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

Brief Description: Modifying the higher education coordinating board.

Sponsors: House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Wallace, Anderson, Chase, Jarrett, Moeller, McDermott, Priest, Haigh, Kagi, Roberts, Kenney and Conway).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/14/07, 95-1.

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 3/22/07 [DPA, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Shin, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair; Delvin, Ranking Minority Member and Schoesler.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Berkey and Sheldon.

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background: The Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) is a ten-member citizen board that administers the state's student financial aid programs and provides planning, coordination, monitoring, and policy analysis for higher education in Washington. Appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, board members serve four-year terms, except for the student member who serves a one year term. The board selects from its membership a chair and a vice-chair who each serve a one-year term. The chair and vice-chair may serve more than one term if selected to do so by the membership. The HECB employs a director who serves at the pleasure of the HECB. An Advisory Council, which includes K-12 education and higher education leaders, advises the board on carrying out its statutory duties.

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill: Effective July 1, 2007, the Executive Director of the HECB is appointed by the Governor from a list of three names submitted by the HECB. The HECB's statewide strategic master plan for higher education and institutional plans at the four-year institutions covers a 10-year time period. The HECB updates its plan every four years and the plan addresses 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.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT(S) AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Higher Education): The HECB retains the authority to select their own director and the director is accountable to the HECB.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which the 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: PRO: The Executive Director should remain accountable to the HECB. This will help keep politics from undue influence of the HECB Executive Director. Maintaining the independence of the HECB is important for the citizens and students of Washington. The HECB needs to look more long range during planning and the ten-year horizon is realistic.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Wallace, prime sponsor; Deb Merle, Office of Financial Management; J.W. Harrington, Council of Faculty Representatives; Bill Grinstein, HECB.