5914-S2 AMH APP H5271.1

2SSB 5914 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Appropriations

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that over the next decade, large numbers of Washington students will graduate from high school and seek access to higher education. Washington's new knowledge-based economy demands ever-increasing levels of education and training from our work force. The legislature also recognizes that there is insufficient access in some urban areas of the state with greatest population density. These areas could benefit educationally and economically from expanded baccalaureate and graduate education opportunities. With increased demand and limited resources to provide such expansion, the legislature finds it necessary to examine thoroughly and objectively the prospect of creating additional educational opportunities in underserved areas such as southwest Washington and the central Puget Sound region.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The Washington state institute for public policy shall develop evaluation criteria and identify data necessary to study the feasibility of creating additional public baccalaureate and graduate education opportunities in underserved areas of the state. The criteria must be rigorous, objective, and applicable to various regions of the state. The study methodology must include consultation with community leaders. The criteria must include but not be limited to the following:

(a) A detailed regional analysis of student demand and supply of degree programs from existing higher education institutions;

(b) Population and demographic projections for a region;

(c) Potential regional economic development, including types of businesses and employers and their educational and work force training needs;

(d) Evaluation of alternative models of providing baccalaureate and professional graduate education in a region, including expanding existing partnerships between community and technical colleges and four-year institutions;

(e) Examination of the possible role and mission of new or modified higher education institutions in a region, including the possibility of an innovative combination of instruction and research suitable for meeting a region's needs for access as well as support the expansion of a region's economic viability;

(f) Analysis of short and long-term operating and capital costs; and

(g) A balance between local or regional interests and statewide needs.

(2) Once the evaluation criteria, data, and methodology have been developed, the institute shall conduct the first feasibility study in southwest Washington.

(3) The institute shall submit its findings from the first feasibility study to the higher education and fiscal committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 15, 2004.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2004, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void."

EFFECT: Before conducting a feasibility study for additional baccalaureate and graduate education in southwest Washington, the Institute must first develop evaluation criteria and identify the data necessary to conduct a study that is rigorous, objective, and could be applied in various regions of the state. A balance between local or regional interests and statewide needs is added to the list of analyses that are part of the study. Once the criteria, data, and methodology are developed, the Institute will conduct the first study in southwest Washington. A null and void clause is added to the bill.

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