Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Higher Education Committee

HB 1883

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Modifying the higher education coordinating board.

Sponsors: Representatives Wallace, Anderson, Chase, Jarrett, Moeller, McDermott, Priest, Haigh, Kagi, Roberts, Kenney and Conway.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Expands the higher education coordinating board from 10 to 14 members.
  • Changes hiring and oversight of the Executive Director.
  • Increases the time period covered in the strategic master plan for higher education to 10 years.

Hearing Date: 2/8/07

Staff: Jennifer Thornton (786-7111).

Background:

In 1985, the Legislature sunset the Council on Postsecondary Education and created the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). The board 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 also has an advisory council that meets four times annually. It includes a representative from each of the following: the Superintendent of Public Instruction; the State Board of Education; community and technical colleges; the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTECB); the research universities; the four-year comprehensive institutions; faculty of the four-year institutions; the proprietary schools; the independent colleges; and a faculty member in the community and technical college system.

The HECB's functions include policy development, planning, and research for the higher education system. Their 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 of Bill:

Four members are added to the existing 10 member board. The new members will represent the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the WTECB, the Council of Presidents, and the Independent Colleges of Washington. The members representing education will not have term limits.

Two representatives of the public, appointed by the Governor, are added to the board's advisory council.

Effective July 1, 2007, the Executive Director of the HECB will be appointed by the Governor from a list of three names submitted by the board. The Executive Director will serve at the pleasure of the board and the Governor.

The deadline for the HECB to submit budget recommendations is moved up one month on each even-numbered year.

The board's statewide strategic master plan for higher education and institutional plans at the four-year institutions will cover a ten-year time period. The HECB will add business and labor to the stakeholders with which they collaborate on developing the master plan. The plan will include recommendations on expanding access to higher education and increasing the transparency of financial aid. The interim statewide strategic master plan for higher education will be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature every 10 years, beginning December 15, 2007.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.