The 2025 legislative session is almost halfway through. It鈥檚 day 51 of the 105-day session.
Senate recognizes President Ana Mari Cauce鈥檚 service to the 91探花and Washington state
91探花President Ana Mari Cauce visited Olympia last week and again today to today to meet with lawmakers and advocate for the University. Her discussions focused primarily on the state鈥檚 operating and capital budgets. With the state facing a significant budget deficit, legislators are weighing both budget cuts and new revenue to address the shortfall.
President Cauce emphasized that deep budget cuts to the University would hinder its ability to fulfill its essential teaching, research, and public service missions. All three of the UW鈥檚 campuses are fully enrolled, with unparalleled demand from students and industry for 91探花degrees. Large cuts would limit the University鈥檚 capacity to serve students and meet the workforce needs of local employers. She also stressed the added pressures from the federal government, particularly in regard to the University鈥檚 research efforts, and cautioned that state budget cuts would only intensify these challenges.
91探花Medicine鈥檚 CEO, Dr. Tim Dellit, also traveled to Olympia and joined President Cauce in several meetings today. Dr. Dellit underscored the significant impacts that federal cuts, particularly to Medicaid, will have on 91探花Medicine鈥檚 ability to provide essential healthcare services to Washingtonians and encouraged lawmakers to preserve state funding.
In addition to these discussions, the Senate honored President Cauce today for her exceptional service to both the 91探花and Washington state. recognizes President Cauce鈥檚 dedication to expanding access to higher education for all Washingtonians, as well as her significant contributions to the University鈥檚 academic excellence. It also highlights her commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the 91探花community and beyond. The resolution expresses gratitude to President Cauce for her outstanding service and impactful leadership, noting that her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Senator Javier Valdez sponsored the resolution and spoke in favor of it on the Senate floor. In his speech, he emphasized that President Cauce is a pioneer and role model who lifts others up along with her. Senators Jesse Salomon, Judy Warnick, Lisa Wellman, John Braun, Marko Liias, Marcus Riccelli, Vandana Slatter, Drew Hansen, and Tina Orwall also spoke in support of the resolution and to express their gratitude for President Cauce’s service. They commended her fearless approach to tackling challenges head-on and celebrated her for leading with vision, grace, persistence, and heart. They noted that she exemplifies the UW鈥檚 motto to Be Boundless and continually reinforces her commitment to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Under her guidance, they highlighted that the 91探花has become a top global university, and that her impact will be lasting. The senators thanked President Cauce for her leadership, acknowledging that she has made both the 91探花and Washington state better. To watch today鈥檚 proceedings, .
Legislative deadlines loom as budget writers focus on drafting the state budgets
The second major deadline of legislative session passed last week with the house-of-origin fiscal cutoff on Friday, Feb. 28.
Over 1,800 bills have been introduced this session, and in order to become law, they must follow a set process through the legislature. Initially, a bill is introduced in a policy committee, which focuses on a particular subject matter (e.g., Health Care & Wellness). If it passes out of the policy committee and affects one of the state鈥檚 budgets, it then moves to a fiscal committee (e.g., Ways & Means). Afterward, the bill advances to the Rules Committee, where a committee member must pull it for consideration by all members of the House of Representatives or Senate. If a bill successfully passes in its house of origin, it proceeds through the same process in the opposite chamber.
The legislative process has specific cutoff dates. If a bill doesn鈥檛 progress by the designated deadlines, it is considered dead unless it鈥檚 necessary to implement the budget. For this reason, bills must have been voted out of the house-of-origin fiscal committee by last Friday, Feb. 28, to remain alive.
The 91探花is actively tracking and engaging on several bills this session. Some of the bills still in play are:
- Senate Bill (SB) 5158 / House Bill (HB) 1298 concerns student athlete insurance.
- SB 5239 / HB 1394 concerns retention of hospital medical records.
- SB 5355 improves safety at institutions of higher education while supporting student survivors of sexual assault.
- HB 1337 concerns the appointment of presidents of institutions of higher education.
- HB 1552 extends the fee on real estate broker licenses to fund the Washington center for real estate research and adjusts the fee to account for inflation.
- HB 1755 exempts elective percutaneous coronary intervention performed in certain hospitals owned or operated by a state entity from certificate of need requirements.
Both the House and Senate are now on the floor considering legislation. The next major deadline, the house-of-origin cutoff, is next Wednesday, March 12, when bills must pass out of the chamber they were introduced in.
Legislative budget writers will now turn more attention toward drafting the state鈥檚 budgets. The next state revenue forecast, set for release on March 20, will provide a clearer picture of the state鈥檚 economic outlook and available revenue. Budget writers will use this information to finalize their proposals. Following that, the House and Senate will present their draft budget proposals before coming together to finalize the state budgets.
Questions?
The Office of State Relations is in Olympia advocating on behalf of the UW. For questions about the UW鈥檚聽legislative priorities聽or advocacy efforts, please reach out to Morgan Hickel at聽mhickel@uw.edu.