Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 2318

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: Creating the Washington institute of aerospace technology and manufacturing studies.

Sponsors: Representatives Sells, Ericks, Kenney, Liias, Simpson, Hope, McCoy, Conway and Roberts.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Creates the Washington Institute of Aerospace Technology and Manufacturing Studies (Institute) to be headquartered in Snohomish County.

  • Charges the Institute with fostering the creation and retention of family wage jobs in the aerospace industry and growth and innovation in the aerospace industry sector through education, research, and job skills training programs specifically targeted at meeting the needs of the aerospace industry.

  • Specifies that the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) must approve degree-granting education programs and the lease, purchase, or construction of any site or facility.

  • Requires the HECB to report to the Legislature by December 1, 2009, with specific information regarding the Institute.

Hearing Date: 3/27/09

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195)

Background:

The aerospace industry is a significant part of Washington's economy. Aerospace companies are present in many of Washington's counties, however, the bulk of the jobs in aerospace are concentrated in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. The aerospace industry is the state's largest manufacturing employer. According to the 1997 Washington State Input Output Study, aerospace manufacturing has a multiplier effect of two and one-half. For every aerospace job created, another one and one-half jobs are created elsewhere in the economy.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington Institute of Aerospace Technology and Manufacturing Studies is created (Institute). Headquartered in Snohomish County, it is to be operated and administered as a multi-institutional education, training, and certification center targeted at fostering the creation and retention of family wage jobs in the aerospace industry and growth and innovation in this sector. Education, research, and job skills programs may include, but are not limited to:

The Institute shall provide a forum for interaction and collaboration between the aerospace industry, labor, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTECB), and institutions of higher education. Independent and private institutions of higher education and career and vocational schools may partner in the activities of the Institute.

Any degree granting education program at the Institute must receive HECB approval. The lease, purchase, or construction of an Institute site or facility must also be approved by the HECB.

By December 1, 2009, the HECB must report to the higher education committees of the Legislature. This report shall be done in consultation with other entities such as the SBCTC, the WTECB, the aerospace industry and related businesses, labor, and institutions of higher education and shall identify:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 25, 2009.

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