S-4612.1  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6747

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl‑Welles, Jacobsen, Sheahan, Shin, B. Sheldon, McAuliffe, Horn, Finkbeiner, Winsley, Costa and Rasmussen)

Read first time 02/04/2000.

Strengthening the working relationship between the high technology industry and the higher education community.

    AN ACT Relating to strengthening the working relationship between the high technology industry and the higher education community; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The high technology industry is a major contributor to the economic prosperity of Washington state.  The legislature finds that industry must play a key role in assisting and supporting state government and institutions of higher education as Washington strives to enhance its current competitive advantage.  Institutions of higher education contribute to the success of Washington's high technology economy in many ways.  Continuing to strengthen the working relationship between the high technology industry and the higher education community is essential to our state's future.

    (2) Beginning in April 2000, the higher education coordinating board, the state board for community and technical colleges, a representative of the Washington software alliance, the American electronics association, and the Washington biotechnology and biomedical association shall convene a work group in consultation with the council of presidents and its member institutions, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the work force training and education coordinating board, the Washington federation of private career schools and colleges, the Washington association of independent colleges and universities, representatives from the high technology industry, and other higher education providers.

    (3) The work group shall (a) review the various needs of the high technology industry and the roles of the various institutions of higher education in meeting these needs, (b) establish priorities including but not limited to an inventory of higher education high technology programs and offerings, (c) develop strategies to address high technology needs, including employment demand and other needs, and (d) develop an implementation plan for action by the institutions of higher education and industry to enhance opportunities for action by the state, institutions of higher education, and industry to better meet these needs.

    (4) The conveners shall report to the fiscal and higher education committees of the legislature by December 1, 2000, on progress made by the work group and any recommendations ready at the time for short and long-term strategies.

    (5) This section expires December 31, 2001.

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