H-1184.2  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1731

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Kenney, Carlson, Lantz, Reardon, Linville, Skinner, Gombosky, Doumit, Edwards, Anderson, Veloria, Edmonds, Kessler, Kagi, Wolfe, Hatfield, Murray, Ruderman, Dunshee, Grant, Rockefeller, O'Brien and Conway

Read first time 02/03/1999.  Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

Creating economic incentive grants for educational programs that meet the demand of work force training for business and industry.

    AN ACT Relating to community and technical colleges economic incentive grants; and adding new sections to chapter 28B.50 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The legislature finds that it is in the public interest to encourage and enhance cooperation among business, industry, and community and technical colleges.  It is the policy of the state to facilitate interinstitutional coordination, planning, and collaborative arrangements to make efficient use of educational facilities and encourage economic development.

    (2) In order to secure for the citizens of Washington the advantages that would accrue through cooperative programs that meet specific educational, business, and societal needs, the college board may provide economic development grants for the planning and design of programs offered by two or more community and technical colleges using appropriated funds.  Economic development grants shall encourage cooperation among business, industry, and community and technical colleges, and meet the work force training needs of this state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  As used in sections 1 through 4 of this act, "instructional program" means a course of study leading to certification, licensure, or a degree at the associate level.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The college board, using funds appropriated therefor, may award economic incentive grants for instructional programs that meet the demand of work force training for business and industry.  Economic incentive grants may be used to fund proposals that emphasize collaboration between business, industry, and community and technical colleges.  The criteria for awarding the grants must be uniform and applicable to all eligible colleges and the proposals shall meet the following conditions:

    (1) The program shall be offered by two or more eligible community colleges and technical colleges;

    (2) The participating colleges shall obtain a matching grant from business and industry that is equal to the amount of the state grant.

    (3) The partnership between business, industry, and community and technical colleges shall be a cost-effective means to provide the training program;

    (4) The program shall provide training for the regional work force; and

    (5) The program shall meet the needs of the regional employers.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  The college board shall assure continuing evaluation of the effectiveness of the economic incentive grants authorized by section 3 of this act, and before December of each even-numbered year shall submit a report to the governor and legislature.  In administering the grants, the college board shall require the use of appropriate fiscal procedures to ensure accountability of public funds.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.50 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.  If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

                            --- END ---