BILL · 2025–26 SESSION

HB 2309: Postgrad degree requirements

Reducing barriers to state employment by eliminating postgraduate degree requirements that are unnecessary.

Summary

Prohibits the Office of Financial Management from including in a comprehensive compensation plan the requirement for a postgraduate degree as the only way to demonstrate qualifications for a particular role unless the degree is required by law for an employee to perform the essential functions of a classification.

From the House Bill Report (HB 2309), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 38, Laws of 2026

AN ACT Relating to reducing barriers to state employment by eliminating postgraduate degree requirements that are unnecessary;

Passed January 29, 2026

Version voted on: HB 2309

97 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	58	0	0	1
Republican	39	0	0	0

How each member voted

Passed March 4, 2026

Version voted on: HB 2309

48 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	29	0	0	1
Republican	19	0	0	0

How each member voted

Mar 14, 2026Effective date 6/11/2026.
Mar 14, 2026Chapter 38, 2026 Laws.
Mar 14, 2026Governor signed.
Mar 6, 2026Delivered to Governor.
Mar 6, 2026President signed.
Mar 5, 2026Speaker signed.
Mar 4, 2026Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
Mar 4, 2026Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Feb 27, 2026Placed on second reading consent calendar.
Feb 25, 2026Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 24, 2026SGTE - Majority; do pass.
Feb 2, 2026First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
Jan 29, 2026Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
Jan 29, 2026Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Jan 27, 2026Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Jan 22, 2026Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Jan 20, 2026SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.
Jan 20, 2026SGOV - Majority; do pass.
Jan 12, 2026First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
Jan 7, 2026Prefiled for introduction.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

HB 2309 (2023–24) Washington 13 free guarantee · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2309 (2019–20) Pawnbroker transactions · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2309 (2017–18) Service contract providers · Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate
HB 2309 (2015–16) Water pollution loans/term · Enacted · Chapter 88, Laws of 2016
HB 2309 (2013–14) Property taxes, payment of · Enacted · Chapter 13, Laws of 2014
HB 2309 (2011–12) Provisional school employees · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2309 (2009–10) Safe & healthful food comm · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2309 (2007–08) Property tax limits · Did not pass · died in committee