SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5918
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 3, 2026
Title: An act relating to funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs.
Brief Description: Providing funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs.
Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Conway, Hasegawa, Nobles, Riccelli, Slatter, Stanford and Wilson, C.; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/21/26, 2/03/26 [DPS-WM, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • Increases allocations for materials, supplies, and operating costs by $100 per student or $100,000 per school district, whichever is greater, beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5918 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Nobles, Vice Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Harris, Ranking Member; Cortes, Dozier, Hansen and Krishnadasan.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator McCune.
Staff: Alex Fairfortune (786-7416)
Background:

The prototypical school model includes allocations per annual average full-time equivalent student for materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC), which are adjusted annually for inflation. In the 2026-27 school year the allocations will be $1,614.28 per student in grades K-12 and an additional $214.84 per student in grades 9-12.

 

Recent increases to MSOC allocations were designated to address growing materials, supplies, and operating costs and cannot be expended for any other purpose.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute):

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, in addition to MSOC amounts already provided, each school district must receive an additional MSOC allocation of $100 per full-time equivalent student.

 

If the additional allocation of $100 per student provides less than $100,000 in additional MSOC funding, then a school district must receive additional amounts to bring the total additional MSOC funding to $100,000. Such additional amounts may not be included in base allocation calculations for statutory funding formulas for special education, early intervention, or transition to kindergarten programs.

 

All newly added MSOC allocation values must be adjusted annually for inflation from the 2026-27 school year, and may not be expended for any purpose other than MSOC.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (First Substitute):
  • Provides that the increased allocation of $100 per student or $100,000 per school district are intended to address growing materials, supplies, and operating costs and may not be expended for any other purpose.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 13, 2026.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: Basic education is the paramount duty of the state and the single most important thing the state funds, but right now schools are using enrichment dollars to keep their doors open. Districts have been dealing with significant shortfalls and need relief. MSOC funding is for fundamental services like utilities to keep the lights on. Because the formula has not kept pace with the rise in utility rates, districts have to scale back on curriculum, technology, and other needs. In the Tumwater School District the insurance costs have grown from $967,000 to $1.9 million dollars in a short time period, and the total MSOC shortfall was $4.8 million in a single year. Peninsula School District received $13.9 million in MSOC funds but had $29 million in MSOC costs. Investments in MSOC keep schools open, safe, and functioning. Many would be open to adding restrictions to ensure the funding is spent in MSOC categories.

 

CON: With a $2 billion deficit the state should not be spending more money on schools, it should be adjusting its spending. This funding will come from increased taxes and affordability is already a critical issue.
Persons Testifying:

PRO: Senator Lisa Wellman, Prime Sponsor; Melissa Gombosky, Spokane, Evergreen, Vancouver and Richland; Jim Kowalkowski, Rural Education Center; Tori Emerson, President, Washington State PTA; Malorie Larson, Shoreline PTA; Ashley Murphy, WA Assoc of School Administrators (WASA) & WA Assoc. of School Business Officials; Brad Wilson, Lake Chelan School District; Jayna Muneta; Dr. Melissa Beard, Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA); Tyler Muench, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; Jason Perrins, Chewelah SD; Lindsey Yocum, Lake Washington School District Board of Directors; Clifford Traisman, Seattle, Bellevue, Highline, and Northshore Public School Districts; Courtney Stepp, Renton Education Association/WEA; Eric Pickens, Washington Education Association & Sequim School Board; Patrick Murphy, Olympia School District; Charlie Brown, South Sound Superintendents and State Skills Centers; Rick Chisa, Public School Employees of Washington (PSE).

CON: Jeff Pack, Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: PRO: Jay Tyus, Wilbur and Creston Cooperative School Districts; Mitch Denning, Alliance of Educational Associations; Travis Bown, WA Association of Maintenance and Operation Administrators; Michelle Harris, Parent Advocate; Steve Fisk, Odessa School District - Odessa, WA; Kim Doepker, Walla Walla Public Schools; Lacey Stanage, School Alliance; Chitra Iyer, Washington State Association of School Psychologists (WSASP).