SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6379

              As Passed Senate, February 13, 1996

Title:  An act relating to the work force training and education coordinating board.

Brief Description:  Expanding the definition of "training system" for purposes of work force training and education.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Bauer, Wood and Deccio).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  1/25/96, 1/30/96 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/13/96, 45-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6379 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Bauer, Chair; Drew, Hale, McAuliffe, Rasmussen, Sheldon and Wood.

Staff:  Jennifer Hanlon (786-7784)

Background:  The Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board provides planning and coordination for the state training system, as well as advising the Governor and Legislature on issues pertaining to the state training system.

The board consists of nine voting members appointed by the Governor.  There are three business representatives, three labor representatives, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the executive director of the State Board For Community and Technical Colleges, and the commissioner of the Employment Security Department.  The business and labor representatives serve a four-year term which expires on June 30 of the fourth year.

Summary of Bill:  Private career schools and colleges are included in the definition of "work force training system" in the statute establishing the Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Adding a private member to the board is a matter of fairness and good policy.  The private career schools serve a significant population in Washington and they are often ignored during the planning efforts of the board.  The work force training board is unique because system members are actually members of the board.  Both public and private representatives should be included when decisions are made impacting them.  Meeting the training needs of the state's work force transcends other issues.

Testimony Against:  The board would like the Legislature to exercise caution on this issue.  The board tries to include those interested parties which are not board members.  The board has a very active advisory committee which might be a better way to include private career schools.  The federal government may provide direction regarding the composition of the board.  The private sector believes that the customers should remain as the majority of the board.

Testified: Rob Tulloch, Business Computer Training Institute (pro); Gena Wikstrom, WA Federation of Private Career Schools and Colleges (pro); Ellen O'Brien-Saunders, Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board (con); Jeff Johnson, WA State Labor Council (con).

House Amendment(s):  Language is added which includes programs and courses offered by private career schools in the definition of "training system" in the statute establishing the Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board.