SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5644

               As Passed Senate, March 15, 1995

Title:  An act relating to establishing a community college in the People's Republic of China.

Brief Description:  Developing a proposal to establish a community college in the People's Republic of China.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Wood, Kohl, Fraser, Prince and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/13/95, 2/23/95 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/15/95, 44‑4.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5644 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Bauer, Chair; Kohl, Vice Chair; Drew, McAuliffe, Prince, Sheldon and Wood.

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  The 1993 Legislature established the Washington Task Force on International Education and Cultural Exchanges.  The preliminary report, delivered to the Legislature in December 1993, provided a snapshot of the international education activities in which the state is currently involved.  The October 1994 final report recognized that Washington State's economic future is world trade, and that citizens must be provided with the tools they need to work in the international arena.  The task force made six broad recommendations to the Legislature.

According to recommendation 2 of the report, enhancing Washington's place in the world trade market requires the creation of opportunities to provide our developing and targeted trade partners with education in our public and private institutions.  The report asserts that these opportunities would open the way for Washington students to study abroad by requiring the establishment of reciprocal exchange programs with these targeted countries.

Summary of Bill:  A planning committee is established to develop a proposal on a community college in the People's Republic of China.  The planning committee membership shall include three community college presidents and a representative from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, each selected by the board; a president of a public four-year institution and one representative from the Higher Education Coordinating Board, each selected by the board; and the Secretary of State.  The members of the planning committee may each select a designee.

A November 1995 preliminary report and a September 1, 1996, final report shall be presented to the Governor, the Office of Financial Management, and the Legislature.  Broad parameters for program guidelines to be included in the report are outlined.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested.

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

Testimony For:  A program like this is vital to building international relationships of value in world trade.  We need to look to the people, not to government, for building these personal relationships.  The octogenarians will be gone; we need to build relationships among the future world leaders. 

Community colleges across the nation are interested in study abroad opportunities which demonstrate our likenesses, our differences, and our interdependence.  It is good business to provide an educational presence in China.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Jeannette Wood, prime sponsor; Ralph Munro, Secretary of State; Buster Brouillet, Task Force member; Tom Neilson, President, Edmonds CC; Vaughn Sherman, trustee, Edmonds CC; Ron Crossland, SBCTC.