H-3981.2  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2874

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Representatives Dunn, Skinner and Carlson

Read first time 01/21/2000.  Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

Creating a legislative task force on community and technical college tuition, residency, and compensation.

    AN ACT Relating to a task force on community and technical college tuition, residency, and compensation; creating a new section; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The legislature recognizes that a well-trained and educated work force is a key factor in the economic development of the state of Washington.  The presence of a high quality, yet affordable system of public colleges and universities is critical in developing such a work force.  It is the intent of the legislature to examine the key elements and identify and address any barriers in delivering an excellent and affordable public education to its citizens.

    (2) A legislative task force on community and technical college  tuition, residency, and compensation is established.  The task force shall consist of:

    (a) A maximum of four members of the house of representatives committee on higher education, equally divided from the two largest caucuses and chosen by the co-chairs of the committee on higher education; and

    (b) Two members of the house of representatives committee on appropriations, equally divided from each of the two largest caucuses and chosen by the co-chairs of the committee on appropriations.

    In addition, the state board for community and technical colleges, the higher education coordinating board, and the council of presidents shall each cooperate with the task force and each maintain a liaison representative, each of whom shall be nonvoting members.

    (3) The task force shall conduct an interim study focusing on tuition, residency requirements, and employee compensation at the public community and technical colleges.  The study shall include, but not be limited to:

    (a) What changes, if any, should be made in calculating tuition increases;

    (b) The impact of the state's rules in setting in-state and out-of-state tuition at the community and technical colleges on the four-year baccalaureate universities and research universities;

    (c) How the state's residency requirements should be applied to enrollment in distance learning courses; and

    (d) The impact of salaries and compensation of faculty and staff, including part-time and adjunct employees, on recruiting and retraining faculty, especially in high demand disciplines.

    (4) The task force, where feasible, may consult with individuals from the public and private sector or ask such persons to establish an advisory committee.

    (5) The task force shall use legislative facilities and staff from the office of program research. 

    (6) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2000.

    (7) This section expires July 1, 2001.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

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