SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6901

BYSenators Saling and Bailey

Reviewing the Washington Institute for Applied Technology.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1990; February 22, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6901 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Shawn Newman (786-7443)

                February 23, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Institute of Applied Technology was created as a public nonprofit corporation by the Legislature in 1987.  The statute provided that a purpose of the program is to "deliver a high quality education to high school and adult students, preparing them for jobs in current and future technologies and providing trained workers for business and industry."  The institute is governed by a public nonprofit corporation.  The board of directors consists of fifteen members:  nine members representing the business community, three members representing the board of trustees of the sixth community college district and three members representing the Seattle School Board.

In the Omnibus Appropriations Act, the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the second year of the biennium was placed in a reserve account.  The Legislature directed the State Board for Vocational Education within the office of the Governor to conduct a study of the Washington Institute of Applied Technology.  The study was submitted to the Legislature in January of 1990.  The study contained 31 recommendations ranging from revising the mission statement to developing an annual plan of regular course offerings to working towards meeting accreditation criteria.  Alternative methods of operation were also reviewed.

SUMMARY:

The board of directors of the Washington Institute of Applied Technology is required to submit budgets, course offerings and contracts of over $1,500 to the State Board for Vocational Education or the appropriate entity within the office of the Governor for approval or disapproval.

The powers and duties of the board of directors terminate June 30, 1991 and the statutes creating the Washington Institute for Applied Technology are repealed effective June 30, 1991.

A report on the progress of the Washington Institute of Applied Technology on: 1) obtaining accreditation from a recognized accrediting association by June 30, 1991; 2) publication of a catalog describing its mission, services, programs and courses by June 15, 1990; 3) certification of instructors by June 30, 1990;  4) adoption of a revised mission statement by June 30, 1990; and 5) implementation of the recommendations in the study prepared by the State Board for Vocational Education.  The report shall contain recommendations for continuing accountability for the program at the state level and for alternative methods of governance.  The report shall be prepared by the Office of Financial Management with the advice of the Advisory Council for Human Capital if ESB 6411 or E2SHB 2348 become law.  If the legislation fails to pass, the report will be prepared by the State Board for Community College Education.

The funds for the second year of the biennium are appropriated to the institute.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The legislative intent is changed to specifically recognize that WIAT serves economically disadvantaged citizens.  Language is removed calling for contract approval by SBVE.  SBVE, rather than SBCCE, is required to report to the Legislature on specific items.  The report item calling for recommendations on WIAT's accountability and governance is removed.

WIAT's termination date is extended from June 30, 1991 to June 30, 1992.  References to OFM and the Advisory Council for Human Capital under ESB 6411 or E2SHB 2348 are removed, leaving SBVE solely responsible for the report.

Appropriation:  $1,500,000 to the Washington Institute for Applied Technology

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested February 22, 1990

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

Senate Committee - Testified:   Ed Cruger, WIAT; T.J. Vassar, WIAT; Merritt D. Long, SBVE; Julie Hungar, Seattle Community College