BILL REQ. #:  S-1087.1 

Read first time 02/03/11.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development.

     AN ACT Relating to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology; amending RCW 28B.50.1401 and 28B.45.0201; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the growth in demand for technical education by the industry in north King county and south Snohomish county has created the need to expand technical workforce education and training programs. It is the intent of the legislature to create a polytechnic college to meet this need. Therefore the legislature directs Lake Washington Institute of Technology to continue to broaden its technical education as a polytechnic college with programs through the baccalaureate level.

Sec. 2   RCW 28B.50.1401 and 1991 c 238 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:
     There is hereby created a board of trustees for district twenty-six and Lake Washington Vocational-Technical Institute, hereafter known as Lake Washington ((Technical College)) Institute of Technology. The members of the board shall be appointed pursuant to the provisions of RCW 28B.50.100.

Sec. 3   RCW 28B.45.0201 and 1994 c 217 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The legislature finds that population growth in north King and south Snohomish counties has created a need to expand higher education and workforce training programs for the people living and working in those areas. In keeping with the recommendations of the higher education coordinating board, the legislature intends to help address those education and training needs through the creation of Cascadia Community College, expansion of educational opportunities at Lake Washington ((Technical College)) Institute of Technology, and support of the University of Washington's branch campus at Bothell-Woodinville. It is further the intention of the legislature, in keeping with the higher education coordinating board recommendations, that the Cascadia Community College and the University of Washington branch campus be collocated, and that the new community college and the University of Washington's branch campus work in partnership to ensure that properly prepared students from community colleges and other institutions are able to transfer smoothly to the branch campus.
     The legislature further finds that a governing board for Cascadia Community College needs to be appointed and confirmed as expeditiously as possible. The legislature intends to work cooperatively with the governor to facilitate the appointment and confirmation of trustees for the college.