Brief Description: Modifying the higher education coordinating board.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Wallace, Anderson, Chase, Jarrett, Moeller, McDermott, Priest, Haigh, Kagi, Roberts, Kenney and Conway).

House Committee on Higher Education
Senate Committee on Higher Education

Background:

In 1985, the Legislature sunset the Council on Postsecondary Education and created the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). The HECB is composed of 10 members representing the public, one of whom is a student. The members are appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, and serve four-year terms, with the exception of the student member, whose term lasts one year.

The HECB's functions include policy development, planning, and research for the higher education system. Its responsibilities include development of a statewide strategic master plan for higher education and the development of recommendations on policy and budgetary issues for consideration by the Governor and the Legislature.

Summary:

The HECB's statewide strategic master plan for higher education and institution-level strategic plans at the four-year institutions will all cover a 10-year time period. The HECB will update its plan every four years, and it will address the goals of: expanding access; using methods of educational delivery that are efficient, cost-effective, and productive to deliver modern educational programs; and using performance measures.

The deadline for the HECB, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), and four-year institutions to submit budget recommendations are all moved up one month in each even-numbered year. The operating and capital budget outlines submitted by the SBCTC and institutions to the HECB will include all policy changes and enhancements that will be requested and a prioritized ranking of capital requests.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   95   1
Senate   46   0   (Senate amended)
House   93   1   (House concurred)

Effective: July 22, 2007

Partial Veto Summary: The emergency clause in Section 102 was vetoed by the Governor.