AN ACT Relating to community and rural improvement; adding new sections to chapter 28B.30 RCW; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Sections 2 through 10 of this act shall be known as the Washington community and rural improvement act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The legislature finds that:

(1) The state's economic and social vitality will be strengthened by improving the quality of rural life and increasing the competitiveness and productivity of rural areas;

(2) Declining economic activity in resource-based production process is causing worker displacement in rural areas, with out-migration and lower standards of living as consequences though some small scale manufacturing based upon local resources, availability of labor and localized markets, recreation, and tourism are off-setting the decline of resource intensive industries;

(3) Suburban and rural areas close to urban centers have difficulty accommodating growth resulting from the in-migration of formerly urban residents and retirement-aged citizens;

(4) It is difficult for local governments and special districts in rural and isolated areas of the state to provide staff with adequate specialization to deliver the same level of public services as are available in more urban areas;

(5) The sharing of personnel, equipment, and administrative overhead among public agencies, and between public and private agencies can reduce the cost of providing services and extend the resources of rural public service providers;

(6) The state's colleges and universities have, in many areas, developed capabilities to provide educational programs and community development consultations to assist people and communities in solving problems;

(7) Institutions of higher education are uniquely suited through both research and service mandates to assist communities to deal with problems associated with the changing size and composition of rural populations;

(8) No single institution of higher education has the specialized faculty or geographical outlets to serve all rural areas of the state;

(9) A coordinated delivery system is needed within the state's universities and colleges to assist rural communities to deal with the social and economic problems caused by community growth and decline;

(10) Incentives to stimulate increased collaboration between community colleges, regional universities, the state universities, and local governments are essential to the development of a pool of skilled faculty and public service providers that is critical for the economic renewal and development of rural areas; and

(11) After eight years of model development and field testing, the partnership for rural improvement has proven to be a viable mechanism for involving faculty and other academic personnel from institutions of higher education in solving community problems.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise the definitions in this section apply throughout sections 1 through 10 of this act:

(1) "Consortium" means an association established by two or more institutions of higher education located in the state of Washington. The authority extended to such consortium shall not exceed the authority granted to the participating institutions by law. The consortium shall be considered an adjunct of the participating institutions, but limited to activities specified within the applicable consortium agreements.

(2) "Center" means an organization established by an institution of higher education to provide educational programs or services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. It is the intent of the legislature to establish the consortium for community and rural improvement as a higher education consortium and provide an appropriation for it to continue the work of the partnership for rural improvement. The consortium shall serve as a link among educational institutions and between institutions and communities in order to assist communities in solving problems.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The consortium for community and rural improvement shall:

(1) Increase the effectiveness of educational institutions in contributing to the solution of community problems;

(2) Provide educational assistance on community problem solving for elected and appointed public officials and other interested citizens;

(3) Improve communication and organizational links among educational institutions, public service agencies, and local communities and organize new linkages where effective collaboration does not exist; and

(4) Prepare educational and training materials that support consortium objectives.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Membership in the consortium for community and rural improvement shall be open to all institutions of higher education in the state of Washington. Current members include: Central Washington University, the Community Colleges of Spokane, Eastern Washington University, The Evergreen State College, Washington State University, Wenatchee Valley College, Western Washington University, and Yakima Valley Community College.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A policy board with representation appointed by the college and university presidents of each participating institution of higher education shall be responsible for the necessary planning, coordination, and development of the consortium. The policy board shall include citizen members.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Washington State University, on behalf of the member institutions, shall be responsible for administration and fiscal management of the consortium.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Washington State University, as fiscal agent for the consortium, may contract with the state's four-year colleges and universities for the establishment and maintenance of new and existing centers for community and rural improvement and with participating community colleges for program implementation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Washington State University shall, on behalf of the consortium, submit a written progress report to the Washington state legislature at the beginning of each regular legislative session.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Sections 1 through 10 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.30 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. The sum of one million two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, to Washington State University as managing institution and fiscal agent for the consortium to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1985. Action may immediately be taken to ensure that this act is implemented on its effective date so that community problem-solving of the current partnership for rural improvement will continue to be available.