BILL · 2025–26 SESSION

SB 5542: HS completers/CTC tuition

Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges.

Summary

Eliminates the requirement that a student be 19 years of age or older to be eligible for a High School Completion Program tuition and fee waiver.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5542), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House

AN ACT Relating to tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges;

Passed March 6, 2025

Version voted on: SB 5542

49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	30	0	0	0
Republican	19	0	0	0

How each member voted

Jan 12, 2026Senate Rules "X" file.
Jan 12, 2026By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Apr 27, 2025By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
Mar 28, 2025Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Mar 26, 2025PEW - Executive action taken by committee.
Mar 26, 2025PEW - Majority; do pass.
Mar 8, 2025First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.
Mar 6, 2025Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
Mar 6, 2025Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Mar 5, 2025Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 11, 2025Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 10, 2025HEWD - Majority; do pass.
Jan 28, 2025First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.

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

SB 5542 (2023–24) EV supply equipment · Enacted · Chapter 125, Laws of 2023
SB 5542 (2021–22) Optometry · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
SB 5542 (2019–20) Patient care/health entities · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5542 (2017–18) Overwater residences · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
SB 5542 (2015–16) PUD privilege tax · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5542 (2013–14) Public employee benefits · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5542 (2011–12) Cigar lounges/tobacconists · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5542 (2009–10) LEOFF plan 2/disabled · Vetoed by the Governor