FINAL BILL REPORT

                           2SSB 5836

                          C 363 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Redefining the relationship between the state and its postsecondary institutions.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Bauer, Prince, West, Drew, Jesernig, Sheldon, Snyder and Gaspard)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

BACKGROUND:

As the result of one of the recommendations of the Temporary Committee on Educational Policies, Structure and Management, the Legislature in 1985 created the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB).  Legislative intent requires the board to represent the broad public interest above the interests of the individual colleges and universities.  The board was given specific planning duties, program responsibilities, and administrative responsibilities, as well as the responsibility to adopt a master plan for higher education by December 1, 1987, and to update the plan biennially and present it to the Governor and the appropriate legislative committees. 

SUMMARY:

The relationship between the state and its public colleges and universities is redefined and a new alignment of responsibilities is established.

The colleges and universities are responsible for developing strategic plans, providing timely information, administering local student financial aid programs, and operating as efficiently as feasible.  The independent institutions are encouraged to cooperate with the HECB on regular reports.  The responsibility for planning and efficiencies for the community and technical colleges rests with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges who will respond directly to the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  Research institutions are required to include in their strategic plans a consideration of the feasibility of significantly increasing the number of evening graduate classes.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is responsible for coordinating the strategic plans, preparing regular reports to the citizens of the state, administering statewide financial aid programs, and helping institutions improve efficiency.  In cooperation with the affected institutions, the HECB shall work with appropriate agencies to reduce administrative barriers; however, if statutory barriers to institutional efficiencies are found, the HECB shall report to the Governor and the appropriate legislative committees. 

In addition, the state requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct a study of higher education system operations to identify efficiencies to increase access to, improve the quality of, and reduce the cost of higher education. 

An incorrect reference to vocational technical institutes under the Superintendent of Public Instruction is removed.

Revision of the master plan is required every four years.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    47   1

House     96   0    (House amended)

Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

Conference Committee

House     94   0

Senate    42   1

EFFECTIVE:July 1, 1993