H-1857

AN ACT Relating to community and technical colleges economic incentive grants; adding new sections to chapter 28B.50 RCW; and making appropriations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that it is in the public interest to encourage and enhance cooperation among business, industry, and community and technical colleges. Economically stronger regional work forces are the anticipated outcomes of such collaboration.

(2) In order to secure for the citizens of Washington the advantages that would accrue through collaborative programs that meet specific educational, business, and societal needs, the college board may provide economic development grants for the planning and design of programs offered by two or more community and technical colleges using appropriated funds. Economic development grants shall encourage collaboration among business, industry, and community and technical colleges, and meet the work force training needs of this state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The economic incentive grant program is established. The college board, using funds appropriated therefor, may award economic incentive grants for instructional programs that meet the demand of work force training for business and industry. Economic incentive grants may be used to fund proposals that emphasize collaboration between business, industry, and community and technical colleges. The criteria for awarding the grants must be uniform and applicable to all eligible colleges and the proposals shall meet the following conditions:

(a) The program shall be offered by two or more eligible community colleges and technical colleges;

(b) The participating colleges shall obtain a matching grant from business and industry that is equal to the amount of the state grant;

(c) The partnership between business, industry, and community and technical colleges shall be a cost-effective means to provide the training program;

(d) The program shall provide training for the regional work force; and

(e) The program shall meet the needs of the regional employers.

(2) As used in this section, "instructional program" means a course of study leading to certification, licensure, or a degree at the associate level.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The college board shall have the following powers and duties in administering the grant program established in section 2 of this act:

(1) To adopt rules necessary to carry out the program;

(2) To establish one or more review committees to assist in the evaluation of proposals for funding. The review committee shall include individuals with significant experience in work force training in areas relevant to one or more of the funding period priorities and shall include representatives from business, industry, and the community and technical college system;

(3) To establish each biennium specific guidelines for submitting grant proposals consistent with overall goals of the program. During the 1999-2001 biennium, the guidelines shall be consistent with the criteria outlined in section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The college board may solicit and receive gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of the program and may expend the same or any income therefrom according to the terms of the gifts, grants, or endowments.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The economic incentive grant program account is hereby established in the custody of the state treasurer. The state board shall deposit in the account all moneys appropriated or received under section 4 of this act. Moneys in the fund may be spent only for the purposes of section 4 of this act. Disbursements from the account shall be on the authorization of the college board. The account is subject to the allotment procedure provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for disbursements.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The college board shall assure continuing evaluation of the effectiveness of the economic incentive grants authorized by section 3 of this act, and before December of each even-numbered year shall submit a report to the governor and legislature. In administering the grants, the college board shall require the use of appropriate fiscal procedures to ensure accountability of public funds.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 6 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.50 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. (1) The sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, from the general fund to the state board for community and technical colleges for the purposes of this act.

(2) The sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, from the general fund to the state board for community and technical colleges for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.