VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1808

April 21, 2003

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval, as to section 2, Engrossed House Bill No. 1808 entitled:

"An Act relating to establishing standards of review in order to change lines of instruction at research universities;"

This legislation allows any public university to apply to the Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer an electrical engineering degree.

Section 2 requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct an analysis of any proposed electrical engineering program using a variety of sources of information. Information reviewed must include: detailed evidence of student, employer and community demand for the program; the feasibility of using existing public or private program capacity rather than opening a new program; and projected future enrollment. This section also requires that the Higher Education Coordinating Board submit its analysis to the higher education committees of the legislature before making a final decision regarding program approval.

I encourage the Higher Education Coordinating Board to follow the criteria set forth in section 2 of this bill. However, current statute already requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board to review and approve all proposals for new degree programs. Therefore, section 2 is not necessary.

For these reasons, I have vetoed section 2 of Engrossed House Bill No. 1808.

With the exception of section 2, Engrossed House Bill No. 1808 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Locke

Governor