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SB5619 • 2026
Establishing minimum in-state resident enrollment thresholds for public universities.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
In-state resident enrollment
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
In-state resident enrollment
AN ACT Relating to establishing minimum in-state resident 1 enrollment thresholds for public universities; adding a new section 2 to chapter 28B.10 RCW; and creating a new section. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that ensuring 5 Washington residents have access to high quality postsecondary 6 degrees and credentials is imperative to the success and opportunity 7 of those individuals in the state's diverse and growing economy. 8 Further, the legislature finds that the foremost role of Washington's 9 public higher education institutions has been from inception, and 10 continues to be, to provide access to qualified Washington residents 11 to such education. It is therefore the intent of this act to 12 guarantee that Washington institutions of higher education prioritize 13 Washington resident students for enrollment in postsecondary 14 education programs.15 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 16 RCW to read as follows: 17 (1) The fall freshman head count enrollment at each of the state 18 universities, regional universities, the state college, and 19 separately, their respective university campuses must annually equal 20 S-0172.1 SENATE BILL 5619 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Boehnke, Hasegawa, and Holy Read first time 01/31/25. Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development. p. 1 SB 5619 at least 75 percent Washington resident students. If insufficient 1 academically qualified resident undergraduate applicants apply, an 2 institution may enroll additional nonresident applicants such that 3 the resident student enrollment mix is less than 75 percent.4 (2) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the 5 definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section:6 (a) "Academically qualified" means the applicant meets the 7 institution's published minimum admissions standards.8 (b) "Resident student" has the same meaning as in RCW 28B.15.012.9 (c) "University campuses" are those provided in chapter 28B.45 10 RCW. 11 --- END --- p. 2 SB 5619