2SHB 1795 -
By Representative Warnick
ADOPTED 05/09/2011
On page 45, after line 28 of the amendment, insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 29 (1) The legislature finds that the methods
of providing funds to four-year public institutions of higher education
are based upon factors such as prior years' budget provisos and
inaccurate assumptions about the number of full-time equivalent
enrollments. The bases for these funding assumptions have grown
disconnected to legislative expectations and lack transparency and
accountability.
(2) A joint select legislative task force on the baccalaureate
funding formula is established. The task force shall consist of the
following members:
(a) Two members from each caucus of the senate appointed by the
president of the senate, two of the members must be members of the ways
and means committee and two must be members of the higher education and
workforce development committee; and
(b) Two members from each caucus of the house of representatives
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, two of the
members must be members of the ways and means committee and two must be
members of the higher education committee.
(3) The task force shall:
(a) Review statutes and budget provisos which govern public
institutions offering baccalaureate degrees;
(b) Specify the range of public interests and outcomes which are
served by public expenditures for higher education services;
(c) Review the basis for the state funding of public institutions
offering baccalaureate degrees; and
(d) Prepare and approve a recommended state operating budget method
which offers greater efficacy, transparency, and accountability for
baccalaureate institutions which receive public funds.
(4) The task force shall use legislative facilities, and staff
support shall be provided by senate committee services and the house
office of program research. The meetings of the task force shall be
planned for times which coincide with regular meetings of legislative
committees to the maximum extent possible.
(5) Members of the task force shall not be reimbursed for travel
expenses.
(6) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to
the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by January
16, 2012.
(7) This section expires June 30, 2012."
Renumber the remaining sections consecutively, correct any internal references accordingly, and correct the title.
EFFECT: Adds a new section to create a legislative task force on the baccalaureate funding formula with eight legislative members from the House and Senate and each caucus. Requires that the task force review statutes and budget provisos which govern public institutions offering baccalaureate degrees; specifies the range of public interests and outcomes which are served by public expenditures in higher education; reviews the basis for the state funding of public institutions offering baccalaureate degrees; and prepares and approves a recommended state operating budget method which offers greater efficacy, transparency, and accountability for baccalaureate institutions which receive public funds. Requires the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature by January 1, 2012. Requires that task force members are not reimbursed for travel expenses and that meetings are arranged at times of other legislative meetings to the maximum extent possible.