SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5683

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Higher Education, February 27, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the postsecondary education needs of the Snohomish, Island, and Skagit county area.

Brief Description:  Studying the need for and providing a model to meet postsecondary education needs of the Snohomish, Island, and Skagit county area.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Strannigan, Quigley, Wood, McAuliffe, Long, Spanel and Kohl.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/21/95, 2/27/95 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means:  3/2/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  A demographic study commissioned by the Snohomish, Skagit, and Island counties area shows an unmet need for access to higher education for nearly 7500 people by the year 2012.

Summary of Bill: The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), in consultation with the city of Everett and the tri-county area, must evaluate the postsecondary education needs of the area, and based upon those findings evaluate and determine the appropriate organizational model for providing lower division, upper division and graduate level programs.  By November 30, 1995, the HECB must provide its recommendations and a timeline for implementing those recommendations. The sum of $250,000 is appropriated from the state building construction account to the HECB for the study.  Elements of the study are outlined.

Appropriation: $250,000.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  The high technology industry requires close-by higher education institutions.  Access to quality higher education is necessary to maintain a healthy community.  This bill is a significant first step in meeting the needs of the fastest growing county in Washington.  Many of our citizens require retraining.  Snohomish County is the largest county in the country without a four-year institution.  Access to higher education is our number one priority.

Even the access at Everett Community college is restricted.  Transfer options are limited for even those willing to commute to the UW or WWU.  The commute time eliminates any opportunity for most students to work.  It is necessary to reduce the competition for places in the UW and WWU.  Washington must provide access for the baby boom echo and for the number of potential high school graduates seeking higher education.  Even starting new, this project is 10-15 years out.

The Everett property seller will provide the land at cost.  It is the most accessible site in Washington.  We are working with the Corps of Engineers; the site is a flood plain that needs to be raised four to five feet.  We do not expect any clean-up problems.

The UW suggests this is an opportunity for a timely review of demographics.  The UW will work with the community to develop plans for additional higher education access to serve the tri-county population.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen; Bob Drewel, Snohomish County Executive; Jim Shipman, UW student; Laura Brent, small business owner; Ann Weinzierl, Everett City Council member; Sherry Burkey, Gov't. Rel., UW.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Mike Groesch (786-7434)

Testimony For:  The area needing service is larger than Everett.  Students from King, Snohomish and Island counties would be served.  The area is the fastest growing region of the state and the needs will become increasingly acute during the time it takes to conduct the study and begin service delivery.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Haugen, prime sponsor (pro); Doug Levy, Government Affairs Director, City of Everett (pro); Bob Drewel, Snohomish County Executive (pro).