HB 2814

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 2814

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.

Brief Description: Providing criteria for the siting of an institution of higher education in the north Puget Sound region.

Sponsors: Representatives Quall, Haigh, Morris, Sullivan, Pearson, Miloscia, Ericksen, Takko, Bailey, Blake, Smith, McCoy and Haler.

Brief Summary of Bill

Directs the Legislature to give priority consideration to several factors when considering the location of an institution of higher education in the north Puget Sound region.

Hearing Date: 1/28/08

Staff: Andi Smith (786-7304).

Background:

The 2007-09 capital budget (Section 1048, Chapter 520, Laws of 2007) expressed the Legislature's intent to expand Baccalaureate and graduate capacity in the Snohomish, Island, Skagit area (SIS) and called on the University of Washington (UW) to govern and operate an additional branch campus to be located in that area. Top priorities for the campus include expansion of upper division capacity for transfer students and graduate students in high demand programs, with a particular focus on science, technology, and engineering.

The 2007-09 capital budget also appropriated $4 million to UW and the Office of Financial Management (OFM) to recommend where to locate the campus in the SIS area and to develop a preliminary academic plan for it.

The OFM contracted with architecture and design firm NBBJ to present at least three options and recommend a preferred permanent site for the new branch campus. NBBJ was also asked to assess options and make recommendations for an interim site beginning in fall 2008 that could accommodate up to 250 students with classes, including at least one possible lab science or engineering related program.

During the summer of 2007 the OFM workgroup, which included NBBJ, used the following criteria to recommend a new site for the UW North Sound:

location (must be near the employment opportunities and amenities needed to implement the academic plan for the campus);
conditions (must have a size sufficient to accommodate the campus, with site conditions that are either suited for development or that will be cost effective to address prior to development);
accessibility (the site must be physically accessible, or the costs to secure physical access must be reasonable);
utilities (the site must be served by the necessary utilities, or the costs to provide these services must be reasonable);

sustainability (the site must be reasonably expected to be able to meet U.S. Green Building Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design Silver standards, due to the state's and the UW's commitment to sustainable design);
timeliness for development (the site must be able to be readied for development in a reasonable time frame); and
anticipated costs exclusive of land acquisition (the site must have reasonable costs associates with infrastructure improvements and development).

Several other studies have been conducted regarding the education needs in the SIS area. The previous studies included evaluations to identify the most appropriate general location but did not include specific siting criteria. These general areas included North Everett, Marysville, Arlington, Stanwood, and Mount Vernon. In determining locale, both the 1998 SIS study as well as the 2006 study commissioned by the Higher Education Coordinating Board used several criteria including: (1) percentage of the service area residents and employees who live or work within a 30-minutes travel distance from the locale; (2) average travel miles per trip per person within a 30-minutes travel distance; (3) impact of flood-plain hazards, volcanic hazards, and wetlands; (4) availability and capacity of public utilities and services; (5) proximity to existing or proposed mass transit services; (6) available housing supply.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature must prioritize the criteria used to select sites for an institution of higher education in the north Puget Sound region. Primary consideration must be given to whether the site is centrally located within the SIS region and whether there is space for adequate parking and transit facilities.

The availability of the following criteria must also be given primary consideration: (1) properly zoned land with enough available acreage to meet the needs of 5,000 students; (2) availability of existing water, sewer, storm water facility infrastructure, and transportation access; (3) land that does not pose significant environmental issues; (4) proximate internship programs; (5) significant community support.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.