FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5276

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 Schoesler, Jarrett, Oemig, Shin and Holmquist).

Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development

House Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Education Appropriations

Background: "Major line" at universities means the development of the work or courses of study in certain subjects leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree or degrees in that subject. Major lines offered at both Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Washington (UW) include pharmacy, architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and forest management. Additional major lines at WSU include agriculture, veterinary medicine, and economic science related to agriculture and rural life. Additional major lines at UW include law, medicine, library sciences, aeronautic and astronautic engineering, fisheries, forest products and logging engineering. No other public institution of higher education may offer these major lines.

Summary: Civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering are no longer exclusive major lines at WSU and UW. Aeronautic and astronautic engineering are no longer exclusive major lines at UW. Undergraduate or graduate degrees in these lines of study may be offered at any institution of higher education in Washington.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	47	0
House	97	0