HB 1808.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Amends RCW 28B.10.115 to allow any public university to apply to the Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer an electrical engineering degree.

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