Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee
ESB 5534
Brief Description: Concerning workforce education investment accountability and oversight board staffing changes.
Sponsors: Senators Randall, Holy, Nobles and Wellman.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill
  • Changes the staffing of the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight (WEIAO) Board to the Washington Student Achievement Council.
  • Permits the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) to maintain the WEIAO Board data dashboard.
  • Increases membership on the WEIAO Board to include a representative of the Workforce Board.
Hearing Date: 3/21/23
Staff: Saranda Ross (786-7068)
Background:

The Legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2158 in 2019, known as the Workforce Education Investment Act (WEIA).  The WEIA established the Workforce Education Investment Account that is funded from an increase in the Business and Occupation Tax.  The Workforce Education Investment Account is solely for funding higher education expenses.  As a part of the WEIA, the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight (WEIAO) Board was established for two purposes:

  • provide guidance and recommendations to the Legislature on what workforce education priorities should be funded from the Workforce Education Investment Account; and
  • ensure accountability that the investments funded from the Workforce Education Investment Account are producing the intended results and effectively increasing student success and career readiness.

 

The WEIAO Board has 17 members, including legislators; representatives from businesses impacted by the tax, higher education, labor; and students.  The WEIAO Board is staffed by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) and is required to meet four times a year.
Summary of Bill:

The Student Achievement Council is tasked with staffing the WEIAO Board.  The Workforce Board must maintain the WEIAO Board's data dashboard on a public-facing portal.  Membership on the WEIAO Board is increased by one to include a representative of the Workforce Board.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.