HB 1883

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1883

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Higher Education

Title: An act relating to modification of the higher education coordinating board.

Sponsors: Representatives Wallace, Anderson, Chase, Jarrett, Moeller, McDermott, Priest, Haigh, Kagi, Roberts, Kenney and Conway.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Wallace, Chair; Sells, Vice Chair; Anderson, Ranking Minority Member; Buri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hasegawa, Jarrett, McIntire and Roberts.

Background:

In 1985, the Legislature sunset the Council on Postsecondary Education and created the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). The HECB is composed of 10 members representing the public, one of whom is a student. The members are appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, and serve four-year terms, with the exception of the student member, whose term lasts one year.

The HECB also has an advisory council that meets four times annually. It includes a representative from each of the following: the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; the State Board of Education; community and technical colleges; the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTECB); the research universities; the four-year comprehensive institutions; faculty of the four-year institutions; the proprietary schools; the independent colleges; and a faculty member in the community and technical college system.

The HECB's functions include policy development, planning, and research for the higher education system. Their responsibilities include development of a statewide strategic master plan for higher education and the development of recommendations on policy and budgetary issues for consideration by the Governor and the Legislature.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Effective July 1, 2007, the Executive Director of the HECB will be appointed by the Governor from a list of three names submitted by the HECB.

The Governor will convene a Five-Corners Task Force (Task Force) every six months focused on the state's broad needs and priorities for higher education. The Task Force will be comprised of the Governor, and the chairs and ranking minority members of the House of Representatives and Senate Higher Education Committees.

The HECB's statewide strategic master plan for higher education and institutional plans at the four-year institutions will all cover a 10-year time period. The HECB will update its plan every four years and it will address the goals of: expanding access; using methods of educational delivery that are efficient, cost-effective, and productive to deliver modern educational programs; and using performance measures.

The deadline for the HECB, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), and four-year institutions to submit budget recommendations are all moved up one month on each even-numbered year. The operating and capital budget outlines submitted by the SBCTC and institutions to the HECB will include all policy changes and enhancements that will be requested and a prioritized ranking of capital requests.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The HECB retains its current membership, rather than the 14 members described in the original bill. The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the HECB as in current statute, instead of at the pleasure of the HECB and the Governor as described in the original bill.

No additional members are added to the advisory committee.

The goals of the master plan to expand access, use efficient, cost-effective and productive methods of delivery, and use performance measures are added.

The 10 year master plan will be updated every four years.

The SBCTC and four-year institutions will each submit their proposed budgets to the HECB one month earlier. They will include operating budget outlines that reflect all policy changes and enhancements and a prioritized ranking of capital projects they will be requesting in their respective biennial budget requests.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed, except section 102, relating to the appointment of the Executive Director, which contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

It is important to see the budget move up one month, so the Office of Financial Management can receive the benefit of the Higher Education Coordinating Board's (HECB) budget recommendations in a timely manner. The bill has a lot of responsiveness to the master plan. The 10 year strategic master plan is a good idea.

The HECB supports the Governor's role in the process for appointing the Executive Director. It is important to look at all the options of the Executive Director's terms, however the HECB looks forward to working with the Legislature and the Governor's office on governance.

It is good to hear that the advisory committee is getting more meaningful. It should have more teeth than it currently does, and it should be consulted before things are brought to the board. Also, the Legislature should recommend adding representatives of four-year and two-year faculty to the board. They are an important part of governance.

(Neutral) Although there is no necessity to change the make-up of the HECB, it is okay to do so as well. If people are added, Independent Colleges of Washington will appreciate being included. If the amendment to have a student on the HECB come from an association moves forward, please make sure it is open to private college students as well. The current HECB student member attends a private college.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) David Lovell, Council of Faculty Representatives; Bill Grinstein, Higher Education Coordinating Board; Ruth Windhover, Washington Education Association; and Sandra Schroeder, American Federation of Teachers Washington.

(Neutral) Greg Scheiderer, Independent Colleges of Washington.