The bill amends the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to improve efficiencies in public education and implement new programming changes. A significant provision establishes a new reimbursement schedule for school districts regarding student transportation vehicles, mandating a minimum anticipated lifetime of 120 months for category A buses and 180 months for categories C and D, with depreciation payments starting in September 2025. Additionally, the bill introduces a reduced reimbursement rate of 33 percent for zero-emission school buses during the 2025-26 through 2027-28 school years. The transitional kindergarten program is renamed to the "transition to kindergarten program," with new funding allocation criteria prioritizing schools in extreme child care access deserts and low-income students, while allowing sliding scale fees for enrollment.

Further amendments focus on education funding and teacher bonuses, defining "maximum local effort assistance" and adjusting the alternative learning experience adjustment percentage from 33% to 25%. The bill outlines eligibility for certificated instructional staff bonuses, including a $5,000 annual bonus for maintaining national board certification, with additional bonuses for those in high-poverty schools. It also modifies the funding structure for running start programs, reducing the maximum combined enrollment from 1.4 to 1.2 full-time equivalents, with a temporary adjustment to 1.3 for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is tasked with tracking enrollment and course loads in these programs, and new sections specify effective dates for certain provisions.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 28A.160.200, 28A.230.215, 28A.600.402
Substitute bill: 28A.160.200, 28A.600.402, 28A.300.072
Engrossed substitute: 28A.160.200, 28A.600.402, 28A.300.072
Bill as passed Legislature: 28A.160.200, 28A.300.072, 28A.405.415, 28A.600.402