Committee considers education, paid‑leave, judiciary and veterans bills in full hearing

Beyond housing and CRP, the Feb. 2 Ways and Means hearing covered a string of distinct bills.

Substitute Senate Bill 5,961 would transfer the Imagination Library of Washington from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Witnesses from Reach Out and Read Northwest and the Imagination Library argued the move aligns the program with K–12 early‑literacy goals and would stabilize local operations; the program currently serves more than 85,000 children, a testifier said.

Substitute Senate Bill 5,969 would better align statewide online systems so an Individualized Education Program transition plan and the High School and Beyond plan are integrated to reduce duplication. A testifier who had previously raised concerns said amendments addressed student‑centered protections.

Second Substitute Senate Bill 5,292 would replace the statutory premium formula for the Paid Family and Medical Leave program with rates set by Employment Security Department actuarial reports and increase reserve requirements from three to four months. Labor groups and industry representatives commended the change as common‑sense actuarial practice; some policy groups argued the program remains costly for workers and questioned benefit generosity.

Senate Bill 5,868 would add one superior court judge each to Skagit and Yakima counties. Local judges, county commissioners and the Administrative Office of the Courts said population growth and caseload backlogs, including a spike in protection‑order filings, warrant added judicial capacity; counties said they will fund the county share of compensation and chambers costs.

The committee also heard veterans bills: SSB 5,827 would allow pre‑discharge certification of veteran status so service members can claim civil‑service hiring preference earlier; SB 5,954 would align state survivor/dependent tuition‑waiver windows with federal DEA program periods, potentially expanding eligibility though institutions indicated the revenue impact is indeterminate.

Committee members asked technical questions of staff and agency witnesses; no final actions were taken during the hearing and items will return for committee consideration in future calendars.