FINAL BILL REPORT

HCR 4460

BYRepresentative Grimm

Establishing a joint select committee on school construction.

AS PASSED LEGISLATURE

BACKGROUND:

Since 1985, the House of Representatives has had an informal study group reviewing issues related to school construction.  This group included participation from the State Board of Education, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Washington Association of School Administrators, the Washington State School Directors' Association, and many others.  The study group reviewed projections of revenues and needs for state matching funds for school construction, based on enrollment forecasts and the age of existing facilities.  These projections indicated that, without further action, the current backlog of school construction projects may be expected to grow substantially by the year 2000.

SUMMARY:

A joint select committee on school construction is established to develop options and recommendations for resolving funding shortfalls and other issues related to school construction.  The committee shall have twelve voting members:  four from the House of Representatives, four from the Senate, and four appointed by the Governor from executive branch agencies.  The chairman of the joint select committee shall be one of the legislative members, chosen by vote of the legislators on the committee.

In addition, an advisory committee shall be appointed by the chairman to participate in the discussion and resolution of issues with the joint select committee.  The advisory committee shall include five members from the business community, including representatives of organizations of major business leaders, and five members representing the school community and citizens' advocacy groups.  Members of the advisory committee shall not be reimbursed for travel expenses and per diem.

The joint select committee is authorized to accept private donations to pay for consultants or other services needed.

The joint select committee shall report their findings and recommendations to the legislature on the first day of the 1989 legislative session.!np