This bill adds a new section to chapter 28B.35 RCW creating a funding parity appropriation for Western Washington University (WWU). Beginning with the 2029–2031 biennium omnibus appropriations act, the Legislature must calculate a per‑student funding ratio at the start of every odd‑numbered year for each regional university and for The Evergreen State College by dividing a carryforward level funding average from “near general fund outlook accounts” by the number of full‑time equivalent (FTE) students from state‑supported academic programs in the prior fiscal year. If WWU’s calculated ratio is the lowest, the omnibus appropriations act must include an appropriation to WWU at least equal to the difference between WWU’s ratio and the next lowest ratio; if WWU is not the lowest, no appropriation is required under the new section. This is a new statutory funding and appropriations procedure rather than a change to criminal penalties. The bill defines “carryforward level” as a projected expenditure level for each biennial budget mechanically calculated after each even‑numbered year session by adjusting current appropriations to ongoing or one‑time based on the previous biennium’s enacted budget. “Regional universities” are those designated in RCW 28B.35.010 and the state college named is The Evergreen State College. Affected parties include WWU, other regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the Legislature (which performs the calculations and provides any required appropriation via the omnibus appropriations act). The bill was read for the first time on 04/04/25 and referred to the Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce. The extracted text leaves several details unclear: it does not define “near general fund outlook accounts,” it does not specify the method for counting FTE students, it does not state tie‑breaking procedures if WWU and another institution have equal lowest ratios, it does not identify the source of funds or the budgetary mechanism beyond the omnibus appropriations act, and it does not provide the specific new section number within chapter 28B.35 RCW. The legislative findings cited in the bill are stated without supporting data in the provided text.

If this becomes law, Western Washington University is likely to receive extra state dollars beginning in the 2029–31 budget cycle whenever its calculated per‑student state funding falls below that of the next lowest regional university or The Evergreen State College. That extra money would close the measured per‑student gap so WWU's funding per student matches the next lowest institution, which could ease pressure to raise tuition, allow restoration or growth of programs or staffing, and reduce WWU’s relative funding shortfall compared with peer schools. The legislature and the omnibus budget process are the ones who must run the new calculation every odd-numbered year and include the appropriation when required, so state budget obligations could increase in those years. Other regional universities and The Evergreen State College are affected only as comparators in the formula. Key details are unclear from the text provided—what exactly counts as the "near general fund outlook accounts," how FTEs are counted, how ties are handled, and where the required appropriation money would come from—so the precise fiscal impact on state budgets and WWU’s actual funding amounts cannot be determined from the extract alone.