Committee adopts data‑sharing amendment to WASFA bill and reports substitute out of committee 9–8
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Summary
The committee adopted amendment Ross 106 to HB 2132, which expands the Student Achievement Council's ability to share Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) personal and financial information under binding data‑sharing agreements, and reported substitute HB 2132 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation by a 9–8 roll call.
The House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee on Jan. 20 adopted amendment Ross 106 to House Bill 2132 and reported substitute HB 2132 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation following a 9–8 roll call.
Staff counsel Saranda Ross described HB 2132 as legislation that limits disclosure and retention of personally identifying information tied to the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). The proposed amendment (Ross 106), offered by Representative Levitt, would expand the Student Achievement Council's authority to share personal and financial WASFA information with entities beyond institutions of higher education, provided those entities enter into binding data‑sharing agreements that prohibit further disclosure.
Representative Levitt moved adoption of the amendment and urged members to vote yes, saying it enables institutions to share information with existing partners (for example, DCYF) under appropriate safeguards. Representative Levitt said the amendment would protect student data while enabling necessary assistance for students.
Opponents emphasized privacy and retention concerns. Representative Rood argued that a one‑year retention period was too short and would erode customer service for students seeking copies of records more than a year later: "A one year time period is very, very short," he said. The committee debated balancing privacy protection with administrative practicality.
The clerk conducted a roll call. Representative Paul, Nance, Entenmann, Levitt, Paulette, Reid, Saladin, Thomas and Timmons voted aye; Ybarra, McIntyre, Graham, Keaton, Lee, Mendoza, Rood and Schmidt voted nay. The clerk announced the tally as nine ayes and eight nays, and the substitute bill was reported out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.
The committee recessed for a short caucus earlier in the meeting; the amendment was adopted after members returned and the substitute was reported out before adjournment.