BILL REQ. #:  H-5005.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/03/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to postsecondary education, including creating the opportunity grant program; adding new sections to chapter 28B.50 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that:
     (1) Increasing Washington's economic competitiveness requires increasing the supply of skilled workers in the state; and
     (2) Improving the labor market competitiveness of all Washington residents requires that all residents have access to postsecondary education.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The college board and a nonprofit organization that has been established to address work force development issues by a recognized statewide organization of employers representing a majority of employers in the state shall, in consultation with the work force training and education coordinating board, a statewide labor organization, and a statewide high-technology organization:
     (a) Identify high demand occupations, which are occupations where employer demand for workers exceeds the supply of qualified job applicants;
     (b) Convene or use existing industry groups, such as industry skill panels or other industry or occupational entities, to identify the skill sets that workers need in the high demand occupations;
     (c) Develop and identify credentials and credit-bearing curriculum recognized by postsecondary institutions and employers statewide and that are based on the attainment of the skill sets needed in occupations in high demand sectors;
     (d) Market the credentials or certificates and credit-bearing curriculum to potential students and employers as a way for them to advance in their careers; and
     (e) Gain recognition of the credentials or certificates and credit-bearing curriculum by employers.
     (2) In carrying out the functions of this section, the college board shall give priority to high demand occupations in industry sectors important to the economic growth of the state.
     (3) The college board may, in implementing this section, accept, use, and dispose of contributions of money, services, and property. All moneys received by the college board for the purposes of this section must be deposited in a depository approved by the state treasurer. Disbursements of such funds shall be on authorization of the college board or a duly authorized representative thereof. In order to maintain an effective expenditure and revenue control, such funds are subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required to permit expenditure of such funds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The college board shall develop and implement a work force education program known as the opportunity grant program to provide funding for low-income students enrolled in the program, including but not limited to funding tuition, books, and fees. The college board must:
     (a) Begin developing the program no later than March 15, 2006, with student enrollment to begin no later than January 1, 2007; and
     (b) Submit a progress report to the legislature by January 15, 2008.
     (2) The college board may, in implementing the opportunity grant program, accept, use, and dispose of contributions of money, services, and property. All moneys received by the college board for the program must be deposited in a depository approved by the state treasurer. Disbursements of such funds shall be on authorization of the college board or a duly authorized representative thereof. In order to maintain an effective expenditure and revenue control, such funds are subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required to permit expenditure of such funds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) Subject to approval of the board, the Washington state institute for public policy shall conduct a study to include:
     (a) A review of and recommendations for consolidating and simplifying the delivery of state-funded and federally funded work force education programs and work force education aid offered to students in this state, with a goal of achieving easier access to postsecondary education for students;
     (b) A description of barriers that exist to combining work force education programs and work force education aid, such as state or federal statutes, rules, or regulations, and the relief that may be available through federal waivers;
     (c) An estimate of the funding gap between available work force education aid and the financial needs of students living in this state;
     (d) A description of barriers to access to and completion of work force education programs in this state; and
     (e) Recommendations for increasing participation and completion rates for work force education programs.
     (2) The Washington state institute for public policy must submit its report on the study to the legislature by November 15, 2006, and must coordinate its study and research with the Washington Learns study of postsecondary education.
     (3) The Washington state institute for public policy may, in carrying out this study, accept, use, and dispose of contributions of money, services, and property. All moneys received by the institute for the study must be deposited in a depository approved by the state treasurer. Disbursements of such funds shall be on authorization of the institute or a duly authorized representative thereof. In order to maintain an effective expenditure and revenue control, such funds are subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required to permit expenditure of such funds.
     (4) For purposes of this section:
     (a) "Financial needs" includes but is not limited to tuition, books, fees, tools, living expenses, and child care expenses.
     (b) "Work force education aid" means financial aid, funded from state or federal sources, provided to students enrolled in work force education programs.
     (c) "Work force education programs" means education and skills training, including vocational education, apprenticeships, adult basic education linked to vocational education, work force education under RCW 28C.18.010, work force training provided under chapter 74.08A RCW, and any other related work force training program.
     (5) This section expires December 31, 2006.