Chair Nobles opened the public hearing on Senate Bill 5658 and the committee voted to waive the five-day notice rule, allowing consideration of a proposed substitute. The motion to suspend the rule was made and carried by voice vote. "All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed nay. The motion carries," Chair Nobles said.

Kelly (staff) briefed the committee on the proposed substitute to Senate Bill 5658, describing three major changes: adjustments to the Washington College Grant, expanded Washington College Grant eligibility for approved apprenticeship programs and changes to the Washington Education Investment Account to set aside 10 percent of new revenue from the advanced computing surcharge to support programs that lead to credentials in advanced computing and related fields.

Kelly explained the proposed substitute would change the median family income threshold for maximum Washington College Grant eligibility to 70 percent and would codify a bridge grant. For apprenticeships, the substitute would allow eligible apprentices beginning in the 2025–26 academic year to receive a Washington College Grant covering the tuition and fees actually paid for related supplemental instruction (book/related instruction), up to the maximum grant for comparable two-year students, and would add a $500 grant for associated program costs. The substitute would also require public institutions to grant credit for related supplemental instruction within one year (changed from six years under current law) and to count those credits toward a degree with the Student Achievement Council assisting statewide transfer and articulation.

On the investment-account changes, the substitute would require 10 percent of new revenue from the advanced computing surcharge be used for programs that lead to credentials in advanced computing and related degree fields. When sufficient student and employer demand is demonstrated, the substitute provides funding for an additional 100 degrees at the University of Washington Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering; the allocation may be adjusted for inflation and prorated if revenue is insufficient. Reporting deadlines for the Student Achievement Council and the Washington Education Investment Accountability Board were also adjusted in the substitute.

Senator Hansen, sponsor of the substitute, told the committee the changes return to the principle of treating apprenticeships and academic pathways equally and noted that technology companies had requested a targeted set-aside for advanced computing and related engineering degrees. "We absolutely want to make sure that we treat apprenticeships at least as well as we are treating people who are going into more traditional academic courses," Hansen said.

Testimony included support from TechNet (represented by Rose Feliciano) and written and oral testimony from faculty groups and university representatives. Sam Ligon, speaking for the Council of Faculty and Eastern Washington University faculty, said his organization supported expansion of the Washington College Grant and the 70 percent credential goal but expressed caution about earmarking funds for particular programs or institutions, warning against “fortune telling” about future winners and losers in rapidly changing fields.

Ed Luzowski, professor at the University of Washington Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, spoke in support of additional Allen School enrollment funding, citing high employer demand, a large gap between available jobs and degrees in computing, and strong student demand at UW. "Investments in the Allen School are investments in AI leadership," Luzowski said.

No vote on the substitute itself was recorded in the public transcript; the committee closed public testimony and moved into executive session to consider the bill along with other measures. During executive session the committee adopted a proposed substitute and approved due-pass recommendations for three other bills: Senate Bill 5275 (passport-to-careers funding amendment; proposed substitute adopted and due pass to Ways & Means), Senate Bill 5542 (removes age waiver requirement for high-school completion program waivers at community and technical colleges; due pass to Rules), and Senate Bill 5543 (expands College Bound eligibility to high school equivalency recipients; due pass to Ways & Means). The committee also reported a slate of gubernatorial appointments with a confirmation recommendation subject to signatures.

Ending: The committee advanced several bills and reported gubernatorial appointment confirmations subject to signatures; formal floor or appropriations action will be reflected in committee reports and subsequent legislative steps.