Urging Governor Ferguson to establish a framework with the legislature to opt Washington state into the federal tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 educational expenses.
Summary
HJM4013 is a joint memorial urging Governor Bob Ferguson to use authority under federal tax law to have Washington participate in a federal tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 educational expenses. The memorial asks the governor to act quickly, direct the appropriate state agency to identify qualifying scholarship-granting organizations, and submit the required list to the IRS so Washington families can begin benefiting as early as possible. The measure is framed as a request for executive action and coordination with the Legislature, rather than as a direct change to state education funding law.
The memorial describes the federal program as allowing taxpayers to receive federal tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations that provide educational assistance to eligible students. It emphasizes that scholarships could cover a range of K-12 expenses, including tutoring, special education services, therapies, curriculum materials, technology, and other qualified costs. The text also states that participation would not require state spending, would not create a state budget obligation, and would direct federal resources to Washington students and families.
In terms of legal impact, HJM4013 does not itself amend the Revised Code of Washington or create a new state program. Instead, it seeks to influence state participation in a federal program by asking the governor and a designated state entity to complete the election and administrative steps required under federal law. If acted upon, the practical effect would be to establish a state-level framework for identifying eligible scholarship organizations and enabling Washington residents to access federal tax-credit-funded scholarships.
The general sentiment in the memorial is strongly supportive of opting into the program. The bill’s findings argue that Washington families would otherwise miss out on federal educational support that would flow to families in participating states, and it presents the program as a way to expand educational opportunity for working- and middle-class families at no cost to state taxpayers. There is no recorded committee testimony or vote history in the provided materials, so the available context reflects only the bill’s sponsor-driven, favorable framing.
The main point of contention implied by the text is not fiscal cost, but whether Washington should participate in a federal scholarship system that channels tax credits to private scholarship organizations. Supporters emphasize access, equity, and zero state cost, while the memorial’s structure suggests the policy choice is about whether to opt in and how to administer the program. Because there are no committee transcripts or votes provided, no formal opposition is documented in the available record.
Impact
The memorial would not directly change state statutes, but it would prompt executive and administrative action to opt Washington into a federal tax-credit scholarship program and to identify qualifying scholarship-granting organizations. Its practical impact would be to create a state participation framework that could make federal scholarship dollars available to Washington students without requiring state appropriations or new state tax expenditures.
Sentiment
The bill is presented in a strongly favorable light, with repeated claims that participation would benefit Washington families, expand educational access, and do so at no cost to the state. No votes or committee testimony are provided, so there is no documented opposition or mixed sentiment in the available record.
Contention
The likely policy dispute is whether Washington should participate in a federal scholarship program that relies on tax-credit-supported donations to private scholarship organizations. Supporters argue it would help working- and middle-class families and prevent federal dollars from flowing to other states, while critics might question the use of public tax incentives for private-school-related educational assistance and the role of scholarship-granting organizations. No specific opposing arguments are included in the provided materials.
AN ACT Relating to requiring Washington state's participation in the federal tax credit program for contributions of individuals to scholarship granting organizations;
Enacting an excise tax on large operating companies on the amount of payroll expenses above the minimum wage threshold of the additional medicare tax to fund services to benefit Washingtonians and establishing the Well Washington fund account.
Enacting an excise tax on large operating companies on the amount of payroll expenses above the minimum wage threshold of the additional medicare tax to fund services to benefit Washingtonians and establishing the Well Washington fund account.
Directing the withholding of state payments to the federal government if federal funding is withheld due to the existence of a valid Washington state law.
Enacting an excise tax on large employers on the amount of payroll expenses above the social security wage threshold to fund programs and services to benefit Washingtonians.
Interim study to examine the feasibility, benefits, and framework for establishing a high school agriculture student exchange program within Nebraska modeled after foreign student exchange programs