HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1572

                       As Passed House

                        March 9, 1993

Title:  An act relating to the allocation of funds for high school students enrolled in technical college programs.

Brief Description:  Changing funding allocations for high school students attending technical colleges.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dorn, Brumsickle, Miller, Jones and Talcott.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, February 25, 1993, DP;

Appropriations, March 3, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 9, 1993, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 18 members:  Representatives Dorn, Chair; Cothern, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle; Carlson; G. Cole; Eide; G. Fisher; Hansen; Holm; Jones; Karahalios; J. Kohl; Patterson; Pruitt; Stevens; and Vance.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 23 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Carlson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Ballasiotes; Basich; Cooke; Dellwo; Dorn; Dunshee; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Linville; Morton; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Sommers; Stevens; Talcott; Wineberry; and Wolfe.

Staff:  Jack Daray (786-7178).

Background:  The transfer of vocational-technical institutes, now referred to as technical colleges, from the common schools to the community college system by the 1991 Legislature included provision for continuation of occupational and vocational programs for high school students.  A number of the technical colleges offer programs that high school students attend for the full school day.

The transfer legislation required the school districts and technical colleges to maintain those programs in place at the time of the 1991 transfer to the community college system with future proportional adjustments for enrollments in participating school districts.  Students in these programs are considered the responsibility of the common schools.  The technical colleges are prohibited from charging tuition or other fees.  School districts and technical colleges enter into agreements for the transfer of funds.  Funds are apportioned for these students to local districts by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) as if they were attending district schools.

To reduce administrative paperwork, it has been recommended that funds be sent directly from SPI to the technical colleges instead of going through the school districts.

Summary of Bill:  Funds for high school students attending technical colleges will be allocated directly to the participating college by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, unless the technical college chooses to receive its allocation through the school district.

Fiscal Note:  Requested March 3, 1993.

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

Testimony For:  (Education) This legislation will significantly reduce the paperwork requirements for these students, which will enable technical colleges to provide better service to students.

(Appropriations) This legislation will significantly reduce the paperwork requirements for these students, which will enable technical colleges to provide better service to students.

Testimony Against:  (Education) None.

(Appropriations) None.

Witnesses:  (Education) Duane Lindquist, Clover Park Technical College (supports); Carmen Croppi, Wendy Rader-Konofalski, and Joseph Rosendahl, Bates Technical College (support); Ron Munkres, Sumner School District (supports); and Dan McConnon, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (supports).

(Appropriations) Dan McLonnon, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (supports); and Duane Lindquist, Clover Park Technical College (supports).