HB 2681-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Declares an intent to explore a new relationship between the state and public institutions of higher education that includes dialog and negotiation over goals, priorities, performance, and resources, and also includes explicit commitments made by each party aimed at achieving agreed-upon outcomes. The mechanism to implement this relationship is a performance contract, to be initiated on a pilot basis with selected institutions beginning in 2004.

Requires the governor's office with assistance from the higher education coordinating board to enter into negotiations with the governing boards of one state research university and one state regional university, as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, to create a performance contract on a pilot basis with each institution.

Requires the governor to submit the completed performance contracts to the legislature by January 15, 2005. Following public hearings, the legislature shall have the opportunity, by concurrent resolution, to approve or reject each performance contract as a whole.

Provides that, beginning September 2005, the higher education coordinating board shall provide semi-annual progress reports to the higher education committees of the senate and house of representatives on implementation of the performance contracts and any short-term outcomes.

Directs the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct an evaluation of the pilot performance contracts and make recommendations regarding change, continuation, or expansion of the contract process to include additional colleges and universities. The evaluation shall be submitted to the governor and higher education committees of the senate and house of representatives by January 15, 2008.