FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5742

                          C 258 L 95

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing the Washington state vocational agriculture teacher recruitment program.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Hochstatter, McAuliffe and Loveland).

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Education

Background:  Washington has a rich agricultural history, and agriculture continues to be an important industry of the state.  However, the number of persons entering the field of vocational agricultural education is declining.  One way to reverse this decline is through a teacher recruitment program.

Summary:  The State Board of Education (SBE) must design a Washington State Vocational Agriculture Teacher Recruitment Program.  When designing the program, the SBE must consult with:  the Higher Education Coordinating Board; the institutions of higher education; organizations interested in teacher recruitment, agriculture education or agricultural business; the Superintendent of Public Instruction; the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; and the Department of Agriculture.  The purpose of the program is to recruit students in grades 9-12, and adults who entered other occupations, to become future vocational agriculture teachers.

If specific funding is not provided by the Legislature, the act is null and void.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    46 0

House     95 1 (House amended)

Senate    46 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  The act is null and void since no appropriation was made in the budget.