school accreditation. The educational service districts may assess a cooperative service fee to recover actual plus reasonable indirect costs for the purposes of this subsection.
$2,169,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,169,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for each educational service district to provide technology consultation, procurement, and training required under chapter 301, Laws of 2021 (schools/computers & devices).
$1,009,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,009,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 87, Laws of 2022 (ed. service district funding).
$2,700,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the nine educational service districts for the cost of employing one full-time equivalent employee to support the expansion of career connected learning.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR LOCAL EFFORT ASSISTANCE
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR INSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Each general fund—state fiscal year appropriation includes such funds as are necessary to complete the school year ending in the fiscal year and for prior fiscal year adjustments.
State funding provided under this section is based on salaries and other expenditures for a 220-day school year. The superintendent of public instruction shall monitor school district expenditure plans for institutional education programs to ensure that districts plan for a full-time summer program.
State funding for each institutional education program shall be based on the institution's annual average full-time equivalent student enrollment. Staffing ratios for each category of institution shall remain the same as those funded in the 1995-97 biennium.
The funded staffing ratios for education programs for juveniles age 18 or less in department of corrections facilities shall be the same as those provided in the 1997-99 biennium.
$701,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $701,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to maintain at least one certificated instructional staff and related support services at an institution whenever the K-12 enrollment is not sufficient to support one full-time equivalent certificated instructional staff to furnish the educational program. The following types of institutions are included: Residential programs under the department of social and health services for developmentally disabled juveniles, programs for juveniles under the department of corrections, programs for juveniles under the juvenile rehabilitation administration, and programs for juveniles operated by city and county jails.
Within the amounts provided in this section, funding is provided to increase the capacity of institutional education programs to differentiate instruction to meet students' unique educational needs, including students with individualized educational plans. Those needs may include but are not limited to one-on-one instruction, enhanced access to counseling for social emotional needs of the student, and services to identify the proper level of instruction at the time of student entry into the facility. Allocations of amounts for this purpose in a school year must be based on 45 percent of full-time enrollment in institutional education receiving a differentiated instruction amount per pupil equal to the total statewide allocation generated by the distribution formula under RCW 28A.150.260 (4)(a), (5), (6), and (8) and the allocation under RCW 28A.150.415, per the statewide full-time equivalent enrollment in common schools.
$300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation in fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to support two student records coordinators to manage the transmission of academic records for each of the long-term juvenile institutions. One coordinator is provided for each of the following: The Issaquah school district for the Echo Glen children's center and for the Chehalis school district for Green Hill academic school.
Ten percent of the funds allocated for the institution may be carried over from one year to the next.
$588,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $897,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for one educational advocate to each institution with enrollments above 40 full-time equivalent students in addition to any educational advocates supported by federal funding. Educational advocates will provide the following supports to students enrolled in or just released from institutional education programs:
Advocacy for institutional education students to eliminate barriers to educational access and success;
Consultation with juvenile rehabilitation staff to develop educational plans for and with participating youth;
Monitoring educational progress of participating students;
Providing participating students with school and local resources that may assist in educational access and success upon release from institutional education facilities; and
Coaching students and caregivers to advocate for educational needs to be addressed at the school district upon return to the community.
Within the amounts provided in this section, funding is provided to increase materials, supplies, and operating costs by $85 per pupil for technology supports for institutional education programs. This funding is in addition to general education materials, supplies, and operating costs provided to institutional education programs, which exclude formula costs supported by the institutional facilities.
$400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to support instruction in cohorts of students grouped by similar age and academic levels.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR PROGRAMS FOR HIGHLY CAPABLE STUDENTS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Each general fund fiscal year appropriation includes such funds as are necessary to complete the school year ending in the fiscal year and for prior fiscal year adjustments.
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For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school district programs for highly capable students as provided in RCW 28A.150.260(10)(c) except that allocations must be based on 5.0 percent of each school district's full-time equivalent enrollment. In calculating the allocations, the superintendent shall assume the following: (i) Additional instruction of 2.1590 hours per week per funded highly capable program student; (ii) fifteen highly capable program students per teacher; (iii) 36 instructional weeks per year; (iv) 900 instructional hours per teacher; and (v) the compensation rates as provided in sections 505 and 506 of this act.
From July 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school districts programs for highly capable students as provided in section 511, chapter 357, Laws of 2020, as amended.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR MISCELLANEOUS—EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—EDUCATION REFORM PROGRAMS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
ACCOUNTABILITY
$26,975,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $26,975,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, $1,350,000 of the education legacy trust account—state appropriation, and $15,868,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for development and implementation of the Washington state assessment system.
$14,352,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $14,352,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 159, Laws of 2013 (K-12 education - failing schools).
EDUCATOR CONTINUUM
$76,386,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $73,083,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the following bonuses for teachers who hold valid, unexpired certification from the national board for professional teaching standards and who are teaching in a Washington public school, subject to the following conditions and limitations:
For national board certified teachers, a bonus of $5,796 per teacher in the 2023-24 school year and a bonus of $5,796 per teacher in the 2024-25 school year;
An additional $5,000 annual bonus shall be paid to national board certified teachers who teach in either: (A) High schools where at least 50 percent of student headcount enrollment is eligible for federal free or reduced-price lunch, (B) middle schools where at least 60 percent of student headcount enrollment is eligible for federal free or reduced-price lunch, or (C) elementary schools where at least 70 percent of student headcount enrollment is eligible for federal free or reduced-price lunch;
The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules to ensure that national board certified teachers meet the qualifications for bonuses under (b) of this subsection for less than one full school year receive bonuses in a prorated manner. All bonuses in this subsection will be paid in July of each school year. Bonuses in this subsection shall be reduced by a factor of 40 percent for first year NBPTS certified teachers, to reflect the portion of the instructional school year they are certified; and
During the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, and within available funds, certificated instructional staff who have met the eligibility requirements and have applied for certification from the national board for professional teaching standards may receive a conditional loan of two thousand dollars or the amount set by the office of the superintendent of public instruction to contribute toward the current assessment fee, not including the initial up-front candidacy payment. The fee shall be an advance on the first annual bonus under RCW 28A.405.415. The conditional loan is provided in addition to compensation received under a district's salary allocation and shall not be included in calculations of a district's average salary and associated salary limitation under RCW 28A.400.200. Recipients who fail to receive certification after fully exhausting all years of candidacy as set by the national board for professional teaching standards are required to repay the conditional loan. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules to define the terms for initial grant of the assessment fee and repayment, including applicable fees. To the extent necessary, the superintendent may use revenues from the repayment of conditional loan scholarships to ensure payment of all national board bonus payments required by this section in each school year.
$3,418,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,418,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of a new performance-based evaluation for certificated educators and other activities as provided in chapter 235, Laws of 2010 (education reform) and chapter 35, Laws of 2012 (certificated employee evaluations).
$477,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $477,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the leadership internship program for superintendents, principals, and program administrators.
$810,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $810,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the development of a leadership academy for school principals and administrators. The superintendent of public instruction shall contract with an independent organization to operate a state-of-the-art education leadership academy that will be accessible throughout the state. Semiannually the independent organization shall report on amounts committed by foundations and others to support the development and implementation of this program. Leadership academy partners shall include the state level organizations for school administrators and principals, the superintendent of public instruction, the professional educator standards board, and others as the independent organization shall identify.
$12,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $12,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a beginning educator support program (BEST). The program shall prioritize first year educators in the mentoring program. School districts and/or regional consortia may apply for grant funding. The program provided by a district and/or regional consortia shall include: A paid orientation; assignment of a qualified mentor; development of a professional growth plan for each beginning educator aligned with professional certification; release time for mentors and new educators to work together; and educator observation time with accomplished peers. Funding may be used to provide statewide professional development opportunities for mentors and beginning educators.
$4,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the provision of training for teachers, principals, and principal evaluators in the performance-based teacher principal evaluation program.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR TRANSITIONAL BILINGUAL PROGRAMS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Each general fund fiscal year appropriation includes such funds as are necessary to complete the school year ending in the fiscal year and for prior fiscal year adjustments.
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For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school districts for transitional bilingual programs under RCW 28A.180.010 through 28A.180.080, including programs for exited students, as provided in RCW 28A.150.260(10)(b) and the provisions of this section. In calculating the allocations, the superintendent shall assume the following averages: (i) Additional instruction of 4.7780 hours per week per transitional bilingual program student in grades kindergarten through six and 6.7780 hours per week per transitional bilingual program student in grades seven through twelve in school years 2023-24 and 2024-25; (ii) additional instruction of 3.0000 hours per week in school years 2023-24 and 2024-25 for the head count number of students who have exited the transitional bilingual instruction program within the previous two years based on their performance on the English proficiency assessment; (iii) fifteen transitional bilingual program students per teacher; (iv) 36 instructional weeks per year; (v) 900 instructional hours per teacher; and (vi) the compensation rates as provided in sections 505 and 506 of this act. Pursuant to RCW 28A.180.040(1)(g), the instructional hours specified in (a)(ii) of this subsection (2) are within the program of basic education.
From July 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school districts for transitional bilingual instruction programs as provided in section 514, chapter 357, Laws of 2020, as amended.
The superintendent may withhold allocations to school districts in subsection (2) of this section solely for the central provision of assessments as provided in RCW 28A.180.090 (1) and (2) up to the following amounts: 1.69 percent for school year 2023-24 and 1.76 percent for school year 2024-25.
The general fund—federal appropriation in this section is for migrant education under Title I Part C and English language acquisition, and language enhancement grants under Title III of the elementary and secondary education act.
$35,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $35,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to track current and former transitional bilingual program students.
$1,185,000 of the general fund—state appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and $1,185,000 of the general fund—state appropriation in fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the central provision of assessments as provided in RCW 28A.180.090, and is in addition to the withholding amounts specified in subsection (3) of this section.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR THE LEARNING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The general fund—state appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The appropriations include such funds as are necessary to complete the school year ending in the fiscal year and for prior fiscal year adjustments.
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For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school districts for learning assistance programs as provided in RCW 28A.150.260(10)(a), except that the allocation for the additional instructional hours shall be enhanced as provided in this section, which enhancements are within the program of the basic education. In calculating the allocations, the superintendent shall assume the following averages: (A) Additional instruction of 2.3975 hours per week per funded learning assistance program student for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years; (B) additional instruction of 1.1 hours per week per funded learning assistance program student for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years in qualifying high-poverty school building; (C) fifteen learning assistance program students per teacher; (D) 36 instructional weeks per year; (E) 900 instructional hours per teacher; and (F) the compensation rates as provided in sections 505 and 506 of this act.
From July 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023, the superintendent shall allocate funding to school districts for learning assistance programs as provided in section 515, chapter 357, Laws of 2020, as amended.
A school district's funded students for the learning assistance program shall be the sum of the district's full-time equivalent enrollment in grades K-12 for the prior school year multiplied by the district's percentage of October headcount enrollment in grades K-12 eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in the prior school year. The prior school year's October headcount enrollment for free and reduced-price lunch shall be as reported in the comprehensive education data and research system.
Allocations made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be adjusted to reflect ineligible applications identified through the annual income verification process required by the national school lunch program, as recommended in the report of the state auditor on the learning assistance program dated February, 2010.
The general fund—federal appropriation in this section is provided for Title I Part A allocations of the every student succeeds act of 2016.
A school district may carry over from one year to the next up to 10 percent of the general fund—state funds allocated under this program; however, carryover funds shall be expended for the learning assistance program.
Within existing resources, during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, school districts are authorized to use funds allocated for the learning assistance program to also provide assistance to high school students who have not passed the state assessment in science.
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—PER PUPIL ALLOCATIONS
Statewide Average Allocations
Per Annual Average Full-Time Equivalent Student
Basic Education Program
2023-24
School Year
2024-25
School Year
General Apportionment
$10,710
$10,764
Pupil Transportation
$682
$695
Special Education Programs
$11,462
$11,530
Institutional Education Programs
$27,970
$27,688
Programs for Highly Capable Students
$677
$666
Transitional Bilingual Programs
$1,622
$1,570
Learning Assistance Program
$1,062
$1,044
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Amounts distributed to districts by the superintendent through part V of this act are for allocation purposes only, unless specified by part V of this act, and do not entitle a particular district, district employee, or student to a specific service, beyond what has been expressly provided in statute. Part V of this act restates the requirements of various sections of Title 28A RCW. If any conflict exists, the provisions of Title 28A RCW control unless this act explicitly states that it is providing an enhancement. Any amounts provided in part V of this act in excess of the amounts required by Title 28A RCW provided in statute, are not within the program of basic education unless clearly stated by this act.
When adopting new or revised rules or policies relating to the administration of allocations in part V of this act that result in fiscal impact, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall seek legislative approval through the budget request process.
Appropriations made in this act to the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall initially be allotted as required by this act. Subsequent allotment modifications shall not include transfers of moneys between sections of this act, except as expressly provided in subsection (4) of this section.
The appropriations to the office of the superintendent of public instruction in this act shall be expended for the programs and amounts specified in this act. However, after May 1, 2024, unless specifically prohibited by this act and after approval by the director of financial management, the superintendent of public instruction may transfer state general fund appropriations for fiscal year 2024 among the following programs to meet the apportionment schedule for a specified formula in another of these programs: General apportionment; employee compensation adjustments; pupil transportation; special education programs; institutional education programs; transitional bilingual programs; highly capable programs; and learning assistance programs.
The director of financial management shall notify the appropriate legislative fiscal committees in writing prior to approving any allotment modifications or transfers under this section.
Appropriations in sections 504 and 506 of this act for insurance benefits under chapter 41.05 RCW are provided solely for the superintendent to allocate to districts for employee health benefits as provided in section 910 of this act. The superintendent may not allocate, and districts may not expend, these amounts for any other purpose beyond those authorized in section 910 of this act.
As required by RCW 28A.710.110, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall transmit the charter school authorizer oversight fee for the charter school commission to the charter school oversight account.
FOR THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The superintendent shall distribute funding appropriated in this section to charter schools under chapter 28A.710 RCW. Within amounts provided in this section the superintendent may distribute funding for safety net awards for charter schools with demonstrated needs for special education funding beyond the amounts provided under chapter 28A.710 RCW.
FOR THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The entire Washington opportunity pathways account—state appropriation in this section is provided to the superintendent of public instruction solely for the operations of the Washington state charter school commission under chapter 28A.710 RCW.
$28,000 of the charter schools oversight account—state appropriation is provided solely to the Washington state charter school commission to enable each charter school to participate in the governance training required under chapter 197, Laws of 2021 (schools/equity training).
$238,000 of the charter schools oversight account—state appropriation is provided solely for office of the attorney general legal services related to litigation challenging the commission's authority to oversee and regulate charter schools.
FOR THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—FOR GRANTS AND PASS THROUGH FUNDING
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$4,894,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,894,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to administer programs and grants which increase equitable access to dual credit programs, including subsidizing or eliminating student costs for dual credit courses or exams. By November 2024, the office shall submit a report to relevant committees of the legislature describing options for entering into statewide agreements with dual credit exam companies that will reduce the overall costs for all students and eliminate costs for students who are low income.
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$2,752,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,752,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for secondary career and technical education grants pursuant to chapter 170, Laws of 2008, including parts of programs receiving grants that serve students in grades four through six. If equally matched by private donations, $1,075,000 of the 2024 appropriation and $1,075,000 of the 2025 appropriation shall be used to support FIRST robotics programs in grades four through twelve. Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $800,000 of the fiscal year 2024 appropriation and $800,000 of the fiscal year 2025 appropriation are provided solely for the purpose of statewide supervision activities for career and technical education student leadership organizations.
$135,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $135,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for science, technology, engineering and mathematics lighthouse projects, consistent with chapter 238, Laws of 2010.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for advanced project lead the way courses at ten high schools. To be eligible for funding in 2024, a high school must have offered a foundational project lead the way course during the 2022-23 school year. The 2024 funding must be used for one-time start-up course costs for an advanced project lead the way course, to be offered to students beginning in the 2023-24 school year. To be eligible for funding in 2025, a high school must have offered a foundational project lead the way course during the 2023-24 school year. The 2025 funding must be used for one-time start-up course costs for an advanced project lead the way course, to be offered to students beginning in the 2024-25 school year. The office of the superintendent of public instruction and the education research and data center at the office of financial management shall track student participation and long-term outcome data. The office may require the recipient of these funds to report the impacts of the recipient's efforts in alignment with the measures of the Washington school improvement framework.
$2,127,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,127,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for annual startup, expansion, or maintenance of core plus programs in maritime, construction, and aerospace and advanced manufacturing programs. To be eligible for funding to start up, maintain, or expand programs under (i) through (iii) of this subsection (d), the skills center and high schools must be selected through a competitive grant process administered by the office of the superintendent of public instruction in consultation with the advisory committee established in (vi) of this subsection (d). The office and the education research and data center shall report annually student participation and long-term outcome data. Within the amounts provided in this subsection:
$900,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $900,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants for the annual startup, expansion, or maintenance of core plus programs in aerospace and advanced manufacturing programs.
$350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants for the annual startup, expansion, or maintenance of core plus programs in construction programs.
$350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants for the annual startup, expansion, or maintenance of core plus programs in maritime programs.
For (i) through (iii) of this subsection (d), when the grant demand does not align with the specified allocation, the superintendent may allocate funding toward sector areas that meet criteria based on agreement from industry sector representatives.
$527,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $527,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office to administer, evaluate, and promote programs under (i) through (iii) of this subsection (d) based on industry sector recommendations, including contracts with sector-specific entities to expand sector-specific employer engagement programs, increase work placement opportunities, validate credentials necessary for direct employment, and provide professional development to support schools, teachers, and students. The office may also contract with an entity with experience promoting core plus programming across industry sectors and education providers to expand awareness and adoption of core plus programs.
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$75,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $75,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for project citizen and we the people: The citizen and the constitution programs sponsored by the national conference of state legislatures and the center for civic education to promote participation in government by middle and high school students. Of the amounts provided, $15,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $15,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for awarding a travel grant to the winner of the we the people: The citizen and the constitution state competition.
$373,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $373,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 127, Laws of 2018 (civics education). Of the amounts provided in this subsection (3)(b), $10,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $10,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grant programs to school districts to help cover travel costs associated with civics education competitions.
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$55,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $55,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction for statewide implementation of career and technical education course equivalency frameworks authorized under RCW 28A.700.070 for math and science. This may include development of additional equivalency course frameworks, course performance assessments, and professional development for districts implementing the new frameworks.
Within the amounts appropriated in this section the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall ensure career and technical education courses are aligned with high-demand, high-wage jobs. The superintendent shall verify that the current list of career and technical education courses meets the criteria established in RCW 28A.700.020(2). The superintendent shall remove from the list any career and technical education course that no longer meets such criteria.
$5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide grants to school districts and educational service districts for science teacher training in the next generation science standards including training in the climate science standards. At a minimum, school districts shall ensure that teachers in one grade level in each elementary, middle, and high school participate in this science training. Of the amount appropriated $1,000,000 is provided solely for community-based nonprofits including tribal education organizations to partner with public schools for next generation science standards.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Kip Tokuda memorial Washington civil liberties public education program. The superintendent of public instruction shall award grants consistent with RCW 28A.300.410.
$5,895,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,895,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a contract with a nongovernmental entity or entities for demonstration sites to improve the educational outcomes of students who are dependent pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW pursuant to chapter 71, Laws of 2016 (foster youth edu. outcomes). The office may require the recipient of these funds to report the impacts of the recipient's efforts in alignment with the measures of the Washington school improvement framework.
Of the amount provided in this subsection (6), $446,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $446,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the demonstration site established pursuant to the 2013-2015 omnibus appropriations act, section 202(10), chapter 4, Laws of 2013, 2nd sp. sess.
Of the amount provided in this subsection (6), $1,015,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,015,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the demonstration site established pursuant to the 2015-2017 omnibus appropriations act, section 501(43)(b), chapter 4, Laws of 2015, 3rd sp. sess., as amended.
Of the amounts provided in this subsection (6), $684,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $684,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the demonstration site established with funding provided in the 2017-2019 omnibus appropriations act, chapter 1, Laws of 2017, 3rd sp. sess., as amended.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the demonstration site established with funding provided in this act.
$55,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $55,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for maintaining and implementing the data sharing agreement between the office, the department of children, youth, and families, and the contractors to support targeted service delivery, program evaluation, and statewide education outcomes measurement for students served under this section.
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$1,200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 157, Laws of 2016 (homeless students).
$36,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $36,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for chapter 212, Laws of 2014 (homeless student educational outcomes).
$375,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $375,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a nonviolence and ethical leadership training and professional development program provided by the institute for community leadership.
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$1,425,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,425,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for dual language grants to grow capacity for high quality dual language learning. Grant funding may be used for new and existing dual language programs, heritage language programs for immigrant and refugee students, and indigenous language programs for native students.
Each grant recipient must convene an advisory board to guide the development and continuous improvement of its dual language program, including but not limited to: Determining which schools and languages will be prioritized; conducting outreach to the community; and addressing enrollment considerations and the hiring of staff. At least half the members of the board must be parents of English learner students or current or former English learner students. The other members of the board must represent teachers, students, school leaders, governing board members, youth, and community-based organizations that support English learners.
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$4,940,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,940,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington state achievers scholarship and Washington higher education readiness program. The funds shall be used to: Support community involvement officers that recruit, train, and match community volunteer mentors with students selected as achievers scholars; and to identify and reduce barriers to college for low-income and underserved middle and high school students. The office may require the recipient of these funds to report the impacts of the recipient's efforts in alignment with the measures of the Washington school improvement framework.
$1,454,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,454,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for contracting with a college scholarship organization with expertise in conducting outreach to students concerning eligibility for the Washington college bound scholarship consistent with chapter 405, Laws of 2007. The office may require the recipient of these funds to report the impacts of the recipient's efforts in alignment with the measures of the Washington school improvement framework.
$362,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $362,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 180, Laws of 2017 (Washington Aim program).
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$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington state leadership and assistance for science education reform (LASER) regional partnership activities, including instructional material purchases, teacher and principal professional development, and school and community engagement events. The office may require the recipient of these funds to report the impacts of the recipient's efforts in alignment with the measures of the Washington school improvement framework.
$50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants of $2,500 to provide twenty middle and high school teachers each year with professional development training for implementing integrated math, science, technology, and engineering programs in their schools.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the computer science and education grant program to support the following three purposes: Train and credential teachers in computer sciences; provide and upgrade technology needed to learn computer science; and, for computer science frontiers grants to introduce students to and engage them in computer science. The office of the superintendent of public instruction must use the computer science learning standards adopted pursuant to chapter 3, Laws of 2015 (computer science) in implementing the grant, to the extent possible. Additionally, grants provided for the purpose of introducing students to computer science are intended to support innovative ways to introduce and engage students from historically underrepresented groups, including girls, low-income students, and minority students, to computer science and to inspire them to enter computer science careers. The office of the superintendent of public instruction may award up to $500,000 each year, without a matching requirement, to districts with greater than fifty percent of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. All other awards must be equally matched by private sources for the program, including gifts, grants, or endowments.
$750,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $750,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to contract with a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-based organization physically located in Washington state that has at least 18 years of experience collaborating with the office and school districts statewide to integrate the state learning standards in English language arts, mathematics, and science with FieldSTEM outdoor field studies and project-based and work-based learning opportunities aligned with the environmental, natural resource, and agricultural sectors. The office may require the recipient of these funds to report the impacts of the recipient's efforts in alignment with the measures of the Washington school improvement framework.
$62,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $62,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for competitive grants to school districts to increase the capacity of high schools to offer AP computer science courses. In making grant allocations, the office of the superintendent of public instruction must give priority to schools and districts in rural areas, with substantial enrollment of low-income students, and that do not offer AP computer science. School districts may apply to receive either or both of the following grants:
A grant to establish partnerships to support computer science professionals from private industry serving on a voluntary basis as coinstructors along with a certificated teacher, including via synchronous video, for AP computer science courses; or
A grant to purchase or upgrade technology and curriculum needed for AP computer science, as well as provide opportunities for professional development for classroom teachers to have the requisite knowledge and skills to teach AP computer science.
$100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Mobius science center to expand mobile outreach of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to students in rural, tribal, and low-income communities.
$85,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $85,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the centrum program at Fort Worden state park.
$750,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $750,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for contracts with Washington state based nonprofit organizations that provide a career-integrated one-to-one mentoring program for disadvantaged high school students facing academic and personal challenges with the goal of keeping them on track for graduation and post-high school success. The mentoring must include a focus on college readiness, career exploration and social-emotional learning. An applicant requesting funding for these dollars must successfully demonstrate to the department that it currently provides a career-integrated one-to-one volunteer mentoring program and has been mentoring high school youth for at least twenty years in the state prior to application.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office to contract with an organization to create an after-school and summer learning program in the city of Federal Way. The program shall provide comprehensive, culturally competent academic support and cultural enrichment for primarily latinx, spanish-speaking, low-income sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. The department must contract with an organization with over forty years of experience that serves the latino community in Seattle and King county and has previously established an after-school and summer learning program.
$850,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $850,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to create and administer a grant program for districts to reduce associated student body fees or participation fees for students who are eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced-price meals program. The office must distribute grants for the 2023-24 school year to school districts by August 10, 2023, and grants for the 2024-25 school year by August 1, 2024.
Grant awards must be prioritized in the following order:
High schools implementing the United States department of agriculture community eligibility provision;
High schools with the highest percentage of students in grades nine through twelve eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced-price meals program; and
High schools located in school districts enrolling 5,000 or fewer students.
High schools that do not comply with the data collection and reporting requirements in RCW 28A.320.540 are not eligible for grant funding.
The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall award grants that are the lesser of the cost of the high school's associated student body card multiplied by the number of students eligible for the free or reduced-price meals program that purchased a student body card in either 2022-23 or 2023-24 school year, whichever is higher, or $10,000.
The office may award additional funding if:
The appropriations provided are greater than the total amount of funding requested at the end of the application cycle; and
The applicant shows a demonstrated need for additional support.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to contract with a Washington-based nonprofit organization to promote equitable access in science, technology, engineering, and math education for historically underserved students and communities. The nonprofit shall provide a system of science educational programming specifically for migrant and bilingual students, including teacher professional development, culturally responsive classroom resources that are aligned with Washington state science and environmental and sustainability learning standards, and implementation support. At least 50 percent of the funding provided in this subsection must serve schools and school districts in eastern Washington. The nonprofit organization must have experience developing and implementing science and environmental science programming and resources for migrant and bilingual students.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to contract with a nonprofit organization serving opportunity youth in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties. The organization must assist traditionally underrepresented students on nontraditional educational pathways by providing mentorship and technical assistance in navigating higher education and financial aid. The office may require the recipient of these funds to report the impacts of the efforts in alignment with the measures of the Washington school improvement framework.
$1,399,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,399,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for school districts to support youth who are truant under chapter 28A.225 RCW or at risk of becoming truant, and for costs associated with filing or serving petitions under RCW 28A.225.030.
The general fund—state appropriations in this section for fiscal year 2024 have been reduced by $24,000 to reflect global compensation savings. The office of financial management, in consultation with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, shall adjust allotments from the appropriations in this section, including allotments of amounts provided solely for a specific purpose, to reflect the reduction to the overall appropriation.
$51,792,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $51,792,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office to administer an outdoor learning grant program to develop and support outdoor educational experiences for students in Washington public schools. A portion of the amount provided must be used to provide outdoor educational opportunities for people with disabilities. The office may consult with the Washington recreation and conservation office on outdoor learning program grants. Of the amounts provided in this subsection:
$195,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $195,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office to implement chapter 112, Laws of 2022 (outdoor learning grant prg.).
$3,903,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,903,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the outdoor learning grant program, which consists of two types of grants:
Allocation-based grants for school districts to develop or support outdoor educational experiences; and
Competitive grants for outdoor education providers that are designed to support existing capacity and to increase future capacity for outdoor learning experiences.
$37,694,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $37,694,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the outdoor education experiences program. The office must prioritize providing the program to fifth and sixth grade students in high poverty schools, expanding to other fifth and sixth grade students subject to available funds.
The office must include a review no later than November 1, 2024, based on the Western Washington University report required in section 608(9) of this act and any applicable statutory changes made subsequent to this act.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for an education and workforce pathway pilot program at the northwest career and technical academy. The pilot program will oversee a pathway including high schools, skills centers, community and technical colleges, and employers that results in students earning a high school diploma and an associate in technical arts degree, while maintaining summer employment.
$250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for the office to contract with the association of Washington school principals to provide support, mentoring, mediation, and professional learning services to school principals and assistant principals in the greater Seattle area.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to school districts and educational service districts operating institutional education programs for youth in state long-term juvenile institutions to provide access to computer science elective courses created in chapter 234, Laws of 2022 (computer science instruction).
$2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the grant program created in chapter 238, Laws of 2022 (student financial literacy) which provides grants to school districts for integrating financial literacy education into professional development for certificated staff.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools to establish K-12 intensive tutoring programs. Grants shall be used to recruit, train, and hire tutors to provide one-on-one tutoring services to K-12 students experiencing learning loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tutors must receive training in proven tutoring models to ensure their effectiveness in addressing learning loss.
$3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office to distribute after-exit running start grants to school districts that identify running start students that have exceeded maximum enrollment under running start formulas and high school graduates who have 15 or fewer college credits to earn before meeting associate degree requirements for instruction not funded under section 504(18) of this act. High school graduates who meet these requirements are eligible to receive funds from these grants for fees to the community and technical college to earn up to 15 college credits during the summer academic term following their high school graduation.
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$216,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $600,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office to administer a peer support competitive grant program in Washington public schools. The office must award grants to eligible school districts starting in the 2023-24 school year. Programs should be designed to be primarily youth-led and aim to increase youth school engagement and support personal/cultural identities, and reduce risks associated with depression, school violence, and bullying. Successful grantees may consult with Washington teen link and the natural helper program in the development of the grant criteria, and the development of training material support. Program components should include:
Identification of trusted peers and staff who other students confide in;
Development or adaption of training materials;
Intensive training for peer and staff supporters;
Avenues to advertise peer support communication strategies; and
Participant and program evaluations.
School districts may also use funds to develop a sister school rapid trauma response strategy. Under this component, successful applicants reach out to other schools also receiving a peer support grant to develop a trauma response plan that quickly organizes students and staff to contact peers within those schools during times of school trauma and offer support.
The office shall evaluate the program to share best practices and for consideration by other school districts.
$3,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for a statewide information technology academy program. This public-private partnership will provide educational software, as well as information technology certification and software training opportunities for students and staff in public schools for the 2023-24 school year only. The office must evaluate other options that may be available in the state for a future public-private partnership to deliver similar services to students and staff of public schools at no cost to the state.
$16,666,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for the office to administer a teacher residency grant program in public schools to expand options in Washington for preservice teachers to spend a full school year learning on the job from an effective cooperating teacher in a classroom while also completing coursework toward their certification starting in the 2024-25 school year. The office must award grants to school districts who have demonstrated partnerships with approved preparation programs per RCW 28A.410.210 and related statutes, with grant funds prioritized for teachers seeking endorsements in special education, multilingual/bilingual education, and/or those working in high poverty schools.
FEDERAL GRANTS FOR COVID-19 RECOVERY
$2,577,000 of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account—federal appropriation from funds attributable to subsection 2001(f)(4), the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2 is provided solely to administer a grant program for community-based organizations to collaborate with school districts to support learning recovery and acceleration.
$68,610,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation (CRRSA/ESSER) from funds attributable to subsection 313(c), the coronavirus response and relief supplemental appropriations act, P.L. 116-260, division M is provided solely for subgrants to local education agencies. Total subgrants awarded under this subsection (30)(b) and section 12, chapter 3, Laws of 2021 may not exceed the federal amounts provided under subsection 313(c), the coronavirus response and relief supplemental appropriations act, P.L. 116-260, division M.
$9,253,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation (CRRSA/GEER) is provided solely to provide emergency assistance to nonpublic schools, as authorized in section 312(d), the coronavirus response and relief supplemental appropriations act, P.L. 116-260, division M. Total funds provided under this subsection (30)(c) and section 13, chapter 3, Laws of 2021 may not exceed the federal amounts provided in section 312(d), the coronavirus response and relief supplemental appropriations act, P.L. 116-260, division M.
$266,760,000 of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account—federal appropriation is provided solely for allocations from funds attributable to subsection 2001(e)(2) the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2 for subgrants to local education agencies.
$33,345,000 of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account—federal appropriation is provided solely for allocations from funds attributable to subsection 2001(e)(1), the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2 for subgrants to local education agencies to address learning loss.
$3,705,000 of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account—federal appropriation from funds attributable to subsection 2001(f)(3), the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2 is provided solely to support evidence-based comprehensive afterschool programs.
$2,000,000 of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account—federal appropriation from funds attributable to subsection 2001(f)(4), the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2 is provided solely for grants to districts to expand the number of dual language classrooms in early grades and professional development to accelerate literacy gains in early grades, especially for English learners.
$3,036,000 of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account—federal appropriation from funds attributable to subsection 2001(b), the American rescue plan act of 2021, P.L. 117-2, is provided solely for the purposes of identifying children and youth experiencing homelessness and providing children and youth experiencing homelessness with:
Wrap-around services due to the challenges of the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
Assistance needed to enable children and youth experiencing homelessness to attend school and participate fully in school activities.
$7,368,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation (CRRSA/ESSER) and $46,570,000 of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account—federal appropriation are provided solely for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to administer grants for the purposes of learning recovery and acceleration. Allowable uses of the funds are limited to:
One-time contracts for classified, certificated, or administrative staff who will provide tiered academic and social-emotional supports to students most impacted by the disruption of in-person learning, including locating and reengaging students who have disengaged from school, one-on-one and small-group instruction, and other intensive learning supports;
Professional learning for educators focused on learning recovery and acceleration, including assessing student learning and social-emotional needs, transitioning to standards-based curricula and grading, adopting competency or mastery-based options specifically for credit retrieval purposes, and family and student engagement strategies;
Procuring assessment or data systems that provide actionable just-in-time data regarding student progress throughout the school year; and
Direct supports to students to improve school engagement and accelerate learning.
PUBLIC BACCALAUREATE INSTITUTIONS
The state universities, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College must accept the transfer of college-level courses taken by students under RCW 28A.600.290 or 28A.600.300 if a student seeking a transfer of the college-level courses has been admitted to the state university, the regional university, or The Evergreen State College, and if the college-level courses are recognized as transferrable by the admitting institution of higher education.
Appropriations in sections 602 through 608 of this act are sufficient to implement 2023-25 collective bargaining agreements at institutions of higher education negotiated under chapter 41.80 RCW.
Within amounts appropriated to institutions in 603 through 608 of this act, institutions shall employ at least one full-time mental health counselor licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW who has experience working with active members of the military or military veterans, to work with student, faculty, and staff veterans, as well as their spouses and dependents, through the institution's veteran resource center.
For institutions of higher education receiving funding for cybersecurity and nursing academic programs for students in sections 603 through 608 of this act, each institution must coordinate with the student achievement council as provided in section 609(17) of this act and submit a progress report on new or expanded cybersecurity and nursing academic programs, including the number of students enrolled.
FOR THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$33,261,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $33,261,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely as special funds for training and related support services, including financial aid, as specified in RCW 28C.04.390. Funding is provided to support at least 7,170 full-time equivalent students in fiscal year 2024 and at least 7,170 full-time equivalent students in fiscal year 2025.
$5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $5,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $5,450,000 of the education legacy trust account—state appropriation are provided solely for administration and customized training contracts through the job skills program. The state board shall make an annual report by January 1st of each year to the governor and to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature under RCW 43.01.036 regarding implementation of this section, listing the scope of grant awards, the distribution of funds by educational sector and region of the state, and the results of the partnerships supported by these funds.
$425,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $425,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for Seattle Central College's expansion of allied health programs.
$5,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the student achievement initiative.
$2,514,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,514,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the mathematics, engineering, and science achievement program.
$1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for operating a fabrication composite wing incumbent worker training program to be housed at the Washington aerospace training and research center.
$100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the aerospace center of excellence currently hosted by Everett community college to:
Increase statewide communications and outreach between industry sectors, industry organizations, businesses, K-12 schools, colleges, and universities;
Enhance information technology to increase business and student accessibility and use of the center's web site; and
Act as the information entry point for prospective students and job seekers regarding education, training, and employment in the industry.
$23,748,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $24,270,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of the college affordability program as set forth in RCW 28B.15.066.
Community and technical colleges are not required to send mass mailings of course catalogs to residents of their districts. Community and technical colleges shall consider lower cost alternatives, such as mailing postcards or brochures that direct individuals to online information and other ways of acquiring print catalogs.
The state board for community and technical colleges shall not use funds appropriated in this section to support intercollegiate athletics programs.
$157,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $157,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Wenatchee Valley college wildfire prevention program.
$150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Puget Sound welcome back center at Highline College to create a grant program for internationally trained individuals seeking employment in the behavioral health field in Washington state.
$750,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $750,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for increased enrollments in the integrated basic education and skills training program. Funding will support approximately 120 additional full-time equivalent enrollments annually.
$216,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $216,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the opportunity center for employment and education at North Seattle College.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for Highline College to implement the Federal Way higher education initiative in partnership with the city of Federal Way and the University of Washington Tacoma campus.
$350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $350,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for Peninsula College to maintain the annual cohorts of the specified programs as follows:
Medical assisting, 40 students;
Nursing assistant, 60 students; and
Registered nursing, 32 students.
$338,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $338,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington state labor education and research center at South Seattle College.
$150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the aerospace and advanced manufacturing center of excellence hosted by Everett Community College to develop a semiconductor and electronics manufacturing branch in Vancouver.
$1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $75,847,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation are provided solely for statewide implementation of guided pathways at each of the state's community and technical colleges or similar programs designed to improve student success, including, but not limited to, academic program redesign, student advising, and other student supports.
$40,800,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to continue to fund nurse educator salaries.
$40,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided to continue to fund high-demand program faculty salaries, including but not limited to nurse educators, other health-related professions, information technology, computer science, and trades.
$8,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the state board for community and technical colleges to expand high-demand and career launch enrollments, as provided under RCW 28C.30.020. Within the amounts provided in this subsection (22):
$6,000,000 of the amounts in this subsection (22) are provided for expansion of career launch enrollments, as provided under RCW 28C.30.020.
$2,000,000 of the amounts in this subsection (22) are provided for expansion of enrollments in high demand programs. These programs include, but are not limited to, allied health, computer and information science, manufacturing, and other fields identified by the state board for community and technical colleges.
$8,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the emergency assistance grant program in RCW 28B.50.295.
$3,534,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,925,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 275, Laws of 2021 (diversity, etc./higher education).
$4,725,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $4,525,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $15,848,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation are provided solely for implementation of chapter 272, Laws of 2021 (equity and access in higher education).
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$2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for grants to promote workforce development in trucking and trucking-related supply chain industries and the school bus driving industry by expanding the number of registered apprenticeships, preapprenticeships, and trucking related training programs; and providing support for registered apprenticeships or programs in trucking and trucking-related supply chain industries and the school bus driving industry.
Grants awarded under this subsection may be used for:
Equipment upgrades or new equipment purchases for training purposes;
New training spaces and locations to support capacity needs and expansion of training to veterans and veteran spouses, and underserved populations to include foster care and homeless transition populations;
Curriculum development and instructor training for driving, repair, and service of technological advancements facing the industries;
Tuition assistance for commercial vehicle driver training, mechanical, and support functions that support the trucking industry and the school bus driving industry; and
Funding to increase capacity and availability of child care options for shift work schedules.
An entity is eligible to receive a grant if it is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, or institution of primary or higher education that provides training opportunities, including apprenticeships, preapprenticeships, preemployment training, commercial vehicle driver training, or vocational training related to mechanical and support functions that support the trucking industry or the school bus driving industry; or incumbent worker training to prepare workers for the trucking and trucking-related supply chain industries or the school bus driving industry. Preference will be given to entities in compliance with government approved or accredited programs. Reporting requirements, as determined by the board, shall be required.
The board may use up to five percent of funds for administration of grants.
$3,200,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for grants for nursing programs to purchase or upgrade simulation laboratory equipment.
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$410,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to establish a center for excellence in cybersecurity.
$2,068,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,068,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for legal services related to litigation by employees within the community and technical college system challenging the denial of retirement and sick leave benefits. The cases include Wolf v. State and SBCTC, Rush v. State and SBCTC (retirement), and Rush v. State and SBCTC (sick leave).
$4,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to expand the opportunity grant program to provide health care workforce grants for students.
$2,720,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,720,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for each community and technical college to contract with a community-based organization to assist with financial aid access and support in communities.
$3,456,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the expansion of existing programming to accommodate refugees and immigrants who have arrived in Washington state on or after July 1, 2021, and are eligible for federal refugee resettlement services, including those from Afghanistan and Ukraine.
$2,160,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,160,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for nursing education, to increase the number of nursing slots for academic year 2023-24 by at least 50 and build capacity for at least 200 new slots in the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium.
$3,964,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the continued development of a climate solutions and climate justice curriculum.
$23,050,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for institution compensation costs.
$200,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the state board for community and technical colleges to work with interested parties, such as local law enforcement agencies, the department of corrections, representatives of county or city jail facilities, the Washington state patrol, Washington community and technical colleges, and other organizations and entities as appropriate to assess the recruitment and retention challenges for their agencies and develop recommendations to meet the workforce needs. These recommendations should focus on education and training programs that meet the needs of law enforcement and corrections agencies and must include an outreach strategy designed to inform and attract students in non-traditional program pathways. The assessment and recommendations shall be provided in a report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by October 1, 2024.
$180,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the state board for community and technical colleges to work with law enforcement, corrections, Washington community and technical college professionals, and other organizations and entities as appropriate to develop and implement an exploratory course for individuals who are interested in learning more about law enforcement and corrections careers. Course content should include topics such as criminological scholarship, race, and modern policing, the history of race in policing, and should incorporate work site experiential learning visits to criminal justice commission and department of corrections facilities. The course shall be available beginning in the fall term of the 2024 academic year and would continue subject to availability of funding.
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$60,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to support the state board for community and technical colleges' workforce and high demand courses and programs, including career launch endorsed programs offered within community and technical colleges, and for the expansion of these programs to ensure education opportunities in college align with and support the needs of industry.
The amounts provided in this subsection must be used for the following:
Two full-time equivalent staff coordinators housed at the state board for community and technical colleges to coordinate career launch programs and high-demand programs. Duties for at least one coordinator should include technical assistance to programs seeking career launch endorsement and administration of the enrollment expansion grants to career launch endorsed programs; and
One director for the centers of excellence housed at the state board for community and technical colleges.
Workforce programs that are not currently career launch endorsed may apply for a conditional career launch approval. Conditionally approved programs may receive funding as if they were fully career launch endorsed after submitting necessary additional documentation of paid work experience integrated into the high demand program, as described in RCW 28C.30.040.
The state board for community and technical colleges must report biannually by November 1st beginning in 2024 to the governor and legislature on program expenditures including student enrollment, completion, and associated funding award data by program, for all professional technical programs, high demand programs, career launch-endorsed programs, and registered apprenticeships.
$11,400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $11,400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for preventative maintenance fund shift.
$3,600,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for increasing nursing capacity at the state board for community and technical colleges by 200 students in the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium.
$12,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to support the continued diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions.
$954,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,068,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 166, Laws of 2022 (apprenticeships and higher ed).
FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$49,289,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $50,374,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of the college affordability program as set forth in RCW 28B.15.066.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for labor archives of Washington. The university shall work in collaboration with the state board for community and technical colleges.
$8,000,000 of the education legacy trust account—state appropriation is provided solely for the family medicine residency network at the university to maintain the number of residency slots available in Washington.
The university must continue work with the education research and data center to demonstrate progress in computer science and engineering enrollments. By September 1st of each year, the university shall provide a report including but not limited to the cost per student, student completion rates, and the number of low-income students enrolled in each program, any process changes or best-practices implemented by the university, and how many students are enrolled in computer science and engineering programs above the prior academic year.
$14,000,000 of the education legacy trust account—state appropriation is provided solely for the expansion of degrees in the department of computer science and engineering at the Seattle campus.
$3,062,000 of the economic development strategic reserve account—state appropriation is provided solely to support the joint center for aerospace innovation technology.
The University of Washington shall not use funds appropriated in this section to support intercollegiate athletics programs.
$7,345,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $7,345,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the continued operations and expansion of the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho medical school program.
$2,625,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,625,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the institute for stem cell and regenerative medicine. Funds appropriated in this subsection must be dedicated to research utilizing pluripotent stem cells and related research methods.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided to the University of Washington to support youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in the university district of Seattle. Funding is provided for the university to work with community service providers and university colleges and departments to plan for and implement a comprehensive one-stop center with navigation services for homeless youth; the university may contract with the department of commerce to expand services that serve homeless youth in the university district.
$1,800,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,800,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the adult psychiatry residency program at the University of Washington to offer additional residency positions that are approved by the accreditation council for graduate medical education.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the University of Washington's psychiatry integrated care training program.
$640,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $640,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for child and adolescent psychiatry residency positions that are approved by the accreditation council for graduate medical education, as provided in RCW 28B.20.445.
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the University of Washington School of Dentistry to support its role as a major oral health provider to individuals covered by medicaid and the uninsured.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the pre-law pipeline and social justice program at the University of Washington-Tacoma.
$226,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $226,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the university's neurology department to create a telemedicine program to disseminate dementia care best practices to primary care practitioners using the project ECHO model. The program shall provide a virtual connection for providers and content experts and include didactics, case conferences, and an emphasis on practice transformation and systems-level issues that affect care delivery. The initial users of this program shall include referral sources in health care systems and clinics, such as the university's neighborhood clinics and Virginia Mason Memorial in Yakima with a goal of adding 15 to 20 providers from smaller clinics and practices per year.
$102,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $102,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the university's center for international trade in forest products.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Latino center for health.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a firearm policy research program. The program will:
Support investigations of firearm death and injury risk factors;
Evaluate the effectiveness of state firearm laws and policies;
Assess the consequences of firearm violence; and
Develop strategies to reduce the toll of firearm violence to citizens of the state.
$400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $400,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the climate impacts group in the college of the environment.
$300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the college of education to collaborate with teacher preparation programs and the office of the superintendent of public instruction to develop open access climate science educational curriculum for use in teacher preparation programs.
$300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Harry Bridges center for labor studies. The center shall work in collaboration with the state board for community and technical colleges.
$8,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for employee compensation, academic program enhancements, student support services, and other institutional priorities that maintain a quality academic experience for Washington students.
$8,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to maintain degree production in the college of engineering at the Seattle campus.
$1,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to maintain the Washington state academic redshirt program.
$2,700,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to maintain degree capacity and undergraduate enrollments in engineering, mathematics, and science programs to support the biomedical innovation partnership zone at the Bothell campus.
$3,268,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to maintain bachelor of science programs in mechanical and civil engineering to support increased student and local employer demand for graduates in these fields at the Tacoma campus.
$150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $150,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for Washington mathematics, engineering, science achievement programs to provide enrichment opportunities in mathematics, engineering, science, and technology to students who are traditionally underrepresented in these programs.
$75,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $75,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a community care coordinator for transitional-age youth for the doorway project in partnership with the Seattle campus.
$8,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the expansion of the Paul G. Allen school of computer science and engineering in order to award an additional 100 degrees per year focusing on traditionally underrepresented students.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to expand a series of online courses related to behavioral health and student well-being that are currently offered at the Bothell campus for school district staff. The standards for the courses must be consistent with knowledge, skill, and performance standards related to mental health and well-being of public school students. The online courses must provide:
Foundational knowledge in behavioral health, mental health, and mental illness;
Information on how to assess, intervene upon, and refer behavioral health and intersection of behavioral health and substance use issues; and
Approaches to promote health and positively influence student health behaviors.
To ensure transparency and accountability, in the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium the University of Washington shall comply with any and all financial and accountability audits by the Washington state auditor including any and all audits of university services offered to the general public, including those offered through any public-private partnership, business venture, affiliation, or joint venture with a public or private entity, except the government of the United States. The university shall comply with all state auditor requests for the university's financial and business information including the university's governance and financial participation in these public-private partnerships, business ventures, affiliations, or joint ventures with a public or private entity. In any instance in which the university declines to produce the information to the state auditor, the university will provide the state auditor a brief summary of the documents withheld and a citation of the legal or contractual provision that prevents disclosure. The summaries must be compiled into a report by the state auditor and provided on a quarterly basis to the legislature.
$200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Burke museum of natural history and culture to make education programs offered by the museum accessible to more students across Washington, especially students in underserved schools and locations. The funding shall be used for:
Increasing the number of students who participate in Burke education programs at reduced or no cost, including virtual programs;
Providing bus reimbursement for students visiting the museum on field trips and to support travel to bring museum programs across the state; and
Staff who will form partnerships with school districts to serve statewide communities more efficiently and equitably, including through the Burkemobile program.
$410,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $410,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the university's center for human rights. The appropriation must be used to supplement, not supplant, other funding sources for the center for human rights.
$143,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $143,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to the University of Washington for the establishment and operation of the state forensic anthropologist. The university shall work in conjunction with and provide the full funding directly to the King county medical examiner's office to support the statewide work of the state forensic anthropologist.
$64,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $64,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for one full-time mental health counselor licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW who has experience and training specifically related to working with active members of the military or military veterans.
$443,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $443,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the creation of the center for environmental forensic science.
$557,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $557,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 275, Laws of 2021 (diversity, etc./higher education).
$1,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,250,000 of the general fund—state appropriation are provided solely for the community-engagement test to facilitate clean energy transitions by partnering with communities, utilities, and project developers.
$2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for staffing and operational expenditures related to the battery fabrication testbed.
$505,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $505,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for pharmacy behavioral health. The University of Washington school of pharmacy/medicine pharmacy services will hire two residency training positions and one behavioral health faculty to create a residency program focused on behavioral health.
$1,613,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and 1,613,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for an increase in the number of nursing slots and graduates in the already established accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program. Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $273,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $273,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Tacoma school of nursing and healthcare leadership.
$100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the memory and brain wellness center to support the statewide expansion of the dementia friends program.
$77,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $77,000 of the general fund—state appropriation are provided solely to maintain a data repository to assist the state and all political subdivisions with evaluating whether and to what extent existing laws and practices with respect to voting and elections are consistent with public policy, implementing best practices in voting and elections, and to investigate potential infringements upon the right to vote.
$122,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $122,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for sexual assault nurse examiner training.
$120,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $120,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 191, Laws of 2022 (veterans & military suicide).
$20,490,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for institution compensation support.
$2,375,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,183,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the behavioral health teaching faculty physician and facility support.
$3,000,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the development of an energy transformation strategy to modernize the energy infrastructure and better align the institution's sustainability values at the Seattle campus.
$12,913,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $12,913,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for preventative maintenance fund shift.
$194,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $138,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0072.2/23) (buy clean, buy fair).
$10,578,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for tri-campus high demand enrollments. Within the amounts provided in this subsection (53):
$6,000,000 is provided solely for increasing enrollments and adding graduates to the Allen school of computer science and engineering at the Seattle campus.
$1,724,000 is provided solely for increasing diverse premajor students in accessing and graduating with computer science related degrees at the Bothell campus.
$2,854,000 is provided solely for increasing enrollments in computing and engineering programs at the Tacoma campus.
$4,326,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the expansion of the regional initiatives in dental education (RIDE) program.
$520,000 of the natural climate solutions account—state appropriation is provided solely for the biological response to ocean acidification to advance high-priority biological experiments to better understand the relationship between marine organisms and ocean acidification.
FOR WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$90,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $90,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a rural economic development and outreach coordinator.
The university must continue work with the education research and data center to demonstrate progress in computer science and engineering enrollments. By September 1st of each year, the university shall provide a report including but not limited to the cost per student, student completion rates, and the number of low-income students enrolled in each program, any process changes or best-practices implemented by the university, and how many students are enrolled in computer science and engineering programs above the prior academic year.
$500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for state match requirements related to the federal aviation administration grant.
Washington State University shall not use funds appropriated in this section to support intercollegiate athletic programs.
$7,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $7,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, and $22,800,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation are provided solely for the continued development and operations of a medical school program in Spokane.
$135,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $135,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for a honey bee biology research position.
$35,037,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $35,808,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of the college affordability program as set forth in RCW 28B.15.066.
$580,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $580,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the development of an organic agriculture systems degree program located at the university center in Everett.
$630,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $630,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the creation of an electrical engineering program located in Bremerton. At full implementation, the university is expected to increase degree production by 25 new bachelor's degrees per year. The university must identify these students separately when providing data to the education research data center as required in subsection (2) of this section.
$1,370,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,370,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the creation of software engineering and data analytic programs at the university center in Everett. At full implementation, the university is expected to enroll 50 students per academic year. The university must identify these students separately when providing data to the education research data center as required in subsection (2) of this section.
General fund—state appropriations in this section are reduced to reflect a reduction in state-supported tuition waivers for graduate students. When reducing tuition waivers, the university will not change its practices and procedures for providing eligible veterans with tuition waivers.
$1,154,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,154,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 36, Laws of 2017 3rd sp. sess. (renewable energy, tax incentives).
$376,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $376,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for chapter 202, Laws of 2017 (children's mental health).
$585,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $585,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 159, Laws of 2017 (elk hoof disease).
$2,076,000 of the model toxics control operating account—state appropriation is provided solely for the university's soil health initiative and its network of long-term agroecological research and extension (LTARE) sites. The network must include a Mount Vernon REC site.
$600,000 of the climate commitment act—state appropriation is provided solely for the Washington State University energy program to conduct a least-conflict pumped storage sitting project for Washington state. The project scope may include the colocation of pumped storage with wind or solar energy generation. This program shall engage all relevant stakeholders to identify areas where there is the least amount of potential conflict in the sitting of pumped storage and to develop a map highlighting these areas, with protections taken to prevent disclosure of sensitive tribal information.
$42,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $42,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for one full-time mental health counselor licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW who has experience and training specifically related to working with active members of the military or military veterans.
$33,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $33,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for compensation funding for Western Washington University employees that work on the Washington State University Everett campus.
$341,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $341,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for pharmacy behavioral health. Washington State University college of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences will hire two residency training positions and one behavioral health faculty to create a residency program focused on behavioral health.
$6,201,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for institution compensation support costs.
$608,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $608,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for the Washington state academy of sciences to provide support for core operations and to accomplish its mission of providing science in the service of Washington, pursuant to its memorandum of understanding with the university.
$188,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $188,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for stormwater research to study the long-term efficacy of green stormwater infrastructure that incorporates compost to remove pollutants.
$2,056,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to establish a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity operations.
$68,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $68,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for implementation of chapter 212, Laws of 2022 (community solar projects).
$7,721,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the creation of the institute for northwest energy futures.
$4,386,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for increasing nursing salaries at the institution to the 50th percentile range among nurses with similar credentials in Washington.
$2,521,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the establishment of a bachelor of science in public health degree at the Pullman, Spokane, and Vancouver campuses.
$600,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $600,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for increasing the base funding for the William D. Ruckleshaus Center.
$5,058,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $5,057,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for preventative maintenance fund shift.
FOR EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
At least $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and at least $200,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 must be expended on the Northwest autism center.
The university must continue work with the education research and data center to demonstrate progress in computer science and engineering enrollments. By September 1st of each year, the university shall provide a report including but not limited to the cost per student, student completion rates, and the number of low-income students enrolled in each program, any process changes or best-practices implemented by the university, and how many students are enrolled in computer science and engineering programs above the prior academic year.
Eastern Washington University shall not use funds appropriated in this section to support intercollegiate athletics programs.
$12,586,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $12,862,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of the college affordability program as set forth in RCW 28B.15.066.
Within amounts appropriated in this section, the university is encouraged to increase the number of tenure-track positions created and hired.
$1,383,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for institution compensation support costs.
$4,598,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to expand faculty and staff to create a cohort of 80 students in the bachelor of nursing program.
$1,515,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for hiring four personnel and purchasing and installing cameras throughout campus to better coordinate emergency response and resources for critical incidents.
$1,109,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,109,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for preventative maintenance fund shift.
FOR CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The university must continue work with the education research and data center to demonstrate progress in engineering enrollments. By September 1st of each year, the university shall provide a report including but not limited to the cost per student, student completion rates, and the number of low-income students enrolled in each program, any process changes or best-practices implemented by the university, and how many students are enrolled in engineering programs above the prior academic year.
Central Washington University shall not use funds appropriated in this section to support intercollegiate athletics programs.
$14,186,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $14,498,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of the college affordability program as set forth in RCW 28B.15.066.
Within amounts appropriated in this section, the university is encouraged to increase the number of tenure-track positions created and hired.
$920,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for institution compensation support costs.
$2,019,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for student success. Students will receive discipline specific tutoring programs, peer assisted learning sessions, and academic success coaching.
$967,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to develop and implement grow your own residency programs in high need areas of elementary, bilingual, special education, and English language learners.
$1,211,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,211,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for preventative maintenance fund shift.
FOR THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$4,315,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $4,410,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of the college affordability program as set forth in RCW 28B.15.066.
Funding provided in this section is sufficient for The Evergreen State College to continue operations of the Longhouse Center and the Northwest Indian applied research institute.
Within amounts appropriated in this section, the college is encouraged to increase the number of tenure-track positions created and hired.
$2,814,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,418,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the Washington state institute for public policy to initiate, sponsor, conduct, and publish research that is directly useful to policymakers and manage reviews and evaluations of technical and scientific topics as they relate to major long-term issues facing the state. Within the amounts provided in this subsection (4):
$1,649,000 of the amounts in fiscal year 2024 and $1,667,000 of the amounts in fiscal year 2025 are provided for administration and core operations.
$1,165,000 of the amounts in fiscal year 2024 and $751,000 of the amounts in fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for ongoing and continuing studies on the Washington state institute for public policy's work plan.
Notwithstanding other provisions in this subsection, the board of directors for the Washington state institute for public policy may adjust due dates for projects included on the institute's 2023-25 work plan as necessary to efficiently manage workload.
$429,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for compensation support costs.
$440,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $440,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for preventative maintenance fund shift.
$1,299,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for hiring a student advisor and underserved student specialist to provide student support for STEM and administrative support for the native pathways program.
$1,042,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the expansion of corrections education offerings to currently incarcerated students and the expansion of reentry services. The institution will also provide new education and training to the department of correction employees.
$2,311,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for modernizing outdated information technology systems to have streamlined, user friendly systems.
FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The university must continue work with the education research and data center to demonstrate progress in computer science and engineering enrollments. By September 1st of each year, the university shall provide a report including but not limited to the cost per student, student completion rates, and the number of low-income students enrolled in each program, any process changes or best-practices implemented by the university, and how many students are enrolled in computer science and engineering programs above the prior academic year.
Western Washington University shall not use funds appropriated in this section to support intercollegiate athletics programs.
$19,580,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $20,010,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the implementation of the college affordability program as set forth in RCW 28B.15.066.
$700,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $700,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the creation and implementation of an early childhood education degree program at the western on the peninsulas campus. The university must collaborate with Olympic college. At full implementation, the university is expected to grant approximately 75 bachelor's degrees in early childhood education per year at the western on the peninsulas campus.
$1,306,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,306,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the university to develop a new program in marine, coastal, and watershed sciences.
$886,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $886,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the university to reduce tuition rates for four-year degree programs offered in partnership with Olympic college—Bremerton, Olympic college—Poulsbo, and Peninsula college—Port Angeles that are currently above state-funded resident undergraduate tuition rates.
Within amounts appropriated in this section, the university is encouraged to increase the number of tenure-track positions created and hired.
$1,853,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for institution compensation support costs.
$208,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely to inventory and assess camp facilities that could be used to provide additional capacity for Washington state outdoor learning and outdoor education programs as described in RCW 28A.300.790, including locating and identifying endangered camp facilities or underutilized facilities, both public and private, and including state and federal public land facilities, local parks and recreation and conservation facilities. The inventory shall include but not be limited to identifying ADA accessibility, food service capacity, maintenance needs, operations model, and total student capacity. The inventory report will focus primarily on facilities with overnight accommodations, but day-use only facilities with outdoor education attributes can also be considered. A report is due to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than September 1, 2024.
$1,498,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely to create a master's degree in clean energy and climate solutions.
$4,726,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the western on the peninsulas expansion. This includes new two for two degrees programs such as industrial engineering, data science and sociology, and master of social work programs.
$2,798,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for expanded remedial math and additional English 101 courses, as well first year seminars, and disability accommodation counselors.
$1,318,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for community safety and resiliency. Funding will support mental health first aid training for faculty and investments in video security cameras, and emergency preparedness.
$1,807,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,807,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for preventative maintenance fund shift.
FOR THE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COUNCIL—POLICY COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$126,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $126,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the consumer protection unit.
The student achievement council must ensure that all institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.92.030 and eligible for state financial aid programs under chapters 28B.92 and 28B.118 RCW provide the data needed to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of state financial aid programs. This data must be promptly transmitted to the education data center so that it is available and easily accessible.
$5,778,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Washington student achievement council to contract with a statewide nonprofit organization located in King county to expand college services to support underserved students and improve college retention and completion rates.
$46,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $46,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for the state of Washington's annual dues to the education commission of the state.
$100,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for an education assessment to be conducted related to the educational needs of northeast Washington. This assessment will help to identify higher education opportunities. The Washington state achievement council may contract with a private entity to conduct this study.
$2,538,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0132.2/23) (establishing the office of career connect Washington). The office of career connect Washington will collaborate with the department of employment security and the Washington state student achievement council to develop a recommendation on whether the administration of the career connected learning grant program and other career connected learning funds should transfer from the department of employment security to the office of career connect Washington. A report with the recommendations is due to the governor and legislature by November 1, 2024, and must include an analysis of financial, personnel, and efficiency impacts of such a transfer, and a proposed transfer plan if deemed appropriate.
$3,150,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is solely provided to create and expand career connected learning programs.
$356,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Washington student achievement council to staff the workforce education investment accountability and oversight board as provided in House/Senate Bill No. . . . (H-0210.1/23) (workforce investment board). If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2023, the amount provided in this subsection shall lapse.
$8,000,000 of the innovation and quality account—nonappropriated is provided solely for the student achievement council to continue to administer a competitive grant program, the Washington career and college pathways innovations challenge.
$100,000,000 of the Washington student loan account—state appropriation and $50,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation are provided solely for the implementation of chapter 206, Laws of 2022 (student loan program).
$179,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $179,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for 1 FTE for the complete Washington program that the agency will administer.
$16,000,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation is provided solely for the good jobs challenge grant expenditure authority.
FOR THE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COUNCIL—OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$7,834,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $7,835,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for student financial aid payments under the state work study program, including up to four percent administrative allowance for the state work study program.
$276,416,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $276,416,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, $149,409,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation, $69,639,000 of the education legacy trust fund—state appropriation, and $67,654,000 of the Washington opportunity pathways account—state appropriation are provided solely for the Washington college grant program as provided in RCW 28B.92.200.
Changes made to the state work study program in the 2009-2011 and 2011-2013 fiscal biennia are continued in the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium including maintaining the increased required employer share of wages; adjusted employer match rates; discontinuation of nonresident student eligibility for the program; and revising distribution methods to institutions by taking into consideration other factors such as off-campus job development, historical utilization trends, and student need.
$1,165,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024, $1,165,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025, $15,849,000 of the education legacy trust account—state appropriation, and $14,673,000 of the Washington opportunity pathways account—state appropriation are provided solely for the college bound scholarship program and may support scholarships for summer session. The office of student financial assistance and the institutions of higher education shall not consider awards made by the opportunity scholarship program to be state-funded for the purpose of determining the value of an award amount under RCW 28B.118.010.
$6,999,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $6,999,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the passport to college program. The maximum scholarship award is up to $5,000. The council shall contract with a nonprofit organization to provide support services to increase student completion in their postsecondary program and shall, under this contract, provide a minimum of $500,000 in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for this purpose.
$3,800,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $3,800,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for expenditure into the health professionals loan repayment and scholarship program account. These amounts must be used to increase the number of licensed primary care health professionals to serve in licensed primary care health professional critical shortage areas. Contracts between the office and program recipients must guarantee at least three years of conditional loan repayments. The office of student financial assistance and the department of health shall prioritize a portion of any nonfederal balances in the health professional loan repayment and scholarship fund for conditional loan repayment contracts with psychiatrists and with advanced registered nurse practitioners for work at one of the state-operated psychiatric hospitals. The office and department shall designate the state hospitals as health professional shortage areas if necessary for this purpose. The office shall coordinate with the department of social and health services to effectively incorporate three conditional loan repayments into the department's advanced psychiatric professional recruitment and retention strategies. The office may use these targeted amounts for other program participants should there be any remaining amounts after eligible psychiatrists and advanced registered nurse practitioners have been served. The office shall also work to prioritize loan repayments to professionals working at health care delivery sites that demonstrate a commitment to serving uninsured clients. It is the intent of the legislature to provide funding to maintain the current number and amount of awards for the program in the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium on the basis of these contractual obligations.
$8,392,000 of the general fund—state appropriation in fiscal year 2024 is provided solely to meet the state match requirements associated with the opportunity scholarship program. The legislature will evaluate subsequent appropriations to the opportunity scholarship program based on the extent that additional private contributions are made, program spending patterns, and fund balance.
$199,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 is provided solely for the rural jobs state match.
$2,003,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to increase the Washington college grant award for students that attend a private four-year institution by 2.4 percent.
FOR THE WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$240,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $240,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the health workforce council of the state workforce training and education coordinating board. In partnership with the office of the governor, the health workforce council shall continue to assess workforce shortages across behavioral health disciplines and incorporate the recommended action plan completed in 2020.
$150,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely to support the workforce education investment accountability and oversight board established in RCW 28C.18.200.
$785,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $779,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for updating the agency's interactive career and education exploration platform, career bridge modernization.
$534,000 of the climate commitment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the implementation of the clean energy technology workforce advisory committee created in House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0226/23) (climate service corps). The agency will hire a project manager and a subject matter expert contractor for the clean energy technology advisory committee. The agency will also conduct a study in fiscal year 2024 of the feasibility of a transition to retirement program to ensure income and medical and retirement benefits are not interrupted for workers close to retirement that face job loss or transition because of clean energy technology sector changes.
$92,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $92,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for an information technology FTE to collaborate with other state workforce agencies to help identify a governance structure that provides strategic direction on cross-organizational information technology projects.
$1,000,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for additional funding to the Washington award for vocational excellence.
FOR THE STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: Funding provided in this section is sufficient for the school to offer to students enrolled in grades six through twelve for full-time instructional services at the Vancouver campus or online with the opportunity to participate in a minimum of one thousand eighty hours of instruction and the opportunity to earn twenty-four high school credits.
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD DEAFNESS AND HEARING LOSS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: Funding provided in this section is sufficient for the center to offer students ages three through twenty-one enrolled at Washington School for the Deaf the opportunity to participate in a minimum of one thousand eighty hours of instruction and the opportunity to earn twenty-four high school credits.
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE ARTS COMMISSION
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR THE EASTERN WASHINGTON STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT POOL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The appropriations in this section are provided solely for expenditure into the information technology investment revolving account created in RCW 43.41.433. Amounts in the account are provided solely for the information technology projects shown in OFM document 2023-1, dated December 14, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference. To facilitate the transfer of moneys from other funds and accounts that are associated with projects contained in OFM document 2023-1, dated December 14, 2022, the state treasurer is directed to transfer moneys from other funds and accounts to the information technology investment revolving account in accordance with schedules provided by the office of financial management. Restricted federal funds may be transferred only to the extent permitted by law, and will otherwise remain outside the information technology investment account. The projects affected remain subject to the other provisions of this section.
Agencies must apply to the office of the chief information officer for certification and release of funding for each gate of the project. When the office of the chief information officer certifies the key deliverables of the gate have been met and a current technology budget is approved, it must notify the office of financial management and the fiscal committees of the legislature. The office of financial management may not approve funding for the certified project gate any earlier than ten business days from the date of notification to the fiscal committees of the legislature.
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Allocations and allotments of information technology investment revolving account must be made for discrete stages of projects as determined by the technology budget approved by the office of the chief information officer and office of financial management.
Fifteen percent of total funding allocated by the office of financial management, or another amount as defined jointly by the office of financial management and the office of the chief information officer, will be retained in the account, but remain allocated to that project. The retained funding will be released to the agency only after successful completion of that stage of the project. For the one Washington project, the amount retained is increased to at least twenty percent of total funding allocated for any stage of that project.
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Each project must have a technology budget. The technology budget must have the detail by fiscal month for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. The technology budget must use a method similar to the state capital budget, identifying project costs, each fund source, and anticipated deliverables through each stage of the entire project investment and across fiscal periods and biennia from project onset through implementation and close out, as well as at least five years of maintenance and operations costs.
As part of the development of a technology budget and at each request for funding, the agency shall submit an updated technology budget, if changes occurred, to include detailed financial information to the office of financial management and the office of the chief information officer. The technology budget must describe the total cost of the project, as well as maintenance and operations costs, to include and identify at least:
(A) If the project is funded from the information technology revolving account, the technology budget must include a worksheet that provides the fund sources that were transferred into the account by fiscal year;
(B) If the project is by a central service agency, and funds are driven out by the central service model, the technology budget must provide a statewide impact by agency by fund as a worksheet in the technology budget file;
ii. Full time equivalent staffing level to include job classification assumptions;
iii. Discrete financial budget codes to include at least the appropriation index and program index;
iv. Object and subobject codes of expenditures;
v. Anticipated deliverables;
vi. Historical budget and expenditure detail by fiscal year; and
vii. Maintenance and operations costs by fiscal year for at least five years as a separate worksheet.
c. If a project technology budget changes and a revised technology budget is completed, a comparison of the revised technology budget to the last approved technology budget must be posted to the dashboard, to include a narrative rationale on what changed, why, and how that impacts the project in scope, budget, and schedule.
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Each project must have an investment plan that includes:
An organizational chart of the project management team that identifies team members and their roles and responsibilities;
The office of the chief information officer staff assigned to the project;
An implementation schedule covering activities, critical milestones, and deliverables at each stage of the project for the life of the project at each agency affected by the project;
Performance measures used to determine that the project is on time, within budget, and meeting expectations for quality of work product;
Ongoing maintenance and operations cost of the project post implementation and close out delineated by agency staffing, contracted staffing, and service level agreements; and
Projects with estimated costs greater than one hundred million dollars from initiation to completion and implementation may be divided into discrete subprojects as determined by the office of the chief information officer, except for the one Washington project which must be divided into the following discrete subprojects: Core financials, expanding financials and procurement, budget, and human resources. Each subproject must have a technology budget and investment plan as provided in this section.
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The office of the chief information officer shall maintain an information technology project dashboard that provides updated information each fiscal month on projects subject to this section. This includes, at least:
Project changes each fiscal month;
Noting if the project has a completed market requirements document, and when it was completed;
Financial status of information technology projects under oversight;
Coordination with agencies;
Monthly quality assurance reports, if applicable;
Monthly office of the chief information officer status reports;
Historical project budget and expenditures through fiscal year 2021;
Budget and expenditures each fiscal month;
ix. Estimated annual maintenance and operations costs by fiscal year; and
(A) Office of the chief information officer;
(B) Agency project team; and
(C) Quality assurance vendor, if applicable to the project.
b. The dashboard must retain a roll up of the entire project cost, including all subprojects, that can display subproject detail. This includes coalition projects that are active.
If the project affects more than one agency:
A separate technology budget and investment plan must be prepared for each agency; and
The dashboard must contain a statewide project technology budget roll up that includes each affected agency at the subproject level.
For any project that exceeds two million dollars in total funds to complete, requires more than one biennium to complete, or is financed through financial contracts, bonds, or other indebtedness:
Quality assurance for the project must report independently to the office of the chief information officer;
The office of the chief information officer must review, and, if necessary, revise the proposed project to ensure it is flexible and adaptable to advances in technology;
The technology budget must specifically identify the uses of any financing proceeds. No more than thirty percent of the financing proceeds may be used for payroll-related costs for state employees assigned to project management, installation, testing, or training;
The agency must consult with the office of the state treasurer during the competitive procurement process to evaluate early in the process whether products and services to be solicited and the responsive bids from a solicitation may be financed; and
The agency must consult with the contracting division of the department of enterprise services for a review of all contracts and agreements related to the project's information technology procurements.
The office of the chief information officer must evaluate the project at each stage and certify whether the project is planned, managed, and meeting deliverable targets as defined in the project's approved technology budget and investment plan.
The office of the chief information officer may suspend or terminate a project at any time if it determines that the project is not meeting or not expected to meet anticipated performance and technology outcomes. Once suspension or termination occurs, the agency shall unallot any unused funding and shall not make any expenditure for the project without the approval of the office of financial management. The office of the chief information officer must report on July 1 and December 1 each calendar year any suspension or termination of a project in the previous six month period to the legislative fiscal committees.
The office of the chief information officer, in consultation with the office of financial management, may identify additional projects to be subject to this section, including projects that are not separately identified within an agency budget. The office of the chief information officer must report on July 1 and December 1 each calendar year any additional projects to be subjected to this section that were identified in the previous six month period to the legislative fiscal committees.
Any cost to administer or implement this section for projects listed in subsection (1) of this section, must be paid from the information technology investment revolving account. For any other information technology project made subject to the conditions, limitations, and review of this section, the cost to implement this section must be paid from the funds for that project.
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR DEBT SUBJECT TO THE DEBT LIMIT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The general fund appropriations are for expenditure into the debt-limit general fund bond retirement account.
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT TO BE REIMBURSED AS PRESCRIBED BY STATUTE
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The general fund appropriation is for expenditure into the nondebt limit general fund bond retirement account.
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR BOND SALE EXPENSES
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY FUNDING
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for the critically necessary work of any state agency in the event of an emergent or unforeseen circumstance. Prior to the allocation of funding from this subsection (1), the requesting agency and the office of financial management must comply with the provisions of RCW 43.88.250.
$2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2024 and $2,500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 are provided for individual assistance consistent with RCW 38.52.030(9) during an emergency proclaimed by the governor, as defined in RCW 38.52.010. The office of financial management must notify the fiscal committees of the legislature of the receipt by the governor or adjutant general of each application or request for individual assistance from the amounts provided in this subsection (2). The office of financial management may not approve or release funding for 10 business days from the date of notification to the fiscal committees of the legislature.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY REVOLVING ACCOUNT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the education technology revolving account for the purpose of covering ongoing operational and equipment replacement costs incurred by the K-20 educational network program in providing telecommunication services to network participants.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—O'BRIEN BUILDING IMPROVEMENT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the enterprise services account for payment of principal, interest, and financing expenses associated with the certificate of participation for the O'Brien building improvement, project number 20081007.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—CHERBERG BUILDING REHABILITATION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the enterprise services account for payment of principal, interest, and financing expenses associated with the certificate of participation for the Cherberg building improvements, project number 2002-1-005.
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ASSISTANCE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The state treasurer shall distribute the appropriations to the following counties and health districts in the amounts designated to support public health services, including public health nursing:
Health District
FY 2024
FY 2025
2023-2025 Biennium
Adams County Integrated Health Care Services
$121,213
$121,213
$242,426
Asotin County Health District
$159,890
$159,890
$319,780
Benton-Franklin Health District
$1,614,337
$1,614,337
$3,228,674
Chelan-Douglas Health District
$399,634
$399,634
$799,268
Clallam County Health and Human Services Department
$291,401
$291,401
$582,802
Clark County Public Health
$1,767,341
$1,767,341
$3,534,682
Skamania County Community Health
$111,327
$111,327
$222,654
Columbia County Health District
$119,991
$119,991
$239,982
Cowlitz County Health and Human Services
$477,981
$477,981
$955,962
Garfield County Health District
$93,154
$93,154
$186,308
Grant County Health District
$297,761
$297,761
$595,522
Grays Harbor Public Health and Social Services
$335,666
$335,666
$671,332
Island County Health Department
$255,224
$255,224
$510,448
Jefferson County Public Health
$184,080
$184,080
$368,160
Public Health - Seattle & King County
$12,685,521
$12,685,521
$25,371,042
Kitsap Public Health District
$997,476
$997,476
$1,994,952
Kittitas County Public Health
$198,979
$198,979
$397,958
Klickitat County Public Health
$153,784
$153,784
$307,568
Lewis County Public Health and Social Services
$263,134
$263,134
$526,268
Lincoln County Health Department
$113,917
$113,917
$227,834
Mason County Public Health and Human Services
$227,448
$227,448
$454,896
Okanogan County Public Health
$169,882
$169,882
$339,764
Pacific County Health and Human Services
$169,075
$169,075
$338,150
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
$4,143,169
$4,143,169
$8,286,338
San Juan County Health and Community Services
$126,569
$126,569
$253,138
Skagit County Health Department
$449,745
$449,745
$899,490
Snohomish Health District
$3,433,291
$3,433,291
$6,866,582
Spokane Regional Health District
$2,877,318
$2,877,318
$5,754,636
Northeast Tri-County Health District
$249,303
$249,303
$498,606
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services
$1,046,897
$1,046,897
$2,093,794
Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services
$93,181
$93,181
$186,362
Walla Walla County Department of Community Health
$302,173
$302,173
$604,346
Whatcom County Health Department
$1,214,301
$1,214,301
$2,428,602
Whitman County Health Department
$189,355
$189,355
$378,710
Yakima Health District
$1,052,482
$1,052,482
$2,104,964
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
$36,386,000
$36,386,000
$72,772,000
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—COUNTY CLERK LEGAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATION GRANTS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: By October 1st of each fiscal year, the state treasurer shall distribute the appropriations to the following county clerk offices in the amounts designated as grants for the collection of legal financial obligations pursuant to RCW 2.56.190:
County Clerk
FY 2024
FY 2025
Adams County Clerk
$2,103
$1,714
Asotin County Clerk
$2,935
$2,392
Benton County Clerk
$18,231
$14,858
Chelan County Clerk
$7,399
$6,030
Clallam County Clerk
$5,832
$4,753
Clark County Clerk
$32,635
$26,597
Columbia County Clerk
$384
$313
Cowlitz County Clerk
$16,923
$13,792
Douglas County Clerk
$3,032
$2,471
Ferry County Clerk
$422
$344
Franklin County Clerk
$5,486
$4,471
Garfield County Clerk
$243
$198
Grant County Clerk
$10,107
$8,237
Grays Harbor County Clerk
$8,659
$7,057
Island County Clerk
$3,059
$2,493
Jefferson County Clerk
$1,859
$1,515
King County Court Clerk
$119,290
$97,266
Kitsap County Clerk
$22,242
$18,127
Kittitas County Clerk
$3,551
$2,894
Klickitat County Clerk
$2,151
$1,753
Lewis County Clerk
$10,340
$8,427
Lincoln County Clerk
$724
$590
Mason County Clerk
$5,146
$4,194
Okanogan County Clerk
$3,978
$3,242
Pacific County Clerk
$2,411
$1,965
Pend Oreille County Clerk
$611
$498
Pierce County Clerk
$77,102
$62,837
San Juan County Clerk
$605
$493
Skagit County Clerk
$11,059
$9,013
Skamania County Clerk
$1,151
$938
Snohomish County Clerk
$38,143
$31,086
Spokane County Clerk
$44,825
$36,578
Stevens County Clerk
$2,984
$2,432
Thurston County Clerk
$22,204
$18,096
Wahkiakum County Clerk
$400
$326
Walla Walla County Clerk
$4,935
$4,022
Whatcom County Clerk
$20,728
$16,893
Whitman County Clerk
$2,048
$1,669
Yakima County Clerk
$25,063
$20,426
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
$541,000
$441,000
BELATED CLAIMS
The agencies and institutions of the state may expend moneys appropriated in this act, upon approval of the office of financial management, for the payment of supplies and services furnished to the agency or institution in prior fiscal biennia.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—FOUNDATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations in this section are provided solely for distribution as provided in RCW 43.70.515.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—COMMON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations in this section are provided solely for expenditure into the common school construction account—state on July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, for an interest payment pursuant to RCW 90.38.130.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—NATURAL RESOURCES REAL PROPERTY REPLACEMENT ACCOUNT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations in this section are provided solely for expenditure into the natural resources real property replacement account—state on July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, for an interest payment pursuant to RCW 90.38.130.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—ANDY HILL CANCER RESEARCH ENDOWMENT FUND MATCH TRANSFER ACCOUNT
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriation in this section is provided solely for expenditure into the Andy Hill cancer research endowment fund match transfer account per RCW 43.348.080 to fund the Andy Hill cancer research endowment program. Matching funds using the amounts appropriated in this section may not be used to fund new grants that exceed two years in duration.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—NORTHEAST WASHINGTON WOLF-LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriation is provided solely for expenditure into the northeast Washington wolf-livestock management account for the deployment of nonlethal wolf deterrence resources as provided in chapter 16.76 RCW.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ACCOUNT
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the long-term services and supports account pursuant to chapter 98, Laws of 2020 and chapter 363, Laws of 2019. This constitutes a loan from the general fund and must be repaid, with interest, to the general fund by June 30, 2024.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—STATE HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY ACCOUNT
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the state health care affordability account created in RCW 43.71.130.
It is the intent of the legislature to continue the policy of expending $5,000,000 into the account each fiscal year in future biennia for the purpose of funding premium assistance for customers ineligible for federal premium tax credits who meet the eligibility criteria established in section 214(11)(a) of this act. Future expenditures into the account are contingent upon approval of the applicable waiver described in section 214(12)(b) of this act.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE ACCOUNT: JUVENILE CODE REVISIONS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the county criminal justice assistance account for costs to the criminal justice system associated with the implementation of chapter 338, Laws of 1997 (juvenile code revisions). The amounts provided in this subsection are intended to provide funding for county adult court costs associated with the implementation of chapter 338, Laws of 1997 and shall be distributed in accordance with RCW 82.14.310.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE ACCOUNT: REPEAT OFFENDERS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations in this section, or so much thereof as may be necessary, are provided solely for expenditure into the county criminal justice assistance account. The treasurer shall make quarterly distributions from the county criminal justice assistance account of the amounts provided in this section in accordance with RCW 82.14.310 for the purposes of reimbursing local jurisdictions for increased costs incurred as a result of the mandatory arrest of repeat offenders pursuant to chapter 35, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess. The appropriations and distributions made under this section constitute appropriate reimbursement for costs for any new programs or increased level of services for the purposes of RCW 43.135.060.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—MUNICIPAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE ACCOUNT: REPEAT OFFENDERS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations in this section, or so much thereof as may be necessary, are appropriated for expenditure into the municipal criminal justice assistance account. The treasurer shall make quarterly distributions from the municipal criminal justice assistance account of the amounts provided in this section in accordance with RCW 82.14.320 and 82.14.330, for the purposes of reimbursing local jurisdictions for increased costs incurred as a result of the mandatory arrest of repeat offenders pursuant to chapter 35, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess. The appropriations and distributions made under this section constitute appropriate reimbursement for costs for any new programs or increased level of services for the purposes of RCW 43.135.060.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—INDIAN HEALTH IMPROVEMENT REINVESTMENT ACCOUNT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the Indian health improvement reinvestment account created in RCW 43.71B.040.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—OUTDOOR EDUCATION ACCOUNT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the outdoor education and recreation program account for the purposes identified in RCW 79A.05.351.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—UNIVERSAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES ACCOUNT
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriation is provided solely for expenditure into the universal communications services account created in RCW 80.36.690.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—WASHINGTON CAREER AND COLLEGE PATHWAYS INNOVATION CHALLENGE PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriation is provided solely for expenditure into the Washington career and college pathways innovation challenge program account created in RCW 28B.120.040 to implement chapter 244, Laws of 2022 (innovation challenge program). The student achievement council must report to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature on the uses of the general fund moneys deposited in the account by December 1 of each fiscal year of the biennium.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—WASHINGTON INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN ACCOUNT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the Washington internet crimes against children account created in RCW 43.101.435.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—LANDLORD MITIGATION PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriation is provided solely for expenditure into the landlord mitigation program account created in RCW 43.31.615.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—CONSOLIDATED TECHNOLOGY SERVICES REVOLVING ACCOUNT
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations are provided solely for expenditure into the consolidated technology services revolving account created in RCW 43.105.342.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF RETIREMENT SYSTEMS—CONTRIBUTIONS TO RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The appropriations for the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system shall be made on a monthly basis consistent with chapter 41.45 RCW, and the appropriations for the judges and judicial retirement systems shall be made on a quarterly basis consistent with chapters 2.10 and 2.12 RCW.
There is appropriated for state contributions to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system:
There is appropriated for contributions to the judicial retirement system:
There is appropriated for contributions to the judges' retirement system:
FOR THE BOARD FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND RESERVE OFFICERS—CONTRIBUTIONS TO RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
There is appropriated for state contributions to the volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' relief and pension principal fund:
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: Funding is provided for compensation and benefits for legislative branch employees, as shown in OFM document 2023-2, dated December 14, 2022.
CENTRAL SERVICE CHARGES
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: Funding is provided for central service charges for legislative branch agencies, as shown in OFM document 2023-3, dated December 14, 2022.
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—STATE REVENUES FOR DISTRIBUTION
The total expenditures from the state treasury under the appropriations in this section shall not exceed the funds available under statutory distributions for the stated purposes.
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—FOR THE COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE ACCOUNT
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The amount appropriated in this section shall be distributed quarterly during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium in accordance with RCW 82.14.310. This funding is provided to counties for the costs of implementing criminal justice legislation including, but not limited to: Chapter 206, Laws of 1998 (drunk driving penalties); chapter 207, Laws of 1998 (DUI penalties); chapter 208, Laws of 1998 (deferred prosecution); chapter 209, Laws of 1998 (DUI/license suspension); chapter 210, Laws of 1998 (ignition interlock violations); chapter 211, Laws of 1998 (DUI penalties); chapter 212, Laws of 1998 (DUI penalties); chapter 213, Laws of 1998 (intoxication levels lowered); chapter 214, Laws of 1998 (DUI penalties); and chapter 215, Laws of 1998 (DUI provisions).
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—MUNICIPAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE ACCOUNT
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The amount appropriated in this section shall be distributed quarterly during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium to all cities ratably based on population as last determined by the office of financial management. The distributions to any city that substantially decriminalizes or repeals its criminal code after July 1, 1990, and that does not reimburse the county for costs associated with criminal cases under RCW 3.50.800 or 3.50.805(2), shall be made to the county in which the city is located. This funding is provided to cities for the costs of implementing criminal justice legislation including, but not limited to: Chapter 206, Laws of 1998 (drunk driving penalties); chapter 207, Laws of 1998 (DUI penalties); chapter 208, Laws of 1998 (deferred prosecution); chapter 209, Laws of 1998 (DUI/license suspension); chapter 210, Laws of 1998 (ignition interlock violations); chapter 211, Laws of 1998 (DUI penalties); chapter 212, Laws of 1998 (DUI penalties); chapter 213, Laws of 1998 (intoxication levels lowered); chapter 214, Laws of 1998 (DUI penalties); and chapter 215, Laws of 1998 (DUI provisions).
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—FEDERAL REVENUES FOR DISTRIBUTION
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—TRANSFERS
EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATIONS
The appropriations contained in this act are maximum expenditure authorizations. Pursuant to RCW 43.88.037, moneys disbursed from the treasury on the basis of a formal loan agreement shall be recorded as loans receivable and not as expenditures for accounting purposes. To the extent that moneys are disbursed on a loan basis, the corresponding appropriation shall be reduced by the amount of loan moneys disbursed from the treasury during the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium.
EMERGENCY FUND ALLOCATIONS
Whenever allocations are made from the governor's emergency fund appropriation to an agency that is financed in whole or in part by other than general fund moneys, the director of financial management may direct the repayment of such allocated amount to the general fund from any balance in the fund or funds which finance the agency. An appropriation is not necessary to effect such repayment.
STATUTORY APPROPRIATIONS
In addition to the amounts appropriated in this act for revenues for distribution, state contributions to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2 and bond retirement and interest, including ongoing bond registration and transfer charges, transfers, interest on registered warrants, and certificates of indebtedness, there is also appropriated such further amounts as may be required or available for these purposes under any statutory formula or under chapters 39.94, 39.96, and 39.98 RCW or any proper bond covenant made under law.
BOND EXPENSES
In addition to such other appropriations as are made by this act, there is hereby appropriated to the state finance committee from legally available bond proceeds in the applicable construction or building funds and accounts such amounts as are necessary to pay the expenses incurred in the issuance and sale of the subject bonds.
VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT AND SEPARATION
As a management tool to reduce costs and make more effective use of resources, while improving employee productivity and morale, agencies may implement either a voluntary retirement or separation program, or both, that is cost neutral or results in cost savings, including costs to the state pension systems, over a two-year period following the commencement of the program, provided that such a program is approved by the director of financial management. Agencies participating in this authorization may offer voluntary retirement and/or separation incentives and options according to procedures and guidelines established by the office of financial management in consultation with the department of retirement systems. The options may include, but are not limited to, financial incentives for voluntary separation or retirement. An employee does not have a contractual right to a financial incentive offered under this section. The office of financial management and the department of retirement systems may review and monitor incentive offers. Agencies are required to submit a report by the date established by the office of financial management in the guidelines required in this section to the legislature and the office of financial management on the outcome of their approved incentive program. The report should include information on the details of the program, including the incentive payment amount for each participant, the total cost to the state, and the projected or actual net dollar savings over the two-year period.
The department of retirement systems may collect from employers the actuarial cost of any incentive provided under this program, or any other incentive to retire provided by employers to members of the state's pension systems, for deposit in the appropriate pension account.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS NOT IMPAIRED
Nothing in this act prohibits the expenditure of any funds by an agency or institution of the state for benefits guaranteed by any collective bargaining agreement in effect on the effective date of this section.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
In accordance with chapters 41.80, 41.56, and 74.39A RCW, agreements have been reached between the governor and organizations representing state employee bargaining units and nonstate employee bargaining units for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. Funding is provided in this act to fund these agreements. The collective bargaining agreements that have been reached and are funded in this act, and the description of the major economic terms in each of the listed agreements are specified in OFM document 2023-4, dated December 14, 2022.
In accordance with chapters 41.80 and 41.56 RCW, agreements have been reached between institutions of higher education and employee organizations representing state employee bargaining units for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. Funding is provided in Part VI of this act to fund these agreements. The collective bargaining agreements that have been reached and are funded in Part VI this act, and the description of the major economic terms in each of the listed agreements are specified in OFM document 2023-4, dated December 14, 2022.
COMPENSATION—REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES—HEALTH CARE COALITION—INSURANCE BENEFITS
An agreement was reached for the 2023-2025 biennium between the governor and the health care coalition under the provisions of chapter 41.80 RCW. Appropriations in this act for state agencies, including institutions of higher education, are sufficient to implement the provisions of the 2023-2025 collective bargaining agreement, which maintains the provisions of the prior agreement, and are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The monthly employer funding rate for insurance benefit premiums, public employees' benefits board administration, and the uniform medical plan, shall not exceed $1,160 per eligible employee for fiscal year 2024. For fiscal year 2025, the monthly employer funding rate shall not exceed $1,233 per eligible employee. These rates include funding to cover, effective January 1, 2024: (a) Increased provider payments in the uniform medical plan for in-network advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) to have parity with licensed in-network physicians for the same services rendered; (b) increasing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) benefit to $1,000 annually and $5,000 per lifetime in the uniform dental plan; and (c) eliminating the deductible for children up to age 15 in the uniform dental plan. These rates are sufficient to cover, effective January 1, 2025, carving vision benefits out of medical plans into stand-alone vision insurance.
The board shall collect a $25 per month surcharge payment from members who use tobacco products and a surcharge payment of not less than $50 per month from members who cover a spouse or domestic partner where the spouse or domestic partner has chosen not to enroll in another employer-based group health insurance that has benefits and premiums with an actuarial value of not less than 95 percent of the actuarial value of the public employees' benefits board plan with the largest enrollment. The surcharge payments shall be collected in addition to the member premium payment if directed by the legislature.
COMPENSATION—REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES OUTSIDE HEALTH CARE COALITION—INSURANCE BENEFITS
Appropriations for state agencies in this act are sufficient for represented employees outside the coalition for health benefits, and are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The monthly employer funding rate for insurance benefit premiums, public employees' benefits board administration, and the uniform medical plan, may not exceed $1,160 per eligible employee for fiscal year 2024. For fiscal year 2025, the monthly employer funding rate may not exceed $1,233 per eligible employee.
COMPENSATION—SCHOOL EMPLOYEES—INSURANCE BENEFITS
An agreement was reached for the 2023-2025 biennium between the governor and the school employee coalition under the provisions of chapters 41.56 and 41.59 RCW. Appropriations in this act for allocations to school districts are sufficient to implement the provisions of the 2023-2025 collective bargaining agreement, which maintains the provisions of the prior agreement, and are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The monthly employer funding rate for insurance benefit premiums, school employees' benefits board administration, retiree remittance, and the uniform medical plan, shall not exceed $1,105 per eligible employee in the 2023-24 school year. For the 2024-25 school year, the monthly employer funding rate shall not exceed $1,176 per eligible employee. Employers will contribute one hundred percent of the retiree remittance defined in section 506 of this act, which is included as part of the above monthly employer funding rate.
These rates are sufficient to cover, effective January 1, 2024:
(A) Increased provider payments in the uniform medical plan for in-network advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) to have parity with licensed in-network physicians for the same services rendered; and
(B) Offering a diabetes management program; and
ii. The following in the uniform dental plan:
(A) Increasing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) benefit to $1,000 annually and $5,000 per lifetime;
(B) Eliminating the deductible for children up to age 15;
(C) Covering composite filings on posterior teeth; and
(D) Increasing plan coverage of crowns to 70 percent.
b. These rates include funding to cover, effective January 1, 2025, increasing the stand-alone vision insurance benefit to $200 every 2 years.
The additional contributions in subsection (1) of this section above fulfill the requirements to reduce member costs in provision 1.3 of the school employees health care funding agreement.
For the purposes of distributing insurance benefits, certificated staff units as determined in section 504 of this act will be multiplied by 1.02 and classified staff units as determined in section 504 of this act will be multiplied by 1.43.
Except as provided by the parties' health care agreement, in order to achieve the level of funding provided for health benefits, the school employees' benefits board shall require any or all of the following: Employee premium copayments, increases in point-of-service cost sharing, the implementation of managed competition, or other changes to benefits consistent with RCW 41.05.740. The board shall collect a $25 per month surcharge payment from members who use tobacco products and a surcharge payment of not less than $50 per month from members who cover a spouse or domestic partner where the spouse or domestic partner has chosen not to enroll in another employer-based group health insurance that has benefits and premiums with an actuarial value of not less than 95 percent of the actuarial value of the public employees' benefits board plan with the largest enrollment. The surcharge payments shall be collected in addition to the member premium payment if directed by the legislature.
The health care authority shall deposit any moneys received on behalf of the school employees' medical plan as a result of rebates on prescription drugs, audits of hospitals, subrogation payments, or any other moneys recovered as a result of prior uniform medical plan claims payments, into the school employees' and retirees' insurance account to be used for insurance benefits. Such receipts may not be used for administrative expenditures.
COMPENSATION—NONREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES—INSURANCE BENEFITS
Appropriations for state agencies in this act are sufficient for nonrepresented state employee health benefits for state agencies, including institutions of higher education, and are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The employer monthly funding rate for insurance benefit premiums, public employees' benefits board administration, and the uniform medical plan, shall not exceed $1,160 per eligible employee for fiscal year 2024. For fiscal year 2025, the monthly employer funding rate shall not exceed $1,233 per eligible employee.
The health care authority, subject to the approval of the public employees' benefits board, shall provide subsidies for health benefit premiums to eligible retired or disabled public employees and school district employees who are eligible for medicare, pursuant to RCW 41.05.085. For calendar years 2024 and 2025, the subsidy shall be up to $183 per month. Funds from reserves accumulated for future adverse claims experience, from past favorable claims experience, or otherwise, may not be used to increase this retiree subsidy beyond what is authorized by the legislature in this subsection.
School districts and educational service districts shall remit to the health care authority for deposit into the public employees' and retirees' insurance account established in RCW 41.05.120 the following amounts:
For each full-time employee, $74.56 per month beginning September 1, 2023, and $83.52 beginning September 1, 2024;
For each part-time employee, who at the time of the remittance is employed in an eligible position as defined in RCW 41.32.010 or 41.40.010 and is eligible for employer fringe benefit contributions for basic benefits, $74.56 each month beginning September 1, 2023, and $83.52 beginning September 1, 2024, prorated by the proportion of employer fringe benefit contributions for a full-time employee that the part-time employee receives. The remittance requirements specified in this subsection do not apply to employees of a technical college, school district, or educational service district who purchase insurance benefits through contracts with the health care authority.
GENERAL WAGE INCREASES AND LUMP SUM PAYMENTS
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Appropriations for state agency employee compensation in this act are sufficient to provide general wage increases to state agency employees and employees of institutions of higher education, who are not represented or who bargain under statutory authority other than chapter 41.80 or 47.64 RCW or RCW 41.56.473 or 41.56.475.
Appropriations for state agency employee compensation in this act are sufficient to provide a retention lump sum payment and a lump sum COVID-19 booster incentive to state agency employees who are not represented or who bargain under statutory authority other than chapter 41.80 or 47.64 RCW or RCW 41.56.473 or 41.56.475.
Funding is provided for a four percent general wage increase effective July 1, 2023, for all classified employees as specified in subsection (1)(a) of this section, employees in the Washington management service, and exempt employees under the jurisdiction of the office of financial management. The appropriations are also sufficient to fund a four percent salary increase effective July 1, 2023, for executive, legislative, and judicial branch employees exempt from merit system rules whose maximum salaries are not set by the commission on salaries for elected officials.
Funding is provided for a three percent general wage increase effective July 1, 2024, for all classified employees as specified in subsection (1)(a) of this section, employees in the Washington management service, and exempt employees under the jurisdiction of the office of financial management. The appropriations are also sufficient to fund a three percent salary increase effective July 1, 2024, for executive, legislative, and judicial branch employees exempt from merit system rules whose maximum salaries are not set by the commission on salaries for elected officials.
Funding is provided for a retention lump sum payment of $1,000 for all employees as specified in subsection (1)(b) of this section who were employed on or before July 1, 2022, and continuously employed through July 1, 2023.
Funding is provided for a COVID-19 booster incentive payment of $1,000 for all employees as specified in subsection (1)(b) of this section who provide verification, beginning January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, that they are up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine booster.
COMPENSATION—PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS
Appropriations to state agencies include funding for an increase in pension contribution rates for several state pension systems as provided in this section.
Appropriations to state agencies include funding for an increase in pension contribution rates for several state pension systems. An increase of 0.12 percent is funded for state employer contributions to the public employees' retirement system, the public safety employees' retirement systems, and the school employees' retirement system. An increase of 0.23 percent for employer contributions to the teachers' retirement system is funded. These increases are provided for the purpose of a one-time, ongoing pension increase for retirees in the public employees' retirement system plan 1 and teachers' retirement system plan 1, as provided in House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0143.1/23) (providing a benefit increase to certain retirees of the public employees' retirement system plan 1 and the teachers' retirement system plan 1). If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2023, this section is null and void.
PENSION RATE ADJUSTMENT
Appropriations to state agencies are adjusted for the termination in fiscal year 2025 of the portion of the employer contribution rate for the teachers' retirement system that is used for the sole purpose of amortizing that portion of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the teachers' retirement system plan 1 that excludes any amounts required to amortize plan 1 benefit improvements effective after June 30, 2009, as provided in House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-. . ./23) (minimum contribution rates for plan 1 unfunded liability). If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2023, this section is null and void.
OFFICE SPACE USE REDUCTION
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington state agencies rapidly implemented telework for employees whose job duties did not require on-site presence. This shift in state government operations has led to agencies' reevaluation of the amount of physical office space they will require as they implement hybrid work environments and adopt expanded telework opportunities.
To meet the goal of efficient use of state funds and office space, state agencies, institutions of higher education, and separately elected officials must adhere to the office of financial management's statewide space use policy, data integrity and system access policy, inventory policy, and the human resource management system data validation guide to ensure space use data is complete, accurate, and consistent for reporting and analysis.
Institutions of higher education and separately elected officials with leases expiring in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 must work toward reducing leased office space a minimum of 20 percent upon lease renewal or when requesting office relocation. Reductions in lease costs will be reflected in subsequent budgets.
It is the intent of the legislature that agencies, institutions of higher education, and separately elected officials with leases expiring in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 work to reduce their office space portfolio a minimum of 30 percent upon lease renewal or when requesting office relocation. The reductions in costs will be reflected in subsequent budgets.
Agencies must:
Work with the office of financial management facilities oversight and the department of enterprise services to backfill office space and reduce full leases;
Update monthly the office of financial management's facilities portfolio management tool to maximize collocation opportunities and better inform decision making;
Update telework and employee location data monthly in the human resource management system to reflect office space use and needs; and
Maintain a telework policy in accordance with executive order 16-07, building a modern work environment.
The anticipated general fund savings from office space reduction in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 is $5,260,000.
The anticipated general fund savings from office space reduction in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 is $14,557,000.
The GOV central service account is created in the state treasury. The purpose of the account is to fund the office of the governor and the office of equity as a revolving fund for the payment of salaries, wages, and other costs required for the operation and maintenance of statewide policy and equity functions, and the activities of the office of equity and office of the governor. All receipts from agency fees and charges for services collected from public agencies must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.
The director of financial management shall fix the terms and charges to agencies based on each agency's share of the office of equity and office of the governor statewide cost allocation plans for federal funds.
If House/Senate Bill No. . . . (Z-0186.1/23) (relating to improving the fiscal process by updating accounts administered by the office of financial management, creating new accounts including one for the opioid litigation settlement and one for the receipt of federal funds, and reenacting accounts created in the supplemental budget bill) is enacted by June 30, 2023, section 916 of this act is null and void.
The business license account is created in the state treasury. Unless otherwise indicated in RCW 19.02.075, all receipts from handling and business license delinquency fees must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation beginning in fiscal year 1993. Expenditures from the account may be used only to administer the business licensing service program. During the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium, moneys from the business license account may be used for operations of the department of revenue. During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the business license account to the state general fund.
In addition to other eligibility requirements outlined in this chapter, students who demonstrate financial need are eligible to receive the Washington college grant. Financial need is as follows:
Until academic year 2020-21, students with family incomes between zero and fifty percent of the state median family income, adjusted for family size, shall receive the maximum Washington college grant as defined in RCW 28B.92.030. Grants for students with incomes between fifty-one and seventy percent of the state median family income, adjusted for family size, shall be prorated at the following percentages of the maximum Washington college grant amount:
Seventy percent for students with family incomes between fifty-one and fifty-five percent of the state median family income;
Sixty-five percent for students with family incomes between fifty-six and sixty percent of the state median family income;
Sixty percent for students with family incomes between sixty-one and sixty-five percent of the state median family income; and
Fifty percent for students with family incomes between sixty-six and seventy percent of the state median family income.
Beginning with academic year 2020-21, except during the 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 academic years, students with family incomes between zero and fifty-five percent of the state median family income, adjusted for family size, shall receive the maximum Washington college grant as defined in RCW 28B.92.030. During the 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 academic years, students with family incomes between zero and 60 percent of the state median family income, adjusted for family size, shall receive the maximum Washington college grant. Grants for students with incomes between fifty-six and one hundred percent of the state median family income, adjusted for family size, shall be prorated at the following percentages of the maximum Washington college grant amount:
Seventy percent for students with family incomes between fifty-six and sixty percent of the state median family income, except during the 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 academic years;
Sixty percent for students with family incomes between sixty-one and sixty-five percent of the state median family income;
Fifty percent for students with family incomes between sixty-six and seventy percent of the state median family income;
Twenty-four and one-half percent for students with family incomes between seventy-one and seventy-five percent of the state median family income; and
Ten percent for students with family incomes between seventy-six and one hundred percent of the state median family income.
The performance audits of government account is hereby created in the custody of the state treasurer. Revenue identified in RCW 82.08.020(5) and 82.12.0201 shall be deposited in the account. Money in the account shall be used to fund the performance audits and follow-up performance audits under RCW 43.09.470 and shall be expended by the state auditor in accordance with chapter 1, Laws of 2006. Only the state auditor or the state auditor's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures. The performance audits of government account may be appropriated for the joint legislative audit and review committee, the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, and for the office of financial management's performance audit and compliance audit activities. During the 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 fiscal biennia, the performance audits of government account may be appropriated for the superintendent of public instruction, the department of fish and wildlife, and audits of school districts. During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, the performance audits of government account may be appropriated for the employment security department and department of children, youth, and families. In addition, during the 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 fiscal biennia the account may be used to fund the office of financial management's contract for the compliance audit of the state auditor and audit activities at the department of revenue.
Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, in order to determine the character, competence, and suitability of any applicant or service provider to have unsupervised access, the secretary of the department of social and health services and the secretary of the department of children, youth, and families may require a fingerprint-based background check through both the Washington state patrol and the federal bureau of investigation at any time, but shall require a fingerprint-based background check when the applicant or service provider has resided in the state less than three consecutive years before application, and:
Is an applicant or service provider providing services to children or people with developmental disabilities under RCW 74.15.030;
Is an individual sixteen years of age or older who: (i) Is not under the placement and care authority of the department of children, youth, and families; and (ii) resides in an applicant or service provider's home, facility, entity, agency, or business or who is authorized by the department of children, youth, and families to provide services to children under RCW 74.15.030;
Is an individual who is authorized by the department of social and health services to provide services to people with developmental disabilities under RCW 74.15.030; or
Is an applicant or service provider providing in-home services funded by:
Medicaid personal care under RCW 74.09.520;
Community options program entry system waiver services under RCW 74.39A.030;
Chore services under RCW 74.39A.110; or
Other home and community long‑term care programs, established pursuant to chapters 74.39 and 74.39A RCW, administered by the department of social and health services.
Long-term care workers, as defined in RCW 74.39A.009, who are hired after January 7, 2012, are subject to background checks under RCW 74.39A.056.
To satisfy the shared background check requirements provided for in RCW 43.216.270 and 43.20A.710, the department of children, youth, and families and the department of social and health services shall share federal fingerprint-based background check results as permitted under the law. The purpose of this provision is to allow both departments to fulfill their joint background check responsibility of checking any individual who may have unsupervised access to vulnerable adults, children, or juveniles. Neither department may share the federal background check results with any other state agency or person.
The secretary of the department of children, youth, and families shall require a fingerprint‑based background check through the Washington state patrol identification and criminal history section and the federal bureau of investigation when the department seeks to approve an applicant or service provider for a foster or adoptive placement of children in accordance with federal and state law. Fees charged by the Washington state patrol and the federal bureau of investigation for fingerprint-based background checks shall be paid by the department of children, youth, and families for applicant and service providers providing foster care as required in RCW 74.15.030.
Any secure facility operated by the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families under chapter 71.09 RCW shall require applicants and service providers to undergo a fingerprint-based background check through the Washington state patrol identification and criminal history section and the federal bureau of investigation.
Service providers and service provider applicants, except for those long-term care workers exempted in subsection (2) of this section, who are required to complete a fingerprint-based background check may be hired for a one hundred twenty-day provisional period as allowed under law or program rules when:
A fingerprint-based background check is pending; and
The applicant or service provider is not disqualified based on the immediate result of the background check.
Fees charged by the Washington state patrol and the federal bureau of investigation for fingerprint-based background checks shall be paid by the applicable department for applicants or service providers providing:
Services to people with a developmental disability under RCW 74.15.030;
In-home services funded by medicaid personal care under RCW 74.09.520;
Community options program entry system waiver services under RCW 74.39A.030;
Chore services under RCW 74.39A.110;
Services under other home and community long‑term care programs, established pursuant to chapters 74.39 and 74.39A RCW, administered by the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families;
Services in, or to residents of, a secure facility under RCW 71.09.115; and
For fiscal years 2023 and 2024, applicants for child care and early learning services to children under RCW 43.216.270.
Service providers licensed under RCW 74.15.030 must pay fees charged by the Washington state patrol and the federal bureau of investigation for conducting fingerprint-based background checks.
Department of children, youth, and families service providers licensed under RCW 74.15.030 may not pass on the cost of the background check fees to their applicants unless the individual is determined to be disqualified due to the background information.
The department of social and health services and the department of children, youth, and families shall develop rules identifying the financial responsibility of service providers, applicants, and the department for paying the fees charged by law enforcement to roll, print, or scan fingerprints‑based for the purpose of a Washington state patrol or federal bureau of investigation fingerprint‑based background check.
For purposes of this section, unless the context plainly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant" means a current or prospective department of social and health services, department of children, youth, and families, or service provider employee, volunteer, student, intern, researcher, contractor, or any other individual who will or may have unsupervised access because of the nature of the work or services he or she provides. "Applicant" includes but is not limited to any individual who will or may have unsupervised access and is:
Applying for a license or certification from the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families;
Seeking a contract with the department of social and health services, the department of children, youth, and families, or a service provider;
Applying for employment, promotion, reallocation, or transfer;
An individual that a department of social and health services or department of children, youth, and families client or guardian of a department of social and health services or department of children, youth, and families client chooses to hire or engage to provide services to himself or herself or another vulnerable adult, juvenile, or child and who might be eligible to receive payment from the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families for services rendered; or
A department of social and health services or department of children, youth, and families applicant who will or may work in a department-covered position.
"Authorized" means the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families grants an applicant, home, or facility permission to:
Conduct licensing, certification, or contracting activities;
Have unsupervised access to vulnerable adults, juveniles, and children;
Receive payments from a department of social and health services or department of children, youth, and families program; or
Work or serve in a department of social and health services or department of children, youth, and families-covered position.
"Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services.
"Secure facility" has the meaning provided in RCW 71.09.020.
"Service provider" means entities, facilities, agencies, businesses, or individuals who are licensed, certified, authorized, or regulated by, receive payment from, or have contracts or agreements with the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families to provide services to vulnerable adults, juveniles, or children. "Service provider" includes individuals whom a department of social and health services or department of children, youth, and families client or guardian of a department of social and health services or department of children, youth, and families client may choose to hire or engage to provide services to himself or herself or another vulnerable adult, juvenile, or child and who might be eligible to receive payment from the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families for services rendered.
The Washington rescue plan transition account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Revenues to the account consist of moneys directed by the legislature to the account. Allowable uses of moneys in the account include responding to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic including those related to education, human services, health care, and the economy. In addition, the legislature may appropriate from the account to continue activities begun with, or augmented with, COVID-19 related federal funding. During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the Washington rescue plan transition account to the general fund.
(1) All law enforcement personnel, except volunteers, and reserve officers whether paid or unpaid, initially employed on or after January 1, 1978, shall engage in basic law enforcement training which complies with standards adopted by the commission pursuant to RCW 43.101.080. For personnel initially employed before January 1, 1990, such training shall be successfully completed during the first fifteen months of employment of such personnel unless otherwise extended or waived by the commission and shall be requisite to the continuation of such employment. Personnel initially employed on or after January 1, 1990, shall commence basic training during the first six months of employment unless the basic training requirement is otherwise waived or extended by the commission. Successful completion of basic training is requisite to the continuation of employment of such personnel initially employed on or after January 1, 1990.
There is created in the custody of the state treasurer a local fund known as the "financial services regulation fund" which shall consist of all moneys received by the divisions of the department of financial institutions, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
The division of securities shall deposit thirteen percent of all moneys received, except as provided in RCW 43.320.115 and subsection (3) of this section, and which shall be used for the purchase of supplies and necessary equipment; the payment of salaries, wages, and utilities; the establishment of reserves; and other incidental costs required for the proper regulation of individuals and entities subject to regulation by the department.
The division of securities shall deposit one hundred percent of all moneys received that are attributable to increases in fees implemented by rule pursuant to RCW 21.20.340(15).
Disbursements from the fund shall be on authorization of the director of financial institutions or the director's designee. In order to maintain an effective expenditure and revenue control, the fund shall be subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required to permit expenditures and payment of obligations from the fund.
During the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the financial services regulation fund to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance of the fund. During the 2017-2019 and 2021-2023 fiscal biennia, moneys from the financial services regulation fund may be appropriated for the family prosperity account program at the department of commerce and for the operations of the department of revenue.
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Beginning in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the state treasurer shall annually transfer from the fund to the student loan advocate account created in RCW 28B.77.008, the greater of one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars or twenty percent of the annual assessment derived from student education loan servicing.
The department must provide information to the state treasurer regarding the amount of the annual assessment derived from student education loan servicing.
The director's obligations or duties under chapter 62, Laws of 2018 are subject to section 21, chapter 62, Laws of 2018.
During the 2019-2021 and 2023-2025 fiscal biennia, moneys in the financial services regulation fund may be appropriated for the operations of the department of revenue.
During the 2021-2023 and 2023-2025 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the financial services regulation fund to the general fund.
(1) Each year or biennium, as appropriate, when allocating funds from the carbon emissions reduction account created in RCW 70A.65.240, the climate commitment account created in RCW 70A.65.260, the natural climate solutions account created in RCW 70A.65.270, the climate investment account created in RCW 70A.65.250, the air quality and health disparities improvement account created in RCW 70A.65.280, the climate transit programs account created in RCW 46.68.500, or the climate active transportation account created in RCW 46.68.490, or administering grants or programs funded by the accounts, agencies shall conduct an environmental justice assessment consistent with the requirements of RCW 70A.02.060 and establish a minimum of not less than 35 percent and a goal of 40 percent of total investments that provide direct and meaningful benefits to vulnerable populations within the boundaries of overburdened communities through: (a) The direct reduction of environmental burdens in overburdened communities; (b) the reduction of disproportionate, cumulative risk from environmental burdens, including those associated with climate change; (c) the support of community led project development, planning, and participation costs; or (d) meeting a community need identified by the community that is consistent with the intent of this chapter or RCW 70A.02.010.
Except as provided in RCW 70A.65.110, 70A.65.120, and 70A.65.130, the department shall distribute allowances through auctions as provided in this section and in rules adopted by the department to implement these sections. An allowance is not a property right.
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The department shall hold a maximum of four auctions annually, plus any necessary reserve auctions. An auction may include allowances from the annual allowance budget of the current year and allowances from the annual allowance budgets from prior years that remain to be distributed. The department must transmit to the environmental justice council an auction notice at least 60 days prior to each auction, as well as a summary results report and a postauction public proceeds report within 60 days after each auction. The department must communicate the results of the previous calendar year's auctions to the environmental justice council on an annual basis beginning in 2024.
The department must make future vintage allowances available through parallel auctions at least twice annually in addition to the auctions through which current vintage allowances are exclusively offered under (a) of this subsection.
The department shall engage a qualified, independent contractor to run the auctions. The department shall also engage a qualified financial services administrator to hold the bid guarantees, evaluate bid guarantees, and inform the department of the value of bid guarantees once the bids are accepted.
Auctions are open to covered entities, opt-in entities, and general market participants that are registered entities in good standing. The department shall adopt by rule the requirements for a registered entity to register and participate in a given auction.
Registered entities intending to participate in an auction must submit an application to participate at least 30 days prior to the auction. The application must include the documentation required for review and approval by the department. A registered entity is eligible to participate only after receiving a notice of approval by the department.
Each registered entity that elects to participate in the auction must have a different representative. Only a representative with an approved auction account is authorized to access the auction platform to submit an application or confirm the intent to bid for the registered entity, submit bids on behalf of the registered entity during the bidding window, or to download reports specific to the auction.
The department may require a bid guarantee, payable to the financial services administrator, in an amount greater than or equal to the sum of the maximum value of the bids to be submitted by the registered entity.
To protect the integrity of the auctions, a registered entity or group of registered entities with a direct corporate association are subject to auction purchase and holding limits. The department may impose additional limits if it deems necessary to protect the integrity and functioning of the auctions:
A covered entity or an opt-in entity may not buy more than 10 percent of the allowances offered during a single auction;
A general market participant may not buy more than four percent of the allowances offered during a single auction and may not in aggregate own more than 10 percent of total allowances to be issued in a calendar year;
No registered entity may buy more than the entity's bid guarantee; and
No registered entity may buy allowances that would exceed the entity's holding limit at the time of the auction.
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For fiscal year 2023, upon completion and verification of the auction results, the financial services administrator shall notify winning bidders and transfer the auction proceeds to the state treasurer for deposit as follows: (i) $127,341,000 must first be deposited into the carbon emissions reduction account created in RCW 70A.65.240; and (ii) the remaining auction proceeds to the climate investment account created in RCW 70A.65.250 , except for $20,000,000 deposited into the air quality and health disparities improvement account created in RCW 70A.65.280.
For fiscal year 2024, upon completion and verification of the auction results, the financial services administrator shall notify winning bidders and transfer the auction proceeds to the state treasurer for deposit as follows: (i) $356,697,000 must first be deposited into the carbon emissions reduction account created in RCW 70A.65.240, except during fiscal year 2024, the deposit as provided in this subsection (7)(b)(i) may be prorated equally across each of the auctions occurring in fiscal year 2024; and (ii) the remaining auction proceeds to the climate investment account created in RCW 70A.65.250 , except for $21,000,000 deposited into the air quality and health disparities improvement account created in RCW 70A.65.280, which may be prorated equally across each of the auctions occurring in fiscal year 2024.
For fiscal year 2025, upon completion and verification of the auction results, the financial services administrator shall notify winning bidders and transfer the auction proceeds to the state treasurer for deposit as follows: (i) $366,558,000 must first be deposited into the carbon emissions reduction account created in RCW 70A.65.240, except that during fiscal year 2025, the deposit as provided in this subsection (7)(c)(i) may be prorated equally across each of the auctions occurring in fiscal year 2025; and (ii) the remaining auction proceeds to the climate investment account created in RCW 70A.65.250 , except for $11,000,000 deposited into the air quality and health disparities improvement account created in RCW 70A.65.280, which may be prorated equally across each of the auctions occurring in fiscal year 2025.
For fiscal years 2026 through 2037, upon completion and verification of the auction results, the financial services administrator shall notify winning bidders and transfer the auction proceeds to the state treasurer for deposit as follows: (i) $359,117,000 per year must first be deposited into the carbon emissions reduction account created in RCW 70A.65.240; and (ii) the remaining auction proceeds to the climate investment account created in RCW 70A.65.250 and the air quality and health disparities improvement account created in RCW 70A.65.280.
The deposits into the carbon emissions reduction account pursuant to (a) through (d) of this subsection must not exceed $5,200,000,000 over the first 16 fiscal years and any remaining auction proceeds must be deposited into the climate investment account created in RCW 70A.65.250 and the air quality and health disparities improvement account created in RCW 70A.65.280.
For fiscal year 2038 and each year thereafter, upon completion and verification of the auction results, the financial services administrator shall notify winning bidders and transfer the auction proceeds to the state treasurer for deposit as follows: (i) 50 percent of the auction proceeds to the carbon emissions reduction account created in RCW 70A.65.240; and (ii) the remaining auction proceeds to the climate investment account created in RCW 70A.65.250 and the air quality and health disparities improvement account created in RCW 70A.65.280.
The department shall adopt by rule provisions to guard against bidder collusion and minimize the potential for market manipulation. A registered entity may not release or disclose any bidding information including: Intent to participate or refrain from participation; auction approval status; intent to bid; bidding strategy; bid price or bid quantity; or information on the bid guarantee provided to the financial services administrator. The department may cancel or restrict a previously approved auction participation application or reject a new application if the department determines that a registered entity has:
Provided false or misleading facts;
Withheld material information that could influence a decision by the department;
Violated any part of the auction rules;
Violated registration requirements; or
Violated any of the rules regarding the conduct of the auction.
Records containing the following information are confidential and are exempt from public disclosure in their entirety:
Bidding information as identified in subsection (8) of this section;
Information contained in the secure, online electronic tracking system established by the department pursuant to RCW 70A.65.090(6);
Financial, proprietary, and other market sensitive information as determined by the department that is submitted to the department pursuant to this chapter;
Financial, proprietary, and other market sensitive information as determined by the department that is submitted to the independent contractor or the financial services administrator engaged by the department pursuant to subsection (3) of this section; and
Financial, proprietary, and other market sensitive information as determined by the department that is submitted to a jurisdiction with which the department has entered into a linkage agreement pursuant to RCW 70A.65.210, and which is shared with the department, the independent contractor, or the financial services administrator pursuant to a linkage agreement.
Any cancellation or restriction approved by the department under subsection (8) of this section may be permanent or for a specified number of auctions and the cancellation or restriction imposed is not exclusive and is in addition to the remedies that may be available pursuant to chapter 19.86 RCW or other state or federal laws, if applicable.
The department shall design allowance auctions so as to allow, to the maximum extent practicable, linking with external greenhouse gas emissions trading programs in other jurisdictions and to facilitate the transfer of allowances when the state's program has entered into a linkage agreement with other external greenhouse gas emissions trading programs. The department may conduct auctions jointly with linked jurisdictions.
In setting the number of allowances offered at each auction, the department shall consider the allowances in the marketplace due to the marketing of allowances issued as required under RCW 70A.65.110, 70A.65.120, and 70A.65.130 in the department's determination of the number of allowances to be offered at auction. The department shall offer only such number of allowances at each auction as will enhance the likelihood of achieving the goals of RCW 70A.45.020.
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The climate investment account is created in the state treasury. Except as otherwise provided in chapter 316, Laws of 2021, all receipts from the auction of allowances authorized in this chapter must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.
Projects or activities funded from the account must meet high labor standards, including family sustaining wages, providing benefits including health care and employer-contributed retirement plans, career development opportunities, and maximize access to economic benefits from such projects for local workers and diverse businesses. Each contracting entity's proposal must be reviewed for equity and opportunity improvement efforts, including: (i) Employer paid sick leave programs; (ii) pay practices in relation to living wage indicators such as the federal poverty level; (iii) efforts to evaluate pay equity based on gender identity, race, and other protected status under Washington law; (iv) facilitating career development opportunities, such as apprenticeship programs, internships, job-shadowing, and on-the-job training; and (v) employment assistance and employment barriers for justice affected individuals.
Moneys in the account may be used only for projects and programs that achieve the purposes of the greenhouse gas emissions cap and invest program established under this chapter and for tribal capacity grants under RCW 70A.65.305. Moneys in the account as described in this subsection must first be appropriated for the administration of the requirements of this chapter, in an amount not to exceed five percent of the total receipt of funds from allowance auction proceeds under this chapter. Beginning July 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the state treasurer shall distribute funds in the account that exceed the amounts appropriated for the purposes of this subsection (2) as follows:
Seventy-five percent of the moneys to the climate commitment account created in RCW 70A.65.260; and
Twenty-five percent of the moneys to the natural climate solutions account created in RCW 70A.65.270.
The allocations specified in subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section must be reviewed by the legislature on a biennial basis based on the changing needs of the state in meeting its clean economy and greenhouse gas reduction goals in a timely, economically advantageous, and equitable manner.
The climate commitment account is created in the state treasury. The account must receive moneys distributed to the account from the climate investment account created in RCW 70A.65.250. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Projects, activities, and programs eligible for funding from the account must be physically located in Washington state and include, but are not limited to, the following:
Implementing the working families tax rebate in RCW 82.08.0206;
Supplementing the growth management planning and environmental review fund established in RCW 36.70A.490 for the purpose of making grants or loans to local governments for the purposes set forth in RCW 43.21C.240, 43.21C.031, 36.70A.500, and 36.70A.600, for costs associated with RCW 36.70A.610, and to cover costs associated with the adoption of optional elements of comprehensive plans consistent with RCW 43.21C.420;
Programs, activities, or projects that reduce and mitigate impacts from greenhouse gases and copollutants in overburdened communities, including strengthening the air quality monitoring network to measure, track, and better understand air pollution levels and trends and to inform the analysis, monitoring, and pollution reduction measures required in RCW 70A.65.020;
Programs, activities, or projects that deploy renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind power, and projects to deploy distributed generation, energy storage, demand-side technologies and strategies, and other grid modernization projects;
Programs, activities, or projects that increase the energy efficiency or reduce greenhouse gas emissions of industrial facilities including, but not limited to, proposals to implement combined heat and power, district energy, or on-site renewables, such as solar and wind power, to upgrade the energy efficiency of existing equipment, to reduce process emissions, and to switch to less emissions intensive fuel sources;
Programs, activities, or projects that achieve energy efficiency or emissions reductions in the agricultural sector including:
Fertilizer management;
Soil management;
Bioenergy;
Biofuels;
Grants, rebates, and other financial incentives for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations;
Grants, loans, or any financial incentives to food processors to implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
Renewable energy projects;
Farmworker housing weatherization programs;
ix. Dairy digester research and development;
Programs, activities, or projects that increase energy efficiency in new and existing buildings, or that promote low carbon architecture, including use of newly emerging alternative building materials that result in a lower carbon footprint in the built environment over the life cycle of the building and component building materials;
Programs, activities, or projects that promote the electrification and decarbonization of new and existing buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings;
Programs, activities, or projects that improve energy efficiency, including district energy, and investments in market transformation of high efficiency electric appliances and equipment for space and water heating;
Clean energy transition and assistance programs, activities, or projects that assist affected workers or people with lower incomes during the transition to a clean energy economy, or grow and expand clean manufacturing capacity in communities across Washington state including, but not limited to:
Programs, activities, or projects that directly improve energy affordability and reduce the energy burden of people with lower incomes, as well as the higher transportation fuel burden of rural residents, such as bill assistance, energy efficiency, and weatherization programs;
Community renewable energy projects that allow qualifying participants to own or receive the benefits of those projects at reduced or no cost;
Programs, activities, or other worker-support projects for bargaining unit and nonsupervisory fossil fuel workers who are affected by the transition away from fossil fuels to a clean energy economy. Worker support may include, but is not limited to: (A) Full wage replacement, health benefits, and pension contributions for every worker within five years of retirement; (B) full wage replacement, health benefits, and pension contributions for every worker with at least one year of service for each year of service up to five years of service; (C) wage insurance for up to five years for workers reemployed who have more than five years of service; (D) up to two years of retraining costs, including tuition and related costs, based on in-state community and technical college costs; (E) peer counseling services during transition; (F) employment placement services, prioritizing employment in the clean energy sector; and (G) relocation expenses;
Direct investment in workforce development, via technical education, community college, institutions of higher education, apprenticeships, and other programs including, but not limited to:
(A) Initiatives to develop a forest health workforce established under RCW 76.04.521; and
(B) Initiatives to develop new education programs, emerging fields, or jobs pertaining to the clean energy economy;
v. Transportation, municipal service delivery, and technology investments that increase a community's capacity for clean manufacturing, with an emphasis on communities in greatest need of job creation and economic development and potential for commute reduction;
k. Programs, activities, or projects that reduce emissions from landfills and waste-to-energy facilities through diversion of organic materials, methane capture or conversion strategies, installation of gas collection devices and gas control systems, monitoring and reporting of methane emissions, or other means, prioritizing funding needed for any activities by local governments to comply with chapter 70A.540 RCW;
l. Carbon dioxide removal projects, programs, and activities; and
m. Activities to support efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change affecting Indian tribes, including capital investments in support of the relocation of Indian tribes located in areas at heightened risk due to anticipated sea level rise, flooding, or other disturbances caused by climate change. The legislature intends to dedicate at least $50,000,000 per biennium from the account for purposes of this subsection.
Moneys in the account may not be used for projects or activities that would violate tribal treaty rights or result in significant long-term damage to critical habitat or ecological functions. Investments from this account must result in long-term environmental benefits and increased resilience to the impacts of climate change.
During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, moneys may be transferred from the climate commitment account to the carbon emissions reduction account and used to fund projects consistent with the allowable uses of the carbon reduction account.
The legislature adopts a new system for establishing nursing home payment rates beginning July 1, 2016. Any payments to nursing homes for services provided after June 30, 2016, must be based on the new system. The new system must be designed in such a manner as to decrease administrative complexity associated with the payment methodology, reward nursing homes providing care for high acuity residents, incentivize quality care for residents of nursing homes, and establish minimum staffing standards for direct care.
The new system must be based primarily on industry-wide costs, and have three main components: Direct care, indirect care, and capital.
The direct care component must include the direct care and therapy care components of the previous system, along with food, laundry, and dietary services. Direct care must be paid at a fixed rate, based on one hundred percent or greater of statewide case mix neutral median costs, but for fiscal year 2023 shall be capped so that a nursing home provider's direct care rate does not exceed 165 percent of its base year's direct care allowable costs except if the provider is below the minimum staffing standard established in RCW 74.42.360(2). The legislature intends to remove the cap on direct care rates by June 30, 2027. Direct care must be performance-adjusted for acuity every six months, using case mix principles. Direct care must be regionally adjusted using countywide wage index information available through the United States department of labor's bureau of labor statistics. There is no minimum occupancy for direct care. The direct care component rate allocations calculated in accordance with this section must be adjusted to the extent necessary to comply with RCW 74.46.421.
The indirect care component must include the elements of administrative expenses, maintenance costs, and housekeeping services from the previous system. A minimum occupancy assumption of ninety percent must be applied to indirect care, except during fiscal year 2023 when the minimum occupancy assumption must be 75 percent and except during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium when the minimum occupancy assumption must be 80 percent. Indirect care must be paid at a fixed rate, based on ninety percent or greater of statewide median costs. The indirect care component rate allocations calculated in accordance with this section must be adjusted to the extent necessary to comply with RCW 74.46.421.
The capital component must use a fair market rental system to set a price per bed. The capital component must be adjusted for the age of the facility, and must use a minimum occupancy assumption of ninety percent.
Beginning July 1, 2016, the fair rental rate allocation for each facility must be determined by multiplying the allowable nursing home square footage in (c) of this subsection by the RSMeans rental rate in (d) of this subsection and by the number of licensed beds yielding the gross unadjusted building value. An equipment allowance of ten percent must be added to the unadjusted building value. The sum of the unadjusted building value and equipment allowance must then be reduced by the average age of the facility as determined by (e) of this subsection using a depreciation rate of one and one-half percent. The depreciated building and equipment plus land valued at ten percent of the gross unadjusted building value before depreciation must then be multiplied by the rental rate at seven and one-half percent to yield an allowable fair rental value for the land, building, and equipment.
The fair rental value determined in (a) of this subsection must be divided by the greater of the actual total facility census from the prior full calendar year or imputed census based on the number of licensed beds at ninety percent occupancy.
For the rate year beginning July 1, 2016, all facilities must be reimbursed using four hundred square feet. For the rate year beginning July 1, 2017, allowable nursing facility square footage must be determined using the total nursing facility square footage as reported on the medicaid cost reports submitted to the department in compliance with this chapter. The maximum allowable square feet per bed may not exceed four hundred fifty.
Each facility must be paid at eighty-three percent or greater of the median nursing facility RSMeans construction index value per square foot. The department may use updated RSMeans construction index information when more recent square footage data becomes available. The statewide value per square foot must be indexed based on facility zip code by multiplying the statewide value per square foot times the appropriate zip code based index. For the purpose of implementing this section, the value per square foot effective July 1, 2016, must be set so that the weighted average fair rental value rate is not less than ten dollars and eighty cents per patient day. The capital component rate allocations calculated in accordance with this section must be adjusted to the extent necessary to comply with RCW 74.46.421.
The average age is the actual facility age reduced for significant renovations. Significant renovations are defined as those renovations that exceed two thousand dollars per bed in a calendar year as reported on the annual cost report submitted in accordance with this chapter. For the rate beginning July 1, 2016, the department shall use renovation data back to 1994 as submitted on facility cost reports. Beginning July 1, 2016, facility ages must be reduced in future years if the value of the renovation completed in any year exceeds two thousand dollars times the number of licensed beds. The cost of the renovation must be divided by the accumulated depreciation per bed in the year of the renovation to determine the equivalent number of new replacement beds. The new age for the facility is a weighted average with the replacement bed equivalents reflecting an age of zero and the existing licensed beds, minus the new bed equivalents, reflecting their age in the year of the renovation. At no time may the depreciated age be less than zero or greater than forty-four years.
A nursing facility's capital component rate allocation must be rebased annually, effective July 1, 2016, in accordance with this section and this chapter.
For the purposes of this subsection (5), "RSMeans" means building construction costs data as published by Gordian.
A quality incentive must be offered as a rate enhancement beginning July 1, 2016.
An enhancement no larger than five percent and no less than one percent of the statewide average daily rate must be paid to facilities that meet or exceed the standard established for the quality incentive. All providers must have the opportunity to earn the full quality incentive payment.
The quality incentive component must be determined by calculating an overall facility quality score composed of four to six quality measures. For fiscal year 2017 there shall be four quality measures, and for fiscal year 2018 there shall be six quality measures. Initially, the quality incentive component must be based on minimum data set quality measures for the percentage of long-stay residents who self-report moderate to severe pain, the percentage of high-risk long-stay residents with pressure ulcers, the percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury, and the percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection. Quality measures must be reviewed on an annual basis by a stakeholder work group established by the department. Upon review, quality measures may be added or changed. The department may risk adjust individual quality measures as it deems appropriate.
The facility quality score must be point based, using at a minimum the facility's most recent available three-quarter average centers for medicare and medicaid services quality data. Point thresholds for each quality measure must be established using the corresponding statistical values for the quality measure point determinants of eighty quality measure points, sixty quality measure points, forty quality measure points, and twenty quality measure points, identified in the most recent available five-star quality rating system technical user's guide published by the centers for medicare and medicaid services.
Facilities meeting or exceeding the highest performance threshold (top level) for a quality measure receive twenty-five points. Facilities meeting the second highest performance threshold receive twenty points. Facilities meeting the third level of performance threshold receive fifteen points. Facilities in the bottom performance threshold level receive no points. Points from all quality measures must then be summed into a single aggregate quality score for each facility.
Facilities receiving an aggregate quality score of eighty percent of the overall available total score or higher must be placed in the highest tier (tier V), facilities receiving an aggregate score of between seventy and seventy-nine percent of the overall available total score must be placed in the second highest tier (tier IV), facilities receiving an aggregate score of between sixty and sixty-nine percent of the overall available total score must be placed in the third highest tier (tier III), facilities receiving an aggregate score of between fifty and fifty-nine percent of the overall available total score must be placed in the fourth highest tier (tier II), and facilities receiving less than fifty percent of the overall available total score must be placed in the lowest tier (tier I).
The tier system must be used to determine the amount of each facility's per patient day quality incentive component. The per patient day quality incentive component for tier IV is seventy-five percent of the per patient day quality incentive component for tier V, the per patient day quality incentive component for tier III is fifty percent of the per patient day quality incentive component for tier V, and the per patient day quality incentive component for tier II is twenty-five percent of the per patient day quality incentive component for tier V. Facilities in tier I receive no quality incentive component.
Tier system payments must be set in a manner that ensures that the entire biennial appropriation for the quality incentive program is allocated.
Facilities with insufficient three-quarter average centers for medicare and medicaid services quality data must be assigned to the tier corresponding to their five-star quality rating. Facilities with a five-star quality rating must be assigned to the highest tier (tier V) and facilities with a one-star quality rating must be assigned to the lowest tier (tier I). The use of a facility's five-star quality rating shall only occur in the case of insufficient centers for medicare and medicaid services minimum data set information.
The quality incentive rates must be adjusted semiannually on July 1 and January 1 of each year using, at a minimum, the most recent available three-quarter average centers for medicare and medicaid services quality data.
Beginning July 1, 2017, the percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication must be added as a quality measure. The department must determine the quality incentive thresholds for this quality measure in a manner consistent with those outlined in (b) through (h) of this subsection using the centers for medicare and medicaid services quality data.
Beginning July 1, 2017, the percentage of direct care staff turnover must be added as a quality measure using the centers for medicare and medicaid services' payroll-based journal and nursing home facility payroll data. Turnover is defined as an employee departure. The department must determine the quality incentive thresholds for this quality measure using data from the centers for medicare and medicaid services' payroll-based journal, unless such data is not available, in which case the department shall use direct care staffing turnover data from the most recent medicaid cost report.
Reimbursement of the safety net assessment imposed by chapter 74.48 RCW and paid in relation to medicaid residents must be continued.
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The direct care and indirect care components must be rebased in even-numbered years, beginning with rates paid on July 1, 2016. Rates paid on July 1, 2016, must be based on the 2014 calendar year cost report. On a percentage basis, after rebasing, the department must confirm that the statewide average daily rate has increased at least as much as the average rate of inflation, as determined by the skilled nursing facility market basket index published by the centers for medicare and medicaid services, or a comparable index. If after rebasing, the percentage increase to the statewide average daily rate is less than the average rate of inflation for the same time period, the department is authorized to increase rates by the difference between the percentage increase after rebasing and the average rate of inflation.
It is the intention of the legislature that direct and indirect care rates paid in fiscal year 2022 will be rebased using the calendar year 2019 cost reports. For fiscal year 2021, in addition to the rates generated by (a) of this subsection, an additional adjustment is provided as established in this subsection (8)(b). Beginning May 1, 2020, and through June 30, 2021, the calendar year costs must be adjusted for inflation by a twenty-four month consumer price index, based on the most recently available monthly index for all urban consumers, as published by the bureau of labor statistics. It is also the intent of the legislature that, starting in fiscal year 2022, a facility-specific rate add-on equal to the inflation adjustment that facilities received solely in fiscal year 2021, must be added to the rate. For fiscal year 2024, the direct care and indirect care components shall be rebased to the 2021 calendar year cost report.
To determine the necessity of regular inflationary adjustments to the nursing facility rates, by December 1, 2020, the department shall provide the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature with a report that provides a review of rates paid in 2017, 2018, and 2019 in comparison to costs incurred by nursing facilities.
The direct care component provided in subsection (3) of this section is subject to the reconciliation and settlement process provided in RCW 74.46.022(6). Beginning July 1, 2016, pursuant to rules established by the department, funds that are received through the reconciliation and settlement process provided in RCW 74.46.022(6) must be used for technical assistance, specialized training, or an increase to the quality enhancement established in subsection (6) of this section. The legislature intends to review the utility of maintaining the reconciliation and settlement process under a price-based payment methodology, and may discontinue the reconciliation and settlement process after the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium.
Compared to the rate in effect June 30, 2016, including all cost components and rate add-ons, no facility may receive a rate reduction of more than one percent on July 1, 2016, more than two percent on July 1, 2017, or more than five percent on July 1, 2018. To ensure that the appropriation for nursing homes remains cost neutral, the department is authorized to cap the rate increase for facilities in fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019.
The firearms range account is hereby created in the state general fund. Moneys in the account shall be subject to legislative appropriation and shall be used for purchase and development of land, construction or improvement of range facilities, including fixed structure construction or remodeling, equipment purchase, safety or environmental improvements, noise abatement, and liability protection for public and nonprofit firearm range training and practice facilities.
Grant funds shall not be used for expendable shooting supplies, or normal operating expenses. In making grants, the board shall give priority to projects for noise abatement or safety improvement. Grant funds shall not supplant funds for other organization programs.
The funds will be available to nonprofit shooting organizations, school districts, and state, county, or local governments on a match basis. All entities receiving matching funds must be open on a regular basis and usable by law enforcement personnel or the general public who possess Washington concealed pistol licenses or Washington hunting licenses or who are enrolled in a firearm safety class.
Applicants for a grant from the firearms range account shall provide matching funds in either cash or in-kind contributions. The match must represent one dollar in value for each one dollar of the grant except that in the case of a grant for noise abatement or safety improvements the match must represent one dollar in value for each two dollars of the grant. In-kind contributions include but are not limited to labor, materials, and new property. Existing assets and existing development may not apply to the match.
Applicants other than school districts or local or state government must be registered as a nonprofit or not-for-profit organization with the Washington secretary of state. The organization's articles of incorporation must contain provisions for the organization's structure, officers, legal address, and registered agent.
Organizations requesting grants must provide the hours of range availability for public and law enforcement use. The fee structure will be submitted with the grant application.
Any nonprofit organization or agency accepting a grant under this program will be required to pay back the entire grant amount to the firearms range account if the use of the range facility is discontinued less than ten years after the grant is accepted.
Entities receiving grants must make the facilities for which grant funding is received open for hunter safety education classes and firearm safety classes on a regular basis for no fee.
Government units or school districts applying for grants must open their range facility on a regular basis for hunter safety education classes and firearm safety classes.
The board shall adopt rules to implement chapter 195, Laws of 1990, pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW. During the 2017-2019 and 2019-2021 fiscal biennia, expenditures from the firearms range account may be used to implement chapter 74, Laws of 2017 (SHB 1100) (concealed pistol licenses) and chapter 282, Laws of 2017 (SB 5268) (concealed pistol license notices). During the 2021-2023 and 2023-2025 fiscal biennia, expenditures from the firearms range account may be used to implement chapter 74, Laws of 2017 (SHB 1100) (concealed pistol licenses).
If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.