SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6416

    AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 2, 1994

Brief Description:  Providing an incentive for legislators to teach two days a year.

SPONSORS: Senators Skratek, Pelz, Winsley and McAuliffe

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6416 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Pelz, Chairman; McAuliffe, Vice Chairman; Moyer, M. Rasmussen, Skratek, A. Smith and Winsley.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. 

     Signed by Senator Nelson.

Staff:  Larry Davis (786‑7422)

Hearing Dates: January 28, 1994; February 2, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Current law and State Board of Education rules allow noncertificated persons to perform teaching duties but they must do so under the general supervision (i.e., the certificated teacher generally must be in the classroom) or direct assistance of a certificated teacher.

Existing law governing per diem for legislators does not specifically cite teaching as legislative business for which a member could claim per diem.

SUMMARY:

Legislative intent is declared to encourage legislators to spend time in schools teaching to help them understand the challenges of teaching today.

Legislators may teach up to two days a year and claim per diem for such teaching.  They must teach at least four hours in the day for which per diem is claimed.  The teaching is under the general supervision of a teacher which may include the teacher not being in the classroom but being readily available in the building.

Any legislator holding certification as a teacher or principal is not permitted to claim per diem.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Legislators who hold a valid Washington State teaching certificate are allowed to claim per diem under certain conditions for teaching under the bill.  Legislators who hold a valid teaching certificate cannot claim retirement service credit for the allowable two days of teaching under the bill.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 24, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill encourages but does not require legislators to teach.  Teaching will give legislators a perspective about what's going on in schools today that cannot be gained from quick visits.  The per diem will somewhat offset the loss of salary most legislators will experience for taking time away from their non-legislative jobs to teach.  The bill will foster even more opportunities for legislators and students to work together.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Sen. Sylvia Skratek; Judy Hartmann, Washington Education Association; Susan Patrick, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education