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House advances and passes a package of budget and school-finance bills; roll-call tallies recorded
Summary
In addition to the early-learning and Working Connections items, the House passed measures on pension-fund interest use (Substitute SB 58 34), school vehicle transfer authority (SB 59 22) and narrowly tailored relief for one district (SB 60 65). Vote tallies were 97-0 (SB 58 34), 59-38 (SB 59 22) and 97-0 (SB 60 65 as amended).
The House considered several additional bills and recorded final passage votes on each.
Substitute Senate Bill 58 34 (described by a sponsor as Department of Retirement Systems request legislation) would permit the use of interest earned on pension funds to pay legal, medical and administrative expenses; sponsors said it has no fiscal impact and allows use of interest to support fraud prevention and compliance work. The bill advanced to third reading by unanimous consent and passed with 97 yays, 0 nays, 1 excused.
Senate Bill 59 22 allows school districts, subject to approval by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), to transfer vehicle depreciation payments and related interest to other funds. Representative Stonier urged its passage as a flexibility tool for districts with declining fleets. The House recorded 59 yays, 38 nays, 1 excused and declared the bill passed.
Senate Bill 60 65, as amended by the House, provides narrowly tailored relief for districts in "enhanced financial oversight" (noted on the floor as applicable to one district, Prescott). Sponsors described OSPI oversight of any fund transfers and potential loan forgiveness as part of guardrails. The bill passed on final reading with 97 yays, 0 nays, 1 excused.
Each bill was advanced to third reading by unanimous consent before final passage; the bills will be transmitted to the governor for action.
