HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5177

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.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Delvin, Kastama, King, Rockefeller, McAuliffe, Pridemore, Hobbs, Fraser, McDermott, Jarrett, Kilmer, Keiser, Hatfield and Roach).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

(As Amended by House)

Creates the Global Asia Institute (Institute) within the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies (Jackson School) at the University of Washington.
Permits the Higher Education Coordinating Board to solicit, accept, receive, and administer federal and private funds in support of the Institute.
Creates an advisory board and requires the Director of the Jackson School to appoint members and assign their roles and responsibilities.
Directs the Jackson School to report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2010, regarding the Institute's activities.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Wallace, Chair; Sells, Vice Chair; Anderson, Ranking Minority Member; Schmick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Carlyle, Driscoll, Grant-Herriot, Haler and White.

Background:

The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies (Jackson School) at the University of Washington (UW) was founded in 1909 and combines the social sciences, humanities, and professional fields to forge disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the understanding of global affairs. The Jackson School currently offers undergraduate and graduate studies in China, Japan, Korea, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.

The Jackson School has eight National Resource Centers, which receive funding and designation from the U.S. Department of Education. These centers are devoted to outreach and public education activities for teachers, business people, and the general community. Each year the Jackson School sponsors conferences, colloquia, and seminars featuring the works of scholars, business people, and diplomats from around the world. The current centers include an East Asia Center, a South Asia Center, and a Southeast Asian Center.

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Summary of Amended Bill:

A Global Asia Institute (Institute) is created within the Jackson School. The mission of the Institute is to promote the understanding of Asia and its interactions with Washington and the world.

The Institute must host visiting scholars and policymakers, sponsor programs and learning initiatives, engage in collaborative research projects, and facilitate broader understanding and cooperation between Washington and Asia through general public programs and targeted collaborations with specific communities in the state.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is permitted to solicit, accept, receive, and administer federal and private funds in support of the Institute.

Within existing resources, creates the Global Asia Institute Advisory Board (Advisory Board) and requires that the Director of the Jackson School appoint members and assign roles and responsibilities. Requires the Jackson School to submit a progress report regarding the Institute's accomplishments by December 1, 2010.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The Advisory Board is created and the Director of the Jackson School is required to appoint members and assign their roles and responsibilities. The Jackson School is also required to submit a progress report regarding the accomplishments of the Global Asia Institute by December 1, 2010.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The UW has played a key role in providing research in Asian countries, culture, and history. Asia represents two-thirds of the world's population and will have a huge impact on global affairs. This Institute will help to improve relations among the United States and these nations.

The Institute would institutionalize, embellish, consolidate, and focus what the Jackson School and UW as a whole have been doing for years. The Institute will provide focus, legislative blessing, and an official acknowledgement of the work. This will enable the Institute to build networks in Asia. Having the official focus is quite helpful in forming relationships with Asian universities and businesses. Given past experience in fundraising, there is no doubt that private dollars can be raised to support this project. The bill will make a difference by institutionalizing and focusing Asian policy studies and enhancing policy dialogue. The Institute would also provide a focus on engaging UW faculty and students with faculty and students from global Asia via web technology.

(Opposed) None.