SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5721

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 Amended by House, April 9, 2015

Title: An act relating to the membership of the expanded learning opportunities council.

Brief Description: Concerning the membership of the expanded learning opportunities council.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Billig, Dammeier and Jayapal).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/09/15, 2/17/15 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 3/11/15, 47-0.Passed House: 4/09/15, 70-27.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5721 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Litzow, Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; McAuliffe, Ranking Member; Billig, Fain, Hill, Mullet, Rivers and Rolfes.

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: The 2014 Legislature defined expanded learning opportunities (ELOs) as school-based programs or community-based programs provided in partnership with schools, that provide extended learning and enrichment for students beyond the traditional school day, week, or calendar. Additionally an ELO Council was established to advise the Governor, the Legislature, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) on a comprehensive ELO system. Members of the Council must have experience with ELOs and include groups and agencies representing diverse student interests and geographical locations across the state. The Council may include up to 15 individuals. Representatives from 13 different agencies, organizations, and higher education are specified.

The Council met six times and submitted its first annual report in 2014. The report provides the following:

Summary of Substitute Bill: The total number of members on the Council is increased to 17 by adding two specified representatives. One of the additional members must be a representative of a statewide nonprofit coalition that is representative of communities of color and low-income communities. The second additional member must be a representative of the statewide association of public libraries.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The ELO Council is doing a great job. But there needs to be slight adjustment in the composition of the Council to ensure it has representation of communities of color and low-income communities. While the authorizing legislation specifies 13 members to represent specified groups it also permits up to 15 people to serve on the Council. There currently are 15 members on the Council. The intent is not to get anyone dismissed off the Council so there is a committee amendment to increase the overall number of Council members to 16.

OTHER: We support this bill but we think there is a missing a key resource that could be helpful in expanded learning opportunities. That resource is the public community library in addition to the school libraries.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Billing, prime sponsor.

OTHER: Carolyn Logue, WA Library Media Assn.

House Amendment(s): Adds members to the Expanded Learning Opportunities Council from the Commission on African American Affairs, the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, the Commission on Hispanic Affairs, and the Tribal Leader Congress on Education. Provides that these appointments and the appointees in the underlying bill from the statewide association of public libraries and a statewide nonprofit coalition that is representative of communities of color and low-income communities, be made by August 31, 2015.