SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5545

BYSenators Smitherman and Saling

Establishing the state board for vocational education.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 15, 1989; January 25, 1990; January 29, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5545 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Shawn Newman (786-7443)

                  January 31, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Pursuant to the Sunset Act, the Commission for Vocational Education and its powers and duties were repealed on June 30, 1987.  The Governor, through a series of executive orders, created the State Board for Vocational Education to assume those powers and duties.  The board serves as the sole state agency for receipt and allocation of federal vocational funds under the Carl Perkins Vocational Education Act and administers the federal Job Training Partnership Act's Eight Percent Education, Coordination and Grants program.  The board also administers the state Job Skills program and the state Private Vocational School Licensing Act, and approves vocational programs for recipients of veterans benefits.

SUMMARY:

The State Board of Vocational Education is established as the successor agency to the Commission for Vocational Education.  The board is composed of five members consisting of the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Director of the State Board for Community College Education, a representative of organized labor, and a representative of business, or their designates.  The Governor appoints the executive director for the board.  The board is responsible for the development and maintenance of a state plan for vocational education and for the receipt and allocation of federal funds in accordance with that plan.  The board is also given responsibilities under the state job skills program.

The state Council on Vocational Education is established for receipt of federal funds.  It succeeds the State Advisory Council on Vocational Education.  The council consists of not less than thirteen members appointed by the Governor for three year terms.  In addition to duties under federal law, the council is responsible for the development and administration of the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence program.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The State Board for Vocational Education is formally created as a state agency and as the successor agency to the Commission for Vocational Education.  The board is responsible for carrying out any statutory duties formerly administered by the Commission for Vocational Education, including the Private School Licensing Act, the Job Skills Program and the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence.  The substitute does not mention the state Council on Vocational Education.  Responsibility for administering the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence is left to the board.  A termination date of July 1, 1991, is specified in the proposed substitute.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Clif Finch, AWB; Chuck Bailey, WSLC; Stan Marshburn, SBVE; Earl Hale, SBCCE; Judy Billings, SPI; Judy Boekholder, COVE; William Olfert, COVE