Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 4 D cosponsors

HB 1572 — Modifying higher education accreditation standards.

Last action — Effective date 7/27/2025*.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 24, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Bob Ferguson (Democratic) on April 24, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (4 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

108 added · 102 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to HB 1572 introduces specific conditions for how institutions may gain recognition beyond traditional accreditation, emphasizing the need for independence from other agencies and avoiding reliance solely on state agreements. Additionally, the bill strengthens the powers of the council by allowing it to investigate entities and conduct site inspections, thereby enhancing oversight and accountability. These changes are significant as they aim to improve transparency and protection for students, ensuring their needs are prioritized in the realm of higher education.

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ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1572 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By House Postsecondary Education & Workforce (originally sponsored by Representatives Pollet, Entenman, Reed, and Nance) READ FIRST TIME 02/21/25.
H-0523.2 HOUSE BILL 1572 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Representatives Pollet, Entenman, Reed, and Nance Read first time 01/24/25.
Referred to Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce.
1 ESHB 1572 (b) Shall recognize accrediting agencies that maintain rigorous standards for institutional eligibility, including requirements related to institutional effectiveness, student learning, assessment, governance, academic independence, administrative and fiscal responsibility, and transparency;
1 HB 1572 (b) Shall recognize accrediting agencies that maintain rigorous standards for institutional eligibility, including requirements related to institutional effectiveness, student learning, assessment, governance, academic independence, administrative and fiscal responsibility, and transparency.
Such recognition:
(i) May be independent from the recognition or approval of accrediting agencies by other entities, including the United States department of education;
and (ii) May not rely solely on reciprocity agreements between states that do not hold similar minimum standards;
To the extent feasible, the information shall include links to additional resources that may assist the public in identifying specific institutions offering substandard or fraudulent degree programs.
To the extent p.
p.
2 HB 1572 feasible, the information shall include links to additional resources that may assist the public in identifying specific institutions offering substandard or fraudulent degree programs.
2 ESHB 1572 (2) Financial disclosures provided to the council by degree- granting private vocational schools are not subject to public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW.
(2) Financial disclosures provided to the council by degree- granting private vocational schools are not subject to public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW.
and PROVIDED FURTHER, That an institution, branch, extension, or facility operating within the state of Washington which is affiliated with ((an)) a nonprofit institution operating in another state ((must be a separately accredited member institution of any such accrediting association to qualify for this exemption)):
and PROVIDED FURTHER, That an institution, branch, extension, or facility operating within the state of Washington which is affiliated with an institution operating in another state ((must be a separately accredited member institution of any such accrediting association to qualify for this exemption)):
3 ESHB 1572 (iii) Has been continuously accredited as a degree-granting institution for 10 years or more by an accrediting association recognized by the council and maintains such accreditation status;
3 HB 1572 (iii) Has been continuously accredited as a degree-granting institution for 10 years or more by an accrediting association recognized by the council and the secretary of the United States department of education, and maintains such accreditation status;
4 ESHB 1572
4 HB 1572
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Action History

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025*.

  2. Chapter 157, 2025 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. President signed.

  6. Speaker signed.

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  11. HEWD - Majority; do pass.

  12. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 10:30 AM.

  13. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.

  14. First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.

  15. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  16. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  17. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  18. 1st substitute bill substituted (PEW 25).

  19. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  21. Minority; without recommendation.

  22. Minority; do not pass.

  23. PEW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  24. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM.

  25. Public hearing in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM.

  26. First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on · 2 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 147 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#35)

Passed 49 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 30000
Republican 19000
Total 49000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Yea
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Yea
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Goehner Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Yea
Leonard Christian Republican Yea
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Matt Boehnke Republican Yea
Nikki Torres Republican Yea
Paul Harris Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Yea
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#14)

Passed 95 Yea · 2 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 36200
Democrat 59001
Total 95201
% of votes cast 97%2%0%1%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Yea
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Clyde Shavers Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Darya Farivar Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Not Voting
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed Democrat Yea
Kristine Reeves Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Yea
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Yea
Andrew Barkis Republican Yea
Andrew Engell Republican Yea
April Connors Republican Yea
Brian Burnett Republican Yea
Carolyn Eslick Republican Yea
Chris Corry Republican Yea
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Yea
Dan Griffey Republican Yea
David Stuebe Republican Yea
Deb Manjarrez Republican Yea
Drew Stokesbary Republican Yea
Ed Orcutt Republican Yea
Gloria Mendoza Republican Yea
Hunter Abell Republican Yea
Jenny Graham Republican Yea
Jeremie Dufault Republican Yea
Jim Walsh Republican Yea
Joe Schmick Republican Yea
Joel McEntire Republican Yea
John Ley Republican Yea
Joshua Penner Republican Yea
Kevin Waters Republican Yea
Mark Klicker Republican Yea
Mary Dye Republican Yea
Matt Marshall Republican Yea
Michael Keaton Republican Yea
Mike Steele Republican Yea
Mike Volz Republican Yea
Peter Abbarno Republican Yea
Rob Chase Republican Nay
Sam Low Republican Yea
Skyler Rude Republican Yea
Stephanie Barnard Republican Yea
Stephanie McClintock Republican Nay
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Yea
Tom Dent Republican Yea
Travis Couture Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1572?
HB 1572 is sponsored by Greg Nance (Democrat), Julia Reed (Democrat), Debra Entenman (Democrat), and Gerry Pollet (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1572?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 24, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1572?
Track HB 1572 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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