SB 5424
In CommitteeSenate
UW health sciences campus
Establishing a health sciences campus of the University of Washington.
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.
AI Analysis
This bill creates a new University of Washington health sciences campus by transferring The Evergreen State College to the University of Washington, with the goal of expanding training for nurses, dentists, and behavioral health providers. It sets a timeline for program reviews, credit transfers, leadership appointments, and financial planning.
- Establishes the University of Washington health sciences campus effective July 1, 2026, by transferring all powers, duties, and property of The Evergreen State College to the University of Washington.
- Requires the University of Washington to appoint a nine-member advisory committee to help determine academic programs—especially in nursing, dental, and behavioral health—to meet state health care workforce needs.
- Mandates a program review of all existing Evergreen academic programs, with closure deadlines for programs not aligned with the new campus’s health mission: by July 1, 2028 (identification) and July 1, 2030 (completion of closures).
- Requires the University of Washington to adopt a policy by July 1, 2026 ensuring credit equivalencies for students who previously attended The Evergreen State College, allowing them to maintain academic standing.
- Establishes a coordinating and planning council with representatives from the UW health sciences campus, South Puget Sound Community College, students, and local community leaders to guide long-term strategy and resolve disputes.
- Requires the University of Washington board of regents to submit a 10-year financial sustainability plan to the legislature by July 1, 2028, including enrollment, tuition, capital needs, debt, and property plans.
Who is affected
- Students and former students of The Evergreen State College — Current students and former students of The Evergreen State College will be able to transfer their credits to the new University of Washington health sciences campus or other UW campuses under defined equivalency policies, helping them maintain academic progress and degree eligibility.
- Faculty and staff of The Evergreen State College — Faculty and staff at The Evergreen State College may transition to roles at the University of Washington health sciences campus, or face changes in employment status as academic programs are reviewed and potentially discontinued.
- Health care employers and providers — Local and regional health care employers and providers will benefit from a new campus focused on training nurses, dentists, and behavioral health professionals to address workforce shortages.
- Washington residents seeking health care services — Residents of Washington State—especially those in underserved or rural areas—may gain improved access to health care professionals trained at the new campus.
- State and local governments — State and local governments may see shifts in funding responsibilities and land-use planning as the campus transitions and evolves.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Expanded training capacity for nurses, dentists, and behavioral health providers to address critical workforce shortages: The bill establishes a dedicated UW health sciences campus with a mandate to produce graduates in high-demand health professions, directly targeting Washington’s provider shortages—especially in behavioral health and rural areas—potentially improving access to care for underserved communities.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 3(4); Sec. 3(5)(a)(ii)Credit transfer and academic continuity protections for former Evergreen students: The requirement to adopt a credit-equivalency policy by July 2026—allowing students to maintain academic standing and transfer credits to any UW campus—reduces the risk of lost time and tuition for students caught in the transition, supporting degree completion.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 3(5)(a)(i); Sec. 3(5)(a)(ii)Enhanced regional coordination through the planning council: The council—including SPSCC, students, and local leaders—promotes interinstitutional collaboration and dispute resolution, potentially strengthening regional education pathways and aligning higher education with local workforce needs in the South Puget Sound area.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(5)(a)(iii); Sec. 3(5)(a)(ii)Mandated 10-year financial transparency may improve long-term planning and accountability: Requiring UW to submit a comprehensive financial sustainability plan—including enrollment, tuition, debt, and property plans—could prevent fiscal surprises and encourage responsible resource allocation, though success depends on legislative follow-through.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 4(1)(a)-(f); Fiscal ImpactImproved public health and safety outcomes through increased behavioral health and dental workforce capacity: By expanding training in behavioral health (including addiction and mental health counselors) and dental services, the campus could reduce unmet mental health needs and oral health disparities—especially in rural and low-income communities—contributing to community resilience and emergency response capacity.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(3); Overview
Potential Concerns (5)
Disruption and potential loss of academic continuity for current Evergreen students and alumni: The bill abolishes The Evergreen State College and transfers it to UW, requiring a formal program review and closure of non-health programs by 2030. Students may face uncertainty about program availability, credit equivalency gaps, or forced transfers to unrelated UW campuses—despite credit-transfer policies—especially for students in interdisciplinary or arts programs that may not align with the narrow health mission.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2; Sec. 3(2)Job insecurity for faculty and staff at The Evergreen State College: The bill mandates a program review with deadlines to close programs not aligned with the health sciences mission, which could result in faculty layoffs, reassignments, or forced retraining. While some staff may transition to UW roles, many—especially those in non-health disciplines—face high risk of displacement without guaranteed reemployment.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(4); Sec. 3(5)(a)(i)Ongoing debt obligations and capital costs may strain state resources: The bill requires UW to assume Evergreen’s existing debt and develop a 10-year financial plan—including capital needs—but provides no new dedicated funding source. If enrollment targets or tuition revenue fall short, the state may need to subsidize operations, diverting funds from other public priorities like K–12 or community colleges.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 4(1)(e); Fiscal ImpactLoss of local identity and governance for Olympia and Thurston County: The abolition of The Evergreen State College eliminates a state institution with deep regional roots and local governance, potentially weakening community engagement and reducing local input on higher education planning in the capital region.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(4); Sec. 3(5)(a)(i)Narrowing of academic offerings may reduce access to liberal arts and interdisciplinary education: The requirement that “curriculum for each respective degree must be singularly focused on preparing students for a profession in their health care field” could eliminate flexible, interdisciplinary programs that have historically defined Evergreen—potentially reducing options for students seeking non-traditional or cross-sector career paths.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(4); Sec. 3(5)(a)(ii)
Who Is Most Affected
Current Evergreen students face disruption in program availability and potential delays in graduation, but are protected by credit-transfer policies—though gaps may persist for non-health disciplines.
Faculty and staff in health-related disciplines may gain stability and resources at UW, while those in non-health fields face high risk of job loss or reassignment—creating winners and losers within the workforce.
Health care employers (hospitals, clinics, community health centers) stand to benefit from a pipeline of trained nurses, dentists, and behavioral health providers—especially in underserved regions—though hiring may be concentrated in urban centers.
Residents in rural and low-income areas may gain better access to behavioral health and dental services, but benefits depend on whether graduates commit to practicing in underserved areas—no binding service commitments are included in the bill.
State government gains a new higher education mission but assumes Evergreen’s debt and transition costs; local governments (especially Olympia) lose a major regional institution but may gain from enhanced coordination with UW and SPSCC.