HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1005

BYRepresentatives Jacobsen, Prince, Heavey, Unsoeld, Barnes, Basich, Allen, K. Wilson and Jesernig

Reorganizing educational systems and services.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Allen, Barnes, Basich, Jesernig, Prince, Silver, Unsoeld, K. Wilson and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. (1)

      Signed by Representative Nelson.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION FEBRUARY 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Legislation establishing the Higher Education Coordinating Board required the Board to study the delegation of its administrative functions and to report the results of that study to the Legislature.  In October 1986, the Board decided to recommend to the Governor's Taskforce on Reorganization that the Board be relieved of certain administrative responsibilities in order to allow the Board to concentrate on matters of policy and coordination.

The administrative programs to be delegated include: programs for student financial assistance, the Displaced Homemaker Program, the Washington Scholars Program, the regulation of private degree-granting schools, and veteran's approval functions for degree-granting institutions.

The Board recommended that staff performing these functions continue to be co-located with staff for the Board, under the supervision of a Higher Education Services Board.  The Higher Education Services Board would consist of the Executive Director of the State Board for Community College Education; the Superintendent of Public Instruction; one representative of the independent colleges, appointed by the Governor; one representative of the senior public institutions, appointed by the Governor; and as chair, the executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The Governor's Taskforce on Reorganization accepted the Board's request to be relieved of its administrative responsibilities, but recommended that those functions be assigned to an Office of Educational Services under the direction of the Governor.  The Taskforce also recommended that duties currently assigned to the Commission for Vocational Education also be included within the duties of the office.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature finds a need to remove certain administrative functions from the jurisdiction of the Higher Education Coordinating Board and a need to centralize postsecondary administrative functions within one agency.  The Office of Educational Assistance is established.  The office will administer assigned educational responsibilities in cooperation and consultation with constituencies concerned with postsecondary education.

The office will administer programs for student financial assistance, the Washington Scholars Program, the Displaced Homemaker Program, programs for the approval of degree-granting independent institutions, and any other program assigned by law or the appropriate authority.  The office will also receive and expend public and private funds; adopt necessary rules and bylaws; appoint necessary advisory committees; and facilitate and promote cooperation among all segments of education involved in the office's programs. The office is required to administer its programs in a manner consistent with policies adopted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board in a comprehensive master plan.

The director of the office will be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the senate. Staff from the Higher Education Coordinating Board performing delegated responsibilities will be transferred to the office, along with funds and equipment associated with those responsibilities.

The director will appoint a financial aid advisory committee to advise the office on various functions related to financial aid programs.  The committee will be composed of financial aid administrators and other financial aid constituencies.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 20, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Terry Brainard, Washington Financial Aid Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Members of the Washington Financial Aid Association would like to see an office established that focuses on activities related to student financial assistance.  Such an office, under the Governor, would be able to act as an advocate for the needs of students who cannot afford to attend college without financial aid.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.