The bill amends RCW 28A.400.205 to establish annual salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees in Washington state. It mandates that school district employees receive an inflationary increase based on the yearly rate of the inflationary adjustment index, which will be funded by an allocation provided to each school district starting from the 2019-20 school year. The bill specifies that school districts must distribute these funds according to their collective bargaining agreements and must certify their expenditures on salaries and salary-related benefits by the end of the school year.

Key changes in the bill include the introduction of specific percentages for the inflationary adjustment index, stating that for the 2023-24 school year, it will be set at 3.7 percent. Additionally, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the index will be based on the implicit price deflator from the previous calendar year, as compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. These adjustments aim to ensure that salary increases for school employees keep pace with inflation, thereby supporting the financial stability of educational staff.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.400.205
Engrossed Bill: 28A.400.205
Bill as Passed Legislature: 28A.400.205
Session Law: 28A.400.205