Board staff outlines mid‑session bill tracking and $827 million revenue uptick

At the special meeting, legislative liaison Nova Gavin gave a mid‑session briefing on bills the Workforce Board is tracking and a near‑term budget outlook. "We did receive some good news on Monday. The state's revenue forecast ... identified that the state revenue has increased by approximately 827,000,000," Nova said, noting most of the gain came from real estate excise taxes and that growth for the 2027–29 biennium exceeded $1 billion.

Nova said staff tracked roughly 310 bills at peak and are now monitoring about 27% as the session progresses. She highlighted several bills the board or partner agencies are watching or supporting:

- "24 92" — adds behavioral health training into registered apprenticeships to address overdoses and suicides in the construction trades; the policy committee added a requirement that journey‑level workers receive the training.
- "Passport to Careers" (WASAC agency request) — would allow automatic Washington College Grant eligibility for Passport to Careers participants (former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth); Nova said the bill passed unanimously in the Senate and already had a hearing.
- "25 23" — makes administrative changes to the community reinvestment program (CRP), transitions joint ownership with the Department of Commerce and the Office of Equity by 07/01/2027, sets minimum funding shares (at least 15% to five program areas) and requires a Washington State Institute for Public Policy study of allocations and impact.
- "24 10" — would establish a Washington State Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council to recommend training and safety initiatives and include workforce board representation.
- HB "19 23" (the Mosquito Fleet Act) — would expand passenger‑only ferry service districts across Puget Sound and Grays Harbor and aims to boost shipbuilding and mariner training pipelines.

Board member John flagged Senate Bill "62 60" and recent hearings that could cut Running Start, urging staff to track impacts on low‑income students and trades pathways; Nova confirmed the bill is being tracked and offered to compile additional information.

Nova said a Sunday budget release for both the House and Senate was planned with public hearings and floor action the following week, and cautioned that while revenue improved somewhat, budget pressures remain.