SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1559
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. |
As of March 16, 2015
Title: An act relating to higher education programs at Washington State University and the University of Washington.
Brief Description: Concerning higher education programs at Washington State University and the University of Washington.
Sponsors: House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Riccelli, Johnson, Wylie, Parker, MacEwen, Harris, Rodne, Schmick, Short, Pettigrew, Ormsby, Robinson, Van De Wege, Klippert, Reykdal, Sawyer, Holy, Walsh, S. Hunt, Kretz, Vick, Gregerson, McCaslin, Pike, Scott, Smith, Lytton, Hudgins, Ryu, Condotta, Sells, Moscoso, Hurst, Santos, Buys, Fey, Takko, Blake, Dent, Nealey, Kilduff, Chandler, Wilcox, Haler, Magendanz, Peterson, Ortiz-Self, Appleton, Manweller, Shea, Senn, Hayes, Kochmar, Hargrove, Muri, Stanford, Fagan, Griffey, Van Werven, Wilson, Harmsworth, Kirby, Tharinger, McBride and Goodman).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/09/15, 81-17.
Committee Activity: Higher Education:
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION |
Staff: Kimberly Cushing (786-7421)
Background: In 1917 the Washington State Legislature defined the term major line to mean the development of the work or courses of study in certain subjects, leading to a degree in that subject. The Legislature also designated major lines to be exclusively offered by either the University of Washington (UW) or the State College of Washington, later renamed Washington State University (WSU), or to be shared by both UW and WSU.
Today, state law continues to stipulate that certain major lines of study may only be offered by the following universities:
UW: law, medicine, forest products, logging engineering, library sciences, and fisheries;
WSU: agriculture, veterinary medicine, and economic science in its application to agriculture and rural life; and
shared by both the UW and WSU: pharmacy, architecture, and forest management.
In 1946 the UW School of Medicine was founded. In the early 1970s, the UW created a regional medical education program which today serves Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho and is known as WWAMI. Universities from the five states partner with UW to offer basic sciences courses to first-year medical school students enrolled in WWAMI, including WSU.
Summary of Bill: The WSU Board of Regents is authorized to establish, operate, and maintain a school of medicine. Medicine and forestry are major lines that WSU may offer and teach in addition to UW.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.