SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5998
As of February 23, 2026
Title: An act relating to fiscal matters.
Brief Description: Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations.
Sponsors: Senators Robinson and Nobles; by request of Office of Financial Management.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 1/13/26, 2/23/26.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Makes supplemental operating budget appropriations for the 2025-2027 biennium.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)
Background:

The operating expenses of state government and its agencies and programs are funded on a biennial basis by an omnibus operating budget adopted by the Legislature in odd-numbered years.  In subsequent legislative sessions, a supplemental budget is adopted, making various modifications to agency appropriations.  State operating expenses are paid from the state general fund and from various dedicated funds and accounts.
Summary of Bill:

The 2025-2027 biennial operating budget appropriations for the various agencies and programs of the state are modified.
Appropriation: The bill makes appropriations from various accounts.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (January 13, 2026):

Please refer to the January 13, 2026 recording of the public hearing on the Senate Ways & Means Committee Schedules, Agendas & Documents website at https://app.leg.wa.gov/committeeschedules/#//WM/////year.
Persons Testifying:

K-12 Public Schools. PRO:  Dawn Rains, Treehouse; Jeanne Willard; Doug Judge, Center for High School Success; Liz Trautman, Stand for Children Washington; Aaron Yared, Building Changes.

CON:  Tyler Muench, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; Erica Hallock, School Nurse Organization of Washington; Larry Delaney, Washington Education Association; Marissa Rathbone, Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA); Logan Noel-Endres, Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA); Roz Thompson, Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP); Tori Emerson, President, Washington State PTA; Brian Freeman, Inchelium School District #70; Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist; Braden Sigua, Pacific Science Center; Jim Kowalkowski, Rural Education Center; Mitch  Denning, Alliance of Educational Associations.

OTHER:  Rick Chisa, Public School Employees of Washington (PSE); Melissa Gombosky, Association of Educational Service Districts - AESD; Radu Smintina; Colleen Frerks, Quincy School District; Courtney McCoy, Royal High School; Megan Dunn, Snohomish County, District 2; Andrew Villeneuve, Northwest Progressive Institute; Jenny Morgan, Washington School Counselor Association; Charlie Brown, South Sound Superintendents.

Higher Education. PRO:  Sandy Kaiser, Evergreen Government Relations.

CON:  Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist; Cameron Gray; Chris Mulick, Washington State University.

OTHER:  Hunter Deloney, Myself; Steve DuPont, Central Washington University; Nate Humphrey, WA State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Dr. Ivan Harrell, Tacoma Community College; Nora Selander, Western Washington University; Morgan Hickel, University of Washington; Natalie Wellen, UAW 4121; Chelsea Kopp, UAW 4591; Willow Heidt, UAW 4929.

Early Learning. CON:  Erica Hallock, Start Early Washington; Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist; Wendy Bart, Washington Alliance of YMCAs/Olympic Peninsula YMCA.

OTHER:  Alex Galeana, Children's Campaign Fund Action.

Employee Compensation. CON:  Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist.

OTHER:  Seamus Petrie, Washington Public Employees Association; Peter Diedrick, WA State School Retirees' Association.

Mental Health. PRO:  John Heckel, WA State Music Therapy Task Force.

CON:  Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist.

OTHER:  Rashi Gupta, UW Medicine.

Human Services. PRO:  Nicole Kern, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Jill May , Washington Association for Children and Families ; Brad Forbes, Alzheimer's Association; Michele Thomas, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance; Judy Ellis; Max Kauffman, Office of Civil Legal Aid; Melissa Derry, Central Washington Legal Aid; Tom McGarry, Northwest Justice Project; Ashe Tippins, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance; Lynn Kimball, Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging; Joe McDermott, State Relations Director | King County; Sarah Dickmeyer, Plymouth Housing; Jane Pak, Snohomish County Legal Services.

CON:  Sheila Morley, Family Impact Network; Jolynn Kenney, MENTOR Washington; Chloe Gale, Evergreen Treatment Services; Carolanne Sanders, P.D.A.; Bob Lindenhovius, WE THE PEOPLE   retired Veteran; Carma Matti-Jackson, Washington Health Care Association; Alyssa Odegaard, LeadingAge Washington; Len McComb, Washington State Hospital Association; Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist; Paul Waddington, Ensign Services; Samiksha Mokashi, Avamere Rehabilitation of Issaquah; Mindy Bradley, The Oaks at Lakewood; Joe Rudd, Alderwood Park Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia; Tina Levasheff, Village at the Harbor Assisted Living; Manuel Navarro, Columbia Valley Community Health; Jodi  Joyce, Unity Care NW; Mauro Hernandez, Hearth and Truss.

OTHER:  Kim Justice, Partners for Our Children; Samuel Martin, Washington Coalition for Homeless Youth Advocacy; Kate Garvey, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center; Charles Smith, The Mockingbird Society; PAULA REED, Children's Advocacy Centers of WA; Amy Brackenbury, Washington State Public Health Association; Noah Seidel, Office of Developmental Disabilities Ombuds; LaDessa Croucher, Resolution Washington; Aaron Czyzewski, Food Lifeline; Ramona Hattendorf, The Arc of King County; John Lemus, AtWork! - Advocacy Manager; Kat Lohman, Legal Counsel for Youth and Children; Alex Motteler, Trillium; David Wilder, Chinook Enterprises; Jason Peterson, Community Employment Alliance; Jaime Bodden, WSALPHO; Lee Che  LEONG, Northwest Health Law Advocates; Alison Price, Rural Resources Victim Services; Anna  Nepomuceno, Northwest Harvest; Shawn Latham, Self Advocates In Leadership; Jeff DeLuca, Washington State Community Action Partnership.

Natural Resources. PRO:  Mike Peroni, Northwest Agriculture Business Center; Krystyna Wolniakowski, Executive Director, Columbia River Gorge Commission; Dave Upthegrove, Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands, Department of Natural Resources; Daniel Whelan, Sustainable Northwest; Travis Dutton, Washington State Association of Counties.

CON:  Tarin Todd, Vice President of Govt. Affairs for RBAW; Darcy Nonemacher, Washington Conservation Action; Christine  Cooley, Executive Director, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency; David Mendoza, The Nature Conservancy - Washington; Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist; Leah Missik, Climate Solutions; Tony Usibelli, Sierra Club.

OTHER:  Carrie Nyssen, American Lung Association; Guillermo Rogel, Front and Centered; Nello Picinich, Coastal Conservation Association; Matt Doumit, Washington Forest Protection Association; Councilmember Kari McVeigh, San Juan County.

All Other. PRO:  Christopher Stanley, Administrative Office of the Courts; Sara Robbins,  Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid; Philippe Knab, Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid; Larry Jefferson, Director, Washington State Office of Public Defense ; Ramona Brandes, Washington Defender Association/Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Linnea  Anderson , Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators; David Freeman, Whatcom County Supe.

CON:  Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist.

OTHER:  Candice Bock, Association of Washington Cities; Roshelle Cleland, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (WSCADV) ; Beth Leonard, Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid; Curtis Steinhauer, Washington State Association of Counties; Derek VanSpoor, Retired Public Employees Council of WA; Gary Rowe, Public Works Board; Alexandra Johnson, Duwamish River Community Coalition; Steve Hobbs, Office of Secretary of State; Wesley Jessup, Eastern Washington Historical Society (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture); Melissa Spear, Tilth Alliance; Brahmi Pugh, Coalition for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture; Ryan Mello, County Executive, Pierce County.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (February 23, 2026):

Please refer to the February 23, 2026 recording of the public hearing on the Senate Ways & Means Committee Schedules, Agendas & Documents website at https://app.leg.wa.gov/committeeschedules/#//WM/////year.
Persons Testifying:

K-12 Public Schools. PRO:  Meisha Situ, Washington DECA; Liam Carter, Washington DECA; Kathy Schmit; Karen Coulombe, Lake Stevens School District; Harshita Sinha, Lake Stevens School District; Xavier De La Cruz Trujillo, Lake Stevens School District; Liz Trautman, Stand for Children Washington.

CON:  Larry Delaney, Washington Education Association; Logan Noel-Endres, Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA); Tori Emerson, President, Washington State PTA; Marissa Rathbone, WA Assoc of School Admin (WASA) & WA Assoc of School Business Officials (WASBO); Misha Cherniske, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; Mandi Rehn, Valley School District; Lisa Phelan, Freeman School District; Randy Russell, Freeman SD 358; Jay Tyus, Superintendent, Wilbur and Creston Cooperative School Districts; Nikolas Bergman, Quincy School District; Kevin Knight, Superintendent Colville School District; Derek  Sarley, Director, Walla Walla Public Schools; Ben Gauyan, Superintendent, Walla Walla Public Schools; Charlie Brown, South Sound Superintendents and Federal Way Public Schools; Andie Webb, Superintendent, Kahlotus School District; Jessie Sprouse, Carbonado School District; Mitch Denning, Alliance of Educational Associations; Mary Templeton, School Alliance.

OTHER:  Rick Chisa, Public School Employees of Washington (PSE SEIU 1948); Braden Sigua, Pacific Science Center; Katherine Mahoney, Prodigy Learning; Preston Dwoskin; Ryan McCallum, Kamiakin High School, Kennewick, WA.

Higher Education. PRO:  Christopher Rosenquist, Associated Students of Western Washington University; Nora Selander, Western Washington University; David Buri, Eastern Washington University; Steve DuPont, Central Washington University; Chris Mulick, Washington State University; Morgan Hickel, University of Washington.

CON:  Frank  Trieu, Evergreen Beauty College; Julianna  Hivick, Student; Leilani Sage, Student; Recemae Bennett, Student; Molly Walsh, DigiPen Institute of Technology; Craig  Freeman, Northwest College of Art and Design; Christine Jackson, Student NWCD.

OTHER:  Jacqui Cain, American Federation of Teachers (AFT-WA); Nate Humphrey, WA State Board for Community & Technical Colleges; Ivan Harrell, Tacoma Community College.

Early Learning. PRO:  Gina Parziale.

CON:  Rachel Hall, First 5 FUNdamentals; Zamzam Mohamed, Voices of Tomorrow.

OTHER:  Alex Galeana, Children's Campaign Fund Action; Muriel  Herrera-Velasquez; Rob Colombini, Child Care Aware of Washington; Soleil Boyd, Children's Alliance; Sheila Capestany, Start Early; Alexandra Folz, Family Connects Pierce County implemented by Step by Step and Answer's Counseling; Nick Federici, United Ways of the Pacific Northwest.

Employee Compensation. PRO:  Seamus Petrie, Washington Public Employees Association.

OTHER:  Emmett Mills, Washington State School Retirees' Association.

Mental Health. PRO:  Jolynn Kenney, MENTOR Washington; Rashi Gupta, UW Medicine.

CON:  Kimmy Reedy, Director of Peer WA - Rcovery Navigator Program; Megan Guido, Whitman Recovery Community Center.

OTHER:  Jim Theofelis, NorthStar Advocates; Kimberly Mosolf, Counsel for Plaintiff Class in AB v DSHS (Trueblood); Ashley Jackson, Seattle Children's.

Human Services.  PRO:  PAULA REED, Children's Advocacy Centers of Washington; Ramona Hattendorf, The Arc of King County; Michele Thomas, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance; Lonnie Johns-Brown, Full Life Care; Shaun Cross, Maddies Place; Leo  Morales, Latino Center for Health at UW; Courtney Normand, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.

CON:  Alenna Elliott; Everett Maroon, Blue Mountain Heart to Heart; Malika Lamont, Purpose Dignity Action; Cynthia Flynn, Washington association of birth centers; Elaine Purchase, Pediatric Interim Care Center; Chad Vaculin, Evergreen Treatment Services; Brandie Flood, Evergreen Treatment Services; Jen Chong Jewell.

OTHER:  Lance Morehouse, Sherwood Community Services; John Lemus, AtWork!; Jennifer Green; Alyssa Odegaard, LeadingAge Washington; Karen Pillar, TeamChild; Shawn Latham, Self Advocates In Leadership; Mary  Pierce, Evergreen Healthcare; Daniel  Watt, Allied Residential Care; Amy Seils, Cascadia Healthcare; Nikki  Storms, The Hampton Alzheimer Special Care Center; Shannon Nelson, Ensign Services; Loupel  Antiquiera, Ensign Services; Noah Seidel, Office of Developmental Disabilities Ombuds; Cathy Murahashi, The Arc of Washington; Emily Brice, Northwest Health Law Advocates; Samuel Martin, The Mockingbird Society; Hali Willis, Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness; Kim Justice, Partners for Our Children; Jessica Renner, Self; Carma Matti-Jackson, Washington Health Care Association; Mary Mitchell, Seattle King County Aging Services/WA Assoc Area Agencies on Aging; Manuel Navarro, Columbia Valley Community Health; Giannina Ferrara, Center for Children & Youth Justice; Alyssa Patrick, Washington Association for Community Health; Roxana Gomez, Legal Counsel for Youth and Children; Alison Mondi, Arcora Foundation; Jeff DeLuca, Washington State Community Action Partnership; Sean Graham, Washington State Medical Association; Nick Federici, Pioneer Human Services; Victor Estrada.

Natural Resources. PRO:  Leonard Johnson, WA Fire Chiefs Association &  McLane Black Lake Fire Department; Dave Upthegrove, Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands, Department of Natural Resources.

OTHER:  Matt Doumit, Washington Forest Protection Association; Brady Dier, Washington Public Employees Association; Skippy Shaw, The Nature Conservancy in Washington; Katie Fields, Washington Prescribe Fire Council; Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, Lower Columba Estuary Partnership; Adán Espino Jr, Coalition for Regenerative & Organic Agriculture.

All Other. PRO:  Commissioner Carolina Mejia, Thurston County; Christine Cooley, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

CON:  Kari VanderHouwen, Pharm-A-Save Granite Falls; Wesley  Jessup, Eastern Washington State Historical Society - Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture; Denise  Perez Lally; Will Quinby.

OTHER:  Sara Robbins,  Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid; Sophia Byrd McSherry, Washington State Office of Public Defense; Ramona Brandes, Washington Defender Association/Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Candice Bock, Association of Washington Cities; Sam Hatzenbeler, Economic Opportunity Institute; Corey Guilmette, Civil Survival; Sophia Thomas; Christine Simonsmeier, Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators; Candi Shute, Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators; Judge Cindy  Larsen, Superior Court Judges' Association; Judge Rachelle  Anderson, Superior Court Judges' Association; Anne Burkland, Human Rights Commission; Nicole Gomez, AFSCME Council 28/Washington Federation of State Employees ; Altinay Karasapan, Climate Solutions; Gregory Joseph, Alliance for Gun Responsibility; Audrey Miller Garcia, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Mayor Terri Cooper, City of Medical Lake; Gary Rowe, Public Works Board.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Ways & Means):

Human Services. PRO:  Tina Bakowski.

 

CON:  craig sicilia.

 

OTHER:  Laura Randall; LaDessa Croucher, Resolution Washington; Reggie Beltran, Linden Grove Center; De Anna Winterrose, Benton/Franklin Parent Coalition; Jessica Renner, Self.