SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5463

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Higher Education & Workforce Development, February 16, 2011

Title: An act relating to common student identifiers for community and technical colleges.

Brief Description: Requiring the college board to establish minimum standards for common student identifiers.

Sponsors: Senators Kilmer, Becker, Kastama, Shin, Tom and White.

Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 2/11/11, 2/16/11 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Tom, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Hill, Ranking Minority Member; Baumgartner, Becker, Ericksen, Kastama, Kilmer and White.

Staff: Kimberly Cushing (786-7421)

Background: The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) sets policy direction for the community and technical college system in collaboration with the colleges. The SBCTC is required to provide general supervision and control over the state system of community and technical colleges and allocates state resources to the colleges.

Among its specific responsibilities the SBCTC must (1) prepare a single system operating budget request and capital budget request for consideration by the Legislature; (2) disburse capital and operating funds appropriated by the Legislature to the college districts; (3) administer criteria for establishment of new colleges and for the modification of district boundary lines; (4) establish minimum standards for the operation of community and technical colleges with respect to personnel qualifications, budgeting, accounting, auditing, curriculum content, degree requirements, admission policies, and the eligibility of courses for state support; and (5) prepare a comprehensive master plan for community and technical college education.

Summary of Bill: The SBCTC must establish minimum standards for common student identifiers that a student receives upon enrolling at any community or technical college and retains when transferring to any other college district.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Having common student identifiers will provide tremendous efficiencies for students who have a tendency to attend more than one college. The SBCTC can set up the process within existing resources and wrap it up by October.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kilmer, prime sponsor; Scott Copeland, SBCTC.