On page 3, after line 32, insert the following:

Sec. 3. "RCW 28A.300.080 and 1983 1st ex.s. c 34 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature recognizes that agriculture is the most basic and singularly important industry in the state, that agriculture is of central importance to the welfare and economic stability of the state, and that the maintenance of this vital industry requires a continued source of trained and qualified individuals who qualify for employment in agriculture, food, and natural resource career pathways.

(2) The legislature finds that research shows that students enrolled in a career and technical education program in high school have a higher graduation rate than other students, and that the agricultural education branch of career and technical education fosters an understanding of the history and principles of agriculture, agriscience, manufacturing, agribusiness, leadership, advocacy, and community service.

(5) The legislature declares that it is within the best interests of the people and state of Washington that a comprehensive ((vocational education)) program in agriculture education through career and technical education be maintained in the state's secondary school system in order to ensure both an adequate supply of trained and skilled individuals, and appropriate representation of sexual orientation, racial, and ethnic groups in all phases of the agricultural, food, and natural resource supply chain.

Sec. 4. RCW 28A.300.090 and 1983 1st ex.s. c 34 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((A vocational))An agriculture education ((service area within))program must be established as a career and technical education program in the office of the superintendent of public instruction ((shall be established)). The program must serve the agriculture, food, and natural resource career cluster. Adequate funding for the staffing of individuals trained or experienced in the field of ((vocational agriculture shall be provided for the vocational)) agriculture education ((service area for coordination of the state))must be provided for program ((and to))oversight.

(2) The program must provide assistance to ((local)) school districts ((for the coordination of the))and coordinate its activities ((of))with applicable career and technical student ((agricultural)) organizations ((and associations)). The program staff members must include, but are not limited to, a 1.0 FTE supervisor of agriculture education employed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and any additional staff member deemed appropriate.

(((2)))(3) The ((vocational agriculture education service area))program supervisor shall:

(a) Assess needs in ((vocational)) agriculture ((education)), food, and natural resource sciences, assist local school districts in establishing ((vocational)) agriculture programs, review local school district applications for approval of ((vocational)) agriculture programs, evaluate existing programs, and plan research and studies for the improvement of curriculum materials for specialty areas of ((vocational)) agriculture. Standards and criteria developed under this subsection shall satisfy the mandates of federally-assisted ((vocational))career and technical education;

(b) Develop in-service programs for teachers and administrators of ((vocational)) agriculture education, review applications for ((vocational))career and technical education agriculture teacher certification, and assist in teacher recruitment and placement in ((vocational))career and technical education agriculture programs;

(c) Serve ((as a liaison with))on the ((Future Farmers of America,))Washington FFA association board of directors, consisting of representatives of business, industry, and appropriate public agencies, and institutions of higher education in order to disseminate information, promote improvement of ((vocational))career and technical education agriculture programs, and assist in the development of adult and continuing education programs in ((vocational)) agriculture; ((and))

(d) Serve as the FFA state advisor for Washington; and

(e) Establish an advisory task force committee of agriculturists, who represent the diverse areas of the agricultural industry in Washington, which shall make annual recommendations including, but not limited to, the development of curriculum, staffing, strategies for the purpose of establishing a source of trained and qualified individuals in agriculture, and strategies for articulating the state program in ((vocational)) agriculture education, including youth leadership throughout the state school system.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds that career and technical student organizations prepare students to enter a postsecondary education institute and a career. The legislature finds also that barriers for agriculture education students should be removed.

(2) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide every student enrolled in an agriculture education pathway course approved by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, based on annual June 1st enrollment, with state and national membership to the corresponding career and technical student organizations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:

The office of the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the board of directors of the Washington FFA association, shall adopt and periodically revise rules to implement RCW 28A.300.090 and section 5 of this act."

On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "modifying" strike the remainder of the title and insert "provisions related to second grade reading assessments, revising requirements for the building bridges program, and modifying provisions governing an existing vocational agriculture education service area program; amending RCW 28A.175.025, 28A.300.310, 28A.300.080, and 28A.300.090; and adding new sections to chapter 28A.300 RCW."