HB 2586

In Committee

House

Passport to careers program

Modifying funding for the passport to careers program and eligibility for the Washington college grant.

Introduced (completed)
2
Committee (current stage)
3
Floor Vote (not started)
4
Opposite Chamber (not started)
5
Governor (not started)
6
Signed (not started)

This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.

How does a bill become law?

Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
Signed: The bill has been signed into law.

Introduced: January 19, 2026

Last Action: February 4, 2026

Status: H Rules R

Companion Bill: #5963

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AI Analysis

This analysis was generated by AI and may contain errors. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the official bill text for authoritative information.

People & CommunitiesPeople-leaningCorporate & Wealthy Interests

This bill expands the Passport to Careers program to include more low-income high school students and youth in or transitioning out of foster care, and links eligibility for the program with automatic qualification for the Washington College Grant. It also ensures long-term funding stability by placing Passport to Careers funds in the State Financial Aid Account.

Expands the Passport to Careers program to include high school students in 10th–12th grade who are members of households receiving Washington basic food benefits (starting in 2025–26) or who are eligible for the program based on foster care or homelessness status (starting in 2026–27).
Allows students who qualify for the Passport to Careers program to automatically qualify as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant, streamlining access to both programs.
Permanently includes the Passport to Careers program in the State Financial Aid Account, ensuring funds can be carried over and used across fiscal years without lapsing.
Clarifies that the program covers occupational-specific costs (e.g., tools, uniforms, fees) for apprentices and preapprentices, in addition to tuition and other standard costs of attendance.
Requires the Office of Student Financial Assistance to implement automatic eligibility linkage between the Passport to Careers program and the Washington College Grant for qualifying students.

Who is affected

Youth in or transitioning out of foster care and homeless youth — Students who are currently or were recently in foster care (including those in state, federal, or tribal systems) or experiencing homelessness may now qualify for the Passport to Careers program, which provides financial and support services to help them complete postsecondary education or apprenticeships.
Low-income high school students and their families — High school students in 10th–12th grade whose families receive public assistance (e.g., basic food, ABD, pregnant women assistance) may now automatically qualify for the Washington College Grant if they meet Passport to Careers eligibility criteria.
Apprentices and preapprentices — Students enrolled in or accepted into state-approved apprenticeship or preapprenticeship programs can receive financial support through the Passport to Careers program to cover costs like tools, uniforms, and tuition.
State agencies and financial aid administrators — The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) and Student Achievement Council will administer the expanded Passport to Careers program, including eligibility determinations, disbursement of funds, and coordination with educational institutions.

Effective: July 1, 2025Fiscal impact: The bill modifies the State Financial Aid Account to include funds for the Passport to Careers program, allowing private contributions and carryover balances to support ongoing awards. It does not specify a new appropriation but relies on existing and future legislative funding.

Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 19, 2026, 8:08 PM

Pro/Con Analysis

Stronger case for benefits

Potential Benefits (5)

The bill expands eligibility for the Washington College Grant to high school students in households receiving basic food benefits, removing a significant financial barrier to postsecondary education for low-income families who previously might have missed the income threshold for aid.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(a)(iv)
By explicitly including youth in state, federal, and tribal foster care systems and homeless youth in the Passport to Careers program, the bill provides critical financial support to a vulnerable population that often lacks the resources to pursue postsecondary credentials or apprenticeships.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(a)(v) and Sec. 3(13)-(16)
The automatic qualification for the Washington College Grant based on public assistance status or foster care eligibility streamlines the financial aid process, reducing the bureaucratic burden and stigma associated with applying for need-based aid for eligible students.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(a)(iii) and (iv)
The clarification that 'cost of attendance' includes occupational-specific costs like tools and uniforms for apprentices and preapprentices ensures that low-income students can participate in trade programs without incurring out-of-pocket expenses that would otherwise prevent entry into skilled trades.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(9) and Sec. 2(5)(b)(ii)
Placing Passport to Careers funds in the State Financial Aid Account allows for the carryover of unspent funds and the acceptance of private contributions, providing greater long-term funding stability for the program compared to annual appropriations that lapse.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(2)

Potential Concerns (3)

The bill creates a mechanism allowing the legislature to transfer funds from the State Financial Aid Account to the General Fund during the 2025-2027 biennium, which could reduce the total pool of money available for student aid if the General Fund is under pressure.
FinancialRef: Sec. 1(2) and Sec. 1(6)
Expanding eligibility to include all students in households receiving Washington basic food benefits significantly increases the number of eligible recipients, potentially straining the fixed appropriations for the Washington College Grant and leading to smaller individual award amounts or delayed disbursements.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(a)(iv)
The automatic linkage between Passport to Careers and the Washington College Grant for foster care and homeless youth may increase administrative complexity for the Office of Student Financial Assistance, potentially causing delays in funding that could disrupt students' enrollment or apprenticeship start dates.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(a)(v)

Who Is Most Affected

Low-income high school students and foster care youthPositive Impact
These students gain direct access to tuition and fee waivers through the expanded eligibility criteria, significantly lowering the cost of postsecondary education and apprenticeships.
Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)Mixed Impact
The Office of Student Financial Assistance must implement new eligibility linkages and manage increased enrollment, requiring additional administrative resources and system updates.
Apprenticeship programs and trade unionsPositive Impact
Apprenticeship programs may see increased enrollment from low-income candidates who can now afford tools and uniforms, potentially expanding the skilled labor pool.
Community colleges and universitiesMixed Impact
Institutions of higher education will process more grant recipients, which may increase administrative workload but also stabilize enrollment of low-income students who might otherwise defer or drop out.