BILL REQ. #:  H-2346.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/02/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing agreements between community and technical colleges and four-year institutions of higher education to provide degree programs; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) One strategy to accomplish expansion of capacity for baccalaureate degrees in underserved regions of the state is to allocate state funds for student enrollment to community and technical colleges and authorize the colleges to enter into agreements with a regional university or state college as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 or a branch campus under chapter 28B.45 RCW, to offer baccalaureate degree programs.
     (2) Subject to legislative appropriation for the purpose described in this section:
     (a) A community or technical college may enter into agreements with one or more regional universities, branch campuses, or the state college to offer baccalaureate degree programs on the college campus; or
     (b) The college board may enter into a master agreement with regional universities, branch campuses, or the state college to offer baccalaureate degree programs on multiple college campuses.
     (3) Allocation of funds by the college board shall be based on analysis of gaps in service delivery, capacity, and student and employer demand for programs. Students enrolled in programs under this section are considered students of the regional university, branch campus, or state college for all purposes including tuition and reporting of state-funded enrollments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2005, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.