Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Appropriations & Oversight Committee |
HB 1449
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: Establishing a processing fee for educator certificates.
Sponsors: Representatives Hunter, Haigh, Anderson, Maxwell, Sullivan and Dammeier; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 2/1/11
Staff: Ben Rarick (786-7349).
Background:
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) administers the certification process for educators in Washington. In 2008-09, the certification office within the OSPI processed approximately 38,753 certification actions. Total certification actions have remained relatively stable over recent years; staying in the range of 38,000 to 40,000. Certification actions include the following types of processing: processing new certificates, issuing emergency substitute certifications, issuing certification renewals, and processing address changes. Assuming a $33 processing fee for each certification action, the OSPI would generate approximately $1,287,849 each year.
The certification system at the OSPI is currently a paper-based system, and relies on hand-coding of data and use of microfiche to store data. The OSPI currently spends approximately $855,437 to administer educator certifications.
An initial certification fee of $35, as well as other fees for a variety of actions, are levied by the professional educator standards board under RCW 28A.410.060. By statute, those funds support pre-certification training programs, program evaluation, and other professional in-service activities. Proceeds from this fee are split between the Professional Educator Standards Board and the college of education or educational service district from which the action was initiated.
Summary of Bill:
The bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction to charge a fee for processing initial educator certificates and other certification-related activities, and set the fee amount through the rule-making process. The fee amount shall be set at a level sufficient "to defray the costs of administering the educator certification program."
The bill also creates the Educator Certification Processing Account, into which all proceeds from the fee shall be deposited. Disbursements from the account may only be made by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or a designee, and the account does not require appropriation from the legislature for expenditure.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.