HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6626

BYSenate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Conner, Barr, Saling, Benitz and DeJarnatt)

Requiring an assessment of higher education needs of placebound students.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Doty, Fraser, Heavey, Jesernig, Miller, Rector and Wood.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Belcher, Bowman, Brekke, Dorn, Ebersole, Ferguson, Hine, Inslee, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (6)

      Signed by Representatives Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Brough, May, McLean and Nealey.

House Staff:      Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

By law, the Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed to prepare a comprehensive master plan that includes assessments of the state's higher education needs.  The assessments may include the needs of recent high school graduates and placebound adults in all geographic regions.  However, the board was directed to place its initial priorities on the needs of residents in heavily populated areas underserved by public institutions.

The board conducted assessments of the need for additional upper-division and graduate programs in the state's large urban centers.  The board has assigned to various universities the responsibility for serving those urban centers, in some cases through branch campuses.

The 1989 session of the Legislature approved legislation that directed the board to conduct an assessment of the educational needs of placebound students living in areas of the state not addressed by the branch campus initiative.  An assessment of the needs of the citizens of Jefferson and Clallam counties was included.  The board was directed to report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the House and Senate Higher Education Committees by September 1, 1990.

The governor vetoed the required assessment and report.  His veto message stated that the legislation reenacts the law requiring the board to perform educational needs assessments.  It also stated that "It (the board) can now begin assessing the needs of place-bound students in those areas that are less populated, including Clallam and Jefferson counties."

SUMMARY:

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed to study the need for upper-division college classes in Clallam and Jefferson counties. The study will include consideration of alternative ways to deliver these classes.  The board will report its findings to the governor and the Legislature by September 1, 1992.

$35,000 is appropriated to the board for the study. Any of those funds remaining at the end of the current biennium are appropriated to the board for the following biennium.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed to study the upper division baccalaureate educational needs of students living in areas of the state not currently served by either four-year institutions of higher education or by branch campuses.  The board will also study the graduate educational needs of teachers living in the same areas.  The study will include recommendations on how the needs should be addressed, and which institutions should be responsible for serving specific areas.

Existing law creating the Educational Opportunity Grant Program is repealed.  The program is recreated as a demonstration project designed to help certain students obtain a baccalaureate degree.

Resident placebound students living in areas of the state served by the branch campuses are eligible to participate in the program if they are needy, and have completed an associate of arts degree or its equivalent.  Participants may receive up to $2,500 to attend a college or university with unused capacity.  Students may not use the grant to attend a branch campus, or to enroll in any program that includes religious worship, exercise, or instruction. Students also may not use the grant to obtain a degree in theology. The term "placebound" is defined.

The program will be administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  The board's program responsibilities are described.

Needy Amerasian immigrants who are being assisted by the Bureau of Refugee Assistance in the Department of Social and Health Services are exempt from the payment of the nonresident tuition and fee differential.

Appropriation:    (Higher Education) $35,000 to the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

(Appropriations) The $35,000 appropriation is removed.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

Effective Date:Licensing requirements for foreign student placement agencies take effect January 1, 1991.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Higher Education) Senator Paul Connor, prime sponsor; and Ann Daley, Higher Education Coordinating Board.

(Appropriations) No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Higher Education) No one.

(Appropriations) No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Higher Education) The unemployment rate in the north peninsula area is above 10 percent.  Many placebound students need an opportunity to complete their baccalaureate degrees in order to obtain better jobs and help improve the economic climate of the area.  Too many of the bright students are leaving the area to attend college.  Often, these students do not return.  The board is ready and willing to undertake the study, however the survey will entail some expenses.

(Appropriations) None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Higher Education) None.

(Appropriations) None.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 96; Excused 1 - 3/1

Excused:    Representative Hankins