First Round of Cutoffs
We are at the end of the fifth week of the 2026 Legislative Session, which means we are in the first round of cutoffs – dates on the session calendar by which a bill must pass a certain hurdle in order to “stay alive” on its path toward becoming law.
Here are some key terms to know:
- “Fiscal committee” is the committee that makes the budget allocations; these are the House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means committees
- “Chamber” is the two branches (or houses) of the legislature; the House and the Senate
- “Origin” means where something started, which applies to both committee and chamber
- “Policy committee” is the committee that discusses and discerns a new or revised policy
The first two major cutoffs for this session happened last and this week, and the next important one that will determine if a bill stays alive will be next week:
- Tuesday, Feb 4: Chamber of origin policy committee cutoff
Bills have to be approved by their original policy committee - Monday, Feb 9: Chamber of origin fiscal committee cutoff
Bills have to be approved by their original fiscal committee
- Tuesday, Feb 17: House of origin cutoff
Bills have to pass a “floor vote” with the full body of that chamber
At each point in this process, bills might be amended or changed as they are considered and then receive votes. Each cutoff narrows down the list of bills that are still alive that we have the opportunity to advocate around and affect during this legislative session.
Bills in Focus
These bills are still alive and are ones we are keeping our eye on for input and advocacy:
HB 2219 – Enhancing the operational efficiency of child care providers
This bill makes two changes for DCYF licensing:
- Gives centers the ability to have up to 2.5 hrs/day of mixed age groups – or up to 4 hrs/day if 90 min of that time is for lunch or breaks for staff – as long as the child-to-adult ratio is maintained for the youngest child in the group.
- DCYF must waive the early learning program preservice requirement to complete a department-provided orientation when an individual has previously completed the applicable orientation a) within the last 5 years, b) while the content of the orientation hasn’t changed substantially, and c) the individual has not had a “break in service” either as a licensed child care provider or working in a licensed child care facility.
>> Would this affect you? We’d like to hear from you.
HB 2688 – Providing adjustments to the early support for infants and toddlers program
This bill would cut Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) services by 17%. This would return ESIT funding to 2008 levels.
BrightSpark has signed on to a letter with fellow early learning advocates to oppose these cuts.
>> Take action on this by contacting your House Representatives to oppose this.
SB 5500 – Defining the cost of quality child care for the biennial survey
This bill would require that the every 2-year (biennial) report to the legislature with the child care market rate survey also must include a cost of quality child care study based on current rates, and a cost of quality child care study as defined by the early educator design team.
SB 6346 – Establishing a tax on millionaires
This bill would tax 9.9% of income over $1 million beginning in 2028. It is estimated that the tax will be paid by only 20,000 of the 3.1 million households in the state (less than 1%), and will raise $3.7 billion. The proposal also repeals some sales taxes on some personal care products used by the majority of people (e.g. soaps, toothpaste, etc.).
BrightSpark has signed on to a letter of support for this with fellow early learning advocates.
>> Take action on this by contacting your Senators to support this
State Budget Bills
HB 2289 | SB 5998 – these are where the changes to the state budget will happen; currently, these bills include significant reductions to the Working Connections Child Care subsidy.
>> Take action on this by emailing the leadership of the finance committees to urge them to save WCCC and share your story of how WCCC has impacted you, your family, or your center
Coming Soon – Legislator Town Halls
Legislators will be holding mid-session town halls over the next few weeks. Here are the ones currently scheduled to consider attending where you can ask questions about legislators’ commitment to preserving and protecting early learning funding in this year’s budget:
Let us know if you plan on attending one!
We are ready to help with best practices, resources, and talking points.
| 2/21/2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | 37th | Sen. Saldaña, Rep. Santos, Rep. Street | ACRS (Asian Counseling & Referral Service), 3639 MLK Jr. Way South, Seattle, WA 98144 |
| 2/21/2026 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | 27th | Sen. Trudeau, Speaker Jinkins, Rep. Fey | Stadium High School Auditorium, 111 N E St, Tacoma, WA 98403 |
| 2/21/2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | 28th | Rep. Leavitt | 1700 Civic Dr, Dupont, WA 98327 |
| 2/21/2026 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | 43rd | Sen. Pedersen, Reps. Scott and Macri | Kerry Hall, 710 E Roy St, Seattle, WA 98102 — Learn more on Rep. Macri’s website or RSVP on Facebook (not required) |
| 2/21/2026 | 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | 36th | Sen. Frame, Reps. Reed and Berry | Ballard Boys and Girls Club – 1767 NW 64th Street, Seattle, WA 98107 |
| 2/23/2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | 34th | Sen. Alvarado, Reps. Fitzgibbon & Thomas | Virtual town hall |
| 2/23/2026 | 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | 1st | Sen. Derek Stanford, Reps. Kloba & Duerr | Telephone town hall: Participant Line (855)-756-7520 Ext.129671# |
Note: more town halls may be scheduled – check the respective Democrat and House / Senate Republican web pages for possible additional dates/times.
Keep an eye out for Advocacy Alerts, which share time-sensitive actions you can take regarding specific bills and policies impacting early learning. They will will be shared via email and on social media.
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