SENATE BILL REPORT

                           2SSB 5836

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 11, 1993

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

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5836 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Bauer, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Cantu, Jesernig, Prince, Quigley, Sheldon, von Reichbauer, and West.

Staff:  Jean Six (786‑7423)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1993; February 26, 1993

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5836 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Spanel, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Gaspard, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Jesernig, McDonald, Moyer, Roach, Snyder, Sutherland, Talmadge, West, and Williams.

Staff:  Linda Brownell (786-7715)

Hearings Dates: March 4, 1993

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.  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 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 (HECB).

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.  The HECB may review statutory regulations and administrative rules looking for potential state or institutional efficiencies that do not detract from other policy objectives of either the Legislature or the board.  The results of the reviews are to be reported by November 30 of each year to the Governor and the Legislature.

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.

The revision of the master plan is required every four years.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:   requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

A four-year cycle for updating the master plan will be acceptable policy.  Though all testimony supported the bill, reservations were voiced about dollars to the fund for excellence.  Concerns about strategic planning were expressed.  Also, questions were raised concerning the need to give any more statutory authority to the HECB.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Terry Teale, Executive Director, Council of Presidents; Dave Habura, Deputy Executive Director, SBCTC; Steve Lindstrom, WSL; Al Froderberg, WWU; George Drurie, EWU; Laurel Wilkening, Provost, UW; Steven Seward, Chair, Higher Education Coordinating Board

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Sufficient financial aid for needy students rather than neediest is required.  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 allowed to initiate pilot projects to test the effectiveness of variable tuition rates and faculty salary incentives.  The independent institutions of higher education are recognized as a part of the state's postsecondary system.  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.