FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1645

C 217 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Increasing the number of members on the Washington higher education facilities authority.

Sponsors: Representatives Riccelli, Sells, Ryu and Moscoso; by request of Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority.

House Committee on Higher Education

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Background:

The Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority (Facilities Authority) was created in 1983 to allow Washington's nonprofit, independent colleges to build, improve, and outfit higher education facilities through tax-exempt financing. The Facilities Authority issues tax-exempt, non-recourse revenue bonds for the independent qualified institutions of higher education in Washington. The eligible colleges within the Facilities Authority include Bastyr University, Cornish College of the Arts, Gonzaga University, Heritage University, Northwest Indian College, Pacific Lutheran University, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle University, University of Puget Sound, Walla Walla University, Whitman College, and Whitworth University.

The Facilities Authority board consists of six members, including: the Governor; Lieutenant Governor; and four public members, one of whom must be the president of a higher education institution at the time of appointment. The public members must be residents of the state. The public members are appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and serve staggered, four-year terms. The Governor serves as the chairperson of the Facilities Authority.

Summary:

The Chair of the Student Achievement Council is added to the Facilities Authority board, increasing the total membership from six members to seven members.

Votes on Final Passage: