H-0345.1
HOUSE BILL 1278
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Pollet, Leavitt, Salahuddin, Ramel, Reed, Goodman, Scott, Nance, Macri, and Simmons
Read first time 01/14/25. Referred to Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce.
AN ACT Relating to the role of students on the governing boards of institutions of higher education; amending RCW 28B.50.100 and 28B.50.102 ; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.35 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.30 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.40 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that decisions made by governing boards of each respective institution of higher education greatly impact the lives of students and that student participation in the decision-making process can provide insight into the impacts of actions by trustees that are not always measurable through reports and statistics. Students are on campus every day using services and experiencing aspects of the institution that board members may only see on paper, providing a unique and valuable perspective that should not be overlooked.
Students serving on governing boards of institutions of higher education have proven effective in Washington and in over 30 other states. For nearly 30 years, students at Washington's four-year institutions of higher education have served as voting members on the board of trustees and regents. Students also serve with voting rights on both the Washington student achievement council and the workforce education investment accountability and oversight board. These opportunities have provided greater depth in board deliberations and a well-educated conduit for students to voice ideas and concerns.