HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1109

                       As Passed House

                      February 21, 1997

Title:  An act relating to authorizing the higher education coordinating board to conduct pilot programs in alternative tuition setting for distance education, packaging tuition and fees, and enrollment agreements with other states.

Brief Description:  Requiring the higher education coordinating board to develop models for the delivery of technology‑based programs.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by  Representatives Carlson, Radcliff, O'Brien, Kenney, Mason, Dunn, Kessler and Quall; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Higher Education:  1/31/97, 2/6/97 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/21/97, 95‑0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Carlson, Chairman; Radcliff, Vice Chairman; Mason, Ranking Minority Member; Kenney, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Butler; Dunn; O'Brien and Sheahan.

Staff:  Marilee Scarbrough (786-7196).

Background:  The Higher Education Coordinating Board's 1996 Master Plan for Higher Education, projects that Washington's system of higher education needs to provide opportunities for at least 84,000 additional full time equivalent students by the year 2010.  By adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution 8428, the Legislature accepted the plan and requested that the board review solutions to the enrollment challenge.

Specifically, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8428 requested that the Higher Education Coordinating Board make recommendations on a Astate educational technology plan.@  In response the board met with institutions and representatives of the K-12 system to discuss and develop strategies that will help integrate technology, and support collaborative activities. 

Summary of Bill:  The board will establish tuition and state support models for technology-based programs, including recommending the level of tuition and state support for the Western Governor's Virtual University.  Additionally, the board will develop incentive models to encourage Washington students to participate in enrollment agreements with other states.  Finally, the board will propose a model for packaging tuition, fees, and living expenses to cover a four-year period.  The board is required to report to the Legislature by December 30, 1997.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  We need the models to assess and evaluate our use of technology.  There are many question regarding the use and financing of technology in institutions of higher education.  We need mechanisms to have the discussion.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Don Carlson, prime sponsor (pro); and Susan Patrick, Higher Education Coordinating Board (pro).