VETO MESSAGE ON E2SSB 5182

June 6, 2011

To the Honorable President and Members,
The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Section 246, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5182 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to establishing the office of student financial assistance by eliminating the higher education coordinating board and transferring its functions to various entities."

Section 246 transfers powers, duties and functions of the higher education coordinating board pertaining to student financial assistance to the new office of student financial assistance. Due to a technical bill drafting error, the effective date of the transfer of powers would occur prior to the creation of the new office of student financial assistance on July 1, 2012.

For this reason, I am vetoing Section 246. The new higher education steering committee will make recommendations concerning higher education governance prior to the 2012 legislative session. I expect the committee to consider the transfers of authority set forth in Section 246 and recommend any statutory changes necessary in the 2012 session to successfully achieve the appropriate transfers.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 246 of Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5182.

With the exception of Section 246, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5182 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,
Christine Gregoire
Governor