SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5385

As of February 5, 2003

Title: An act relating to studying the community and technical college funding system.

Brief Description: Studying the community and technical college funding system.

Sponsors: Senators Shin, B. Sheldon, Reardon, T. Sheldon, Benton and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 2/6/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff: Dario de la Rosa (786-7484)

Background: Community colleges, until 1967 known as junior colleges, have operated in Washington since 1915. Originally, school districts established junior colleges as part of their adult education program. In 1967, the Community College Act passed the Legislature, shifting control of two-year colleges from local school districts to the state. The act created the State Board for Community Colleges and 22 local community college boards. Funding for the colleges became the responsibility of the state. The Community College Act did not alter funding for the vocational and technical schools which remained under the jurisdiction of the local school districts.

The Community and Technical College Act of 1991 provided for a state system of community and technical colleges. The public technical and vocational schools were renamed as "technical colleges" and merged with the community college system. The state Legislature allocates funding for the community and technical colleges to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in turn distributes the appropriations to the colleges.

Summary of Bill: The Washington State Institute for Public Policy must study the feasibility of including the community and technical college system in the funding system used for K-12 public schools. The study must be completed and recommendations made by December 1, 2004.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.